ScottishPower Annual Report 2004/2005
Table of Contents

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONS

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 


 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15a-16 OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of June 2005

 


 

SCOTTISH POWER PLC

(Translation of Registrant’s Name Into English)

 

CORPORATE OFFICE, 1 ATLANTIC QUAY, GLASGOW, G2 8SP

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 


 

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)  Form 20-F  x  Form 40-F  ¨             

 

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)  Yes  ¨  No  x

 

(If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-            .)

 


 

FORM 6-K: TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1. Annual Report for the year ended March 31, 2005.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

           

/s/ Scottish Power plc


(Registrant)

Date  

June 23, 2005


      By:  

/s/ Donald McPherson


               

Donald McPherson

Assistant Secretary


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LOGO

 

Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05

Scottish Power


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Financial Highlights

 

     2005     2004     2005*     2004*  

Turnover

   £6,849 m   £5,797 m   $12,945 m   $10,666 m

Operating profit

   £153 m   £1,023 m   $289 m   $1,882 m

Operating profit excluding goodwill and exceptional

   £1,197 m   £1,151 m   $2,262 m   $2,118 m

(Loss)/profit before tax

   £(29 )m   £792 m   $(55 )m   $1,457 m

Profit before tax excluding goodwill and exceptional

   £1,015 m   £920 m   $1,918 m   $1,693 m

(Loss)/earnings per ordinary share/per ADS

   (16.83 )p   29.40 p   $(1.27 )   $2.17  

Earnings per ordinary share/per ADS excluding goodwill and exceptional

   40.22 p   36.40 p   $3.04     $2.69  

Dividends per ordinary share/per ADS

   22.50 p   20.50 p   $1.65     $1.42  

 

* Amounts for the financial years ended 31 March 2005 and 31 March 2004 have been translated, solely for the convenience of the reader, at the closing exchange rates on 31 March of $1.89 to £1.00 and $1.84 to £1.00, respectively. Dividends per American Depositary Share (“ADS”) are shown based on the actual amounts in US dollars. One ADS represents four ordinary shares.

 

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ScottishPower is an international energy company listed on both the London and New York Stock Exchanges.

 

Through its operating subsidiaries the company provides in excess of 6.7 million electricity or gas services to homes and businesses across the UK and in the western US.

 

This Annual Report & Accounts examines our performance in 2004/05 and assesses the issues and opportunities ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

 


 

Report of the Directors

3      Ø      Chairman’s Statement

5      Ø      Chief Executive’s Review

12    Ø      Business Review

37    Ø      Financial Review

73    Ø      Risk Factors

81    Ø      Board of Directors and Executive Team

84    Ø      Corporate Governance

95    Ø      Remuneration Report of the Directors

106  Ø      Safe Harbor Statement

 

Accounts 2004/05

107  Ø      Accounting Policies and Definitions

112  Ø      Group Profit and Loss Account

113  Ø      Statement of Total Recognised

                 Gains and Losses

114  Ø      Group Cash Flow Statement

115  Ø      Group Balance Sheet

  

116  Ø      Notes to the Group Accounts

167  Ø      Company Balance Sheet

168  Ø      Notes to the Company Balance Sheet

169  Ø      Principal Subsidiary Undertakings

                 and Other Investments

170  Ø      Independent Auditors’ Report

171  Ø      Five Year Summary

172  Ø      Glossary of Financial Terms and US Equivalents

 

IFRS Financial Information

173  Ø      IFRS Financial Information

 

Investor Information

192  Ø      Investor Information

198  Ø      Financial Calendar

199  Ø      Shareholder Services

 

Index

 

Glossary of Terms

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    1


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“In the year ahead we remain committed

to our strategy of investing for organic growth

and improving operational performance

in our three continuing businesses.”

 

Charles Miller Smith Chairman

 

2    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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Chairman’s Statement

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction and Background

 

On 24 May 2005 we announced the decision to sell our regulated US business PacifiCorp to MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (“MidAmerican”) for $9.4 billion following a strategic review.

 

The review examined PacifiCorp’s requirement for future capital investment, the scope to achieve further efficiency improvements and the potential to increase its rates of return. We assessed these factors against likely developments in the regulatory environment.

 

Following the completion of the review, the Board concluded that in view of the scale and timing of PacifiCorp’s capital investment requirements, relative to the profile of anticipated returns, shareholders’ interests would be best served by a sale of PacifiCorp and, following completion of the sale, the return of approximately $4.5 billion of the $5.0 billion net proceeds of the sale to shareholders.

 

The sale of PacifiCorp requires the approval of shareholders and a number of regulatory approvals in the US, which we anticipate will take 12-18 months to complete. During that time we expect that there will be no material changes to the running of the business. We shall seek shareholder approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting.

 

Business Progress

 

Looking ahead, we will focus our management and capital on our UK and Infrastructure Divisions and on our competitive US business, PPM Energy, each of which has strong growth prospects.

 

These businesses have been very successful achieving, in aggregate, an improvement in operating profit of 38% during the last two years. We intend to build on this excellent platform with targeted investment of some £4.5 billion by 2010 to create long-term value and further improvements in operational performance.

 

During the year ScottishPower performed satisfactorily, achieving profit before tax* of more than £1 billion for the first time, an increase of 10% on the previous year. The group’s earnings per share* of 40.22 pence were up by 10% on the previous 12 months, and the final quarter dividend was 7.65

 

pence, bringing the total dividends for the year to 22.50 pence, an increase of 10% on last year.

 

In the year ahead we remain committed to our strategy of investing for organic growth and improving operational performance in our three continuing businesses.

 

Staff

 

ScottishPower’s performance is due to the skills, knowledge and innovation of my colleagues throughout the company. Their professionalism and determination deserve my thanks and those of my Board. I would also like to emphasise ScottishPower’s continuing commitment to upholding the highest standards of health, safety, environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility.

 

Board Changes

 

After the 2005 AGM Philip Carroll, who joined the ScottishPower Board in January 2002, will retire from his position as Non-Executive Director. On behalf of the Board, I thank him for his diligent and committed service and wish him well.

 

Summary

 

We believe the decision to sell PacifiCorp to MidAmerican is the right one for our shareholders and the right one for ScottishPower.

 

Focusing our management and capital on our continuing businesses will enable us to pursue additional investment opportunities to achieve growth and create value for our shareholders. Our current dividend policy is to grow dividends broadly in line with earnings and we expect this to continue following the sale and return of capital to shareholders.

 

LOGO

 

Charles Miller Smith Chairman

24 May 2005

 

 

* Excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    3


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LOGO

 

 

“Following the sale of PacifiCorp, we will focus

our management and capital on our Infrastructure

Division, UK Division and PPM Energy. These

three businesses have strong positions, combined

with a market and regulatory environment which

we anticipate will continue to provide attractive

opportunities for increasing returns and organic

growth. This year we achieved profit before

tax* of over £1 billion for the first time, an

increase of 10% compared with the prior year.”

 

 

Ian Russell Chief Executive

 

 

* Excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item

 

4    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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Chief Executive’s Review

 

 

 

1    Ø    Sale of PacifiCorp

 

 

5    Ø    Health and Safety

2    Ø    Financial Results   6    Ø    Corporate Social Responsibility
3    Ø    Investing for Growth   7    Ø    Employees
4    Ø    Improving Operational Performance   8    Ø    Conclusion

 

 

 


   

 

1    Sale of PacifiCorp

 

Introduction

 

In November 2004, the Board began a strategic review of PacifiCorp as a result of its performance and the significant investment it required in the immediate future.

Our review examined PacifiCorp’s future capital investment requirements, the likely development of its regulatory regimes, the scope for further operational efficiencies and improvements and the scale and timing of further improvements in its achieved rates of return. We also considered the opportunities for growth and returns that exist in our three other businesses.

The Board concluded that, in the light of the scale and timing of the capital investment required in PacifiCorp and the likely profile of returns from that investment, shareholders’ interests were best served by a sale of PacifiCorp and return of capital to shareholders.

The Board, therefore, has entered into a binding agreement for the sale of PacifiCorp to MidAmerican for $9.4 billion. The Board intends to return approximately $4.5 billion of the net proceeds of $5.0 billion from the sale of PacifiCorp, to shareholders. This capital return is anticipated to occur following completion of the sale. The details of the capital return will be communicated to shareholders in due course.

The sale of PacifiCorp enables us to focus our management and capital on the continued development of the Infrastructure Division, UK Division and PPM Energy. These businesses have driven our profit growth over the last two years and delivered overall returns ahead of our cost of capital. They have substantial opportunities for continued growth through capital investment and improved operational performance.

 

Financial Impact of the Sale and Return of Capital

 

MidAmerican will be acquiring the equity of PacifiCorp for $5,109.5 million and will be assuming net debt at completion expected to be approximately $4.3 billion, which gives a total sale price for PacifiCorp of $9.4 billion. Allowing for that net debt, with no material tax cost expected and after estimated costs, net proceeds from the sale are expected to be approximately $5.0 billion. ScottishPower intends to return

 

approximately $4.5 billion of the net proceeds from the sale to shareholders following the completion of the sale. The sale and return of capital is expected to be earnings accretive for ScottishPower from completion.

An exceptional impairment charge of £927 million, under UK GAAP, has been made in ScottishPower’s results for the year ended 31 March 2005. This impairment provision has been made to reduce the book value of PacifiCorp down to its expected net realisable value. Pending completion of the sale, PacifiCorp will be treated as a discontinued operation in the financial statements of ScottishPower. The impairment amount excludes foreign exchange gains of £485 million, achieved to date, which will be reflected in ScottishPower’s Income Statement under IFRS on completion of the sale of PacifiCorp to MidAmerican.

Going forward, our current dividend policy is to grow dividends broadly in line with earnings and we expect this to continue following the sale and return of capital to shareholders. Our financial strategy will be to retain an A category credit rating for the group and our principal operating subsidiaries. To achieve this rating, on completion of the sale, the group will target credit ratios of adjusted FFO/net debt of greater than 25% and FFO/interest cover of more than five times. ScottishPower will work closely with the rating agencies in order to ensure its rating objectives are achieved.

For the year ended 31 March 2005, PacifiCorp’s UK GAAP profit before tax, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, was $581 million and net assets were $ 4.1 billion as at 31 March 2005. From the perspective of PacifiCorp, its unaudited earnings under US GAAP were $250 million for the same period.

 

Strategy for ScottishPower

 

Following the sale, ScottishPower will continue to develop its Infrastructure Division, UK Division and PPM Energy, where ScottishPower has strong positions, combined with a market and regulatory environment that it is anticipated will continue to provide attractive opportunities for organic growth and investment. These businesses have also driven ScottishPower’s recent profit growth and offer the most attractive returns. In aggregate, these three divisions have shown growth in operating profit of 38% over the last two years.

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    5


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Chief Executive’s Review

 

 

The Infrastructure Division can benefit from increases in allowed revenue as a result of the recently concluded Distribution Price Control Review and Transmission Price Control Extension. The resulting price controls provide increased revenue allowances for taxation and pension costs, reflect higher capital investment levels and introduce new incentive targets. The division has geared up across its activities to achieve and, where possible, outperform those new targets and to deliver the increased investment programme. We expect capital expenditure in the division to amount to approximately £1.7 billion to 2010, with 40% of that figure associated with growth in the business.

In our UK Division, over the medium-term, we aim to continue to grow profitably our customer base and generation assets. The growth in customer numbers is expected to deliver increased earnings via higher revenues and a reduction in our average cost to serve. We will support this growth in customer numbers with further investment in generation and gas storage and aim to invest approximately £1.4 billion of capital to 2010. This includes the continued expansion of our windfarm portfolio, where we aim to invest £1 billion by 2010. Some 75% of UK Division’s capital expenditure is expected to support growth, with targeted returns immediately following completion of each project for new investments of at least 300 basis points above the division’s weighted average cost of capital.

At PPM Energy we expect to see continued strong growth in the medium-term coming from our investments in windfarms and gas storage. Approximately £1.4 billion of capital is expected to be invested to 2010, almost all for growth, including £950 million for new wind capacity, taking our total to at least some 2,300 MW and £460 million in the same period to increase our gas storage capacity to 125 BCF. Returns of at least 300 basis points above PPM Energy’s weighted average cost of capital are expected immediately following completion of each project.

 

Details of the PacifiCorp Sale

 

The sale is subject to Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Justice or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Federal Trade Commission and Nuclear Regulatory Commission approvals at federal level, without conditions that would have a material adverse effect on the PacifiCorp business. In addition it is subject to approval at state level in Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington, Idaho and California provided such state approvals are not subject to conditions whose effect would be meaningfully adverse to the business of PacifiCorp. The directors of ScottishPower anticipate that such approvals should be forthcoming within 12 to 18 months. The sale is subject to further conditions to completion which include the representations and warranties of the parties remaining true and correct, the parties performing their covenants and obligations under the Agreement in all

 

material respects, and no material adverse effect in relation to PacifiCorp having occurred. The Agreement may be terminated prior to completion by mutual agreement of the parties or otherwise in certain circumstances including material breach of the representations, warranties or covenants of the parties, ScottishPower shareholders not approving the sale or the sale not having been completed by 23 May 2006 or in certain circumstances by 17 February 2007 and (by MidAmerican) where the Board of ScottishPower withdraws or adversely modifies its recommendation of the sale. ScottishPower has also agreed that it will not initiate, solicit or engage in negotiations concerning any alternative proposals relating to PacifiCorp other than in certain specified circumstances.

ScottishPower and MidAmerican have agreed certain break fee arrangements. In summary, ScottishPower has agreed to pay MidAmerican a break fee of $10 million if, prior to ScottishPower shareholders approving the sale, an alternative proposal relating to PacifiCorp or a proposal for the acquisition of control of ScottishPower is made or announced, is rejected by ScottishPower, and ScottishPower shareholders do not subsequently approve the sale at the relevant shareholders’ meeting or in any event before 1 September 2005 and the Agreement with MidAmerican is as a result terminated. If the break fee would otherwise become payable then its amount is increased to (a) $100 million (in total) if the ScottishPower Board instead of rejecting such proposal, recommends it or withdraws or adversely modifies its recommendation of the sale and (b) $250 million (in total) if within a year of the Agreement with MidAmerican terminating, ScottishPower enters into an agreement with respect to or consummates an alternative proposal relating to PacifiCorp or a proposal for the acquisition of control of ScottishPower. The maximum break fee payable by ScottishPower is therefore $250 million. A break fee of $250 million is payable by MidAmerican to ScottishPower if ScottishPower terminates the Agreement as a result of MidAmerican agreeing to or announcing a proposal to acquire certain competing utility and energy assets if the same directly or indirectly results in the failure to satisfy certain regulatory conditions to the sale and/or creates or imposes additional conditionality or costs which result in MidAmerican choosing not to complete or to terminate the Agreement.

Prior to sale it is envisaged that PacifiCorp will be managed and developed as currently, with no material changes to its operating plans, management structures, or boards.

Between now and closing of the sale, ScottishPower has agreed to invest additional equity in PacifiCorp to fund ongoing capital expenditure in line with PacifiCorp’s current plan. Pursuant to these arrangements, ScottishPower will invest $500 million during the financial year 2005/06. In addition ScottishPower has agreed to make further investments during the financial year 2006/07 of up to $525 million, contributed quarterly, although ScottishPower will be fully compensated for any such payments made in respect of the financial year

 

6    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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2006/07. Between now and the closing of the sale, ScottishPower is entitled to dividends from PacifiCorp in line with PacifiCorp’s current plan. Pursuant to these arrangements, it is expected that, ScottishPower will receive $215 million of dividends during the financial year 2005/06, and $242 million of dividends during the financial year 2006/07, these amounts to accrue monthly.

Due to the size of the sale, the approval of ScottishPower’s shareholders is required. Accordingly, a circular containing details of the sale and a notice convening a general meeting will be posted to shareholders in due course. It is expected that the details of the return of capital will be sent to shareholders around the time of completion of the sale. The sale, which is conditional on shareholders’ approval and on regulatory clearance, is expected to complete in 12 to 18 months.

 


 

2    Financial Results

 

We have achieved profit before tax* of over £1 billion for the first time, an increase of 10% compared with the prior year. These results reflect a 20% growth in our UK customer numbers complemented by investments in generation, continued efficiency in our UK network business, further returns from our US competitive wind and gas storage investments, and lower interest costs. These contributions more than made up for the lower profit at PacifiCorp.

We continue to see very attractive opportunities for profitable growth in our UK network business, where the finalisation of the Distribution Price Control Review places us in a good position to continue to outperform the targets and enhance returns. We are the leading developer of wind generation in the UK and the US with approximately 1,000 MW of plant in operation and some 700 MW of plant to be constructed in the remainder of 2005.

PacifiCorp’s financial performance was impacted by milder temperatures and lower thermal generation availability in the first half, and a lack of rainfall and snow held back the contribution from our hydroelectric generation plants in the second half. The lower than normal snow and rainfall over the winter months will also reduce hydroelectric generation availability during the first six months of 2005/06.

The Infrastructure Division delivered an increase in operating profit of 6% in the year and concluded the Distribution Price Control Review and Transmission Price Control Extension. The division will benefit from increases in allowed revenue as a result. The price controls also introduce challenging new incentive targets which will require further improvements in operational performance. The division is focused on outperforming these new targets and delivering the increased investment programme.

In the UK Division the investment in generation plant has

 

complemented significant growth in customer numbers, up 865,000 this year to over 5.1 million. Together, these have contributed to the substantial increase of some 80% in the operating profit* of the division. We are continuing to grow our customer numbers, albeit at a slower rate than experienced in the first nine months of 2004/05, while maintaining our focus on gaining profitable customers that will create shareholder value. Generation has started at the Black Law windfarm and construction is underway at the Beinn Tharsuinn and Coldham windfarms. The UK Division has continued to demonstrate significant progress toward its renewable energy strategy.

PPM Energy continued to grow rapidly with operating profit* rising 60% to £59 million, for the year, with additional earnings delivered through Production Tax Credits on wind output. In the year we acquired Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation in order to expand on the east coast of the US. This acquisition and the recently announced Shiloh and Maple Ridge windfarms, together with windfarms at Klondike II, Trimont and Elk River, gives PPM Energy 574 MW due on-line by 31 December 2005, all of which are expected to be immediately earnings enhancing following completion.

 


 

3    Investing for Growth

 

We continue to execute our investment strategy across the group and invested £1.4 billion during the year, with £0.8 billion (60%) invested for growth. Investments in our regulated businesses aim to achieve at least the allowed rate of regulatory returns, while our competitive businesses are expected to achieve returns of at least 300 basis points above each division’s weighted average cost of capital.

PacifiCorp’s net capital investment was £480 million for the year, with £231 million (48%) invested for organic growth. Of this, £136 million was invested in building new generation. The first phase of the 525 MW Currant Creek plant, representing 280 MW, will be operational this summer with full operations scheduled to begin in summer 2006. Construction at the 534 MW Lake Side plant is scheduled to begin this summer. A further £95 million was invested in new connections and network reinforcement.

Infrastructure Division’s net capital investment was £267 million for the year, with £67 million (25%) invested for organic growth, including expenditure on the connection to the Black Law windfarm and other new customer connections. Other organic investment focused on network reinforcement projects, such as the £30 million, five-year, Liverpool city centre regeneration programme and initial spend on the Renewable Energy Transmission Study upgrade programme required to accommodate the connection of renewable generation in Scotland. As a result of the Distribution Price

 

 

* Excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    7


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Chief Executive’s Review

 

 

Control Review, capital expenditure allowances increase by 55% over the next five years, against the previous control period, with some 1,800 km of overhead lines due to be built. New initiatives in operational excellence will also help our drive towards a 30% improvement in network performance, resulting in reduced fault duration for our customers and minimising risk of financial penalty from Ofgem. We also plan to invest some £190 million in the first phase of the Transmission Investment for Renewable Generation.

The UK Division’s net capital investment was £546 million, including £454 million (83%) invested for growth. Growth investment included the acquisitions of the 800 MW Damhead Creek power plant for £320 million and the remaining 50% of the 400 MW Brighton power plant for £71 million. Other growth investment of £63 million related primarily to our windfarm developments, notably the largest consented UK onshore windfarm project at Black Law. Development of the project continues, with completion of approximately 100 MW scheduled for autumn this year. Construction is also underway at the 30 MW windfarm at Beinn Tharsuinn and the 16 MW windfarm at Coldham.

PPM Energy’s net capital investment for the year was £84 million, with £79 million (94%) of this invested for growth, primarily on new wind generation projects where build is ongoing. For 2005/06 PPM Energy has announced 574 MW of new windfarm investments, comprising 75 MW Klondike II, 100 MW Trimont, 150 MW Elk River, 150 MW Shiloh and 50% of the 198 MW joint venture Maple Ridge windfarm in upstate NewYork, which is being developed along with Zilkha Renewable Energy of Houston. Maple Ridge represents the first project in the northeastern US associated with the PPM Atlantic Renewable acquisition. PPM Energy’s share of the capital investment is approximately $160 million and the 120 turbine windfarm is due to be completed this December. Once operational, all of these projects are expected to be immediately earnings enhancing.

Looking ahead, we aim to invest further capital to 2010 of some £1.7 billion in the Infrastructure Division including renewable infrastructure investment; £1.4 billion in generation and gas storage in the UK Division; and approximately £1.4billion at PPM Energy on new wind and gas storage capacity.

 


 

  

recoveries of $44 million. Deferred power cost recoveries will expire fully by the end of December 2005. Underlying retail revenues improved due to regulatory rate increases and customer growth, partly offset by lower customer usage, mainly due to the milder weather. Although the contribution from hydroelectric resources was in line with last year, it remained below expectations as a result of the unusually dry conditions. The impact of lower thermal generation availability and related increase in purchase volumes, together with higher fuel and market prices and increased load volumes, all contributed to the rise in net power costs. Operating efficiencies delivered $42 million of benefits and this more than offset adverse other net revenue and cost movements of $37 million, which increased largely as a result of higher labour-related and maintenance costs. Non-recurring items were favourable by $10 million, as the $56 million environmental provision release in the year more than offset $46 million of non-recurring items in the prior year.

Initiatives directed at improving operational efficiency included steps to significantly reduce future expected coal costs over the long-term by commencing underground coal mining in Wyoming; to aid generation efficiency by improving the management of plant overhauls and targeted capital expenditure programmes; and to deliver cost savings by renegotiating operational and service level agreements. In addition, customer service was enhanced following the streamlining and automation of activities and, in April 2005, we opened another new operations centre to facilitate the centralisation of call handling and to provide rapid responses to outages for our customers. These initiatives contributed to PacifiCorp delivering and exceeding its target of $300 million of benefits set at the time of the merger.

In February 2005, the Utah Public Service Commission granted PacifiCorp additional annual revenues of $51 million, based upon a forward-looking test year, effective from 1 March 2005. Along with other awards earlier in the year of $15 million in Washington and $9.25 million in Wyoming, this represents rate case awards in the year of approximately $75 million of additional annual revenue. On 5 May 2005, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case request in Washington for approximately $39 million that also related to increased operating costs.

PacifiCorp is also seeking to account for and recover power costs in Oregon and Washington related to the unfavourable weather conditions. These requests relate to the 2005 calendar year and are expected to be resolved early in 2006. Recovery of any weather-related costs is expected to be made at a future date. PacifiCorp has also requested power cost adjustment mechanisms (“PCAMs”) in Oregon and Washington. The proposed PCAMs are designed to be longer-term, on going mechanisms that pass through to customers a portion of excess power costs, or return to customers a portion of over-collected power costs. This would enable power costs included within rates to be more closely aligned with PacifiCorp’s actual costs and assist in reducing earnings volatility. Discussions on possible PCAMs are also underway in Utah and Wyoming.

4

 

  

Improving Operational

Performance

 

  

PacifiCorp

 

For the year, operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, was lower by £78 million at £542 million (down $29 million to $914 million) due mainly to a net £61 million adverse translation impact from the weaker US dollar, which has been substantially mitigated at an earnings level by the benefits from our hedging policy. Retail revenue growth of $98 million was offset by both increased net power costs of $98 million and, as expected, the reduction in deferred power cost

  

 

8    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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Regulatory returns for PacifiCorp at September 2004, the end of the last regulatory reportable period, were approximately 7% on a normalised basis compared to approximately 8% at September 2003, as the period does not include the increased revenue from the Utah general rate case settlement effective in March 2005 and the Washington general rate case outcome from November 2004.

PacifiCorp now has licenses or settlements in place regarding seven out of nine recent hydroelectric relicensing agreements. The relicensing of the Klamath River and Prospect River systems remain to be settled.

In April 2005, PacifiCorp received a magistrate judge’s opinion agreeing to PacifiCorp’s request to dismiss the $1 billion lawsuit filed against it in May 2004 by the Klamath Tribes. In May 2005, the Tribes filed objections to the magistrate judge’s opinion and the matter is now before a district court judge.

From a customer service perspective, the US Department of Energy ranked PacifiCorp second in the nation in terms of the total number of customers purchasing renewable power and third in terms of sales volumes. In July, PacifiCorp was named best for overall customer satisfaction in a nationwide survey of commercial and industrial customers by TQS Research, an improvement from third place last year.

 

Infrastructure Division

 

For the year, operating profit increased by £23 million to £416 million, with regulated revenues higher by £13 million mainly as a result of distribution sales volume growth and favourable transmission prices, in line with allowed revenues. Underlying net costs were favourable by £14 million mainly due to a reduction in third party transmission charges and lower other net costs. This upside, together with a net £4 million increase in one-off gains, including the gain on disposal of gas assets, more than offset an £8 million increase in rates and depreciation.

In March, we accepted the new licence conditions for the Distribution Price Control Review over the next five years from 1 April 2005 and the Transmission Price Control Extension for the next two years also from 1 April 2005. The effect of the two reviews is to increase revenues by around £60 million in 2005/06 mainly due to increased revenue allowances for taxation and pension costs and also reflecting higher capital investment levels. They also introduce challenging new incentive targets which will require further improvements in operational performance in order to avoid penalties. The division has geared up across its activities to achieve and, where possible, outperform these new targets and to deliver the increased investment programme. Initiatives include deploying a greater proportion of the workforce to restore customers to the network; improved scheduling and monitoring of repairs; programmes targeted at the worst performing circuits; and a re-prioritised maintenance programme.

On 1 April 2005, the British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements (“BETTA”) were successfully introduced with National Grid assuming operational control of

 

the Great Britain (“GB”) transmission system, including balancing of generation and demand in Scotland. ScottishPower retains network ownership and all associated responsibilities including development of the network.

Two storms in January affected approximately 77,000 customers across our licence areas in Manweb and southern Scotland. Early deployment of emergency plans ensured power restoration was highly effective and we received favourable feedback from energywatch for our handling of these events.

During the year the system performance of one of our distribution businesses outperformed the regulatory targets and, subject to the annual audit of system performance data, will qualify for a one-off reward of approximately £3 million. This reward will be reflected in allowed revenue for 2005/06.

 

UK Division

 

For the year, operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation, was higher by £79 million at £180 million. Electricity and gas margins improved by £198 million due to the growth in customer numbers combined with our investment in generation, which delivered £137 million of this increase. The effective management of our generation resource portfolio, including the benefit of our rolling commodity procurement strategy, contributed the majority of the remaining £61 million of margin growth. The substantial increase in customer numbers contributed to higher customer capture, energy efficiency and customer service costs of £45 million. Other net costs increased by £74 million, primarily due to £33 million of operating expenses relating to Damhead Creek and Brighton and higher depreciation and debt provisioning movements.

Renewable development remains a key part of our business strategy and the division is the leading developer of wind generation in the UK with approximately 3,000 MW in its renewable development pipeline, in addition to 158 MW that are operational and 142 MW under construction. We have entered into a joint venture with the Co-operative group to build a 16 MW windfarm at Coldham in Cambridgeshire. Construction is expected to be complete later this year. In March, planning determination for an 18 MW windfarm at Wether Hill in Dumfries and Galloway was given and construction will commence early in 2005/06. We have also completed trials of co-firing of biomass at our Cockenzie power station and have commenced full commercial burning. Co-firing trials have also begun at Longannet. Overall these activities demonstrate the Renewables Obligation Scheme is a successful mechanism that can deliver the Government’s targets for renewable power. We maintain our support for marine renewable power through our relationship with Ocean Power Delivery, a leading developer of marine power.

As we have grown our portfolio of customers and assets, we

continue to maintain a good balance between our retail demand and our generation output. We are maximising the returns from our generating plant by effectively utilising its flexibility, which is increasingly important under the new BETTA market arrangements. Our effective forward purchasing strategy for gas

 

 

 

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Chief Executive’s Review

 

 

and coal has helped to maintain a competitive cost base for plant and customers, whilst also helping to protect us from wholesale price volatility. We are substantially covered across ourcommodity requirements for the next two years and have secured access to competitively priced low-sulphur coal from the international market, which will be delivered to our plant via our highly competitive end-to-end coal logistics deal with Clydeport.

We have successfully adapted to the new arrangements under BETTA, and we are capturing the commercial opportunities that the new arrangements present. However, we continue to have concerns with the GB transmission charging arrangements introduced with BETTA and have therefore commenced Judicial Review proceedings with respect to Ofgem’s decision to approve the current GB charging methodology.

The 6 Sigma business transformation programme that was originally adopted in our supply activities was extended to our generation activities in the year and, in total, delivered revenue and cost savings of £15 million this year. In April 2005, we received a “Best in Class Award” at the European 6 Sigma IQ Awards in recognition of the successful delivery of a project to improve significantly customer accounts set-up time. The benefits of the improvements in our customer service provision have also been evidenced by the results seen in two customer satisfaction studies. ScottishPower came top of Datamonitor’s annual survey of industrial and commercial customers and was ranked highest for price and value in J.D. Power’s domestic gas market award.

 

PPM Energy

 

For the year, operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation, increased by £22 million to £59 million (by $35 million to $98 million). PPM Energy’s contribution to the group’s profit before interest and tax, excluding goodwill amortisation and including results from joint ventures, was $99 million. In addition, the group’s tax charge was reduced by $12 million, as a result of PPM Energy’s Production Tax Credits. Gas storage margins improved by $48 million in the year, with increased contracted storagecapacity delivering $34 million of this growth and the owned facilities at Alberta and Katy, adding $14 million. Wind generation profit improved by $10 million, primarily due to investment in 2003/04 in new windfarms delivering substantial volume growth during the year. Energy management activities improved by $7 million mainly as a result of increased contributions from long-term contractual arrangements to supply electricity and gas due to higher volumes. Net operating costs required to support increased business activities and infrastructure were higher by $24 million and depreciation increased by $6 million.

PPM Energy now controls about 830 MW of operating wind energy with new developments totalling 574 MW due to beconstructed in 2005, making PPM Energy the largest US developer of renewables announced to date this year. In May 2005, PPM Energy announced plans for a 150 MW windfarm in northern California to be called the Shiloh windfarm. The Shiloh windfarm, together with the previously announced

  

windfarms at Maple Ridge, Klondike II, Trimont and Elk River, will take PPM Energy’s total wind portfolio to approximately 1,405 MW by the end of 2005, well on target toward its goal of at least 2,300 MW on-line by 2010. Approximately 90% of PPM Energy’s operational windfarm output is committed under long-term contract. In December 2004, PPM Energy also acquired the northeast US wind energy developer, Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation (now called PPM Atlantic Renewable). Including PPM Atlantic Renewable projects, PPM Energy now has approximately 9,000 MW in its renewable development pipeline, stretching from California to New York. In addition, PPM Energy has over 800 MW of thermal generation.

In May 2005, PPM Energy announced plans to expand the Waha gas storage development project in west Texas from 7.2 BCF to 9.5 BCF based on strong market demand and favourable geological results. PPM Energy also announced the acquisition of the 4.5 BCF Grama Ridge gas storage facility in New Mexico, from ConocoPhillips, which continues PPM Energy’s profitable investment in gas storage assets. Including Grama Ridge, PPM Energy now has 80.5 BCF of gas storage under its ownership or control. PPM Energy intends to expand the Grama Ridge site to 6.0 BCF by the end of 2005.

 


 

   5       Health and Safety
  

Health and safety continues to be our top priority. After our review and implementation of policies and standards, we have now undertaken two years of thorough assessments for each of our businesses. These assessments show where we have improved in sharing information and practice and where we can improve further in our ambition to have world-class health and safety performance throughout the company.

Our policy and standards reflect our determination to achieve our goal of creating a positive and productive environment, one free from injury or illness that causes no harm to our employees, customers or the public.

We have stepped up employee involvement and training, launched behavioural safety auditing and are working with our contractors to ensure they share our commitment to health and safety. We have also improved the sharing of best operational practices across our businesses.

 


 

   6  

    Corporate Social

    Responsibility

  

During the year we have continued our commitment to building a strong business that creates benefits for customers, employees, shareholders, communities and the environment.

Our businesses and functions have been working together to identify our impacts on communities and the environment and will continue to refine further our approach to managing our

 

 

 

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business responsibly.

We continue to report our performance in a comprehensive and transparent manner and were again shortlisted for the ACCA sustainability reporting awards and ranked among the top 20 in Business in the Community’s Corporate Responsibility Index. Our commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance was acknowledged by FTSE and Institutional Shareholder Services which placed ScottishPower third in the UK in the new Corporate Governance Index.

These achievements during a year of increased regulation and scrutiny reflect and reinforce the value of the effort of employees across the group in delivering good performance.

Two special highlights of our activity this year were helping over 10,000 young people since 1996 through ScottishPower Learning, and delivery of a national framework for youth action and engagement in the UK through the commission which I led with the Government. The Government has announced an investment of £150 million to recruit up to one million young volunteers to help build strong and cohesive communities.

 


 

7     Employees

At ScottishPower we recognise that our people are our greatest asset and employee feedback has been incorporated into the group’s performance management system through our employee survey tools.

This group-wide employee survey measures how our employees feel about their working environment. The results are monitored by the Executive Team and are used as a basis for action to remove barriers to productivity and increase employee satisfaction.

 

We remain committed to developing talent at all levels by providing both vocational and non-vocational development activity for all employees at the work place and at home, together with tailored management development programmes.

Throughout the group we strive to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our people as we continue to build our business for the future.

 


 

8    Conclusion

 

In summary, we have announced the sale of PacifiCorp to MidAmerican for $9.4 billion with approximately $4.5 billion of the net proceeds to be returned to shareholders. Our full year results show profit before tax*, earnings per share* and dividends per share all up by 10%. We have set the dividend for each of the first three quarters of 2005/06 off the higher than expected base for dividends this year, at 5.20 pence per share, representing an increase of 5% from 2004/05, up from 4.2% for the first three quarters of 2004/05, compared to 2003/04. Looking ahead, we will focus our management and capital on our Infrastructure Division, UK Division and PPM Energy and we remain committed to delivering our strategy of investing for growth and improving operational performance.

 

LOGO

 

Ian Russell Chief Executive

24 May 2005

 

 

* Excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item

 

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Table of Contents

Business Review

 


 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

  

Ø     Description of Business

Ø     PacifiCorp

Ø     Infrastructure Division

Ø     UK Division

Ø     PPM Energy

Ø     Group Employees

Ø     Group Environmental Policy

Ø     Community Impact

Ø     Description of the Company’s

        Property

 

10

  

11

12

13

  

14

15

16

17

  

Ø     Description of Legislative and

        Regulatory Background

Ø     US Business Regulation

Ø     Regulation of PacifiCorp

Ø     Regulation of the Electricity

        and Gas Industries in the UK

Ø     Environmental Regulation

Ø     Employment Regulation

Ø     Litigation

Ø     Summary of Key Operating Statistics

 


   

1    Description of Business

Scottish Power plc (“ScottishPower”), a public limited company registered in Scotland, is an international energy company listed on both the London and New York Stock Exchanges. Through its operating subsidiaries, the company provides in excess of 6.7 million electricity or gas services to homes and businesses across the UK and in the western US. It provides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply services in both countries. In addition, the company’s North American activities extend to coal mining and gas storage, including gas facilities in western Canada, Texas and New Mexico. In Great Britain, ScottishPower also stores and supplies gas. In the year to 31 March 2005, the sales revenues of the group were £6.8 billion ($12.9 billion).

ScottishPower was created upon privatisation in 1991 and then developed by both organic growth and strategic acquisitions in the British electricity, gas and telephony markets-and through its November 1999 merger with PacifiCorp in the US. Following the group’s redefinition as an energy business in 2001, it exited or disposed of non-strategic activities in the US and UK and demerged its UK telecommunications and internet business, Thus, to the company’s shareholders.

Since 2002, ScottishPower has focused on investing for growth and improving operational performance in its energy businesses. Following a strategic review of the scale and timing of capital investment requirements, opportunities for growth and improving operational performance and the likely profile of returns from the group’s businesses, ScottishPower has entered into a binding agreement for the sale of PacifiCorp to MidAmerican for $9.4 billion. Regulatory approvals of the sale are expected to be forthcoming within 12 to 18 months. Prior to sale, it is envisaged that PacifiCorp will be managed and

 

developed with no material changes to its current operating plans, management structures or boards.

 

Strategic Context

 

ScottishPower’s strategy is to focus its management and capital on the further development of the three continuing businesses, which the group judges to have attractive opportunities for continued growth through capital investment and improved operational performance. The regulated UK wires business provides a base for steady growth through consistent investment and proven skills in operational and regulatory management. In the competitive businesses where the group’s management believes that it can deploy local market knowledge and employee skill advantages, it seeks to grow its market share and to enhance margins through the integration of generation, energy management and customer services, underpinned by strong operational performance. The aim is consistently to improve operational performance whilst investing to support the organic growth and development of the businesses. The group expects growth to arise from investment in new generation, networks and gas storage assets. ScottishPower will also seek to accelerate its organic growth through competitive market share gains and selective acquisitions of smaller operations that complement the group’s business. Shareholder value is expected to be created through an investment programme assessed on a risk-adjusted returns basis and aiming to retain an A category credit rating for the group’s principal operating subsidiaries. Individual investments in the continuing regulated business are expected to achieve at least the allowed rate of regulatory returns, whilst those in the competitive businesses are targeted to achieve returns of at least 300 basis points above each division’s weighted average cost of capital.

 

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LOGO

 

 

   

 


The group currently operates through four businesses, see chart above.

 

Ø PacifiCorp

 

Ø Infrastructure Division

 

Ø UK Division

 

Ø PPM Energy

 

In each of the US and the UK, there is one business operating under regulation and one in competitive market conditions. Each business is clearly focused on its strategic priorities.

In the US, PacifiCorp operates as a regulated electricity business and the competitive energy business is PPM Energy. Both are subsidiaries of PacifiCorp Holdings, Inc. (“PHI”) a non-operating, US holding company, itself an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ScottishPower. PHI is also the parent company of PacifiCorp Group Holdings which owns the shares of subsidiaries not regulated as domestic electricity providers, including PacifiCorp Financial Services, Inc.

In the UK, the regulated Infrastructure Division operates electricity transmission and distribution subsidiaries of the wholly-owned UK holding company Scottish Power UK plc (“SPUK”). Other subsidiaries comprise the group’s competitive energy business, the UK Division, covering its generation assets in the British Isles, its commercial and energy management activities and its energy supply business units.

 

2    PacifiCorp

In November 1999, PacifiCorp and ScottishPower completed a merger under which PacifiCorp became an indirect subsidiary of ScottishPower. Following the merger, PacifiCorp focused on its electricity businesses in the western US and embarked upon a programme of efficiency improvements. Pending completion of its proposed sale to MidAmerican, PacifiCorp is expected to maintain this focus, without material changes to its operating plans, management structures or boards.

 

Principal Business Activities

 

PacifiCorp is a regulated electricity company serving retail customers in portions of the states of Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington, Idaho and California. As a vertically-integrated electricity business, PacifiCorp owns or has contracts for fuel sources, such as coal and natural gas, and uses these fuel sources, as well as wind, geothermal and water resources, to generate electricity at its power plants. This electricity, together with electricity purchased on the wholesale market, is transmitted over a grid of approximately 15,530 miles of transmission lines throughout PacifiCorp’s six-state region and is then transformed to lower voltages and delivered to end-use customers through the approximately 58,360 miles of PacifiCorp’s distribution system. PacifiCorp conducts its retail electricity utility business as Pacific Power and Utah Power, and engages in electricity sales and purchases on a wholesale basis under the name PacifiCorp. The subsidiaries of PacifiCorp support its electricity utility operations by providing coal mining facilities and services and environmental remediation.

 

 

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Business Review Description of Business

 

 

 

The western US energy market is experiencing growth in demand due to both increased customer numbers and underlying load growth. Through the continual review and updating of its Integrated Resource Plan (“IRP”), PacifiCorp aims to maintain a balanced load and resource position and has hedged its forecast load and resource balance and price exposure for summer 2005, when demand is expected to be supported by the commissioning of the first phase of the 525 megawatt (“MW”) Currant Creek plant in Utah. PacifiCorp also continued to invest in support of network safety, reliability and high-level performance, including targeted investments in areas of high demand growth.

 

Retail Electricity Sales

 

PacifiCorp serves approximately 1.6 million retail customers in service territories aggregating about 136,000 square miles in portions of six western states. The geographical distribution of PacifiCorp’s retail electricity operating revenues for the year ended 31 March 2005 was Utah, 41%; Oregon, 29%; Wyoming, 14%; Washington, 8%; Idaho, 6%; and California, 2%.

The PacifiCorp service area’s diverse regional economy mitigates exposure to economic fluctuations. In the eastern portion of the service area, mainly Utah, Wyoming and southeastern Idaho, customer demand peaks in the summer when cooling systems and irrigation are heavily used. The principal industries are manufacturing, health services, recreation and mining or extraction of natural resources. In the western part of the service territory, mainly consisting of Oregon, southeastern Washington and northern California, customer demand peaks in the winter months due to heating requirements and the economy generally revolves around agriculture and manufacturing, with forest products, food processing, high technology and primary metals being the principal industries. During 2004/05, no single retail customer accounted for more than 2% of PacifiCorp’s retail electricity revenues and the 20 largest retail customers accounted for 13% of retail electricity revenues. Trends in energy sales by class of customer are set out in Tables 4 and 5 (page 34).

PacifiCorp serves some areas of rapidly changing population size and economic activity. Strong growth in the number of residential customers in Utah over recent years and increasing numbers of central air conditioning systems are contributing to a faster summer peak growth. Commercial sales are positioned for growth in the eastern portion of the service territory, particularly Utah, because of strong population and economic viability and through Utah’s central role in the manufacture, distribution and delivery of goods to surrounding western states. Wyoming is continuing to experience increasing industrial activity in its energy-related sectors, with rising exploration and rig counts suggesting a positive trend in PacifiCorp’s future sales to the industrial sector in the state. Oregon has returned to pre-recessionary conditions statewide and PacifiCorp serves a number of communities showing

 

higher than average levels of growth in that state. These factors suggest the likelihood of an increasing pace of economic development and recovery across PacifiCorp service territories.

For the five years to 31 March 2010, the underlying annual growth in retail megawatt hour (“MWh”) sales in PacifiCorp’s franchise service territories is estimated to be in the range of 2.2% to 3.3%, dependent upon factors such as economic growth, changes in customer numbers, weather, the potential effects on demand resulting from conservation efforts and changes in price. If energy prices increase in the region, demand growth over the region may slow.

 

Power Production and Fuel Supply

 

PacifiCorp owns or has interests in generating plants with an aggregate plant net capability of 7,981 MW, see Table 1 (page 33). During 2004/05, approximately 74% and 5% of PacifiCorp’s energy requirements were supplied by its thermal and hydroelectric generation plants, respectively. The remaining 21% was obtained primarily through purchased power. The share of PacifiCorp’s energy requirements generated by its own plants will vary from year-to-year and is determined by factors such as planned and unplanned outages, availability and price of coal and natural gas, precipitation and snowpack levels, environmental considerations and the market price of electricity. PacifiCorp will make use of existing long-term purchase contracts, including those covering some 65 MW of wind power, and expects to choose appropriate cost-effective resources to meet the balance of its customer demand through new long- and short-term purchase arrangements.

The IRP, under which PacifiCorp seeks to manage future generation needs and meet environmental objectives, is reviewed and updated every two years. The latest IRP update was filed in January 2005 and indicates that projected growth rates and contract expirations imply a need for approximately 2,800 MW of additional resources by 2015. These estimates are subject to ongoing review and possible revision. PacifiCorp is continuing to develop plans to meet this resource requirement through a mix of new thermal generation, load control programmes, energy conservation programmes and the renewable resources first identified in the 2003 IRP.

Large resource procurement action items from PacifiCorp’s IRP are pursued through the Requests for Proposals (“RFP”) process which seeks to identify PacifiCorp’s future resource mix though a programme coordinated with stakeholders in the six states it serves. From the first of the RFPs, in 2003, PacifiCorp determined that the construction of a new 525 MW gas-fired plant in Utah would be the lowest risk and most economical 2004/05 resource category choice to meet future generation needs. This plant, known as Currant Creek, has been fully authorised by the Utah authorities, is currently commissioning and is expected to come on-line in two phases over 2005 and 2006. In 2004, PacifiCorp chose Summit Vineyard LLC for the construction of a 534 MW Lake Side

 

 

 

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Power Plant near Salt Lake City, Utah. The Utah Public Service Commission (“UPSC”) has granted all the permissions required to construct and operate the Lake Side Power Plant, and PacifiCorp is scheduled to begin operating the plant in May 2007. In May 2005, PacifiCorp entered into a 65 MW power purchase agreement, to take effect prior to January 2006, for the output of a windfarm located in southeastern Idaho. Further negotiations continue to bring into use some 1,100 MW of new renewable resources across the PacifiCorp service territories over the period to 2010, as a result of the February 2004 RFP.

At 31 March 2005, PacifiCorp had 259 million tons of recoverable coal reserves that are mined by PacifiCorp’s mining affiliates and are available to nearby PacifiCorp-operated generation plants, see Table 2 (page 33). During 2004/05, these mines supplied some 29% of PacifiCorp’s total coal requirements. Coal is also acquired through long- and short-term contracts. Thirteen long-term coal contracts accounted for 70% of the overall 2004/05 requirements. The contract terms range from one to 18 years. PacifiCorp has also entered into fixed-price and index-price natural gas contracts to meet the forecasted needs of its existing natural gas-fired electricity generation plants to the end of calendar year 2006 and to secure approaching 80% of its forecasted calendar year 2007 gas supply needs, inclusive of the Currant Creek and Lake Side projects.

 

Wholesale Sales and Purchased Electricity

 

In addition to its base of thermal, renewable and hydroelectric generation assets, PacifiCorp uses a mix of long-term, short-term and spot-market purchases to balance its retail load and wholesale obligations. PacifiCorp enters into wholesale purchase and sale transactions to provide hedges against periods of variable generation or variable retail load. Generation varies with the level of outages or transmission constraints and retail load varies with the weather, distribution system outages, customer trends and the level of economic activity. During the year ended 31 March 2005, some 21% of PacifiCorp’s energy requirements were supplied by electricity purchased under short- and long-term arrangements, compared with some 22% for the year ended 31 March 2004. PacifiCorp’s wholesale transactions are integral to its retail business, providing for a balanced and economically hedged position and enhancing the efficient use of its generating capacity over the long term. PacifiCorp’s transmission system is available for common use consistent with open access regulatory requirements and connects with market hubs in the Pacific Northwest to provide access to what is normally low-cost hydroelectric generation and also to the southwestern US, which provides access to normally higher-cost fossil-fuel generation.

Under the requirements of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, PacifiCorp purchases the output of

 

qualifying facilities constructed and operated by entities that are not public utilities. During 2004/05, PacifiCorp purchased an average of 139 MW from qualifying facilities, compared to an average of 119 MW in 2003/04.

 


 

3    Infrastructure Division

Three wholly-owned subsidiaries of SPUK – SP Transmission Limited, SP Distribution Limited and SP Manweb plc – are the “asset-owner companies” holding the group’s UK regulated assets and transmission and distribution licences. A further wholly-owned subsidiary of SPUK – SP Power Systems Limited (“PowerSystems”) – provides asset management expertise and conducts the day-to-day operation of the networks.

 

Principal Business Activities

 

The asset-owner companies act as an integrated business unit to concentrate divisional expertise on regulatory issues and investment strategy. PowerSystems implements work programmes commissioned by and agreed with the asset-owner business. Strict commercial disciplines are applied at the asset owner-service provider interface, with PowerSystems operating as a contractor to the transmission and distribution business unit. An integrated senior management team within the Infrastructure Division applies the benefits of growing expertise in asset ownership, financing and operational service provision to the management of the group’s regulated networks businesses in both the UK and the US.

 

Transmission and Distribution

 

ScottishPower owns a substantial UK electricity transmission and distribution network which extends to approaching 112,000 km, with some 65,000 km of underground cables and 47,000 km of overhead lines, comprising both the distribution system to customers in its two authorised areas and, in Scotland, its high-voltage transmission system (132 kilovolt (“kV”) and above, including those parts of the England-Scotland interconnector which are in its Scottish authorised area). Table 8 (page 35) shows key information with respect to the division’s transmission and distribution services in 2004/05 which were operated under licences issued by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (“the Authority”) and held by the transmission and distribution businesses, which were entitled to charge for the use of the systems on terms approved by the Authority under various price control formulae. From 1 April 2005, operation but not ownership of the ScottishPower transmission system passed to a single, Great Britain-wide system operator. This development is described further on page 76.

The management focus of the transmission and distribution business is to outperform allowed regulatory returns from the

 

 

 

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Business Review Description of Business

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

provision of efficient, coordinated and economical networks that are open to licensed users on a non-discriminatory basis (in order to facilitate competition in generation and supply) and operated to approved standards of safety and reliability. The distribution business price controls for the five years from 1 April 2005 and the transmission price controls for the two years from 1 April 2005 were agreed with the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (“Ofgem”) in December 2004 and present challenges for the division but also opportunities to enhance returns through a revised package of performance-incentive measures. Ofgem has also agreed that the division can move ahead with the first phase of investments in network development to support the UK Government’s planned expansion of renewable generation.

The income derived from the distribution business is dependent on the demand for electricity by customers in the authorised areas. Demand for electricity is affected by such factors as growth and movements in population, social trends, economic and business growth or decline, changes in the mix of energy sources used by customers, weather conditions and energy efficiency measures. Tables 9 and 10 (page 35) set out the demand in gigawatt hours (“GWh”) by customer type within the broadly stable levels of electricity transported over the distribution systems in the ScottishPower and Manweb home areas during the five most recent financial years.

 

Asset Management

 

Within the PowerSystems business unit, the focus continues to be on cost-effectiveness and service quality improvement. Its principal business activities involve the construction and refurbishment of the ScottishPower transmission and distribution systems, their maintenance and related fault repair. PowerSystems acts as the major service provider to the ScottishPower distribution businesses and as the primary customer contact agent for network-related matters. PowerSystems continues to focus strongly on the efficient delivery of these services under contract. The regulatory framework provides financial incentives to improve network performance and customer satisfaction. PowerSystems is focused on maximising the financial benefit to be obtained from these incentives over the course of the recently renewed price control period.

Some 25% of the division’s investment programme is devoted to organic growth areas such as new customer connections and network reinforcement. PowerSystems has continued to maintain a joint venture with Alfred McAlpine Utility Services Limited, called Core Utility Solutions Limited, to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the requirement for competitive provision of connections to distribution networks.

 

4    UK Division

The UK Division operates in gas and electricity markets which became fully competitive with the ending of residual price controls on 31 March 2002; although Ofgem continues to enforce licence conditions and regulate quality of service. The division comprises five wholly-owned subsidiaries: ScottishPower Generation Limited owns and operates the group’s power stations and other generation assets in the British Isles and holds the group’s generation licence; ScottishPower Energy Management Limited is responsible for commercial running of the power stations including scheduling and fuel purchasing, for managing retail economics and pricing, and for managing commodity risk through buying and selling wholesale energy via ScottishPower Energy Management (Agency) Limited; ScottishPower Energy Retail Limited is the gas and electricity supply company and holder of the group’s supply licences, managing pricing, selling, billing and receipting for gas and electricity supply to both business and domestic customers and dealing with enquiries arising in the course of this business; and SP Dataserve Limited is the data management and metering company, managing the data processes that underpin customer registration through to billing and settlement.

The divisional management team oversees activities across the energy value chain, maximising value from a diverse generation portfolio through to a national customer base of over 5.1 million, via an integrated commercial and energy management activity that acts to balance and hedge energy needs. In 2004/05, wholesale energy prices were high by historic standards although, in light of the emphasis on a market-based framework for energy policy set out by the UK Government in February 2003, it seems likely that prices will tend to increase further towards the long run marginal cost of gas-fired generation, augmented by the developing impact of carbon trading. As an active market participant, the division engages fully in regulatory and contractual debate and in the consultation processes following the UK Government’s review of energy policy. In the meantime, the division aims to leverage the benefits of its flexible generation asset base and commercial operations to deliver sustained earnings through improved business processes and customer service and to develop its position in renewable generation and other aspects of the emerging market for environmental instruments.

 

Principal Business Activities

 

The UK Division operates ScottishPower’s generation assets in the British Isles, manages the company’s exposure to the UK wholesale electricity and gas markets and is responsible for energy supply, the sales and marketing of electricity and gas to customers throughout Great Britain, together with the associated customer registration, billing and receipting processes and handling enquiries in respect of these services.

 

 

 

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Power Plant Portfolio, Fuel Strategy and Generation Sales

 

The UK Division operates some 6,200 MW of generating capacity, see Table 7 (page 35) comprising coal, gas, hydroelectric and wind power generation assets, giving the division a particularly flexible portfolio. Acquisition of an additional 1,000 MW of thermal generation capacity took place during 2004/05 at prices below the group’s view of new-build cost. The 2003 restatement of the public policy emphasis on renewable generation, and the extension to 2015 of the Renewables Obligation targets, provide the context for the continued expansion of the windfarm business. At 31 March 2005, the UK Division had operational windfarms totalling 158 MW, 142 MW under construction, planning applications for a further 650 MW and environmental assessments begun on around 550 MW of further potential sites to ensure that the company target of 10% of supply from renewables by 2010 is met.

ScottishPower’s fuel purchasing strategy is based upon the objective of achieving competitive fuel prices while balancing the need for security and flexibility of supply. The major components of the fuel portfolio are coal and gas, both fuels being sourced through a combination of long-term contracts and shorter-term trading. The division has three long-term contracts with terms of greater than five years for supply from major gas fields. The manner in which the division builds protection against fluctuating fuel prices is described further in the ‘Energy Price and Volume Risk Management’ section on page 76.

Generation plant is despatched economically and output is managed to maximise value, including optimising the position in the balancing market. In 2004/05, some 18 terawatt hours (“TWh”) were despatched, both to contribute towards the approximately 35 TWh of retail and wholesale demand provided by the division and to maintain export volumes through the interconnectors to England & Wales and to Northern Ireland.

 

Energy Management and Commercial Arrangements

 

In addition to scheduling its own generation capacity and managing the long-term bulk gas contracts, the UK Division, through its energy management operation, uses medium- and short-term contractual arrangements to complete its energy balancing of the whole portfolio of assets and customers. This involves both purchases and sales of electricity and gas, including selling in Scotland and, through the interconnectors, to England & Wales and to Northern Ireland. A Great Britain-wide wholesale electricity market was introduced on 1 April 2005 through the British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements (“BETTA”). BETTA is expected to have only a modest impact on end-user prices but provides a wider opportunity for the sale of the group’s generation output and the deployment of its proven skills in providing market balancing services. End-user electricity and gas prices are

 

generally set over the long-term, whereas wholesale contracts have varying terms and short-term and spot prices vary markedly by time of day, week and year. Through its activities in the electricity, gas and coal markets, ScottishPower’s energy management business seeks to secure competitive advantage for the UK Division through hedging and optimising its position across the energy value chain, from fuel procurement and plant despatch through to retail pricing, continuously evaluating and managing risk exposure. This process is described further in the ‘Energy Price and Volume Risk Management’ section on page 76.

ScottishPower’s Hatfield Moors gas storage site enhances the flexibility of the division’s energy management position, both in meeting peak demands of supply customers and responding to the volatility of gas prices between midweek and weekends. In addition, the bulk gas contracts allow the gas to be sold out or used in the division’s power stations, giving yet more flexibility. Plans for a further 6 billion cubic feet (“BCF”) gas storage facility at Byley, Cheshire have been given planning approval.

 

Energy Supply

 

Since September 1998 when, under the provisions of the Electricity Act, competition was extended to residential electricity customers, a strategic focus of the ScottishPower energy supply business has been the defence of its core markets, residential and small business customers in the ScottishPower and Manweb home areas, whilst seeking profitable additional business outside these historical regional boundaries. Retention of home area residential customers stands at 61% whilst innovative product offerings, targeted sales efforts and wide-ranging sales channels (including strategic marketing alliances such as the partnership with Sainsbury’s, a number of other affinity deals across a wide range of market sectors and the use of e-commerce channels) have helped develop a Britain-wide customer base which now stands at over 5.1 million energy accounts. The business improvement programme introduced in 2001 continues to drive improvements across the retail supply business and has helped to deliver increased direct debit penetration and reduced customer churn rates in addition to cost benefits in areas such as billing, debt and customer registration business processes.

 

Metering and Data Management

 

In the competitive energy market SP Dataserve Limited (“Dataserve”) operates end-to-end process and data management in order to maximise efficiencies in the provision and control of registration and metering data for ScottishPower and other agency arrangements. Data management covers the establishment of new customers, maintenance of existing customers and accuracy of energy settlement. To effectively manage gas and electricity customers, ScottishPower Energy

 

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Retail Ltd has continued to contribute to improvements in billing performance through the management of its metering agents, who are responsible for the provision of much of the data.

 


 

5    PPM Energy

PPM Energy, the group’s competitive US energy business, is a fast-growing energy provider, with operating assets in ten US states and in Canada. Its diverse portfolio, focus on wind power and moderate risk approach all position PPM Energy for expected earnings growth. PPM Energy commenced substantive operations in 2001 and is growing through a strategic focus on clean energy: concentrating on renewable power, natural gas storage and hub services and gas-fired generation.

 

Principal Business Activities

 

PPM Energy’s principal assets are thermal and renewable generation resources and natural gas storage facilities. PPM Energy seeks to create value by securing quality assets at strategic locations and by locking in value through long-term contracts with creditworthy customers. Integration of plant operations, contract dispatch and energy management add additional value. The optimisation benefits come from displacing plant operations with low-priced electricity purchases, and selling the displaced gas or placing it in storage, as well as using transmission and contract delivery flexibility to manage locational price differences in both gas and electricity. PPM Energy aims to leverage the benefits of its flexible asset base and contracts to extract value across the gas and electricity sectors.

 

Power Production and Wholesale Sales

 

PPM Energy has more than 1,600 MW of operating assets currently under its ownership or control and, of that total, PPM Energy has full economic interest in 1,368 MW, see Table 6 (page 34). PPM Energy balances its supply and sales, selling a substantial amount of its supply forward under long-term contracts. In its electricity business, PPM Energy serves a wide variety of wholesale energy customers including municipal agencies, public utility districts and investor-owned utilities. These customers are primarily located in wholesale energy markets served by the 1.8 million square mile Western Electricity Coordinating Council service territories in the western US and the Mid-Continent Area Power Pool service territories in the upper midwest US, although PPM Energy’s operations are now being extended into the northeastern US.

 

Wind Power

 

PPM Energy is a leading provider of wind energy in the US. In December 2004, PPM Energy acquired the wind energy developer, Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation (now known as PPM Atlantic Renewable). This brings into the group

 

a project pipeline of more than 500 MW in the northeast US, planned to be operational between 2005 and 2010. In April 2005, PPM Energy announced that, with its joint venture partner, Zilkha Renewable Energy of Houston, it is to build and own the 198 MW Maple Ridge Windfarm in New York. On 23 May 2005, PPM Energy also announced plans for a 150 MW windfarm in northern California, to be called the Shiloh windfarm. When projects previously announced come on-line in 2005 (the 75 MW Klondike II windfarm in Oregon, the 100 MW Trimont windfarm in Minnesota, the 150 MW Elk River windfarm in Kansas, the 150 MW Shiloh windfarm in California and 50% of the 198 MW joint venture Maple Ridge windfarm in upstate New York), PPM Energy will have approximately 1,405 MW of wind power under its ownership or control. PPM Energy remains on target to deliver its goal of 2,300 MW of renewables by 2010.

 

Gas Storage and Hub Services

 

PPM Energy’s two major gas storage facilities are in Alberta, Canada and in Katy, Texas. Each is connected into substantial pipeline networks serving well-diversified customer bases under firm, long- and short-term contract arrangements. In addition to the 46 BCF of gas storage capacity under the group’s ownership, PPM Energy increased its available gas storage capacity by 30 BCF through contracting for capacity in third-party storage facilities in western Canada, Texas and California. PPM Energy also has begun development of a 9.5 BCF high-deliverability salt cavern gas storage project in west Texas and acquired the 4.5 BCF Grama Ridge gas storage facility in New Mexico.

 


 

6    Group Employees

US Businesses  PHI and its subsidiaries had 6,934 employees at 31 March 2005, of which PacifiCorp and its subsidiaries had 6,656 and PPM Energy and its subsidiaries 278. Approximately 57% of the employees of PacifiCorp and its mining subsidiaries are covered by union contracts, principally with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Utility Workers Union of America, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and the United Mine Workers of America. In the company’s judgement, employee relations in the US businesses are satisfactory.

 

UK Businesses  ScottishPower and its UK subsidiaries had 9,208 employees, at 31 March 2005. Of these, 3,541 were employed in the Infrastructure Division and 5,667 in the UK Division. Approximately 56% of employees in the UK are union members, and 83% are covered by collective bargaining arrangements. In the company’s judgement, employee relations in the UK businesses are satisfactory.

 

 

 

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Human Resources Strategy

 

The group’s human resources (“HR”) strategy was approved by the Board in July 2002 and aims to ensure that the group’s businesses achieve superior results through the high performance of their employees. In 2004/05, in support of this group HR strategy, a combined UK and US HR strategy has been developed to take account of the implications of the group HR strategy.

The management of health and safety in ScottishPower is based on a Group Health & Safety Framework introduced in January 2004 and overseen by the Group Health & Safety Executive Committee, composed of US and UK members who meet on a quarterly basis. There are 12 key Health & Safety Standards that are used to provide regular assurance to the Board, to the Executive Team and to employees that health and safety is managed effectively and in line with stated policy. Challenging targets are set each year for both lost time accident rates and leading indicator metrics, covering progress against the Group Health & Safety Standards and building on the baseline assessments carried out in 2003/04.

 

Employee Consultation

 

An annual survey is conducted across all businesses to provide a measure of employees’ perception of the company’s direction and their sense of empowerment, value, training and development and of manager communication. Survey results are shared with all employees, reviewed by the Executive Team and used in each business to set targets and action plans for the following year. In addition, individual businesses use surveys and other tools to understand the issues that fall within their specific areas of responsibility and regular consultation takes place using a variety of means, including monthly team meetings, team managers’ conferences, business unit road shows, safety committees, presentations and employee magazines. The group believes that an important element of a positive working experience is stable employee and industrial relations, it recognises the legitimacy of trade union involvement and has formal agreements in place to foster open, two-way communication and consultation. Positive relationships and ongoing liaison with employees and their representatives are seen as contributing significantly to achieving the performance objectives of the businesses.

Further details of group workplace policy and performance can be found in the ScottishPower Environmental and Social Impact Report and the Workplace Performance Report. Both are available on the ScottishPower website. The company also operates a number of all-employee share plans (see page 98).

 

 

7    Group Environmental Policy

 

ScottishPower recognises the need to embrace a wider role in society and to engage fully with shareholders, employees, communities, customers, regulators, legislators and other opinion formers. It aims to do this transparently, through an international framework, to ensure that key principles are translated into action. This framework comprises overall international visionary goals; and specific goals for the US and UK. Performance towards meeting these goals is tracked through carefully chosen Key Performance Indicators, closely related to business unit objectives. Hence, it must strive to achieve a balance between various needs including securing energy supply now and into the future, keeping energy affordable and minimising its impact on the environment.

Public policy frameworks in the US and UK have common elements, particularly in using market instruments for air quality regulation and supporting renewables and energy efficiency measures. The group continues to develop specific policies to respond to these regulatory challenges, aiming to grow its business sustainably in new energy markets, to invest in renewables and clean-coal technology and to ensure that customers benefit from innovations in energy efficiency. It also aims to manage existing coal-fired assets responsibly, applying appropriate abatement technologies to reduce its environmental footprint whilst supporting security of supply and affordability of power for its customers. The lines of accountability for environmental policy are focused through the policy making Energy and Environment Committee, chaired by the Chief Executive and with direct reporting lines to ScottishPower’s Executive Team.

Further details of group environmental policy and performance can be found in the ScottishPower Environmental and Social Impact Report and the Environmental Performance Report. Both are available on the ScottishPower website.

 


 

8    Community Impact

In order to encourage comparability, the group uses the London Benchmarking Group (“LBG”) model to evaluate its community support activity across the group. The LBG model is a standard for community reporting currently adopted by 99 leading UK companies. It endeavours to provide consistency and comparability across companies and to account for the total impact on communities, rather than charitable contributions alone. ScottishPower’s use of the model is reviewed each year by the LBG to help ensure the evaluation principles are correctly and consistently applied.

In 2003, the LBG Model was expanded to include a

 

 

 

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Business Review Description of Business

 

 

category for “mandatory contributions” (which incorporates “Community contributions or activities undertaken as a result of the requirements of law, regulation or contract”) to account for the overall impact a company and its operations has on communities. These are reported separately from voluntary contributions. ScottishPower is reviewing changes to the model, has ensured all mandatory or regulated spend is excluded from its currently reported community support contributions, and has begun tracking to enable it to report the full community impact of its business activities in future years.

During 2004/05, ScottishPower companies contributed £4.1 million in community support activity, of which £1.5 million was contributed to registered charitable organisations. The total incorporated £557,000 categorised by the LBG model as charitable gifts, £2.6 million of community support activity categorised as community investment and £1.0 million categorised as commercial initiatives in the community given in cash, through staff time and in-kind donations by the company’s US and UK operations. An additional £1.2 million of charitable support was made through the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning, which is fully endowed by ScottishPower companies.

Further details of group community engagement policy and performance are summarised in the ScottishPower Environmental and Social Impact Report and the Community Performance Report. Both are available on the ScottishPower website.

 


 

  

public lands, roads and streets and, by easement or licence, upon the lands of other third parties. Table 3 (page 34) sets out further information regarding the PacifiCorp networks.

PacifiCorp’s coal reserves are described in Table 2 (page 33). Most are held pursuant to leases from the federal government through the Bureau of Land Management and from certain states and private parties. The leases generally have multi-year terms that may be renewed or extended and require payment of rentals and royalties. In addition, federal and state regulations require that comprehensive environmental protection and reclamation standards be met during the course of mining operations and upon completion of mining activities.

PPM Energy has more than 1,600 MW of operating assets currently under its ownership or control and, of that, PPM Energy has full economic interest in 1,368 MW, see Table 6 (page 34). The majority of PPM Energy’s capacity (606 MW of wind power contracted for a period of 25 years and 237 MW of thermal power contracted for a period of 30 years) comes from long-term agreements while 525 MW comes from outright ownership of six wind plants and two thermal plants. PPM Energy’s windfarms are on land owned or leased for 25 years or more. PPM Energy also manages ScottishPower-owned gas storage facilities in Alberta, Canada and owns facilities in Texas and New Mexico, representing an overall total of 50.5 BCF of gas storage capacity.

 

UK Businesses The UK properties consist of generating stations, transmission and distribution facilities and certain non-operational properties in which the company holds freehold or leasehold interests.

 

ScottishPower owns seven power stations in Scotland (five of which are operational) and four in England. It also owns three windfarms in Northern Ireland, five in Scotland, and one in the Republic of Ireland. In addition, the company has joint venture interests in three windfarms, two of which are in England and one in Wales. All generation plant is owned by the group, with the exception of the non-operational Methil power station, which is held on a ground lease that expires in 2012, and the windfarms which are generally held on ground leases of at least 25 years’ duration. See Table 7 (page 35) for further details of operational generation assets.

 

At 31 March 2005, the UK transmission facilities included approximately 4,000 circuit km of overhead lines and underground cable operated at 400 kV, 275 kV and 132 kV. In addition, the distribution facilities included approximately 108,000 circuit km of overhead lines and underground cable at voltages operating from 33 kV to 0.23 kV. The group holds either permanent rights or wayleaves which entitle it to run these lines and cables through private land. See Table 8 (page 35) for further details.

9   

Description of the

Company’s Property

  

 

US Businesses The US properties consist primarily of generating facilities, electricity transmission and distribution facilities, coal mines, gas storage facilities and a number of office facilities. Substantially all of PacifiCorp’s electricity property is subject to the lien of PacifiCorp’s Mortgage and Deed of Trust.

PacifiCorp owns or has an interest in 51 hydroelectric generating plants. These have an aggregate plant net capability of 1,155 MW. It owns or has interests in 16 thermal electric generating plants with an aggregate plant net capability of 6,793 MW. PacifiCorp jointly owns one wind power generating plant with plant net capability of 33 MW. Table 1 (page 33) sets out key aspects of PacifiCorp’s existing generating facilities. These generating facilities are interconnected through PacifiCorp’s own transmission lines or by contract through the lines of others. Substantially all of PacifiCorp’s generating facilities and reservoirs are managed on a coordinated basis to obtain maximum load carrying capability and efficiency and to manage river systems and preserve fish stocks. Portions of PacifiCorp’s almost 74,000 miles of transmission and distribution networks are located, by franchise or permit, upon

  

 

 

 

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10       

Description of Legislative

and Regulatory Background

  

Texas are subject to regulation by the FERC and the Texas Railroad Commission and those in Canada are subject to regulation by the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board.

 

FERC Issues

 

California Refund Case

 

PacifiCorp is one of a number of parties to a FERC investigation of potential refunds for energy transactions in California during past periods of high-energy prices. In 2001/02, it established a provision of $17.7 million for these potential refunds and has subsequently fully provided in the amount of $5 million for defaults in receivables from certain counterparties. PacifiCorp’s ultimate exposure to refunds is dependent upon any final order issued by the FERC in this proceeding.

 

FERC Show-Cause Orders

 

In August 2003, PacifiCorp and the FERC staff reached a resolution on the FERC order to show why various parties’ behaviour during the California energy crisis did not constitute manipulation of the wholesale electricity market. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, PacifiCorp denied liability and agreed to pay a nominal amount of $67,745 in exchange for complete and total resolution of the issues raised relating to it in the FERC’s show-cause order. The FERC issued its final order approving the settlement in March 2004. Several market participants have requested a rehearing of the FERC’s approval and a decision on the rehearing request is pending.

 

Northwest Refund Case

 

In June 2003, the FERC terminated its proceeding in this case, concluding that ordering refunds would not be an appropriate resolution of the issues relating to wholesale spot-market bilateral sales in the Pacific Northwest between 25 December 2000 and 20 June 2001. In November 2003, the FERC issued its final order denying a requested rehearing. Several market participants have filed petitions in the court of appeals for review of the FERC’s final order but any decision from the court of appeals is not expected to have a material impact on the group’s consolidated results or financial position.

 

Federal Power Act Section 206 Case

 

In November 2003, the FERC also issued its final order denying a rehearing of PacifiCorp’s request for recovery of excessive prices charged under certain wholesale electricity purchases scheduled for delivery during summer 2002. PacifiCorp’s appeal for review of the FERC’s final order is before the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Court briefs from interested parties were filed in March 2005.

 

FERC Market Power Analysis

 

PacifiCorp and PPM Energy are authorised by the FERC to charge market-based rates for sales of wholesale energy and

 

As a public limited company (“plc”), Scottish Power plc is subject to the UK Companies Acts and is also registered as a holding company under the US Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, (“1935 Act”) which is administered by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Hence, Scottish Power plc, PacifiCorp and other subsidiaries are subject to regulation unless specific subsidiaries or transactions are otherwise exempt by SEC rules or orders. SPUK and its subsidiaries are generally exempt from regulation under the 1935 Act because SPUK is a foreign utility company as defined in the 1935 Act.

ScottishPower’s UK operations are subject to such European Union (“EU”) Directives as the UK Government brings into effect, specifically, the EU energy liberalisation directives and EU prohibitions on anti-competitive agreements and the abuse of a dominant position (implemented through the Competition Act 1998, which came into effect from 1 March 2000) and also to the provisions of the Electricity Act 1989 (“Electricity Act”) as amended by the Utilities Act 2000 (“Utilities Act”) and other legislation including the Energy Act 2004 (“Energy Act”). The Utilities Act introduced a legal framework for energy company licences based on standard, UK-wide conditions and, taken together with requirements of the Department of Trade and Industry (“DTI”) and licence changes introduced by the Regulators, defines the regulatory framework within which SPUK and its subsidiaries must operate.

A summary of the more specific legislative and regulatory background to the operations of the group’s businesses is set out below.

 


 

  
11    US Business Regulation   

PacifiCorp is subject to the jurisdiction of the public utility regulatory authorities in each of the states in which it conducts retail electricity operations. These authorities regulate various matters including prices, services, accounting, the allocation of costs by state, issuance of securities and other matters. PacifiCorp is a “licensee” and a “public utility” as those terms are used in the Federal Power Act (“FPA”) and is, therefore, subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) as to accounting policies and practices, certain prices and other matters.

 

Because PPM Energy does not conduct retail electricity operations, it is not subject to the same state public utility commission regulation as PacifiCorp. However, certain of its wholesale activities are regulated by the FERC and the state commissions impose certain limitations on affiliate transactions. In addition, PPM Energy’s gas storage activities in

  

 

 

 

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Business Review Description of Legislative and Regulatory Background

 

 

capacity. Under the FERC’s current policy, market participants must demonstrate that they do not possess market power and are required to submit a market power analysis every three years. The analysis must be applied to all affiliated entities on a combined, or aggregate, basis thus PacifiCorp and PPM Energy must submit a market analysis jointly. In February 2005, PacifiCorp and PPM Energy submitted their joint triennial market power analysis to the FERC. In May 2005, the FERC instituted a proceeding to determine whether PacifiCorp and PPM Energy may continue to charge market-based rates for sales of wholesale energy and capacity. PacifiCorp and PPM Energy are in the process of responding to the FERC’s request that additional information and analysis be submitted within 60 days in an attempt to rebut the presumption that PacifiCorp and PPM Energy have generation market power.

 


 

12 Regulation of PacifiCorp

 

Multi-State Process (“MSP”)

 

PacifiCorp initiated a collaborative process with stakeholders in five of the six states it serves, aiming to develop and implement a cost allocation methodology that would achieve a more permanent consensus on each state’s responsibility for the costs of, and entitlement to the benefits of, PacifiCorp’s existing assets. This was intended to enable PacifiCorp to recover the full cost of future investments and provide states with the ability independently to implement state energy policy objectives. Between April 2002 and December 2003, extensive discussions between PacifiCorp and key parties within its service areas led to the development of a “Protocol” cost allocation methodology, which was filed in Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Idaho and Washington. Following discussions with all parties, this proposal was refined and re-submitted to each of the state commissions as the “Revised Protocol”. Final ratification of the Revised Protocol occurred in March 2005 with each of the state commissions in Utah, Oregon, Wyoming and Idaho issuing orders approving and accepting the use of the Revised Protocol cost allocation methodology for future rate setting in each of those states. In accordance with this agreement, ongoing rate case filings in Oregon and Idaho have been based on the Revised Protocol and the recent Utah settlement was based on Revised Protocol. In Washington, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (“WUTC”) issued its formal order approving and adopting the Washington general rate case settlement, accepting the Revised Protocol for reporting purposes and establishing a process for ongoing discussions for a permanent allocation methodology during 2005/06. The Revised Protocol will be filed in the state of California with the next general rate case.

 

Regional Transmission Arrangements

 

PacifiCorp, in conjunction with nine other utilities, has established a non-profit corporation, known as Grid West. If and when fully implemented, it would serve as an independent transmission provider for the Grid West region and have the operational authority needed to direct bulk wholesale electricity transfers over a majority of the 60,000 miles of transmission lines owned by its members. Grid West would have operational control but PacifiCorp would continue to own its transmission assets. Creation of Grid West is in response to the FERC’s Order 2000 and is subject to regulatory approvals from the FERC and state regulatory commissions. In December 2004, the filing utilities, in collaboration with regional stakeholders, adopted new bylaws for Grid West’s interim board, on which PacifiCorp has a representative. The parties are now engaged in the continuing development of the regional proposal together with work on inter-regional issues in conjunction with other regional transmission operators.

 

Relicensing of Hydroelectric Projects

 

PacifiCorp’s hydroelectric portfolio consists of 51 plants with a plant net capability of 1,155 MW, about 15% of PacifiCorp’s total generating capacity. The majority of the hydroelectric generating portfolio is operated under licences from the FERC, granted for periods of 30 to 50 years. There is a complex regulatory process to apply for licence renewal which begins five and a half years before the expiration of an existing licence and involves a number of federal and state agencies, Native American tribes and other stakeholders. Some state and federal agencies have mandatory authority to require certain terms and conditions to be included in the FERC licence. Often existing licences expire prior to the FERC’s issuing of a new licence. In these cases, the FERC has historically issued annual operating licences so that the project can continue to operate while alternatives are evaluated; the FERC is continuing this practice.

In order to facilitate the licensing process, PacifiCorp may agree to early implementation of expected licence conditions, or settlement terms, if a settlement has been reached with licensing stakeholders. The cost of these measures, together with the costs for hydroelectric relicensing, are expected to be included in rates and, as such, not to have a material adverse impact on the group’s consolidated results of operations. Relicensing and decommissioning of individual hydroelectric installations are an ongoing part of the PacifiCorp business and, in 2004/05, new licences were issued for the Bear River and Big Fork projects (some 89 MW) whilst settlements were agreed for the removal of the American Fork, Condit and Powerdale projects (some 17 MW).

 

Regulatory Established Returns

 

The regulatory commissions in the various states where PacifiCorp operates approve levels of cost recovery for debt,

 

 

 

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preferred equity and common equity which result in an allowed return on rate base costs, including an allowed return on equity (“ROE”) which represents the return on shareholder investment. Determination of these returns, and the composition of the investment costs included in the rate base, is made by the commissions through general rate cases. Rates are then set to allow PacifiCorp the opportunity, with no guarantees, to meet its expenses, recover its investments and earn the allowed ROE for its shareholders. PacifiCorp pursues a regulatory programme in all states, with the objective of keeping rates closely aligned to ongoing costs. In recently completed general rate cases, base rates in Utah increased by $65.0 million annually starting in April 2004, resulting in an average price increase of 7.0% and, in February 2005, the UPSC approved a stipulation settling PacifiCorp’s general rate case filed in August 2004 under which base rates in Utah increased by $51.0 million annually starting in March 2005, resulting in an average price increase of 4.7% and an allowed return on equity of 10.5%. In September 2004, the Wyoming Public Service Commission (“WPSC”) approved a stipulation for a stand-alone pass-on of increased net wholesale purchased electricity costs. This stipulation was effective from 15 September 2004 and resulted in an overall price increase of $9.25 million annually, or 2.7%. In October 2004, the WUTC issued an order adopting a multi-party settlement agreement with limited conditions. A subsequent supplemental order was issued in November 2004, resulting in a total rate increase of $15.5 million annually, or 7.8%, effective from 16 November 2004.

PacifiCorp continues to refine its internal procedures and to work with the commissions to ensure that all prudently incurred costs are reflected in its rates. General rate adjustments reflecting changes in the regulated cost base granted during 2004/05 have an annualised value of approximately $ 75 million. Further rounds of rate cases are in progress, under consideration or in development in most of the states served by PacifiCorp. In this context, PacifiCorp has proposed or initiated discussion of power cost adjustment mechanisms designed to be longer-term, ongoing mechanisms that pass through to customers a portion of excess power costs, or return to customers a portion of over-collected power costs. These would enable power costs included within rates to be more closely aligned with PacifiCorp’s actual costs and assist in reducing earnings volatility. As with any general rate case, the outcome of these discussions and requests is uncertain.

 

Future Generation, Renewable Energy and Conservation

 

As required by state regulators, PacifiCorp uses its IRP to provide a framework for prudent future actions required to help ensure that it continues to provide reliable and cost-effective electricity services to its customers. The IRP process identifies PacifiCorp’s anticipated future resource mix in a coordinated dialogue with the stakeholders in each of the six states in which PacifiCorp operates. It allows PacifiCorp to

 

continue to select optimal solutions from a mix of renewable, thermal, market purchase and demand side management choices, guiding specific “build or buy” decisions made dependent on permitting, siting, emissions, cost recovery and economic conditions. Dockets have been established in Utah, Oregon, Idaho and Washington to determine acknowledgment of the plan under which costs incurred by PacifiCorp to provide service to its customers are expected to be included as allowable costs for ratemaking purposes. However, under the US “regulatory compact”, PacifiCorp must demonstrate to regulators that its incurred costs are both reasonable and necessary to the provision of safe, adequate, reliable and efficient electricity utility services to its retail customers and that its decisions were made in a prudent manner.

As part of the 2004 IRP process, PacifiCorp has identified a potential future difference between retail load obligations and available resources which it plans to meet through a combination of investment in new generation and load control programmes. Major IRP action items are formed into a series of separate RFPs, each of which focuses on a specific category of requirement, including energy conservation programmes (450 average MW) and the 1,400 MW of economic renewable resources that were first identified in the 2003 IRP. Since the US Congress renewed the federal Production Tax Credit (“PTC”) for renewable energy in late 2004, PacifiCorp has concentrated its efforts on renewable energy generation that could come on-line by the end of 2005, when the PTC expires pending further extensions. Projects that can incorporate the PTC’s value benefit by 1.8 cents per kWh over the first 10 years of a plant’s operation. At 31 March 2005, PacifiCorp was negotiating with top bidders for 2005 projects, with plans subsequently to move on to 2006 projects.

To date, PacifiCorp has entered into a 64.5 MW power purchase agreement, to take effect prior to calendar 2006, for the output of a windfarm located in southeastern Idaho. PacifiCorp is continuing to negotiate with other counterparties to increase its use, storage and delivery of renewable energy beyond the approximately 1,000,000 MWh of 2004/05. Based on data compiled by the US Department of Energy, PacifiCorp ranks second nationwide in customer participation and third in MWh sales in voluntary renewable energy programmes. The benefits of renewable energy include low to no emissions and no fossil fuel requirements but wind and solar generation are intermittent, so complementary thermal or hydroelectric resources are important to integrate renewable resources into the electricity system.

In addition to the supply-side RFPs, in June 2003 PacifiCorp issued a separate RFP requesting an additional 100 MW or more of conservation to be obtained over the next 10 years and load control proposals specifically addressing peak load. Two conservation programmes and one load control programme were selected. Tariffs for each programme have been filed with the UPSC.

 

 

 

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Business Review Description of Legislative and Regulatory Background

 

 

Competition and Deregulation

 

During 2004/05, PacifiCorp continued to operate its electricity distribution and retail business under state regulation, which generally prohibits retail competition. However, as a result of Direct Access mandated by Oregon’s Senate Bill 1149, a group of customers having a total average load of approximately 18 MW has chosen service from suppliers other than PacifiCorp. A group of customers having a total average load of approximately 2 MW has taken service from PacifiCorp at the Daily Market Pricing Option, which links the energy charge on a customer’s bill to a representative market price index. These changes will not have a material effect on PacifiCorp’s earnings. In addition to Oregon’s Direct Access programme, others in PacifiCorp’s service territories are seeking choice of suppliers, options to build their own generation or co-generation plants, or the use of substitute energy sources such as natural gas. If these other customers gain the right to receive electricity from alternative suppliers, they will make their energy purchasing decision based upon many factors, including price, service and system reliability. Availability and price of alternative energy sources and the general demand for electricity also influence competition. PacifiCorp does not expect significant retail competition in the near future.

 

A summary of the outcomes and the most significant further regulatory and legislative developments in the states concerned is set out below. The summary below does not include the possible effect of the proposed sale of ScottishPower’s indirect interest in PacifiCorp to MidAmerican. In each state, the sale of PacifiCorp will require regulatory notification and/or approval. Although PacifiCorp intends to pursue general rate increase requests as currently planned, management is unable to predict the impact, if any, of the proposed sale and the process of obtaining such approvals, on the pending matters described below.

 

Utah

 

In August 2004, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case request with the UPSC related to operating cost increases and recovery of investments that support Utah’s growing demand and need for enhanced network reliability. In October 2004, the UPSC approved the use of a forward-looking test year in this general rate case, the year 2005/06, and in February 2005 approved a stipulation settling the general rate case. Under the stipulation, base rates in Utah increased by $51.0 million annually starting in March 2005, resulting in an average price increase of 4.7% and an allowed return on equity of 10.5%.

Senate Bill 26 was signed into law in February 2005 and establishes rules and a mandatory process for the solicitation and evaluation of bids to procure significant energy resources. It also provides PacifiCorp with the opportunity to obtain advance approval from the UPSC of a resource decision and an assurance of the recovery of costs associated with the resource.

 

 

 

 

Oregon

 

In May 2004, the Oregon Court of Appeals heard oral arguments concerning appeals made against the Marion County, Oregon circuit court affirmation of a 2002 Oregon Public Utility Commission (“OPUC”) order which authorised PacifiCorp’s recovery of $131.0 million of excess net power costs, plus carrying charges, at a rate of $45.6 million annually. In October 2004, the Oregon Court of Appeals affirmed the circuit court decision. The deadline for further appeals has now passed. At 31 March 2005, approximately $13.7 million remained to be collected by the authorised surcharge.

In November 2004, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the OPUC related to increases in operating costs, including fuel, purchased power, and pension and healthcare costs. PacifiCorp is seeking an increase of $102.0 million annually, or 12.5%. Any increase would take effect in September 2005. Settlement conferences were held in April 2005 and hearings are scheduled for July 2005. PacifiCorp has also made filings designed to provide for discussion regarding the development of a power cost adjustment mechanism.

 

Wyoming

 

In April 2004, PacifiCorp filed a complaint with the federal district court in Wyoming challenging the March 2003 decision of the WPSC to deny recovery of Hunter No. 1 replacement power costs and deferred excess net power costs on the grounds that the decision violates federal law by denying PacifiCorp recovery in retail rates of its wholesale electricity and transmission costs incurred to serve Wyoming customers. The lawsuit seeks an injunction requiring the WPSC to pass through PacifiCorp’s wholesale electricity and transmission costs in retail rates. In May 2004, the WPSC filed a motion to dismiss the complaint; the motion to dismiss was denied in November 2004. In January 2005, the WPSC appealed the court’s ruling on the motions to dismiss and requested a stay of the underlying litigation. In February 2005, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the WPSC interlocutory appeal of the court’s ruling; this decision is subject to a currently active appeal.

In October 2004, the WPSC approved a stipulation filed by PacifiCorp, Powder River Energy Corporation and Kennecott Energy Company to resolve an attempt by Powder River Energy Corporation and Kennecott Energy Company to allow Kennecott Energy Company to choose its electricity service provider for the Antelope Coal Mine, which is in PacifiCorp’s service territory and has been served by PacifiCorp for 20 years. The terms of the stipulation include a continued recognition of PacifiCorp’s authorised territory through a regulatory recovery fee payment that Kennecott Energy Company will make to PacifiCorp. The regulatory recovery fee protects other Wyoming customers from any impacts due to the loss of the mine load. Powder River Energy Corporation will be the sole energy provider to the mine.

 

 

 

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In July 2004, PacifiCorp applied to the WPSC for a standalone pass-on of increased net wholesale purchased electricity costs. Following discussions with various parties, PacifiCorp filed a joint stipulation valuing this request at $9.25 million annually, or 2.7%. This stipulation was heard by the WPSC and approved effective 15 September 2004. The expedited treatment of this application was recognised in the stipulation with an agreement that PacifiCorp will not file a general rate application until at least September 2005. Further, the parties agreed to hold discussions on the development of a commodity cost recovery mechanism and alternative forms of regulation.

 

Washington

 

In December 2003, PacifiCorp filed with the WUTC for a general rate increase and requested that the WUTC adopt the findings of a prudence review of generating resources acquired since the last Washington general rate case. In October 2004, the WUTC issued an order adopting the multi-party settlement agreement with limited conditions and, in November 2004, the WUTC issued a supplemental order with revised calculations. As a result, the WUTC authorised an annual increase of $15.5 million, or 7.8%, effective 16 November 2004. On 5 May 2005, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case request for approximately $39 million related to increased operating costs and investment in new generation. The rate case also seeks the use of a forward-looking test year, implementation of a power cost adjustment mechanism and ratification of the MSP Revised Protocol.

 

Idaho

 

In December 2003, PacifiCorp filed with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (the “IPUC”) to recover Idaho’s portion of income tax payments resulting from Internal Revenue Service audits of prior years. In April 2004, the IPUC staff held public input meetings concerning PacifiCorp’s application. A stipulated agreement signed by the parties was filed with the IPUC in May 2004 and was approved by the IPUC in June 2004. This allowed recovery of $4.2 million over 16 months beginning in June 2004 when a power cost recovery surcharge, which began in June 2002, expired.

 

In January 2005, PacifiCorp filed a general rate case with the IPUC related to continuing investment to serve Idaho load, increases in employee-related costs and general inflation impacts. PacifiCorp seeks an increase of $15.1 million annually, or 12.5%. If approved by the IPUC, new rates would take effect 16 September 2005. On that date, unrelated surcharges currently in effect will expire, so the net effect to customers of this increase would be $11.4 million annually, or 9.2%, overall.

  

 

  

13

 

  

Regulation of the Electricity

and Gas Industries in the UK

  

 

The UK electricity and gas industries are regulated under the provisions of the Electricity Act, the Gas Acts, the Utilities Act and the Energy Act 2004. The Electricity and Gas Acts provided for the privatisation and restructuring of the industries in the late 1980s and the 1990s, including the introduction of price regulation for electricity transmission and distribution and gas transportation; and of competition in electricity generation, gas storage and the supply of both gas and electricity. The Electricity and Gas Acts established the licensing of industry participants and created regulatory bodies for each of the electricity and gas industries. In 2000, the Utilities Act enabled the electricity and gas regulators to be merged as the Authority, established new independent consumer councils and provided powers for Government Ministers to give statutory guidance on social and environmental issues and to set energy efficiency targets and renewables obligations. In 2004, the Energy Act provided the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (“Secretary of State”) with powers to implement Great Britain-wide electricity trading and transmission arrangements.

 

The Utilities Act transferred the functions of the previous electricity and gas industry regulators to the Authority and provided for the appointment of a Chairman and other members of the Authority by the Secretary of State. The Chairman of the Authority holds office for renewable periods of five years, and its Chief Executive is also the Chief Executive of Ofgem which provides administrative support to the Authority. Under the Utilities Act, the principal objective of the Secretary of State and the Authority is to protect the interest of customers, wherever appropriate by promoting effective competition. In carrying out those functions, they are required to have regard to the need to secure that all reasonable demands for electricity and gas are met; the need to ensure that licence holders are able to finance their functions; and the interests of individuals who are disabled or chronically sick, of pensionable age, with low incomes or residing in rural areas. The Authority exercises, concurrently with the Director General of Fair Trading, certain functions relating to monopoly situations under the Fair Trading Act 1973 and the Enterprise Act 2002 and to anti-competitive conduct under the Competition Act 1980 and the Competition Act 1998. The Authority also manages UK compliance with the European Community Liberalisation Directive, which is concerned to introduce competition in generation and supply and non-discriminatory access to gas transportation and electricity transmission and distribution across the EU.

 

The Licensing Regime

 

The Authority is responsible for granting new licences or licence extensions for each of the following separate activities:

 

 

 

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Business Review Description of Legislative and Regulatory Background

 

 

Electricity Generation – the production of electricity at power stations, hydroelectric plants, windfarms and some industrial plants. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, ScottishPower Generation Limited, the group is licensed to operate some 6,200 MW of generating capacity and, by contracting in the wholesale market, has access to capacity operated by other licensed generators.

 

Electricity Transmission – the bulk transfer of electricity across a high-voltage network of overhead lines, underground cables and associated equipment typically operating at or above 132 kV. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SP Transmission Limited, the group owns the transmission system in central and southern Scotland. ScottishPower’s transmission system is connected to that of Scottish and Southern Energy in the north of Scotland and is linked to the National Grid in England & Wales. It is also linked to the Northern Ireland transmission system by interconnectors that enable the export and import of electricity between the two systems. From 1 April 2005, under BETTA, operation, but not ownership, of the group’s transmission system was passed to the Great Britain-wide transmission system operator, National Grid Transco plc.

 

Electricity Distribution – the transfer of electricity from the high voltage transmission system and its delivery to customers, across a network of overhead lines and underground cables operating at voltages ranging from 33 kV (132 kV in England & Wales) to 0.23 kV. The Utilities Act required separate licensing of the 14 regional distribution businesses introduced under electricity privatisation. Each Public Electricity Distributor licensee is required, among other duties, to develop and maintain an efficient, coordinated and economical system of electricity distribution and to offer terms for connection to, and use of, its distribution system on a non-discriminatory basis, in order to ensure competition in the supply and generation of electricity. Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, SP Distribution Limited and SP Manweb plc, the group is licensed to distribute electricity within its two distribution services areas for all suppliers whose customers are within the areas. Charges for distribution are made to the various suppliers as appropriate.

 

Gas Transportation and Storage – the onshore transportation system, most of which is owned and operated by Transco, the transportation arm of National Grid Transco plc, and the rest by other gas transporters, conveys gas from the beach terminals to consumers and is interconnected with the gas transportation systems of continental Europe, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Storage capacities are largely used to balance supply and demand over time. Major facilities are used to balance seasonal variations in demand while diurnal storage capacities provide flexibility in meeting changing gas demand on a daily basis. Competition in storage has been introduced

 

 

 

 

progressively since 1998 through the auction of major storage capacity owned by Transco and the provision of new capacity by independent operators, including ScottishPower.

 

Gas Shipping – gas shippers contract with gas transporters to have gas transported between the beach terminal and the point of supply. Gas shippers can also access storage facilities. The group is licensed as a gas shipper.

 

Supply of Gas and Electricity – the bulk purchase of gas and electricity by suppliers and its sale to customers, with the associated customer service activities, including customer registration, meter reading, sales and marketing, billing and revenue collection. Large industrial and commercial customers have been able to choose their energy suppliers for a number of years and the residential market was opened to competition progressively, commencing in April 1996, with residual controls on residential electricity prices ending in March 2002. Any electricity supplier wishing to supply electricity to domestic customers must obtain authorisation from the Authority and be subject to additional domestic supply obligations in its licence, including having its codes of practice (statements of intent about how the supplier will interact with customers) approved by the Authority. Broadly comparable arrangements allow British Gas Trading to supply mains gas to any connected customer in competition with licensed gas suppliers. Customers may continue to take supplies from the pre-privatisation monopoly supplier for the area or may choose an alternative licensed supplier. Once customers have changed a gas or electricity supplier, they are able to change supplier again subject to the contractual terms offered by licensed suppliers and approved by the Authority. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, ScottishPower Energy Retail Limited, the group is licensed as a gas supplier and an electricity supplier.

 

Modification of Licences

 

The Authority is responsible for monitoring compliance with the conditions of licences and, where necessary, enforcing them through procedures laid down in the Electricity and Gas Acts. Under these Acts, as amended by the Utilities Act, licences consist of standard licence conditions, which apply to all classes of licences, and special conditions particular to that licence. The Authority may modify standard licence conditions collectively through making proposals to all relevant licence holders. If some licence holders object, the modification may be carried out only if the number of objectors is below a specified minority. The Authority may modify a special licence condition with the agreement of the licence holder after due notice, public consultation and consideration of any representations or objections. In the absence of agreement for a special licence condition or if objections are above the specified minority threshold for a standard licence condition, the only means by which the Authority can secure a

 

 

 

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modification is following a modification reference to the Competition Commission and in the circumstances set out below. A modification reference requires the Competition Commission to investigate (having regard to the matters in relation to which duties are imposed on the Secretary of State and the Authority) and report on whether matters specified in the reference in pursuance of a licence operate, or may be expected to operate, against the public interest; and, if so, whether the adverse public interest effect of these factors could be remedied or prevented by modification of the conditions of the licence. If the Competition Commission so concludes, the Authority must then make such modifications to the licence as appear to it requisite for the purpose of remedying or preventing the adverse effects specified in the report, after giving due notice and consideration to any representations and objections. The Secretary of State has the power to veto any modification.

Modifications to licence conditions may also be made in consequence of a reference under the Fair Trading Act 1973, the Enterprise Act 2002 or the Competition Act. ScottishPower’s acquisition of Manweb in 1995 and its merger with PacifiCorp in 1999 both involved ScottishPower’s giving of undertakings to the Secretary of State to agree to modifications to the licences under which the group operates in the UK. Broadly, these modifications were designed to ring-fence various UK regulated businesses, to require that the group had sufficient management and financial resources to fulfil its UK obligations and to ensure that UK regulators would continue to have access to the information needed to carry out their duties.

 

Term and Revocation of Licences

 

Licences under the Electricity Act, as modified by the Utilities Act, may be terminated by not less than 25 years’ notice given by the Secretary of State and may be revoked in certain circumstances specified in the licence. These include the insolvency of the licensee, the licensee’s failure to comply with an enforcement order made by the Authority and the licensee’s failure to carry on the activities authorised by the licence.

 

Price Controls

 

It is recognised that the development of competitive markets is not appropriate in some areas: particularly in the core activities of transmission and distribution of electricity and the operation of the gas transportation system. In these areas, regulatory controls are deemed necessary to protect customers in monopoly markets (by determining inflation-limited price caps) and to encourage efficiency. The group’s UK transmission and distribution businesses are subject to price controls (or revenue controls in the case of the transmission business) which restrict the average amount, or total amount, charged for a bundle of services. The price caps are expressed in terms of an “RPI – X” constraint on charges, where “RPI” represents the annual

 

percentage change in the UK’s retail price index, and X is a percentage determined by the Authority. The X factor is used to reflect expected efficiency gains and investment requirements. For example, where RPI is running at 3% and X is 2%, a company would be able to increase the average charge for a bundle of services by 1% per annum. The Authority from time to time reviews the price cap formulae. Through participation in, and the submission of evidence to, these price control reviews and, where necessary, through the Competition Commission modification process described above, companies have the opportunity to comment on and seek to influence the final outcome of any price control review.

 

Transmission Price Control

 

The revised transmission price control for ScottishPower took effect for the five years from 1 April 2000 and, under the terms of BETTA, which establishes a Great Britain-wide wholesale market for electricity, the price control for SP Transmission has been extended for two years from 1 April 2005.

 

Distribution Price Control

 

The maximum distribution revenue is calculated from a formula that is based on customer numbers as well as units distributed. Distribution price controls for the SP Distribution and SP Manweb operating areas, which took effect for the five years from 1 April 2005, provide incentives for distribution companies to enhance returns through performance improvements and to connect distributed generation and renewables.

 


 

14    Environmental Regulation

Throughout its operations, ScottishPower strives to meet, or exceed, relevant legislative and regulatory environmental requirements and codes of practice. ScottishPower will publish its 2004/05 Environmental and Social Impact Report and Environmental Performance Report in October 2005. Copies will be available on request from the Company Secretary and the reports will be available on the ScottishPower website.

 

US Environmental Regulation

 

US federal, state and local authorities regulate many PacifiCorp and PPM Energy activities pursuant to laws and regulations designed to prevent and control pollution and restore, protect and enhance the quality of the environment. These laws and regulations govern the construction, permitting, operation and closure of PacifiCorp and PPM Energy facilities. In general, these laws and regulations have increased the cost of providing electricity service and give rise to permit and pollution control requirements and other liabilities, principally in respect of Clean Air Act matters, which are often the subject of

 

 

 

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Business Review Description of Legislative and Regulatory Background

 

 

discussions and negotiations with the US Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and state regulatory authorities. In addition, US environmental laws and regulations have become more stringent over time, and future changes in US environmental laws or regulations could increase PacifiCorp’s operating costs, including those relating to site clean-up and closure, and give rise to challenges in obtaining and maintaining required operational permits. PacifiCorp expects that future costs relating to these matters may be significant and will consist primarily of capital expenditures required to upgrade or modify facilities to control or reduce regulated emissions. PacifiCorp expects to manage its decision making and implementation of these matters effectively so that these and future costs will be found to be prudent and recoverable in rates and, as such, will not have a material adverse impact on the group’s consolidated results of operations.

 

Air Quality

 

PacifiCorp and PPM Energy’s fossil fuel-fired electricity generation plants, as well as other facilities with significant air emissions, are subject to regulation under federal, state and local air pollution permitting and pollution control and reduction requirements, primarily those under the federal Clean Air Act and associated regulations. PacifiCorp and PPM Energy believe they have all required permits and other approvals to operate their plants and that the plants are in material compliance with applicable requirements. PacifiCorp uses emission controls, low-sulphur coal, plant operating practices sensitive to possible environmental impacts and continuous emissions monitoring to ensure that its plants comply with visible emissions, opacity and criteria pollutant limits and other air quality requirements. Federal and state air quality laws and regulations have and will become more stringent over time. In particular, the EPA has initiated a regional haze programme intended to improve visibility at specific federally protected areas, some of which are located near PacifiCorp plants. This programme could require affected PacifiCorp facilities to further reduce visible emissions through capital expenditures for pollution controls or operational changes. PacifiCorp is working with the Western Regional Air Partnership to help develop the technical and policy tools needed to comply with those regulations.

Carbon dioxide (“CO2”) emissions are the subject of growing discussion and action in the context of global climate change, but such emissions are not currently subject to regulation. PacifiCorp is anticipating climate change challenges with additions of renewable generation, conservation and thermal resources as outlined in the IRP. CO2 emissions risk has been recognised in PacifiCorp’s IRP through the use of a projected additional cost applied to CO2 emissions when evaluating the cost of proposed resources. PacifiCorp also supports development of US or global trading and other market mechanisms, as well as offset strategies, where feasible,

 

 

 

 

 

 

to reduce future compliance costs to customers.

The US Congress is currently considering several proposed bills that would modify the overall enforceable limits on electricity plant emission of sulphur dioxide (“SO2”), oxides of nitrogen (“NOx”), mercury and in some cases CO2. These proposed laws and regulations advocate a cap and trade approach to overall reduction of air emissions from power facilities, which would allow generation facilities to meet more stringent emissions limits through the purchase of emission credits and/or additional pollution controls. The EPA also has finalised new regulations that could impact emissions and is pursuing enforcement actions against selected coal-fired power plants in the eastern and mid-western US with the aim of causing nationwide emission reductions. All of these efforts may lead to additional control equipment being installed over the next 10-15 years. PacifiCorp expects that future costs relating to these matters may be significant and would consist primarily of capital expenditure but will be spread over a number of years. PacifiCorp also expects that these costs will be recovered through regulatory ratemaking.

 

Endangered Species

 

Protection of threatened and endangered species and their habitat makes it difficult and more costly to perform some of the core activities of the US businesses, including the siting, construction, maintenance and operation of new and existing transmission and distribution facilities, as well as hydroelectric, thermal and wind generation plants. In addition, endangered species issues impact the relicensing of existing hydroelectric generating projects, generally raising the price PacifiCorp pays to purchase wholesale electricity from hydroelectric facilities owned by others as well as reducing the generating output and operational flexibility and increasing the costs of operation of PacifiCorp’s own hydroelectric resources. PacifiCorp creates and implements management systems to ensure that environmental considerations are successfully incorporated into major business decisions relating to its generation, transmission and distribution assets.

 

Environmental Clean-ups

 

Under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and similar state statutes, entities that accidentally or intentionally dispose of, or arrange for the disposal of, hazardous substances may be liable without regard to fault for the clean-up of the contaminated property. In addition, the current or former owners or operators of contaminated sites also may be strictly liable for corrective action costs. PacifiCorp has been identified as a potentially responsible party for the costs for site clean-up in connection with a number of current or formerly owned sites or third party sites where PacifiCorp is alleged to have arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances from its operations.

 

 

 

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PacifiCorp has completed several clean-up actions and is actively participating in investigations and remedial actions at other sites.

 

Mining

 

The federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and similar state statutes establish permitting, siting, operational, reclamation and closure standards that must be met during the operation and upon completion of mining activities. These obligations mandate that mine property be restored consistent with specific standards and the approved reclamation plan. Significant expenditures are expected to be required as individual PacifiCorp mining operations are closed and reclamation occurs.

 

Water Quality

 

The federal Clean Water Act and individual state clean water regulations require permits for the discharge of wastewater, including storm water runoff from the electricity plants and coal storage areas, into surface waters and groundwater. PacifiCorp and PPM Energy believe they have management systems in place to monitor performance, identify problems and take action to assure compliance with wastewater permit and other Clean Water Act requirements. Additionally, PacifiCorp believes it currently has, or has initiated the process to receive, all required water quality permits.

 

UK Environmental Regulation

 

The group’s UK businesses are subject to numerous regulatory requirements with respect to the protection of the environment, including environmental laws which regulate the construction, operation and decommissioning of power stations, pursuant to legislation implementing environmental directives adopted by the EU and protocols agreed under the auspices of international bodies such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (“UNECE”). The group believes that it has taken and continues to take measures to comply with applicable laws and regulations for the protection of the environment. Applicable regulations and requirements pertaining to the environment change frequently, however, with the result that continued compliance may require material investments, or that the group’s costs and results of operation are less favourable than anticipated.

 

Electricity Generation, Transmission, Distribution and Supply

 

The Electricity Act obligates the Secretary of State to take into account the effect of electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply activities upon the physical environment in approving applications for the construction of generating facilities and the location of overhead power lines. The Electricity Act requires the group to take into account the conservation of natural features of beauty and other items of particular interest and, in terms of the Environmental Impact

 

Assessment Regulations, to carry out an environmental assessment when it intends to construct significant overhead transmission systems or power stations of greater capacity than 50 MW. The group also prepares formal statements on the “Preservation of Amenity and Fisheries” in line with the requirements of the Electricity Act.

The Utilities Act provided for environmental guidance to be given by the Secretary of State to the energy regulator, Ofgem, and for regulations to be drawn up which require licensed electricity suppliers to secure a certain percentage of their supplies from renewable energy sources, compliance being demonstrated by tradable “Renewables Obligation Certificates” (“ROCs”) or payment of a “Buyout Fine”. The current legislative requirement is that 15.4% of UK energy should come from renewable sources by 2015. ScottishPower continues to develop its windfarm and renewables business in support of these requirements. In April 2005, the UK Government also introduced amending legislation to recognise ROCs generated in Northern Ireland, creating a single UK-wide market for trading ROCs from April 2005.

The Utilities Act also provided for residential energy efficiency targets to be set for licensed suppliers and to be implemented by an “Energy Efficiency Commitment” (“EEC”). The savings target, set by Ofgem, is to achieve fuel-weighted energy benefits, which will make a contribution to carbon savings in the UK Government’s Climate Change Programme. ScottishPower has met its targets for EEC1 (operating between April 2002 and March 2005) with the delivery of over 4.5 Terawatt hours of energy saving benefits. The revised scheme, called EEC2, will run from April 2005 to March 2011 with a formal review to take place in 2008.

The Environmental Protection Act of 1990 (“EPA 1990”) requires that potentially polluting activities such as the operation of combustion processes (which includes power plant) requires prior authorisation. The Act also provides for the licensing of waste management and imposes certain obligations and duties on companies which produce, handle, and dispose of waste. Waste generated as a result of the group’s electricity activities is managed to ensure compliance with legislation and waste minimisation is undertaken where possible.

 

Generation Activities

The principal emissions from fossil-fuelled electricity generation are SO2, NOx, CO2 and particulate matter, such as dust, with the main waste being ash, namely pulverised fuel ash and furnace bottom ash. The primary focus of previous environmental legislation has been to reduce emissions of SO2, NOx and particulates, the first two of which contribute to acid rain. A number of other power station emissions and discharges are subject to environmental regulation.

 

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme is one of the policies being introduced across Europe to help implement the Kyoto

 

 

 

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Business Review Description of Legislative and Regulatory Background

 

 

Protocol to tackle emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and to combat the threat of climate change. The scheme commenced on 1 January 2005 and works on a “cap and trade” basis where installations are allocated a number of allowances which they can then trade to achieve reduced CO2 emissions at least cost. The number of allowances allocated to each installation is set down in a document called the National Allocation Plan (“NAP”) which Member States were required to submit to the European Commission (“EC”) in 2004. The UK’s final NAP was published on 24 May 2005 and outlined the number of free allocations to be issued to each installation in the UK during 2005 to 2007. ScottishPower has 13 installations covered by the scheme and under the final NAP received just under 14 million tonnes of free CO2 per annum. ScottishPower has fully integrated CO2 management into its energy portfolio and manages CO2 as a commodity alongside power, gas and coal.

EPA 1990 is the primary UK statute governing the environmental regulation of power stations. In April 1991, it introduced a system of Integrated Pollution Control (“IPC”) for large scale industrial processes, including power stations, now enforced with respect to emissions to atmosphere in England & Wales by the Environment Agency (“EA”) and in Scotland by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (“SEPA”). Each of ScottishPower’s power stations is required to have its own IPC authorisation, issued by the EA or SEPA, regulating emissions of certain pollutants, seeking to minimise pollution of the environment and containing an improvement programme. Each IPC authorisation requires that a power station uses the Best Available Techniques Not Entailing Excessive Cost (“BATNEEC”) to prevent the emissions described above or, to the extent this is not practicable, to minimise and render harmless any such emissions. ScottishPower’s IPC authorisations do not have an expiry date, but the EA or SEPA is required to review the conditions contained within them at least once every four years and may impose new conditions to prevent or reduce emissions of pollutants, subject to the application of BATNEEC.

The EU has agreed a Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control, which introduces a system of licensing for industrial processes such as power stations. This Directive is being implemented via the Pollution Prevention and Control (“PPC”) Regulations which will bring modifications to the IPC regime into effect, on a staged basis. The EU Directive will eventually require that all emission and pollution control measures are placed onto a “Best Available Techniques” (“BAT”) basis to control the impact on the environment. Existing large combustion plants, including power stations, are due to transfer over to the PPC regime during 2006 and must apply for PPC Permits during the period January to March 2006. ScottishPower has six such

 

plants. New plant must immediately comply with the PPC requirements and BAT.

The EU has adopted a framework directive on ambient air quality assessment and management and, under the auspices of UNECE, protocols regarding reductions in the emissions of SO2 and NOx have been agreed. These protocols are currently implemented in the EU by means of the Large Combustion Plants Directive (“LCPD”) and the revision of this Directive will implement tighter controls on emissions to air from 2008. The EU has finalised a “Ceilings Directive” which will implement the SO2 and NOx targets agreed in the UNECE Gothenburg Protocol. In the UK, the Government has submitted details to the EC of how it proposes to implement the LCPD. Continued uncertainty remains on final arrangements surrounding implementation of bulk emissions and emission limit values. Compliance with local air quality issues will continue to be implemented in the UK by means of the National Air Quality Strategy (“NAQS”) published in 1997, and reviewed in 2000. The provisions of the revised LCPD and of NAQS are to be introduced through the PPC permitting process on a plant-by-plant basis.

The group has identified options that, given the appropriate commercial conditions, would enable it to continue the environmental improvements required by potential future limits arising from this review, without materially constraining operational and commercial flexibility.

 

Contaminated Sites

 

While the nature of developments in environmental regulation and control cannot be predicted, the group anticipates that the direction of future changes will be towards tightening controls. In view of the age and history of many sites owned by the group, the group may incur liability in respect of sites which are found to be contaminated, together with increased costs of managing or cleaning up such sites. Site values could be affected and potential liability and clean-up costs may make disposal of potentially contaminated sites more difficult. The Contaminated Land Regulations, which implement provisions of the Environment Act 1995 (“EA 1995”), require local authorities to identify sites where significant harm is being caused and to take appropriate steps. In order for harm to be demonstrated it must be shown that a source of pollution, a receptor and a pathway are present. Harm may be eliminated by clean-up or by breaking the source to receptor pathway. Clean-up is only required to “fit for subsequent use” standards, so that environmental compliance is consistent with the intended use of the site.

Other proposals which may, under certain conditions impose strict liability for environmental damage, such as the Environmental Liability Directive, are presently being adopted by the EC. ScottishPower is not currently aware of any liability which it may have under EA 1995 or proposed

 

 

 

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EU directives which will have a materially adverse impact on its operations.

 


 

15    Employment Regulation

Each of the UK and the US has extensive legislation covering both health and safety and equal opportunities at work. ScottishPower has well-defined policies in place throughout its businesses to ensure compliance with applicable laws and related codes of practice. These policies cover a wide range of employment issues such as disciplinary action, grievance, harassment, discrimination, stress and ‘whistle-blowing’.

A more extensive description of how the businesses discharge their wider responsibilities to protect the welfare, health and safety of the public and their employees, can be found in the ScottishPower Environmental and Social Impact Report and the Workplace Performance Report, available on the ScottishPower website. A brief overview of the more extensively regulated aspects of employment follows.

 

Equal Opportunities

 

ScottishPower is committed to promoting equal opportunities for all, irrespective of age, colour, disability, ethnic or national origin, marital status, nationality, race, religion or similar belief, creed, sex, sexual orientation or any other considerations that do not affect a person’s ability to perform their job. The company aims to promote equality of opportunity through the implementation of non-discriminatory policies, practices and initiatives in all aspects of employment in ScottishPower, including recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment, career development and retention.

The company aims to take particular action in respect of disability in order to encourage job applications from disabled candidates and to establish working conditions which encourage the full participation of people with disabilities. The company is committed to making all reasonable adjustments and accommodations necessary to attract, develop and retain people with disabilities. This includes the rehabilitation, training and reassignment of employees who develop a disability

ScottishPower works proactively with a range of organisations that promote equality of opportunity including in the UK, the Equal Opportunities Commission, Employers’ Forum on Age, Employers’ Forum on Disability, Job Centre Plus and The Council of British Pakistanis (Scotland). The Company also maintains positive relations with the federal and state compliance and enforcement agencies in the US, including the Department of Labor, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ScottishPower HR in the UK and

 

the US work with these organisations to find ways to incorporate their expertise into company policies.

 

Recent Developments

 

The UK Employment Act 2002 (Dispute Resolution) Regulations 2004, effective from October 2004, place a legal obligation on employers to follow certain minimum procedures when resolving workplace disputes. In order to comply with the Regulations, the company undertook a review of its existing employment procedures and concluded that the ScottishPower UK procedures far exceeded the minimum standards required.

The company has also undertaken a review of its existing UK consultation arrangements in order to comply with the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations which come into force in April 2005. These Regulations give employees in larger firms rights to be informed and consulted on a regular basis about issues in the business they work for. Plans are in place to ensure that, by September 2005, each ScottishPower business in the UK has conducted a review of how it engages with its employees and produced an action plan which takes account of the Regulations. A further review of the company-level machinery will then be undertaken to support and maximise the aims of each business and of the ScottishPower employee relations philosophy.

In September 2004, California passed legislation requiring employers with 50 or more employees in California to provide sexual harassment training to all supervisory employees. The group’s US businesses are developing and will implement sexual harassment training tailored to meet this requirement and will adapt relevant procedures to ensure tracking of all California supervisory employees in accordance with the law.

From 10 March 2005, US employers were required to post a notice informing employees of their rights under the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Act. Compliance with this federal law was ensured by sending e-mail notification of the law and the required posting of materials to the appropriate individuals.

 

Health and Safety

 

During January and February 2005, the performance of eight group businesses was assessed against the Group Health & Safety Standards. The results showed that 29% of the assessed business units achieved the level four or five expected of a world-class performer in comparison with 19% in 2003/04. A further 63% of the assessed business units met the level three threshold of demonstrable attention to the key issues compared with 54% in 2003/04.

 

US Businesses  The lost time accident (“LTA”) rate for the US businesses increased from 0.66 to 0.92, an increase in LTAs from 42 to 59 during 2004/05 primarily due to an increase in the number of accidents in the power delivery business compared to the previous year. The highlight was PPM Energy

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Business Review Description of Legislative and Regulatory Background

 

 

maintaining its 0.0 LTA rate from prior years, whilst Pacific Klamath Energy was re-certified in the Oregon Sharp Program from the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The group’s US Health & Safety Committee continues to meet on a regular basis, providing senior executive oversight and leadership in PacifiCorp and PPM Energy in these areas. Major initiatives are underway in PacifiCorp’s power delivery, generation and mining business units and in PPM Energy to reduce and prevent accidents.

The US businesses participate with other industry stakeholders in the regulatory process on significant safety and health regulatory proposals affecting the utility and mining industries. PacifiCorp is also well represented amongst these stakeholders, with safety professionals occupying leadership positions in both mining and electricity trade associations’ safety groups.

 

UK Businesses  The LTA rate for the UK businesses reduced from 0.62 to 0.42, a reduction in LTAs from 48 to 36. The highlight of the year was in the generation business which had a period of seven months without any LTAs and only two LTAs during the 12 months to April 2005.

In the UK, the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations set out the requirements for reporting of all work-related accidents. As UK regulators and enforcement authorities increasingly seek to raise the priority and importance that companies give to health and safety issues, they are likely to take action for any non- compliance. The company continues to support industry organisations, such as the Association of Electricity Producers

 

and Energy Networks Association, and engages in representation to the UK Health and Safety Executive, the DTI and other relevant organisations through these industry groups.

 


 

16    Litigation

In May 2004, PacifiCorp was served with a complaint filed in the US District Court for the District of Oregon by the Klamath Tribes of Oregon and certain of the Klamath Tribes’ members. The claim generally alleges that PacifiCorp and its predecessors affected the Klamath Tribes’ federal treaty rights to fish for salmon in the headwaters of the Klamath River in southern Oregon by building dams that blocked the passage of salmon upstream to the headwaters beginning in 1911. The complaint seeks in excess of $1.0 billion in damages. PacifiCorp’s motion for summary judgement and dismissal of the case was supported by the magistrate judge’s recommendation in April 2005 but the Klamath Tribes’ objections to that recommendation, and PacifiCorp’s response, are now before the court. Any final order will be subject to appeal.

The group’s businesses are parties to various other legal claims, actions and complaints, certain of which may involve material amounts. Although the group is unable to predict with certainty whether or not it will ultimately be successful in these legal proceedings or, if not, what the impact might be, the directors currently believe that disposition of these matters will not have a materially adverse effect on the group’s consolidated Accounts.

 

 

 

32    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

 

     17    Summary of Key Operating Statistics

 

           Table 1

Ø   Summary of PacifiCorp Generating Facilities as at 31 March 2005

 

     Location    Energy Source   

Installation

Dates

   Plant Net
Capability

(MW
 
 

)

Hydroelectric plants

                     

Swift

   Cougar, Washington    Lewis River    1958    264.0  

Merwin

   Ariel, Washington    Lewis River    1931-1958    144.0  

Yale

   Amboy, Washington    Lewis River    1953    165.0  

Five North Umpqua Plants

   Toketee Falls, Oregon    N. Umpqua River    1950-1956    138.5  

John C. Boyle

   Keno, Oregon    Klamath River    1958    90.0  

Copco 1 and 2

   Hornbrook, California    Klamath River    1918-1925    54.5  

Clearwater 1 and 2

   Toketee Falls, Oregon    Clearwater River    1953    41.0  

Grace

   Grace, Idaho    Bear River    1908-1923    33.0  

Prospect 2

   Prospect, Oregon    Rogue River    1928    36.0  

Cutler

   Collingston, Utah    Bear River    1927    29.1  

Oneida

   Preston, Idaho    Bear River    1915-1920    28.0  

Iron Gate

   Hornbrook, California    Klamath River    1962    20.0  

Soda

   Soda Springs, Idaho    Bear River    1924    14.0  

Fish Creek

   Toketee Falls, Oregon    Fish Creek    1952    12.0  

31 minor hydroelectric plants

   Various    Various    1895-1990    86.3 *

Subtotal (51hydroelectric plants)

             1,155.4  

Thermal electric plants

                     

Jim Bridger

   Rock Springs, Wyoming    Coal-Fired    1974-1979    1,413.4 *

Huntington

   Huntington, Utah    Coal-Fired    1974-1977    895.0  

Dave Johnston

   Glenrock, Wyoming    Coal-Fired    1959-1972    762.0  

Naughton

   Kemmerer, Wyoming    Coal-Fired    1963-1971    700.0  

Hunter 1 and 2

   Castle Dale, Utah    Coal-Fired    1978-1980    662.0 *

Hunter 3

   Castle Dale, Utah    Coal-Fired    1983    460.0  

Cholla Unit 4

   Joseph City, Arizona    Coal-Fired    1981    380.0 *

Wyodak

   Gillette, Wyoming    Coal-Fired    1978    268.0 *

Carbon

   Castle Gate, Utah    Coal-Fired    1954-1957    172.0  

Craig 1 and 2

   Craig, Colorado    Coal-Fired    1979-1980    165.0 *

Colstrip 3 and 4

   Colstrip, Montana    Coal-Fired    1984-1986    149.0 *

Hayden 1 and 2

   Hayden, Colorado    Coal-Fired    1965-1976    78.0 *

Blundell

   Milford, Utah    Geothermal    1984    23.0  

Gadsby

   Salt Lake City, Utah    Gas-Fired    1951-2002    355.0  

Little Mountain

   Ogden, Utah    Gas-Fired    1972    14.0  

Hermiston

   Hermiston, Oregon    Gas-Fired    1996    245.0 *

Camas Co-Gen

   Camas, Washington    Black Liquor    1996    52.0  

Subtotal (16 thermal electric plants)

             6,793.4  

Other plants

                     

Foote Creek

   Arlington, Wyoming    Wind Turbines    1998    32.6 *

Subtotal (1 other plant)

                  32.6  

Total generating facilities

                  7,981.4  

  *  Jointly owned plants; amount shown represents PacifiCorp’s share only.

 

  Note: Hydroelectric project locations are stated by locality and river watershed.

 

           Table 2

Ø   PacifiCorp Recoverable Coal Reserves as at 31 March 2005

 

Location

   Notes    Plant Served   

Recoverable Tons

(in millions)

Craig, Colorado

   1    Craig    48.4

Emery County, Utah

   2    Huntington and Hunter    67.6

Rock Springs, Wyoming

   3    Jim Bridger    143.1

  Notes:

 

  1 These coal reserves are leased and mined by Trapper Mining, Inc., a Delaware non-stock corporation operated on a cooperative basis, in which PacifiCorp has an ownership interest of approximately 20%.

 

  2 These coal reserves are mined by PacifiCorp subsidiaries.

 

  3 These coal reserves are leased and mined by Bridger Coal Company, a joint venture between Pacific Minerals, Inc., a subsidiary of PacifiCorp, and a subsidiary of Idaho Power Company. Pacific Minerals, Inc. has a two-thirds interest in the joint venture.

 

Coal reserve estimates are subject to adjustment as a result of the development of additional data, new mining technology and changes in regulation and economic factors affecting the use of such reserves.

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    33


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  Business Review Summary of Key Operating Statistics

 

          Table 3

Ø   PacifiCorp Distribution and Transmission Systems Key Information 2004/05

 

     Pacific Power    Utah Power    Total

Franchise area

   72,075 sq miles    63,175 sq miles    135,250 sq miles

System maximum demand

   4,018 MW    4,610 MW    8,628 MW

Transmission network (miles)

              

Overhead

             15,530

Distribution network (miles)

              

Underground

   5,798    8,705    14,503

Overhead

   26,143    17,709    43,852

 

          Table 4

Ø   Total Electricity Units Distributed in Pacific Power Service Area (GWh)

 

Year

  Residential    %    Commercial    %    Industrial    %    Other    %    Total

2000/01

  7,768    31    7,041    28    10,164    40    130    1    25,103

2001/02

  7,537    31    6,932    29    9,743    40    129       24,341

2002/03

  7,454    31    7,081    29    9,478    40    90       24,103

2003/04

  8,205    33    7,587    31    9,025    36    72       24,889

2004/05

  7,889    32    7,507    31    9,230    37    75       24,701

 

          Table 5

Ø   Total Electricity Units Distributed in Utah Power Service Area (GWh)

 

Year

  Residential    %    Commercial    %    Industrial    %    Other    %    Total

2000/01

  5,687    24    6,593    28    10,495    45    575    2    23,350

2001/02

  5,858    25    6,878    30    9,868    43    582    2    23,186

2002/03

  5,833    26    6,925    30    9,570    42    541    2    22,869

2003/04

  6,256    26    6,826    29    10,109    42    599    3    23,790

2004/05

  6,228    26    7,134    29    10,225    42    631    3    24,218

 

          Table 6

Ø   Summary of PPM Energy Generating Facilities as at 31 March 2005

 

     Location    Energy Source    Installation
Date
   Plant Net
Capability

(MW
 
 

)

Thermal electric plants

                     

Klamath Cogeneration Plant

   Klamath Falls, Oregon    Natural gas-fired – Combined cycle    2001    506  

West Valley Generating Plant

   West Valley City, Utah    Natural gas-fired – Single cycle    2002    200  

Klamath Generating Plant

   Klamath Falls, Oregon    Natural gas-fired – Single cycle    2002    100  

Subtotal (3 thermal electric plants)

                  806  

Renewable electric plants

                     

Phoenix Wind Power Plant

   Southern California    Wind generation    1999    3  

Stateline Wind Energy Center

   Oregon/Washington    Wind generation    2002    300  

Klondike Wind Power Plant

   Northcentral Oregon    Wind generation    2001    24  

High Winds Energy Center

   Northern California    Wind generation    2003    162  

Southwest Wyoming Wind Energy Center

   Southwest Wyoming    Wind generation    2003    144  

Moraine Wind Power Plant

   Southwest Minnesota    Wind generation    2003    51  

Flying Cloud Wind Power Plant

   Northwest Iowa    Wind generation    2003    44  

Mountain View III Wind Power Plant

   Southern California    Wind generation    2003    22  

Colorado Green Wind Power Plant

   Southeast Colorado    Wind generation    2003    81 *

Subtotal (9 renewable electric plants)

                  831  

Total all plants (Owned or controlled plants)

             1,637  

 

*  Jointly owned plant; amount shown represents PPM Energy’s share only.

 

 

 

34    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

   Table 7

Ø   Sources of ScottishPower Owned Generating Capacity in the UK

        and the Republic of Ireland as at 31 March 2005

 

     Location    Energy Source    Installation
Date
   Plant Net
Capability
(MW)
 

Thermal electric plants

                     
Longannet    Fife, Scotland    Coal/gas/waste derived fuel    1970    2,304  
Cockenzie    East Lothian, Scotland    Coal/oil/biomass    1967    1,152  
Brighton    Sussex, England    Natural gas-fired – Combined cycle    2000    400  
Damhead Creek    Kent, England    Natural gas-fired – Combined cycle    2000    800  
Knapton    Yorkshire, England    Sour gas-fired – Single open cycle    1994    42  
Rye House    Hertfordshire, England    Natural gas-fired – Combined cycle    1993    715  

Subtotal (6 thermal electric plants)

                  5,413  
Hydroelectric plants                      
Cruachan    Argyll & Bute, Scotland    Pumped Storage    1965    440  
Galloway Scheme    Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland    Conventional Hydro    1930s/1985    106  
Lanark Scheme    Lanarkshire, Scotland    Conventional Hydro    1920s    17  

Subtotal (3 hydroelectric plants)

                  563  

Renewable electric plants

                     
Barnesmore    County Donegal, Republic of Ireland    Wind generation    1997    15  
Bienn an Tuirc    Argyll & Bute, Scotland    Wind generation    2001    30  
Carland Cross    Cornwall, England    Wind generation    1992    3 *
Coal Clough    Lancashire, England    Wind generation    1992    4 *
Corkey    County Antrim, Northern Ireland    Wind generation    1994    5  
Cruach Mhor    Argyll & Bute, Scotland    Wind generation    2004    30  
Dun Law    Midlothian, Scotland    Wind generation    2000    17  
Elliots Hill    County Antrim, Northern Ireland    Wind generation    1995    5  
Hagshaw Hill    Lanarkshire, Scotland    Wind generation    1995    16  
Hare Hill    Ayrshire, Scotland    Wind generation    2000    13  
P & L Windfarm    Monmouthshire, Wales    Wind generation    1993    15 *
Rigged Hill    County Londonderry, Northern Ireland    Wind generation    1994    5  

Subtotal (12 renewable electric plants)

                  158  

CHP

   Various, England    Combined heat and power (gas-fired)         102  

Total all plants (Owned or controlled plants)

                  6,236  

 

   *  Jointly owned plants; amount shown represents ScottishPower’s share only.

 

   Table 8

Ø   UK Distribution and Transmission Systems Key Information 2004/05

 

     ScottishPower   Manweb   Total

Franchise area

   22,950 km2   12,200 km2   35,150 km2

System maximum demand

   4,089 MW   3,055 MW   7,144 MW

Transmission network (km)

            

Underground

   240     240

Overhead

   3,791     3,791

Distribution network (km)

            

Underground

   38,475   26,186   64,661

Overhead

   21,341   21,899   43,240

 

   Table 9

Ø   Total Electricity Units Distributed in the ScottishPower Service Area (GWh)

 

Year    Residential    %    Business    %    Total

2000/01

   8,505    38    14,189    62    22,694

2001/02

   8,698    39    13,864    61    22,562

2002/03

   8,643    39    13,689    61    22,332

2003/04

   8,620    39    13,639    61    22,259

2004/05

   8,739    39    13,903    61    22,642

 

   Table 10

Ø   Total Electricity Units Distributed in the Manweb Service Area (GWh)

 

Year    Residential    %    Business    %    Total

2000/01

   5,460    32    11,826    68    17,286

2001/02

   5,387    32    11,540    68    16,927

2002/03

   5,512    33    11,233    67    16,745

2003/04

   5,862    35    11,018    65    16,880

2004/05

   6,310    37    10,880    63    17,190

 

 

 

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LOGO

 

 

“In the year, investment, business performance

and our hedging strategy all contributed to

delivering pre-tax profit, excluding goodwill

amortisation and the exceptional item, of over

£1 billion for the first time. This performance

has been reflected in the dividends for the full year,

which have increased by 10% to 22.50 pence.”

 

 

David Nish Finance Director

 

 

 

36    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

Financial Review

 

 


 

1   

Ø   Introduction

 

   11   

Ø   Critical Accounting Policies – UK GAAP

2   

Ø   Dividend Policy

   12   

Ø   Critical Accounting Policies – US GAAP

3   

Ø   Sale of PacifiCorp

 

   13   

Ø   Accounting Developments

4   

Ø   Overview of the Year to March 2005

   14   

Ø   Implementation of International

 Financial Reporting Standards

 

5

  

 

Ø   Overview of the Year to March 2004

     
6   

Ø   Research and Development

 

   15   

Ø   Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

7   

Ø   Liquidity and Capital Resources

   16   

Ø   UK GAAP to US GAAP Reconciliation

8   

Ø   Fair Value of Derivative Contracts

   17   

Ø   Summary

9   

Ø   Pension Arrangements

   18   

Ø   Cautionary Statement Regarding

 Non-GAAP Financial Information

 

10

  

 

Ø   Creditor Payment Policy and Practice

     

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

Items marked * are excluding goodwill amortisation and/or the exceptional item. ScottishPower management assesses the underlying performance of its businesses by adjusting UK Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) statutory results to exclude items it considers to be non-operational or non-recurring in nature. In the years presented, goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item have been excluded. Therefore, to provide more meaningful information, ScottishPower has focused its discussion of business performance on the results excluding these items. Items marked are non-GAAP liquidity measures, which management and external bodies utilise to assess the performance of our business. In accordance with guidance from the UK Auditing Practices Board, the UK Listing Authority, and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, where non-GAAP figures are discussed, comparable UK GAAP figures have also been discussed and reconciled to the non-GAAP figures. A detailed “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” is provided in Section 18 on page 72. The full statutory results are presented in the “Group Profit and Loss Account” and in Note 1 “Segmental profit and loss information” on page 112 and on page 116, respectively.

 


 

1    Introduction

 

ScottishPower is an international energy business, listed on both the London and New York Stock Exchanges, with 2004/05 annual turnover of £6.8 billion and operating profit and profit

 

before tax, both excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, exceeding £1 billion*. The group comprises four businesses operating in both a regulated and competitive environment in the UK and US, which serve over 6.7 million (2003/04: 5.8 million) electricity and gas customers. The group considers its core strengths to lie in a number of key areas, including strong asset management skills; its integrated approach to energy and risk management; a dedicated customer service focus; and careful management of regulatory partnerships.

The regulated businesses accounted for 39% of group external turnover in the current year (2003/04: 46%), and 80%* of operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item (2003/04: 88%*). The group’s geographical distribution of operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, is broadly balanced between its UK and US operations. The regulated businesses comprise PacifiCorp in the US and Infrastructure Division in the UK. Together they accounted for almost £2.7 billion of group turnover in the year, and almost £960 million* of operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item. PacifiCorp is a regional vertically integrated utility servicing 1.6 million customers in six US states and is subject to the jurisdiction of the public utility regulatory authorities in each of these states. At operating profit level, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, it is the largest of our divisions. Infrastructure Division, our UK wires business, owns and manages a substantial UK electricity transmission and distribution network covering approximately 112,000 km within the ScottishPower and Manweb franchise service areas. The division comprises three “asset-owner companies”, which hold the group’s UK regulated assets and transmission and

 

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    37


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Financial Review

 

LOGO

 

distribution licences, and an “asset-management” company, which provides the expertise necessary to conduct the day-to-day operation of the network. At an operating profit level, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, the Infrastructure Division is our second largest division.

The competitive businesses are the UK Division and PPM Energy in the US. Together they contributed almost £4.2 billion of group turnover in the year, and just under £240 million* of operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation. The UK Division is an integrated commercial energy generation and supply business, which balances and hedges energy demand

  from a diverse generation portfolio through to a national customer base of over 5.1 million customers. The UK Division owns, controls and operates over 6,200 MW of generating capacity, comprising coal, gas, hydroelectric and wind power generation assets, giving the division a particularly flexible portfolio. PPM Energy commenced substantive operations in 2001 and supplies energy from clean and efficient natural gas and wind generation facilities and provides gas storage services to wholesale customers, located in the mid-western and western US and Canada. PPM Energy has approximately 1,600 MW of thermal and renewable generation currently under its

 

Table 11

 

Key drivers

 


 

PacifiCorp

 

 

Infrastructure Division

Ø      Achieving allowed regulatory rate of return on equity

 

Ø      Managing the regulatory rate case process

 

Ø      Managing a balanced power position

 

Ø      Managing the impact of growing demand

 

Ø      Improving operating and capital cost-efficiency

 

Ø      Maximising returns from investment in the regulatory

asset base

 

Ø      Securing a positive outcome from the 2007 Transmission

Price Review and delivering outperformance against

the 2005 Distribution Price Control

 

Ø      Improving operating and capital cost-efficiency


 

PPM Energy

 

 

UK Division

Ø      Availability of attractive business opportunities and

favourable public policies

 

Ø      Optimising returns from its gas and power portfolio

by actively seeking to lock in value inherent in the

portfolio’s assets and contracts

 

Ø      Continuing to grow the customer base at optimal tariff levels

 

Ø      Managing a balanced power position

 

Ø      Further significant expansion of renewable generation

at appropriate rates of return

 

Ø      Improving operating and capital cost-efficiency

 

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

 

38    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

ownership or control, with a further 574 MW of wind power due on-line by December 2005.

The group’s results are affected to a small extent by seasonality, with group external turnover and operating profit weighted towards the second half of the year, primarily as a result of higher winter demand requirements in the UK, with complementary summer and winter seasonal load patterns in the US. Seasonality has had the greatest impact on the UK Division’s results, where, historically, customer demand has peaked during the winter months reflecting increased heating and lighting requirements.

The businesses’ key drivers impacting the financial performance of the group are shown in Table 11. Other factors affecting our financial performance include increases and reductions in customer demand for electricity, economic growth and downturns, and abnormal weather, all of which impact revenues, cash flows and investment. The group proactively manages its supply and demand balance, but any unanticipated changes in future customer demand, weather conditions, generation resource availability or commodity prices may affect revenues from, and the cost of, supplying power to customers.

ScottishPower is committed to its strategy of investing for growth and improving operational performance. During the year, the ScottishPower Board undertook a strategic review of PacifiCorp and concluded in May 2005 that shareholders’ interests were best served by a sale of PacifiCorp and the return of capital to shareholders.

In the year, group operating profit reduced by £870 million to £153 million principally due to an exceptional impairment charge of £927 million, which reduced the book value of PacifiCorp down to its expected net realisable value.

Further details of the sale and impairment charge are provided in Section 3 on page 40.

 

In the year, ScottishPower continued with its significant investment programme and group operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, increased by 4%*. The Infrastructure Division has delivered growth in the year with operating profit up by 6% on last year, but PacifiCorp’s operating profit*, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, reduced due to a combination of unfavourable weather, lower generation availability and the effect of the weaker dollar on sterling results. The competitive businesses reported substantial improvements, with operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation, up by 74%* in the year. In the UK Division, this has been achieved through customer growth combined with investment in, and successful integration of, new generation and an effective hedging strategy; and in PPM Energy through 2003/04 investment in new wind resources, gas storage activities and optimisation of long-term contractual arrangements.

ScottishPower is committed to maintaining an A category credit rating for its principal operating subsidiaries, thereby allowing access to flexible borrowing sources at favourable cost. To achieve this rating, on completion of the sale of PacifiCorp, the group will target credit ratios of adjusted Funds From Operations (“FFO”)/net debt of greater than 25% and FFO/interest cover of more than five times. ScottishPower will work closely with the rating agencies in order to ensure its rating objectives are achieved. In addition to the cash generated from operations and existing cash resources, the group relies on the capital markets as a source of liquidity to fund investment as required. Consistent with this strategy, the group successfully issued $1.5 billion of US bonds in March 2005, and unwound a corresponding amount of derivative hedges.

The group seeks to minimise and manage earnings volatility whilst protecting the value of the group’s overseas assets

 

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05     39


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Financial Review

 

 

  

 

 


 

through appropriate interest rate and foreign exchange risk management programmes. Against these objectives, the effective use of dollar denominated debt, derivatives and commodity price hedging have substantially protected the group’s earnings and net assets from foreign exchange volatility over the past 12 months, while allowing the group to benefit from interest rates in dollars that have been lower than those in sterling. Substantially all of the group’s US investments continue to be protected from exchange rate movements, with expected US earnings similarly protected in the next financial year.

During the year, earnings per share were lower by 46.23 pence resulting in a loss per share of 16.83 pence due to the exceptional goodwill impairment charge. Excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, earnings per share increased by 10% to 40.22 pence*, as a result of the continuing three businesses’ improved performance and lower group interest charges. Key financial highlights are shown in the chart on page 39.

ScottishPower will adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) for the financial year ending 31 March 2006. Included within the “IFRS Financial Information” section on page 173 are reconciliations of the group’s 2004/05 UK GAAP financial statements to the amounts that would have been reported under IFRS (based on the IFRS standards and interpretations currently in existence). ScottishPower has elected to defer the application of the financial instruments standards (International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 32 ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation’ and IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’) until the financial year ending 31 March 2006, and therefore, there is no impact from these standards on the 2004/05 IFRS financial information. The implementation of IFRS is discussed in more detail in Section 14 on page 64.

 


 

2    Dividend Policy

Our intention is to target dividend cover based on full year earnings within a range of 1.5 to 2.0 times and ideally towards the middle of that range. This excludes goodwill amortisation and exceptional items. We have achieved that with our full year dividend of 22.50 pence per share, which is covered 1.79 times by earnings per share, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, of 40.22 pence*. We aim to grow dividends broadly in line with earnings and we expect to continue this policy following the sale of PacifiCorp and the return of capital to shareholders. In the absence of unforeseen circumstances, ScottishPower intends to pay an identical dividend for each of the first three-quarters of 2005/06, of 5.20 pence per share per quarter, representing an increase of 5% from 2004/05. The balance of the total dividend for 2005/06 will be set in the fourth quarter.

  

3    Sale of PacifiCorp

During the year, the ScottishPower Board undertook a strategic review of PacifiCorp, as a result of its performance and the significant investment it required in the immediate future. In May 2005, the Board concluded that, in the light of the scale and timing of the capital investment required in PacifiCorp and the likely profile of returns from that investment, shareholders’ interests were best served by a sale of PacifiCorp and return of capital to shareholders. The Board therefore announced on 24 May 2005 that ScottishPower had entered into a binding agreement for the sale of PacifiCorp to MidAmerican for $9.4 billion. The Board intends to return approximately $4.5 billion of the net proceeds of $5.0 billion from the sale of PacifiCorp, to shareholders. The sale is subject to regulatory and shareholder approval.

An exceptional impairment charge of £927 million has been made in the year, to reduce the book value of PacifiCorp, under UK GAAP, down to its expected net realisable value. Pending completion of the sale, PacifiCorp will be treated as a discontinued operation in the financial statements of ScottishPower. The impairment amount excludes foreign exchange gains of £485 million, achieved to date, which will be reflected in ScottishPower’s Income Statement under IFRS on completion of the sale of PacifiCorp to MidAmerican.

The sale is subject to, among other things, Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), Department of Justice or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”), Federal Trade Commission and Nuclear Regulatory Commission approvals at the federal level, without conditions that would have a material adverse effect on the PacifiCorp business. In addition it is subject to approval at state level in Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington, Idaho and California provided such state approvals are not subject to conditions whose effect would be meaningfully adverse to the business of PacifiCorp. ScottishPower anticipates that such approvals should be forthcoming within 12 to 18 months.

Between now and closing of the sale, ScottishPower has agreed to invest additional equity in PacifiCorp to fund ongoing capital expenditure in line with PacifiCorp’s current plan. Pursuant to these arrangements, ScottishPower will invest $500 million during the financial year 2005/06. In addition ScottishPower has agreed to make further investments during the financial year 2006/07 of up to $525 million, contributed quarterly, although ScottishPower will be fully compensated for any such payments made in respect of the financial year 2006/07. Between now and the closing of the sale, ScottishPower is entitled to dividends from PacifiCorp in line with PacifiCorp’s current plan. Pursuant to these arrangements, it is expected that, ScottishPower will receive $215 million of dividends during the financial year 2005/06, and $242 million of dividends during the financial year 2006/07, these amounts to accrue monthly.

The sale of PacifiCorp enables ScottishPower to focus its

 

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

 

40    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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management and capital on the continued development of the Infrastructure Division, UK Division and PPM Energy. These businesses have driven our profit growth over the last two years and delivered overall returns ahead of our cost of capital. We consider these businesses to have substantial opportunities for continued growth through capital investment and improved operational performance.

 


 

     

revenues increased to a lesser extent, mainly as a result of regulatory rate increases and customer growth. Infrastructure Division’s external turnover grew by £22 million to £380 million (6%) due to higher regulated and new connections business revenues, both driven by higher volumes. The UK Division experienced turnover growth of 33%, with revenues rising by £908 million to £3,685 million mainly as a result of higher retail sales, increased energy balancing activities in England & Wales, which was offset in cost of sales, and the acquisition of new generation plant. PPM Energy’s turnover increased by £159 million to £502 million, after a £20 million adverse US dollar translation impact. PPM Energy’s dollar turnover was higher by 56%, as a result of increased sales under long-term contracts, activities around owned and contracted gas storage and the addition of new wind generation.

 

4  

    Overview of the Year

    to March 2005

     

 

Group Profit and Loss

 

This has been a year of profitable growth for the Infrastructure Division, UK Division and PPM Energy, which all delivered strong performances. PacifiCorp’s results were affected by the impact of weather conditions, which reduced demand and owned hydroelectric generation availability. Thermal plant outages, particularly in the first half, also contributed to higher net power costs. During the year, an exceptional goodwill impairment charge of £927 million has been made in ScottishPower’s results to reduce the book value of PacifiCorp down to its expected net realisable value. As a result of this charge, the group recorded a pre-tax loss of £29 million, compared to a pre-tax profit of £792 million in 2003/04. Excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, pre-tax profit increased by 10% to over £1 billion*, as improved performances from our continuing three businesses and substantially lower interest charges, more than offset the impact of PacifiCorp’s lower operational results. Our policy to hedge both dollar earnings and net assets to reduce the impact of currency volatility, continued to successfully mitigate the impact of the weaker US dollar. At operating profit level, an earnings hedge benefit of approximately £53 million (2003/04: £60 million) was delivered and our balance sheet hedging delivered an £88 million (2003/04: £39 million) benefit to interest from the UK/US interest rate differential.

 

     

Cost of sales of £4,567 million increased by £937 million on last year, reflecting growth in balancing our UK and PacifiCorp energy positions; increased power production and purchase costs in both the UK Division and PacifiCorp; the acquisition of generation plant in the UK; and increased gas activities and wind generation at PPM Energy. These increases were partly offset by the favourable US dollar translation impact. Transmission and distribution costs increased by £62 million to £606 million as a result of higher UK Division costs associated with customer growth and higher PacifiCorp labour-related costs and increased depreciation, partly offset by the favourable US dollar translation impact. Administrative expenses (including goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item) as shown in Table 12 were £930 million higher than last year at £1,556 million. Excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, administrative expenses increased by £13 million* due to higher labour-related costs in the US, including costs to support business growth in PPM Energy; and operating costs associated with customer growth and new generation plants in the UK Division. Partly offsetting this was the release of an environmental provision within PacifiCorp and the favourable US dollar impact. Depreciation, which is included within each of the three preceding cost categories, was £19 million higher than last year at £458 million. Increased levels of capital investment throughout the group resulted in higher depreciation charges during the year, partly offset by the impact of the weaker dollar on translation

 

Ø      Table 12

Administrative expenses (£m)

Group turnover for the year to 31 March 2005 was £6,849 million, an increase of £1,052 million on the previous year, with the majority of the increase in the UK Division. The weaker US dollar reduced sterling revenues by £225 million, net of the movement in hedging benefits from the forward sale of dollars. The effect of the weaker dollar on PacifiCorp and PPM Energy’s sterling revenues was mitigated at an earnings level by the favourable effect of the weaker dollar on costs and by our hedging strategy.

 

          2004/05    2003/04
      Administrative expenses   1,555.8    626.2
      Goodwill amortisation   (117.5)    (128.0)
PacifiCorp’s turnover for the year was down by £37 million at £2,282 million mainly as a result of a £205 million adverse translation impact of the weaker US dollar. PacifiCorp’s dollar turnover increased by 8% primarily as a result of higher wholesale volumes associated with energy balancing, which was offset by increases in purchase costs. PacifiCorp’s retail       Exceptional item   (927.0)   
      Administrative expenses excluding goodwill         
      and exceptional*   511.3    498.2

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    41


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Financial Review

 

 

As shown in Table 13 group operating profit decreased by £870 million to £153 million principally due to the exceptional charge in the year of £927 million, relating to the impairment of goodwill associated with PacifiCorp. Excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, group operating profit increased by £46 million to £1,197 million* (4%), after an adverse foreign exchange effect of £58 million. These results reflect a strong performance in our UK operations and good growth in PPM Energy, with combined operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation, up by over 23%* on last year. Although its results were below expectations for the year, PacifiCorp delivered an improved second half operational performance compared to the first half of the year.

In PacifiCorp, operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, was lower by £78 million at £542 million*, as a result of adverse weather conditions, lower generation availability and a £61 million unfavourable net translation variance arising from the weaker US dollar and reduced hedging benefits. Infrastructure Division’s operating profit showed an increase of £23 million (6%) to £416 million, primarily from higher regulated revenues and lower net operating costs. The UK Division’s operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation, improved by £79 million to £180 million* due to continued customer growth, investment in generation and effective management of its resource portfolio. In PPM Energy, operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation, increased by £22 million to £59 million*, primarily from contributions from gas storage activities and investments in wind generation.

 

 

Ø    Table 13

Group operating profit (£m)

     

floating rate debt and interest payable on capital contributions to be refunded under the new British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements (“BETTA”). Further discussion on interest charges is given within the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section on page 53.

As shown in Table 14, the loss before tax was £29 million compared to a profit before tax of £792 million last year. The loss before tax was due to the exceptional goodwill impairment charge. Excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, profit before tax improved by £95 million to £1,015 million* (10%), with the impact of PacifiCorp’s results being more than offset by operating profit improvements in our other businesses and the lower net interest charge. A foreign exchange hedge benefit of approximately £53 million (2003/04: £60 million) was delivered from selling forward our forecast dollar earnings at a favourable rate compared to the average rate for the year. This has helped protect group profit from the effect of the weaker US dollar.

 

 

Ø    Table 14

(Loss)/profit before tax (£m)

           2004/05    2003/04
     

(Loss)/profit before tax

   (29.3)    792.1
     

Goodwill amortisation

   117.5    128.0
     

Exceptional item

   927.0   
     

Profit before tax excluding goodwill

and exceptional*

   1,015.2    920.1
     

 

The tax charge for the year increased by £26 million to £274 million, on the loss before tax of £29 million. The tax charge increased as a result of higher pre-tax profit, excluding the exceptional goodwill impairment charge, which had no impact on the tax charge for the year. Excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, the effective rate of tax remained unchanged for the year at 27%*. As shown in Table 15, the effective rate of tax is calculated by dividing the tax charge by profit before tax, expressed as a percentage. The effective rate of tax is dependent on a number of factors. The mix of profit impacts the rate because of the higher rates applied to taxable profit in the US (around 38%) when compared to the UK (30%). A change in the proportion of profit earned in the US, therefore, results in a change in the group’s effective tax rate. The effective rate, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, is lower than the statutory rate because the group seeks to carry out its commercial activities in a tax efficient manner and benefits from the group’s financing arrangements. Where the tax treatment of a specific item is debatable, the group makes realistic provision for the tax payable and will endeavour to negotiate a settlement with the tax authorities, which is not less favourable than the accounting treatment of the item. As a result, when some of these items are agreed, the release of any balance of the provision will reduce the effective tax rate. In the current year, the effective tax rate

   
   
     2004/05    2003/04    

Operating profit

   152.6    1,022.6    

Goodwill amortisation

   117.5    128.0    

Exceptional item

   927.0       

Operating profit excluding goodwill

and exceptional*

   1,197.1    1,150.6    

 

 

Goodwill amortisation of £117 million was £11 million lower than last year as a result of the translation impact of the weaker US dollar reducing the goodwill charge.

The net interest charge reduced by £50 million to £188 million for the year and included a £14 million translation benefit from the weaker US dollar and an additional £49 million benefit from the UK/US interest rate differential arising from our dollar balance sheet hedging strategy, whereby the group swaps out of sterling liabilities into dollar liabilities in order to hedge its US dollar denominated net assets. The net interest charge also benefited from £14 million of net interest receipts following the settlement of outstanding tax claims. These reductions were partly offset by £27 million of increased charges, which primarily related to higher interest payments on

   

 

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

 

42    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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benefited from increased Production Tax Credits (“PTCs”) associated with our windfarm investment programme in the US, with net movements on provisions, including the impact of the group’s internal financing arrangements, broadly in line with last year. Legislation, proposed in the Finance Bill 2005 but not yet enacted, is likely to affect the group’s internal financing arrangements and could, therefore, result in an increase in the effective rate in future years. However, higher PTCs from US windfarms are expected partly to offset this increase.

 

 

The full year dividends were 22.50 pence per share and were covered 1.79 times by earnings per share, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, of 40.22 pence*.

 

Cash Flow and Net Debt

 

Cash flows from operating activities reduced by £104 million to £1,260 million for the year as favourable operating performance was partly offset by higher working capital commitments, mainly due to higher debtors reflecting significant customer growth in our UK Division, and provision movements. Interest, tax and dividend payments totalled £600 million, with the tax and interest payments substantially lower than last year due to the settlement of outstanding tax claims and cash benefits associated with our hedging strategy. Net inflows from the sale of tangible fixed assets, fixed asset investments and disposals were £30 million. Financing net inflows, other than changes in net debt, were £227 million, mainly as a result of the cash received on the maturity and cancellation of net investment hedging derivatives during the year. These cash flows combined provided cash of £917 million, which contributed to the group’s net capital investment cash spend of £1,270 million. After adverse non-cash movements of £70 million, which included debt acquired following the purchase of the remaining 50% of the Brighton power plant partly offset by the favourable effect of foreign exchange, net debt was £4,147 million at 31 March 2005, £423 million higher than at 31 March 2004. Gearing (net debt/equity shareholders’ funds) was 104%, compared to 79% at 31 March 2004.

 

Investment

 

Our investment strategy is to drive the growth and development of our regulated and competitive businesses, through a balanced programme of capital investment. Investments in our regulated businesses aim to achieve at least the allowed rate of regulatory returns and our competitive businesses are expected to achieve returns of at least 300 basis points above each division’s weighted average cost of capital. All investments are assessed on a risk adjusted returns basis, are expected to be earnings enhancing and should support our aim to retain our A category credit rating for our principal operating subsidiaries.

 

In the year, the group invested £1,377 million in its asset base. Of this, £1,013 million related to fixed asset additions and £415 million related to acquisitions and fixed asset investments (including Damhead Creek and Brighton power plants in the UK, and Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation (“AREC”) and investments associated with the Maple Ridge joint venture in the US), offset by £51 million of customer grants and contributions.

 

Of our net capital investment for the year, £831 million (60%) was invested for growth and £546 million was invested in

Ø    Table 15

          
Effective rate of tax (£m)/(%)           
    2004/05    2003/04  

Tax charge

  274.1    248.4  

(Loss)/profit before tax

  (29.3)    792.1  

Effective rate of tax

  (935)%    31%  

Profit before tax, excluding goodwill and exceptional*

  1,015.2    920.1  

Effective rate of tax, excluding goodwill and exceptional*

  27%    27%  

 

The loss after tax, as shown in Table 16, was £303 million compared to a profit after tax of £544 million for the prior year. Excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, profit after tax grew by £69 million (10%) to £741 million*, with our strong operating results in the UK businesses and PPM Energy and lower interest charges, being partly offset by higher tax charges.

 

 

Ø    Table 16

          
(Loss)/profit after tax (£m)           
    2004/05    2003/04  

(Loss)/profit after tax

  (303.4)    543.7  

Goodwill amortisation

  117.5    128.0  

Exceptional item

  927.0    –   

Profit after tax excluding goodwill and exceptional*

  741.1    671.7  

 

Earnings per share, as shown in Table 17, were lower by 46.23 pence resulting in a loss per share of 16.83 pence for the year. Excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, earnings per share increased by 3.82 pence (10%) to 40.22 pence*.

 
            

Ø    Table 17

          
(Loss)/earnings per share (pence)           
    2004/05    2003/04  

(Loss)/earnings per share (EPS)

  (16.83)    29.40  

EPS impact of goodwill amortisation*

  6.42    7.00  

EPS impact of the exceptional item*

  50.63    –   

EPS excluding goodwill and exceptional*

  40.22    36.40  

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    43


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Financial Review

 

refurbishment, upgrade and other projects. Growth investment included the acquisitions in the UK of the 800 MW Damhead Creek power plant for £320 million and the remaining 50% of the 400 MW Brighton power plant for £71 million. Other growth investment totalled £440 million and included: windfarm development spend of £142 million in the UK and the US; network expansion and reinforcement spend of £152 million in the UK and US; and £136 million on the 525 MW Currant Creek and 534 MW Lake Side power plants in Utah.

Of the £831 million invested for growth expenditure, £298 million (36%) was invested in our regulated businesses and £533 million (64%) in our competitive businesses. Geographically, £310 million (37%) of growth spend was invested in the US and £521 million (63%) in the UK. The £546 million balance of refurbishment and upgrade spend was split £254 million in the US (47%) and £292 million in the UK (53%).

Our level of capital investment is expected to grow to approximately £1.5 billion next year, based on a US dollar/UK sterling exchange rate of approximately $1.80, with some £1.0 billion relating to the continuing three businesses. This will enable the businesses to optimise the performance of existing assets and pursue growth opportunities through a balanced programme of expenditure.

 

Business Reviews

 

PacifiCorp

 

PacifiCorp is our US regulated business which seeks to maximise its return on equity (“ROE”), within the limits permitted by US state regulators. The outcome of general rate cases conducted by the state regulatory commissions sets PacifiCorp’s revenue requirement and prices, and sometimes specifies an authorised ROE. Regulatory returns for PacifiCorp

  

through the last reportable period at September 2004, were approximately 7% on a normalised basis compared to approximately 8% at September 2003. The current period does not include the increased revenue from the Utah general rate case settlement effective in March 2005 and the Washington general rate case outcome from November 2004. Successful management of the regulatory ratemaking process, maximising the returns on new investment and the recovery of costs through rate setting are key priorities for PacifiCorp to move towards achieving its allowed regulatory rate of return. PacifiCorp is currently pursuing a regulatory programme in all states in which it operates, with the objective of keeping rates closely aligned to ongoing costs and, in the year, has been awarded approximately $75 million of additional annual revenue from rate cases. Over the winter months there was less snow and rainfall than normal, which will reduce hydroelectric generation availability during the first six months of 2005/06. PacifiCorp is seeking to account for and recover power costs in Oregon and Washington related to these unfavourable weather conditions.

 

Pending completion of its sale, PacifiCorp will be treated as a discontinued operation in the group’s 2005/06 financial statements.

 

PacifiCorp’s key customer statistics are shown in Table 18 and key financial information in Table 19.

  

Ø    Table 19

          
   PacifiCorp (£m)           
        2004/05     2003/04
  

External turnover

   2,281.5     2,318.6
  

Operating (loss)/profit

   (497.4 )   496.8
  

Goodwill amortisation

   112.1     122.5
  

Exceptional item

   927.0    
  

Operating profit excluding goodwill and exceptional*

   541.7     619.3

 

Ø    Table 18

PacifiCorp customer statistics

 

                           
          2004/05    2003/04    Change     % Change  

Energy sales

                           

Residential

   GWh    14,117    14,460    (343 )   (2 )%

Commercial

   GWh    14,642    14,413    229     2 %

Industrial

   GWh    19,454    19,133    321     2 %

Other

   GWh    706    673    33     5 %

Total retail electricity

   GWh    48,919    48,679    240      

Wholesale electricity

   GWh    29,080    24,464    4,616     19 %

Customer numbers

                           

Residential

   thousands    1,373    1,341    32     2 %

Commercial

   thousands    194    190    4     2 %

Industrial

   thousands    34    34         

Other

   thousands    4    5    (1 )   (20 )%

Total

   thousands    1,605    1,570    35     2 %

Residential customers

                           

Average annual usage

   kWh    10,411    10,889    (478 )   (4 )%

Average annual revenue per customer1

   $    741    749    (8 )   (1 )%

Revenue per kWh1

   cents    7.1    6.9    0.2     3 %

 

  1 Excludes recovery of deferred power costs

 

*   Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

44    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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Turnover in PacifiCorp reduced by £37 million to £2,282 million in the year, mainly because of the £205 million adverse translation impact of the weaker US dollar. Dollar turnover increased by $312 million (8%) to $4,125 million with the majority of the increase attributable to wholesale volumes, which increased by 4,616 GWh to 29,080 GWh and higher retail revenues from regulatory rate increases.

Wholesale revenue increased by $240 million in the year, of which $199 million was due to higher energy sales volumes on short-term contracts, mainly associated with energy balancing, and $108 million was from higher electricity prices on short-and long-term wholesale transactions. These increases were partly offset by a reduction of $67 million, primarily associated with lower energy sales volumes on long-term contracts due to contract expiration. Residential, commercial and industrial revenues grew by $100 million (4%) and retail customer numbers increased by 35,000 to 1.6 million. Residential revenues increased by $10 million, despite a reduction in volumes of 343 GWh to 14,117 GWh, as rate increases and growth in average customer numbers more than offset the impact of lower average estimated customer usage, which reduced to 10,411 kWh compared to 10,889 kWh in the year to March 2004, due primarily to milder weather. Commercial revenues and volumes increased by $40 million and 229 GWh respectively, whilst industrial revenues and volumes increased by $49 million and 321 GWh as a result of regulatory rate increases and growth in average customer numbers. These increases were offset by a reduction of $44 million in the recovery of deferred power costs, which will fully expire by the end of December 2005. Other revenues increased by $16 million primarily due to higher demand-side management and wheeling revenues.

In the year, PacifiCorp reported an operating loss of £497 million, compared to an operating profit of £497 million last year, principally due to the £927 million exceptional charge. Excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, PacifiCorp’s operating profit fell by £78 million to £542 million*, with a £61 million unfavourable net translation variance arising from the weaker US dollar and reduced hedging benefits. Dollar operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, reduced by $29 million to $914 million* as improved retail revenues and benefits from operating efficiency initiatives were offset by increased net power costs and higher net operating costs.

Retail and other regulatory revenues improved operating profit by $98 million before taking into account the expected reduction in deferred power cost recoveries of $44 million. The underlying revenue growth reflected increases in regulatory rates of $92 million and customer growth of $39 million, partly offset by lower customer usage of $33 million, mainly as a result of the milder weather.

Net power costs increased by $98 million largely as a result of the impact of higher market prices on increased purchase volumes due to retail load growth and additional requirements

 

which arose from the impact of unfavourable weather and outages on PacifiCorp’s generation portfolio. Higher than average temperatures and lower than normal snow pack and rain levels adversely impacted PacifiCorp’s owned hydroelectric facilities, with output decreasing by 13.4% in the year. However, this was mitigated by purchased hydro generation and streamflow hedging arrangements. Although output from PacifiCorp’s thermal plants decreased by less than 1% in the year, the cost of replacing the lower output with higher-priced market purchases adversely impacted net power costs.

Operating efficiency initiatives delivered $42 million of benefits in the year and the total benefits delivered to date now exceed the $300 million target. Other net revenue and cost movements were adverse by $37 million, largely as a result of higher labour-related and maintenance costs. Non-recurring items were $10 million higher in the year as the $56 million environmental liability provision release, following the completion of a detailed environmental exposure study, more than offset $46 million of non-recurring items in the prior year.

PacifiCorp’s net capital investment was £480 million for the year, with £231 million (48%) invested for organic growth. Of this, £136 million was invested in building new generation. The first phase of the 525 MW Currant Creek combined cycle plant, representing 280 MW, will be operational in summer 2005, with full operations scheduled to begin in summer 2006. Construction at the 534 MW Lake Side combined cycle plant is scheduled to begin in summer 2005. A further £95 million was invested in new connections and network reinforcement and included improvement projects in targeted areas, particularly along Utah’s Wasatch Front, where there has been rapid growth in demand for electricity.

 

Infrastructure Division

 

Infrastructure Division is our UK regulated wires business and is subject to price controls based on an allowed regulatory rate of return, which was 6.5% for 2004/05. In December 2004, Ofgem’s electricity distribution price control proposal, which will apply to our distribution businesses over the next five years from 1 April 2005, was accepted. Our transmission business also accepted the extension of Ofgem’s price control for the next two years from 1 April 2005. At these reviews, the methodology for determining the allowed regulatory rate of return changed from a pre-tax basis using a traditional “tax wedge”, to a post-tax approach to the cost of capital, with a separate tax allowance for individual companies. On a comparable basis with 2004/05, the regulatory rate of return going forward would be 6.9%. Taking account of the methodology changes, the pre-tax cost of capital will be in excess of 8%. The price review outcomes are the result of working closely and constructively with Ofgem to reach agreement. The Infrastructure Division will benefit from increases in allowed revenue as a result of the reviews, with revenues

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

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Financial Review

 

Ø    Table 20

                          
Infrastructure Division network statistics                 
          2004/05    2003/04    Change    % Change  

Electricity units distributed

                          

ScottishPower service area

   GWh    22,642    22,259    383    2 %

Manweb service area

   GWh    17,190    16,880    310    2 %

Total

   GWh    39,832    39,139    693    2 %

 

increasing by around £60 million in 2005/06 mainly due to increased revenue allowances for taxation, and pension costs and also reflecting higher capital investment levels. On 1 April 2005, BETTA was successfully introduced with National Grid assuming operational control of the Great Britain transmission system, including balancing of generation and demand in Scotland. ScottishPower retains network ownership and all associated responsibilities, including development of the network.

Infrastructure Division’s network statistics are shown in Table 20 and key financial information in Table 21.

 

  

Black Law windfarm and other new customer connections. Other organic investment focused on network reinforcement projects, including the five-year Liverpool city centre regeneration programme and initial spend on the Renewable Energy Transmission Study upgrade programme required to accommodate the connection of renewable generation in Scotland.

As a result of the Distribution Price Control Review, capital expenditure allowances increase by about 55% over the next five years, against the previous control period, with some 1,800 km of overhead lines due to be built. New initiatives in operational excellence will also help the drive towards a 30% improvement in network performance, resulting in reduced fault duration for customers and minimising the risk of financial penalty from Ofgem.

Ø    Table 21

            
Infrastructure Division (£m)             
     2004/05    2003/04   

External turnover

   380.1    358.3   

Operating profit

   416.3    393.6    UK Division          

 

In the year, Infrastructure Division’s external turnover increased by £22 million to £380 million. External turnover accounts for just over half of Infrastructure’s total turnover, as a significant proportion of the division’s sales are internal to our UK Division. External electricity revenues increased by £10 million in the year mainly as a result of higher distribution sales volumes. Electricity units distributed increased by 693 GWh or 2% in the year. Other external revenues have grown by £12 million, primarily as a result of higher new connections business revenues, also driven by higher volumes.

Infrastructure Division reported operating profit improved by £23 million to £416 million for the year. Net regulated transmission and distribution use of system revenues increased by £13 million mainly as a result of distribution sales volume growth and favourable transmission prices, in line with allowed revenues. Underlying net costs were favourable by £14 million mainly due to a reduction in third party transmission charges and lower other net costs. This upside, together with a net £4 million favourable movement in one-off gains (relating to a £5 million share of the gain on disposal of gas assets and a £6 million rebate received from the National Grid Company, partly offset by £7 million of lower property gains in the current year), more than offset an £8 million increase in rates and depreciation.

Infrastructure Division’s net capital investment was £267 million for the year, with £67 million (25%) invested for organic growth, including expenditure on the connection to the

  

 

The UK Division is our competitive UK business, and is committed to delivering value from its substantial customer base and to increasing its renewable energy portfolio. Investment in generation plant has complemented significant customer growth of 865,000 this year and has also contributed to the increase in profit of the division. Customer numbers continue to grow, albeit at a slower rate than experienced in the first nine months of 2004/05, with an ongoing focus on gaining profitable customers that will create shareholder value.

UK Division’s key financial information is shown in Table 22 and key customer statistics in Table 23.

 

  

Ø    Table 22

         
   UK Division (£m)          
        2004/05    2003/04
  

External turnover

   3,685.1    2,777.4
  

Operating profit

   175.6    96.1
  

Goodwill amortisation

   4.9    4.9
  

Operating profit excluding goodwill*

   180.5    101.0
  

 

UK Division’s turnover increased by £908 million to £3,685 million for the year, due to a number of factors. Strong volume growth in electricity and gas turnover was experienced as a result of customer gains, particularly within the domestic gas and out-of-area electricity markets. Volumes of wholesale electricity sales in England & Wales increased which, as part of the division’s energy balancing activities, were offset by

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

46    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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Ø    Table 23

UK Division customer statistics

 

                          
          2004/05    2003/04    Change    % Change  

Energy sales

                          

Retail electricity

   GWh    28,034    25,300    2,734    11 %

Wholesale electricity balancing – England & Wales

   GWh    32,998    25,577    7,421    29 %

Retail gas

   millions of Therms    1,321    987    334    34 %

Customer numbers

                          

Electricity and gas customers

   thousands    5,115    4,250    865    20 %

Domestic electricity customers

                          

Home area retention

   %    61    60    1    2 %

Average annual usage

   kWh    5,084    5,070    14     

Average annual revenue per customer

   £    357    340    17    5 %

Revenue per kWh

   pence    7.0    6.7    0.3    4 %

Domestic gas customers

                          

Average annual usage

   Therms    715    688    27    4 %

Average annual revenue per customer

   £    339    299    40    13 %

Revenue per Therm

   pence    47    43    4    9 %

 

increases in purchase costs. The recent generation plant acquisitions also contributed significantly to turnover volume growth. Turnover benefited to a lesser extent by increased prices in both wholesale and domestic retail activities.

Retail electricity sales improved by £281 million primarily as a result of increased domestic volumes due to out-of-area customer gains, with business volume growth and increased tariffs contributing to a lesser extent. Retail electricity volumes increased by 11% to 28,034 GWh for the year. Retail gas turnover improved by £154 million due to customer growth and, to a lesser extent, tariff increases. Retail gas volumes improved by 34% to over 1.3 billion therms.

Wholesale electricity sales in England & Wales, entered into for balancing activity purposes, increased by £259 million in the year to £758 million, as prices continued to recover and volumes increased by 7,421 GWh to 32,998 GWh. The volume growth was due to the division balancing its energy position more actively to minimise exposure to uncertain balancing mechanism prices and to protect against long-term price volatility. The increase in turnover caused by this activity was offset by a corresponding increase in purchase costs and as a result had minimal impact on operating profit. Damhead Creek (which was acquired in June 2004) and Brighton (of which the remaining 50% was acquired in September 2004) added £162 million of turnover during the year.

Other revenues, including agency wholesale electricity and gas revenues, increased by £52 million in the year. Agency electricity turnover increased as a result of higher-priced generation sales to third party suppliers in our Scottish home area. Wholesale gas turnover increased as a result of both higher prices and volume growth, and was mainly due to increased balancing activities.

Overall, the UK Division’s total customer numbers increased from 4.25 million to 5.11 million as a result of strong domestic growth in both gas and out-of-area electricity. Customer retention in our domestic home areas also improved to 61% at March 2005, in line with the industry average, with

 

retention in our Scottish home area up 2 percentage points at 66% and retention in our Manweb area in line with last year.

Operating profit improved by £79 million for the year to £176 million and, excluding goodwill amortisation, was also higher by £79 million at £180 million*. Electricity and gas margins improved by £198 million due to growth in customer numbers combined with our investment in generation, which delivered £137 million of this increase. The effective management of our generation resource portfolio, including the benefit of our rolling commodity procurement strategy, contributed the majority of the remaining £61 million of margin growth. The substantial increase in customer numbers contributed to higher customer capture, energy efficiency and customer service costs of £45 million. Other net costs increased by £74 million, primarily due to £33 million of operating expenses relating to Damhead Creek and Brighton and higher depreciation and debt provisioning movements.

As in previous years, the division utilised onerous contracts provisions relating to the existing Peterhead legacy electricity contract and Rye House onerous gas contract. During the year, the division also utilised new onerous contracts provisions, established as part of the fair value accounting for the acquisitions of Damhead Creek and Brighton.

In the UK Division net capital investment for the year was £546 million, of which £454 million (83%) was invested for growth. Growth investment included the £320 million acquisition of the 800 MW Damhead Creek combined cycle power plant in Kent and the £71 million investment to acquire the remaining 50% of the 400 MW Brighton combined cycle power plant. Other growth investment of £63 million related primarily to our windfarm developments, notably the largest consented UK onshore windfarm project at Black Law, near Forth in Lanarkshire. Development of the project continues, with completion of approximately 100 MW scheduled for autumn this year. Construction is also underway at the 30 MW windfarm at Beinn Tharsuinn in Easter Ross and the 16 MW windfarm at Coldham near Cambridge. The salt-cavern natural

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

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Financial Review

 

 

gas storage facility at Byley, Cheshire, has been given the final go-ahead and pre-construction work is progressing well.

Renewable development remains a key part of our business strategy and the division is the leading developer of wind generation in the UK with approximately 3,000 MW in its renewable development pipeline, in addition to 158 MW that are operational and 142 MW under construction.

 

PPM Energy

 

PPM Energy is our competitive business in the US. The rate of PPM Energy’s expansion is determined by the availability of attractive market opportunities for growing its portfolio of assets, and also by public policy, on issues such as the extension of PTCs.

PPM Energy’s key financial information is shown in Table 24 and resource information in Table 25.

 

 

£58 million and, excluding goodwill amortisation, also increased by £22 million to £59 million*. Dollar operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation, increased by $35 million to $98 million*. PPM Energy’s contribution to the group’s profit before interest and tax, excluding goodwill amortisation and including results from joint ventures, was $99 million*. In addition, the group’s tax charge was reduced by $12 million as a result of PPM Energy’s PTCs.

Gas storage activities improved by $48 million in the year, with increased contracted storage capacity delivering $34 million of this growth and the owned facilities at Alberta and Katy adding $14 million. Wind generation profit improved by $10 million, primarily due to 2003/04 investment in new windfarms delivering substantial volume growth. Energy management activities improved by $7 million mainly as a result of increased contributions from long-term contractual arrangements to supply electricity and gas. Net operating costs required to support increased business activities and infrastructure were higher by $24 million and depreciation increased by $6 million.

PPM Energy’s net capital investment for the year was £84 million, with £79 million (94%) of this invested for growth, primarily on new wind generation projects where build is ongoing. For 2005/06, PPM Energy has announced 574 MW of new windfarm investment, specifically: the 75 MW Klondike II windfarm in Oregon; the 100 MW Trimont windfarm in Minnesota; the 150 MW Elk River windfarm in Kansas; the 150 MW Shiloh windfarm in California; and 50% of the 198 MW joint venture Maple Ridge windfarm in upstate New York, which is being developed along with Zilkha Renewable Energy of Houston. Including these windfarms, PPM Energy will have a total wind portfolio of approximately 1,405 MW by the end of December 2005, well on target towards its goal of at least 2,300 MW on-line by 2010. Approximately 90% of PPM Energy’s operational windfarm output is committed under long-term contract. In December 2004, PPM Energy acquired the northeastern US wind energy developer, AREC (now called PPM Atlantic Renewable) in order to expand on the east coast of the US. Maple Ridge represents the first project in the northeastern US associated with the PPM Atlantic Renewable

Ø      Table 24

PPM Energy (£m)

           
     2004/05    2003/04  

External turnover

   502.1    342.8  

Operating profit

   58.1    36.1  

Goodwill amortisation

   0.5    0.6  

Operating profit excluding goodwill*

   58.6    36.7  

 

PPM Energy’s turnover for the year improved by £159 million to £502 million, after a £20 million adverse impact of the weaker US dollar, net of hedging. Dollar turnover increased by $328 million (56%) in the year and was principally volume related. Energy management turnover improved by $207 million largely due to improved contribution from long-term contractual arrangements to supply electricity and gas. Wind generation turnover increased by $64 million primarily as a result of 831 MW of wind generation resources being available for a full year, while average generation available during the prior year was 542 MW. Contracted and owned gas storage turnover grew by $57 million from increased contractual capacity, and revenue improvement at Alberta Hub.

PPM Energy’s operating profit improved by £22 million to

 

 

Ø      Table 25

PPM Energy resources

              
          Total owned
or controlled
at March 2005
   New projects
scheduled for
2005/06

Wind generation

              

Plant net capability

  

MW

   831   

Klondike II, Trimont, Elk River & Shiloh

  

MW

      475

Maple Ridge – 50% joint venture

  

MW

      99

Thermal generation

              

Plant net capability

  

MW

   806   

Total all generating facilities

  

MW

   1,637    574

Gas storage

              

Capacity under ownership

  

BCF

   46    6

Capacity under contract

  

BCF

   30   

Total gas storage capacity

  

BCF

   76    6

 

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

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acquisition and PPM Energy now has approximately 9,000 MW in its renewable development pipeline.

In May 2005, PPM Energy announced plans to expand the Waha gas storage development project, in west Texas, from 7.2 BCF to 9.5 BCF based on strong market demand and favourable geological results. It also announced the acquisition of the 4.5 BCF Grama Ridge gas storage facility in New Mexico, from ConocoPhillips, which continues PPM Energy’s profitable investment in gas storage assets. Including Grama Ridge, PPM Energy now has 80.5 BCF of gas storage under its ownership or control. PPM Energy intends to expand the Grama Ridge site to 6.0 BCF by the end of December 2005.

 

Net Assets

 

Group net assets decreased by 15% in the year, from £4,752 million to £4,038 million, primarily due to the loss retained for the year, as a result of the exceptional goodwill impairment charge associated with PacifiCorp. The balance sheet hedging strategy offset the impact of exchange movements on translation of our US results and net assets.

Fixed assets decreased by £186 million to £10,622 million mainly as a result of lower intangible assets, partly offset by our capital investment programme. Intangible assets, reduced by £1,011 million mainly as a result of the £927 million impairment charge of goodwill associated with PacifiCorp. The other movements on intangible assets comprised: £117 million of goodwill amortisation and a £46 million translation impact of the weaker US dollar on PacifiCorp and PPM Energy goodwill, partly offset by a net movement of £80 million relating to the acquisition and subsequent amortisation during the year of in-the-money gas contracts associated with Damhead Creek and Brighton power station. Tangible assets increased by £846 million due to gross capital expenditure of £1,013 million and fixed assets acquired of £452 million; partly offset by depreciation charged to the profit and loss account of £458 million, disposals of £22 million and, exchange movements on the translation of US balances of £138 million. Investments reduced by £21 million mainly due to the transfer of the Brighton power station from a joint venture to a subsidiary and the disposal of other investments, partly offset by PPM Energy’s investment in the Maple Ridge joint venture.

Current assets, excluding short-term bank and other deposits, increased by £325 million to £1,977 million as at 31 March 2005. This was primarily due to higher UK Division accrued income and trade debtors associated with the growth in customer numbers, tariff rises and increased energy balancing activities, and higher PPM Energy debtors relating to contractual gas storage activities. Although the weaker US dollar and net cash receipts of £232 million arising from the cancellation of cross-currency swaps and the maturity of net investment hedging derivatives reduced debtors, this was partly offset by the effect of the weaker US dollar on the

 

valuation of the total portfolio of financial instruments associated with our balance sheet hedging strategy.

Creditors due within one year, excluding loans and other borrowings, were £452 million higher than last year, mainly due to higher corporation tax creditors as a result of fluctuations in the tax payable on foreign currency hedging gains, increased UK Division energy accruals, reflecting higher market prices and increased balancing activities, and higher contractual gas storage accruals in PPM Energy. This was partly offset by the effect of the weaker US dollar.

Provisions for liabilities and charges decreased by £14 million to £1,733 million as at 31 March 2005, with a £91 million increase in deferred tax more than offset by £105 million of other provisions movements. The other provisions movements comprised: provisions acquired of £87 million; an increase of £108 million in new provisions, mainly for pensions and other post-retirement benefits; and £19 million unwinding of discount. This was offset by: £279 million of provisions utilised in the year, the majority being pensions and other post-retirement benefits and onerous contracts; an environmental provision release of £31 million; and a £9 million reduction due to the weaker US dollar.

Deferred income, which principally represents grants and customer contributions in our US and UK regulated businesses, reduced by £8 million reflecting amounts receivable during the year of £51 million, net of £19 million released to the profit and loss account, £37 million, primarily relating to amounts to be refunded as part of the new BETTA trading arrangements and £3 million of foreign exchange movements.

 

Total Recognised Gains and Losses

 

The Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses combines the profit or loss for the year together with other gains and losses taken directly to reserves as required under UK GAAP. Total recognised losses for the year to 31 March 2005 were £302 million compared to £522 million of recognised gains for the prior year. This decrease of £824 million was as a result of the £927 million exceptional goodwill impairment charge, partly offset by £81 million growth in underlying profit for the financial year; a £16 million favourable year-on-year movement in the net impact of foreign exchange movements and hedging of the group’s results and net assets; and a £6 million revaluation reserve arising on the purchase of the remaining 50% of the Brighton power station. The weaker dollar exchange rates during the year resulted in unfavourable exchange movements of £100 million, which were offset by the benefits arising from our financial strategy to hedge foreign currency net assets of £146 million less tax associated with specific hedging activities of £46 million.

 

 

 

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Financial Review

 

 

Significant Changes

 

Any significant developments and post-balance sheet events that have occurred since 31 March 2005 have been noted in this Annual Report & Accounts and the report on Form 20-F, expected to be filed with the SEC in June 2005. Otherwise, there have been no significant changes since 31 March 2005.

 


      administrative expenses increased by £23 million* due to increased energy efficiency and customer capture costs in the UK Division as a result of customer growth and increased costs in PPM Energy to support business growth, partly offset by the favourable US dollar impact. Depreciation for continuing operations, which is included within each of the three preceding cost categories, was broadly in line with 2002/03 at £439 million. Increased levels of capital investment throughout the group resulted in higher depreciation charges, particularly in the US, however, the impact of the weaker dollar on translation more than offset this.
5    

Overview of the Year

to March 2004

     

 

Ø    Table 26

Administrative expenses (£m)

Group turnover for the year to 31 March 2004 was £5,797 million, an increase of £523 million on 2002/03, with the majority of the increase in the UK Division from balancing our electricity and gas positions, which was offset in cost of sales. The weaker US dollar reduced sterling revenues by £204 million. The translation effect of foreign exchange on earnings was mitigated by our hedging strategy.           2003/04   2002/03
      Administrative expenses   626.2   614.5
      Goodwill amortisation   (128.0)   (139.0)
      Administrative expenses excluding goodwill*   498.2   475.5

PacifiCorp’s turnover for 2003/04 was down by £181 million at £2,319 million mainly as a result of a £179 million adverse translation impact of the weaker US dollar. Dollar turnover in PacifiCorp was in line with 2002/03 as higher retail revenues from greater customer usage, favourable weather conditions and higher prices, were offset by lower wholesale volumes. Infrastructure Division’s turnover grew by £44 million to £358 million due to increased regulated income from higher sales to third party electricity suppliers and from increased new connection activities. The UK Division experienced turnover growth of 29%, with revenues rising by £630 million to £2,777 million mainly as a result of balancing activities in England & Wales and improved retail and wholesale gas revenues. PPM Energy’s turnover improved by £57 million to £343 million, after a £25 million adverse US dollar translation impact, as a result of increased sales of natural gas, activities around storage assets, the addition of new wind generation and gas storage expansion.

There was no turnover from discontinued operations during 2003/04, while the 2002/03 results included turnover of £27 million generated in the period prior to the disposal of Southern Water, which was completed on 23 April 2002.

     

 

As shown in Table 27 group operating profit improved significantly, up £77 million (8%) to £1,023 million and, excluding goodwill amortisation, increased by £66 million to £1,151 million* for the year to 31 March 2004. Each of our four businesses delivered improved operating profit in 2003/04. In particular, our competitive businesses, UK Division and PPM Energy, produced strong performances with combined operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation, up by over 29%* compared to 2002/03.

In PacifiCorp operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation, increased by £23 million to £619 million*, benefiting from strong retail revenue growth and the delivery of further operational cost efficiencies, partly offset by the impact of the weaker US dollar. Infrastructure Division’s operating profit showed an increase of £26 million (7%) to £394 million, primarily from higher regulated revenues and lower net operating costs. The UK Division’s operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation, improved by £23 million to £101 million* due to a combination of customer growth and prices resulting in improved electricity margins. In PPM Energy, the benefit of our organic investment helped operating profit, excluding goodwill amortisation, grow by £8 million to £37 million*.

Cost of sales of £3,631 million increased by £404 million, reflecting substantial growth in balancing our electricity and gas positions within the UK Division, offset in part by lower wholesale purchases in PacifiCorp and by the favourable US dollar translation impact. Transmission and distribution costs increased by £32 million to £545 million as a result of higher UK Division customer service support and credit management costs reflecting growth in customer numbers, and storm damage costs, higher depreciation and labour-related costs in PacifiCorp, partly offset by the favourable US dollar translation impact. Administrative expenses (including goodwill amortisation) as shown in Table 26 were £12 million higher than 2002/03 at £626 million. Excluding goodwill amortisation,

     

Ø    Table 27

       
      Group operating profit (£m)        
          2003/04   2002/03
      Operating profit   1,022.6   945.9
      Goodwill amortisation   128.0   139.0
      Operating profit excluding goodwill*   1,150.6   1,084.9
           

 

Operating profit in 2002/03 included £14 million from discontinued operations.

Goodwill amortisation of £128 million was £11 million lower than 2002/03 mainly as a result of the translation impact

 

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

50    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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of the weaker US dollar reducing the goodwill charge for PacifiCorp.

The net interest charge for 2003/04 reduced by £16 million to £238 million, mainly due to favourable exchange benefits from the weaker US dollar of £17 million, and also from lower interest rates in both the UK and US. The benefit to interest from our dollar balance sheet hedging strategy, whereby the group swaps out of sterling liabilities into dollar liabilities in order to hedge its US dollar denominated net assets, was £39 million, £7 million lower than 2002/03 due to changes in the UK/US interest rate differential.

      

Ø     Table 29

Profit after tax (£m)

                      2003/04    2002/03
       Profit after tax    543.7    487.8
       Goodwill amortisation    128.0    139.0
       Profit after tax excluding goodwill*    671.7    626.8

As shown in Table 28, profit before tax grew substantially by £95 million (14%) to £792 million. Excluding goodwill amortisation, profit before tax improved by £84 million to £920 million* with continuing operations delivering £95 million of the increase, offset in part by the contribution to 2002/03 profit before tax from discontinued operations of£ 11 million. The average US dollar to pound sterling exchange rate for 2003/04 for US profit before tax, excluding goodwill amortisation, and before the benefits of our hedging strategy, was $1.69. We sold forward our forecast dollar earnings at an average rate of $1.41 and this delivered an earnings hedging benefit compared to the average rate for 2003/04 of approximately £60 million. This, therefore, protected group profit from the effect of the weaker US dollar, ensuring results were in line with our expectations.

 

Ø     Table 28

      

 

As a result of improved performance, earnings per share, as shown in Table 30, increased by 3.23 pence to 29.40 pence (12%). Excluding goodwill amortisation, earnings per share increased by 2.69 pence (8%) to 36.40 pence* with the improvement comprising 3.10 pence from continuing operations, partly offset by 0.41 pence from discontinued operations reported in 2002/03.

 

Ø     Table 30

Earnings per share (pence)

           

Continuing

operations

and Total

2003/04

  

Continuing

operations

2002/03

  

Discontinued

operations

2002/03

  

Total

2002/03

Profit before tax (£m)        Earnings per share (EPS)    29.40    25.76    0.41    26.17
    

Continuing

operations

and Total

2003/04

  

Continuing

operations

2002/03

   Discontinued
operations
2002/03
   Total
2002/03
      

EPS impact of goodwill

amortisation*

   7.00    7.54       7.54

Profit before tax

   792.1   

685.8

   11.0    696.8        EPS excluding goodwill*    36.40    33.30    0.41    33.71

Goodwill amortisation

   128.0    139.0       139.0         

Profit before tax excluding goodwill*

   920.1    824.8    11.0    835.8       

The 2003/04 full year dividends were 20.50 pence per share and were covered 1.43 times by earnings per share of 29.40 pence. Excluding goodwill amortisation, dividend cover was 1.78 times*.

 


 

Business Reviews

PacifiCorp

 

The key financial information is shown in Table 31.

Turnover in PacifiCorp reduced by £181 million to £2,319 million in the year to 31 March 2004, mainly because of the £179 million translation impact of the weaker US dollar. Dollar turnover was $4 million lower at $3,813 million. Residential, commercial and industrial revenue grew by $136 million (6%), with volumes 4% higher. Residential and commercial revenues increased by $80 million (9%) and $30 million (4%) respectively, mainly as a result of higher customer usage, including the impact of a warmer summer and colder winter, favourable prices from rate case revenues and growth in average customer numbers up by 28,000 (2%) in total. Industrial revenues increased by $26 million, or 4%, primarily due to favourable price mix, resulting from different customer tariffs in the various states PacifiCorp serves, with average customer numbers remaining constant. Wholesale revenues fell by $90 million, mainly due to lower long-and short-term sales volumes, partly offset by higher wholesale electricity prices. Movements in wholesale revenues are largely offset by similar changes in cost of sales, resulting from the balancing of power

 

The tax charge for 2003/04 increased by £39 million to £248 million, as a result of higher pre-tax profit and a higher effective rate of tax, which was 31% for 2003/04 compared to 30% for 2002/03. Excluding goodwill amortisation, the effective rate of tax was 27%* compared to 25%* for 2002/03. he effective rate of tax was impacted by the geographical mix of profit because of the higher rates applied to taxable profits in the US (around 38%) compared to the UK (30%). The effective rate was lower than the statutory rate because the group sought to carry out its commercial activities in a tax efficient manner and benefited from the group’s financing arrangements.

Profit after tax, as shown in Table 29, improved by £56 million to £544 million. Excluding goodwill amortisation, profit after tax grew by £45 million (7%) to £672 million*, with our strong operating results and lower interest charges, being offset by higher tax charges.

      
      
      
      

 

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

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Financial Review

 

 

positions. Other revenues fell by $50 million primarily due to the lower recovery of deferred power costs of $23 million.

Operating profit increased by £34 million to £497 million and, excluding goodwill amortisation, by £23 million ($65 million) to £619 million* ($943 million*). The unfavourable impact of the weaker dollar on operating profit was £21 million, net of hedging benefits from the forward sale of dollars. PacifiCorp’s operating profit continued to benefit from strong retail revenue growth, with increased customer usage and new customers contributing $70 million, favourable weather conditions contributing $35 million, sales mix adding $11 million and higher prices from regulatory recoveries coming through from Oregon, California and Wyoming adding $18 million. These revenue upsides were partly offset by higher net power costs and other gross margin movements of $42 million reflecting the cost impact of higher retail loads, partly offset by a reduction in balancing volumes and the increased use of our own thermal generation at favourable prices. Other net costs increased by $36 million primarily as a result of pension and healthcare costs, maintenance charges, and costs of $10 million associated with the severe winter storms experienced in late December 2003 and early January 2004, partly offset by lower management costs. These increases were more than offset by PacifiCorp’s ongoing cost efficiency programme, which delivered $49 million of benefits in the year. Depreciation was higher by $40 million reflecting increased levels of capital investment throughout the business.

 

Ø     Table 31

PacifiCorp (£m)

     

 

 

 

were favourable by £6 million, primarily due to a change in the mix of capital and revenue activities undertaken and lower management costs. Property sale gains added a further £4 million to the operating profit improvement.

   

Ø     Table 32

         
    Infrastructure Division (£m)          
         2003/04    2002/03
    External turnover    358.3    314.0
    Operating profit    393.6    367.8
   

 

UK Division

 

The key financial information is shown in Table 33.

Turnover within the UK Division increased by £630 million to £2,777 million for the year to 31 March 2004, with wholesale electricity activities contributing £380 million of the increase, retail and wholesale gas revenues contributing £193 million and higher retail electricity sales contributing £57 million.

Wholesale electricity sales in England & Wales, including exports, increased by £296 million, as prices recovered and volumes increased by 13,737 GWh to 25,577 GWh. Other core wholesale revenues increased by £84 million from higher volume and priced agency sales and other activities, including the waste-derived-fuel plant at Daldowie, which had been in operation for a full year. Gas turnover increased by £193 million reflecting growth in wholesale volumes of 32%, mainly due to increased balancing activities and also due to growth in domestic gas customers of 32% and favourable wholesale and retail prices. Retail electricity sales improved by £57 million, with out-of-area revenues up by £62 million primarily as a result of growth in domestic customers, offset in part by loss of market share in our home areas due to competition. Total customer numbers increased from 3.65 million to 4.25 million, with strong growth in domestic gas and out-of-area domestic electricity, being partly offset by loss of domestic electricity customers in our home Manweb area. Customer retention in our Scottish home area of 64% was in line with 2002/03 but the loss of customers in our Manweb area resulted in overall retention of home area residential customers falling by one percentage point to 60% for 2003/04, which was in line with the industry average.

The UK Division’s operating profit improved by £23 million to £96 million for the year to 31 March 2004 and, excluding goodwill amortisation, increased by £23 million to £101 million*. Improved margins across the business’s integrated value chain and continuing growth in customer numbers resulted in a £37 million increase in electricity margins. Gas margins improved by £2 million in the year due to favourable gas storage activities, which offset lower retail margins due to higher gas and transportation costs. Investment in energy efficiency and increased customer capture activities required to support customer growth increased by £27 million, but were offset in part by a £14 million reduction in other net costs due to lower management costs. The contribution from other

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
               
     2003/04    2002/03    
External turnover    2,318.6    2,499.4    
Operating profit    496.8    462.8    
Goodwill amortisation    122.5    133.9    
Operating profit excluding goodwill*    619.3    596.7    

 

Infrastructure Division

 

The key financial information is shown in Table 32.

Infrastructure Division’s external turnover improved by £44 million to £358 million for the year to 31 March 2004. External electricity revenues increased by £23 million as a result of higher prices improving transmission turnover and higher volumes improving distribution turnover. Other revenues grew by £21 million and included higher income arising from our new connections business of £27 million, offset by a reduction in other rechargeable work.

Infrastructure Division reported operating profit of £394 million, an increase of £26 million on 2002/03. Net regulated transmission and distribution use of system revenues increased by £13 million due to higher prices and volumes, and increased England-Scotland interconnector volumes contributed an additional £3 million to operating profit. Net operating costs

   

 

 

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

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business activities reduced by £3 million, mainly due to the loss of a contract in our metering operations.       

2004. In the financial year 2002/03, discontinued operations consisted of Southern Water. The disposal of Southern Water was completed on 23 April 2002 and turnover and operating profit generated in the period prior to disposal were £27 million and £14 million, respectively.

 

 

Ø     Table 33

                

Total Recognised Gains and Losses

 

Total recognised gains for the year to 31 March 2004 were £522 million compared to gains for 2002/03 of £424 million. The increase was as a result of the £55 million growth in profit and a £42 million favourable year-on-year movement in the net impact of foreign exchange movements and hedging of the group’s results and net assets. The weaker dollar exchange rates during 2003/04 resulted in unfavourable exchange movements of £538 million, which were largely offset by the benefits arising from our financial strategy to hedge foreign currency net assets of £475 million and favourable associated tax of £46 million, which included a credit of £48 million arising from the application of the transitional rules contained in the Finance Act 2002.

UK Division (£m)               
     2003/04    2002/03     

External turnover

   2,777.4    2,147.8     

Operating profit

   96.1    73.0     

Goodwill amortisation

   4.9    4.9     

Operating profit excluding goodwill*

   101.0    77.9     

 

PPM Energy

 

The key financial information is shown in Table 34.

 

PPM Energy’s turnover for the year to 31 March 2004 improved by £57 million to £343 million, after a £25 million adverse US dollar translation impact. Dollar turnover improved by $ 144 million (33%) in the year and was principally volume related and reflected increased sales of natural gas from fuel supply arrangements and optimization activities around gas storage assets and contracts, and new wind generation and gas storage expansion. Energy management turnover improved by $ 70 million with increased sales under fuel supply arrangements at the Klamath facility being partly offset by reduced counterparty demand for electricity output. New wind generation increased by $ 54 million primarily due to expanded output and turnover from new resources coming on-line during 2003/04. Gas storage turnover improved by $ 20 million, benefiting from the first full year of contribution from our Katy facility, acquired in December 2002, and increased ownership at the Alberta Hub.

PPM Energy’s operating profit for the year to 31 March 2004 improved by £8 million to £36 million and, excluding goodwill amortisation, increased by £8 million ($18 million) to £37 million* ($63 million*) after a £2 million unfavourable translation effect of the weaker dollar. The contribution from the Katy and Alberta Hub gas storage facilities increased by $ 22 million, year on year. Returns from new wind generation and other projects improved operating profit by $ 15 million and energy management activities from optimising storage asset capacities and natural gas sales added a further $ 6 million. Operating costs and depreciation, which underpinned the business’s growth, increased by $ 25 million.

    

 


6    Research and Development

 

ScottishPower supports research into development of the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity. It also continues to contribute, on an industry-wide basis, towards the cost of research into electricity utilisation and distribution developments. In financial years 2004/05, 2003/04 and 2002/03, research and development expenditure charged to the group’s operating profit was £0.2 million, £0.2 million and £0.7 million, respectively.

 


    

 

7

 

 

Liquidity and

Capital Resources

    

The treasury focus during the year continued to be to minimise interest costs and effectively manage both foreign exchange and interest rate risk. The group continues to ensure that borrowings are financed from a variety of competitive sources and that committed facilities are available both to cover uncommitted borrowings and to meet the financing needs of the group in the future. A further priority was to maximise the return on investment of the group’s cash balances whilst avoiding excessive credit risk.

 

Interest

 

As shown in Table 35, the net interest charge for the year to 31 March 2005 of £188 million was £50 million lower than the charge for the previous year, despite an increase in net debt. This reduction was mainly attributable to an £88 million benefit associated with our dollar balance sheet hedging

Ø     Table 34

              
PPM Energy (£m)               
     2003/04    2002/03     

External turnover

   342.8    285.9     

Operating profit

   36.1    28.3     

Goodwill amortisation

   0.6    0.2     

Operating profit excluding goodwill*

   36.7    28.5     

 

Discontinued Operations

 

There were no discontinued operations in the year to 31 March

                

 

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

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strategy (2003/04: £39 million), favourable exchange benefits from the weaker US dollar of £14 million and lower effective interest rates in the US. The dollar balance sheet hedging strategy involves the group swapping out of sterling liabilities into dollar liabilities in order to hedge its US dollar denominated net assets. This also gives rise to the group paying interest in dollars and receiving interest in sterling, thereby benefiting as US interest rates were below those in the UK. Excluding the benefit of our dollar hedging strategy, underlying UK interest was £125 million, an increase of £18 million on last year, mainly reflecting increased interest on floating rate debt. In the US the interest charge reduced by £19 million to £151 million, principally as a result of favourable exchange rates. Interest (excluding a foreign exchange gain of £2 million) is covered by profit on ordinary activities before interest, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, shown in Table 36, 6.3 times* for the year to 31 March 2005, improved from 4.9 times* for the previous year. Interest is covered by profit on ordinary activities before interest 0.8 times, compared to 4.3 times in the previous year.

In accordance with the group’s interest policy, the group is targeting a long-term benchmark of at least 70% fixed rate interest. As at 31 March 2005, 98% of the group’s net borrowings were fixed for periods of more than one year. Further discussion on interest rate policy is included within “Risk Factors” on page 79.

 

Ø     Table 35

Interest (£m)

      

assets, the group’s portfolio of cross-currency swaps will be adjusted accordingly.

 

Cash Flow and Net Debt

 

Table 37 provides a reconciliation of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (“EBITDA”) to cash inflow from operating activities, and, as such, effectively demonstrates how the group has converted operating profit into cash. During the year, £1.3 billion of the EBITDA of £1.7 billion, excluding the exceptional item, was converted into cash, with the remaining £0.4 billion being either invested in working capital to support growth of our competitive businesses, or being attributable to provision movements, mainly relating to the utilisation of onerous contracts within the UK Division. Group working capital requirements increased, primarily within the UK Division as a result of the significant growth in customer numbers and higher tariffs. Net cash provided by operating activities is impacted by seasonal movements in working capital throughout the year.

 

 

Ø     Table 37

Reconciliation of EBITDA and EBITDA

excluding the exceptional item to cash inflow

from operating activities (£m)

     2004/05    2003/04             2004/05    2003/04

Interest

   187.9    238.1       

Operating profit

   152.6    1,022.6

Foreign exchange gain

   2.1          

Share of operating profit in joint ventures

         

Interest excluding foreign exchange gain

   190.0    238.1       

& associates

   6.0    7.6

 

Ø     Table 36

Profit before interest (£m)

      

Depreciation & amortisation

   600.1    566.7
       EBITDA    758.7    1,596.9
       Exceptional item    927.0   
       EBITDA excluding exceptional    1,685.7    1,596.9
       Share of operating profit in joint ventures & associates    (6.0)    (7.6)
     2004/05    2003/04        Other non-cash movements1    (12.7)    (15.0)

Profit before interest

   158.6    1,030.2        Movement in provisions for liabilities & charges    (202.1)    (87.6)

Goodwill amortisation

   117.5    128.0        Working capital2    (205.2)    (122.7)

Exceptional item

   927.0           Cash inflow from operating activities    1,259.7    1,364.0

Profit before interest excluding goodwill

and exceptional*

   1,203.1    1,158.2       

1   Profit/loss on sale of tangible fixed assets; amortisation of share

     scheme costs; release of deferred income

 

Balance Sheet Hedging

 

As at 31 March 2005, the group had balance sheet hedges of $6.2 billion (March 2004: $5.9 billion). In addition to the $1.5 billion bonds issued during the current year and the $700 million convertible bonds issued in the prior year, liabilities have been created for periods out to March 2012, by means of cross-currency swaps totalling $4 billion. Maturing swaps have been renewed and new swaps put in place with maturities of 2007 and 2008. Following the write down of PacifiCorp’s net

      

2   Increase/decrease in stock, debtors & creditors

 

Net cash interest costs were £116 million compared with a profit and loss account charge of £188 million reflecting timing differences on the settlement of interest costs, the unwinding of discount on provisions, benefits associated with our hedging strategy and capitalised interest. Cash taxation was £99 million compared with a profit and loss account charge of £274 million. This mainly reflects cash tax timing differences arising from the group’s investment programme, the settlement of outstanding items with the tax authorities and the cash tax benefit of the transitional rules of the Finance Act 2002, reported in the Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses in the prior year. Net cash receipts arising from the

 

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure and † Non-GAAP liquidity measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

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cancellation of cross-currency swaps were £92 million and proceeds from the maturity of net investment hedging derivatives were £140 million. The cancellation of cross-currency swaps was as a result of the $1.5 billion bonds issue during March 2005. Net proceeds arising from the issue of new debt and repayment of existing borrowings were £753 million and principally represented the issue of the new bonds.

In total, the above net cash inflows were sufficient to fund the group’s capital expenditure and financial investment of £888 million and dividend payments of £386 million, as well as fund the group’s acquisitions during the year. The cash outflow of £186 million associated with the management of liquid resources represented the transfer of cash into highly liquid non-demand deposits, such as bonds.

Net debt at 31 March 2005 was £4,147 million, £423 million higher than at 31 March 2004, with the translation impact of the weaker dollar and other non-cash movements reducing net debt by a net £46 million. Included in net debt are short-term bank and other deposits (including the liquid resources referred to above) of £1,748 million, up £400 million on the prior year. This was principally as a result of the cash proceeds from the cancellation of cross-currency swaps, the maturity of net investment hedging derivatives and the new bonds issue, effectively offsetting cash used to fund investment activities during the year, including the acquisition of Damhead Creek and the repayment of the £116 million debt acquired with the Brighton power plant. Total debt balances increased from £5,072 million to £5,895 million mainly due to the increase in debt associated with the $1.5 billion bonds issue, net of the translation impact and other non-cash changes of £48 million.

In addition to the cash generated from operations and existing cash balances, the group relies on flexible borrowing facilities from the capital markets, which are described in the “Financing” section below, at favourable rates of interest as a source of liquidity to fund investment as required. Issues of debt are influenced by levels of short-term debt, cash from operations, capital expenditure, market conditions, regulatory approvals and other considerations.

Management and external credit rating agencies utilise a number of financial ratios when assessing the performance of our business, and our financing arrangements are also subject to a number of ratio-based covenants contained within our principal credit agreements. Two of the main ratios monitored by ScottishPower management are gearing (net debt/equity shareholders’ funds) which increased to 104% from 79% at 31 March 2004 and the ratio of net debt to EBITDA, which is a measure used in banking covenants. The banking covenants allow for the exclusion of goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item. EBITDA is shown in Table 38 and net debt to EBITDA, excluding the exceptional item, was marginally higher at 2.5 times compared to 2.3 times last year, reflecting the increased net debt position.

     

Ø     Table 38

EBITDA (£m)

 

 

   2004/05    2003/04
    Profit before interest & tax    158.6    1,030.2
    Depreciation & amortisation    600.1    566.7
    EBITDA    758.7    1,596.9
    Exceptional item    927.0   
    EBITDA excluding exceptional    1,685.7    1,596.9
   

Cash inflow from operating activities

   1,259.7    1,364.0
   

 

ScottishPower is committed to maintaining an A category credit rating for its principal operating subsidiaries, thereby allowing access to flexible borrowing sources at favourable cost. To achieve this rating, on completion of the sale of PacifiCorp, the group will target credit ratios of adjusted FFO/net debt of greater than 25% and FFO/interest cover of more than five times. ScottishPower will work closely with the rating agencies in order to ensure its rating objectives are achieved.

 

Financing

 

The group’s external borrowings have generally been sourced in two separate pools. In the UK, Scottish Power UK plc (“SPUK”) has been the finance vehicle for the majority of the UK activities, although in future Scottish Power plc (“SP plc”) is likely to be the main borrower. In the US, predominantly all of the debt is issued by PacifiCorp, the regulated utility, and is entirely denominated in US dollars. Pursuant to the stock purchase agreement for the sale of PacifiCorp, there may be certain limitations on PacifiCorp’s future borrowings.

In both the UK and the US, regulatory constraints apply to financing activities. SP plc is not permitted to borrow from its subsidiaries with the exception of certain intermediate holding companies in the US ownership chain and is currently financed by way of dividends, interest and external debt. During the year, SP plc renewed its $375 million 364-day facility to bring the maturity date in line with that of the $625 million facility maturing in June 2008. The two facilities represent varying commitments from a number of relationship banks. Both were undrawn at the year end. SP plc’s revolving credit facilities contain financial covenants relating to interest cover (operating profit to net interest payable not less than 2.5 to 1), dividend cover (earnings to consolidated dividends not less than 1.25 to 1) and the ratio of net debt to EBITDA (not greater than 4.0 to 1). The company has been in compliance with these covenants throughout the year to 31 March 2005.

In March 2005 SP plc established a $4 billion US shelf registration for the issuance of debt and other securities. An inaugural issue of $1,500 million of bonds was made in March 2005. The bonds were split into three maturities: $550 million due 2010, $600 million due 2015 and $350 million due 2025, with coupons of 4.910%, 5.375% and 5.810%, respectively. In conjunction with the issue of the bonds, cross-currency swaps totalling $1,500 million were cancelled generating a cash

 

 

Non-GAAP liquidity measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

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receipt of £92 million. The bonds replace these swaps as a hedge of the US net assets. There have been no new issues in the year under ScottishPower’s euro-medium-term note programme, established in November 1997. Cumulative issues outstanding under the programme total some $2,460 million against a programme limit of $7,000 million. SP plc and SPUK are the issuers under the programme.

During the year SPUK has not added to its index-linked liabilities, currently totalling £275 million. Total borrowings from the European Investment Bank (“EIB”) amounted to £199 million. The EIB debt within SP Manweb plc contains financial covenants relating to interest cover (EBITDA to net interest payable not less than 4.0 to 1) and net debt to EBITDA (not greater than 4.0 to 1) of SP Manweb plc. SP Manweb plc has been in compliance with these covenants throughout the year to 31 March 2005.

The UK distribution, transmission and generation subsidiaries have provided upstream guarantees to support the majority of SPUK’s debt that existed at 1 October 2001, following their incorporation to comply with the Utilities Act 2000. As at 31 March 2005, the total amount of debt guaranteed by the three companies amounted to £2,089 million. New debt issued by SPUK after 1 October 2001 is not permitted to benefit from the guarantee of SPUK’s subsidiaries, SP Distribution Limited and SP Transmission Limited.

During the year, PacifiCorp issued new long-term debt in the form of two series of first mortgage bonds of $200 million each, with maturities of August 2014 and August 2034 and coupons of 4.95% and 5.90%, respectively. In addition, scheduled repayments of $260 million were made during the year. At 31 March 2005, PacifiCorp had $250 million available under a currently effective shelf registration. Securities that may be issued under this registration include first mortgage bonds, unsecured debt securities and no par serial preferred stock. PacifiCorp plans to file a shelf registration statement with the SEC during the coming year covering $750 million of first mortgage bonds and unsecured debt. During May 2005, PacifiCorp received authority to issue up to an additional $1,000 million of long-term debt from the Oregon Public Utility Commission and the Idaho Public Utilities Commission and up to $400 million of PacifiCorp’s first mortgage bonds from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. Prior issuances had fully utilised previous state commission authorisations. Any such issuance would be subject to market conditions. PacifiCorp has debt maturities out as far as 2034/35.

In May 2004, PacifiCorp replaced its expiring $500 million and $300 million facilities with a new $800 million facility having a maturity of May 2007. This new bank facility is provided by core relationship banks, the majority of which are common to both the US and UK bank facilities. PacifiCorp’s principal debt limitations are a 60% debt to defined

     

capitalisation test and an interest coverage covenant (EBITDA to interest of 2.0 to 1), contained in its principal credit agreements. PacifiCorp has been in compliance with these covenants throughout the year to 31 March 2005. In addition, under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 there are restrictions on the ability of group companies to lend to or borrow from one another.

 

Credit Ratings

 

SP plc, SPUK and PacifiCorp have credit ratings published by some or all of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) and The Fitch Group (“Fitch”) as shown in Table 39. During the year both S&P and Moody’s removed their negative outlook on the ratings and have changed the outlook to stable. These security ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities. The ratings are subject to change or withdrawal at any time by the respective credit rating agencies. Each credit rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.

 

   

Ø      Table 39

    Credit ratings
         S&P    Moody’s    Fitch
   

SP plc

   BBB+    Baa1    BBB+
   

SPUK (long-term)

   A-    A3    A
   

PacifiCorp (senior secured)

   A-    A3    A
   

PacifiCorp (unsecured)

   BBB+    Baa1    A-
   

SPUK and PacifiCorp (short-term)

   A-2    P-2    F-2
   

 

Any adverse change to credit ratings of group companies could negatively impact on their ability to access capital markets and on the rates of interest that they would be charged for such access. The EIB debt within SP Transmission Limited and SP Distribution Limited contains credit downgrade language, which does not constitute default, but means that, should the ratings of SP Transmission Limited or SP Distribution Limited fall, the EIB will be entitled to ask for additional security in the form of a guarantee acceptable to the EIB. PacifiCorp has no rating downgrade triggers within its debt instruments, although interest rates on loans under its bank facilities and commitment fees on the facilities would increase with a ratings downgrade, as would the interest rates and commitment fees on SP plc’s facilities.

The investment of surplus cash is undertaken to maximise the return within Board approved policies, which govern the ratings criteria, maximum investment and the maturity with any one counterparty. Counterparties are required to have a short-term rating of at least A-1, P-1 or F-1 from one of the three major rating agencies.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

 

The group enters into various financial obligations and

 

 

 

 

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commitments in the normal course of business. Contractual financial obligations are considered to comprise known future cash payments that the group is required to make under contractual arrangements in place at 31 March 2005. Commercial commitments are defined as those obligations of the group, which only become payable if certain pre-defined events occur.

 

Table 40 details the group’s contractual obligations at 31 March 2005.

 

     

The group invested £1,377 million in its asset base during the year ended 31 March 2005. The group’s estimated net investment in its asset base for the year ended 31 March 2006, which is subject to continuing review and revisions, is approximately £1.5 billion, based on a US dollar/UK sterling exchange rate of approximately $1.80, and represents investment in growth projects and refurbishment.

 

Going Concern

 

The directors confirm that the group remains a going concern on the basis of its future cash flow forecasts and has sufficient working capital for present requirements.

 


 

Ø      Table 40

Contractual obligations at 31 March 2005 (£m)

     
          Payments due by period           
     Less
than

1 year
   1-3
years
   3-5
years
   More
than

5 years
   Total       8   

Fair Value of

Derivative Contracts

Loans and other borrowings (including overdrafts)    729.5    695.1    2,041.9    4,978.5    8,445.0      

The group uses derivative instruments in the normal course of business to offset fluctuations in earnings, cash flows and equity associated with movements in exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. In limited circumstances the group holds derivative financial instruments for energy management purposes. These derivatives are marked to market and unrealised gains and losses are recognised in the group’s profit and loss account. The net unrealised gains on financial assets and liabilities held for trading at 31 March 2005 was £5.7 million. Table 41 details the changes in the fair value of the group’s energy related and treasury derivative contracts which are subject to the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“FAS”) No. 133 ‘Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities’, as amended. FAS 133 requires, for the purposes of US GAAP, all derivatives, as defined by the standard, to be marked to market, except for those which qualify for specific exemption under the standard or associated guidance, for example those defined as normal purchases and normal sales. The derivatives which are marked to market in accordance with FAS 133 include only certain of the group’s commercial contractual arrangements as many of these arrangements fall outside the scope of FAS 133. In addition, the effect of changes in the fair value of certain long-term contracts entered into to hedge PacifiCorp’s future retail energy resource requirements, which are being marked to market in accordance with FAS 133, are subject to regulation in the US and are therefore deferred as regulatory assets or liabilities pursuant to FAS 71 ‘Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation’. These amounts are expected to be recovered through rate cases. The FAS 133 liability relating to PacifiCorp of £81.7 million, as set out in Table 41, is offset under US GAAP by a US regulatory net asset of £89.9 million.

The forward price curves for energy commodity prices are derived using market price quotations when available and are developed internally using models when market quotations are unavailable. Market quotations are received from independent

Finance leases    1.7    3.7    3.9    22.7    32.0      
Operating leases    13.6    20.0    13.9    93.2    140.7      
PacifiCorp preferred stock    2.0    25.8          27.8      
Energy purchase commitments    3,002.4    2,478.0    1,258.1    3,103.0    9,841.5      
Capital commitments    385.0    51.3    3.4    4.4    444.1      
Other firm commitments    89.2    111.7    39.0    375.1    615.0      
Total    4,223.4    3,385.6    3,360.2    8,576.9    19,546.1      

 

The loans and other borrowings figures in Table 40 are stated at book value at 31 March 2005 and include future interest payments under these obligations as well as interest commitments on the group’s treasury-related derivatives.

Energy purchase commitments included within Table 40 arise principally from short-and long-term power and fuel purchase contracts. Further detailed information on power purchase commitments is set out in Note 30(c) to the Group Accounts on page 148.

Other firm commitments included within Table 40 arise principally from transportation, transmission and storage commitments and costs associated with hydroelectric licences, asset retirement obligations and information technology services.

In addition to the contractual obligations in the table above, the group expects to contribute £42.8 million to its UK pension schemes, £37.1 million ($70.1 million) to the PacifiCorp pension scheme and £15.8 million ($29.9 million) for other post-retirement benefits in the year ending 31 March 2006.

The group’s commercial commitments include surety bonds that provide indemnities for PacifiCorp in relation to various commitments it has to third parties for obligations in the event of default on behalf of PacifiCorp. The majority of these bonds are continuous in nature and renew annually. The estimated level of PacifiCorp’s surety bonding beyond 31 March 2005 is approximately £13 million. This estimate is based on current information and actual amounts may vary due to rate changes or changes to the general operations of PacifiCorp.

     

 

 

 

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energy brokers and reporting services, as well as direct information received from third party offers and actual transactions entered into by the group, for certain actively traded locations covering the first three years (six years for the US). For the less actively traded locations and periods extending past three years (six years for the US), the forward price curves are developed internally using various models that are intended to simulate expected market price levels. Long-term prices generally are derived using a fundamentals model (cost-to-build approach) that is updated at least quarterly, to reflect changes in the market. Prices for less actively traded locations are developed based on historically observed price relationships with actively traded locations. Short-term energy contracts, without explicit or embedded optionality, are valued based upon the relevant portion of the forward price curve. Energy contracts with explicit or embedded optionality and long-term energy contracts are valued by separating each contract into its physical and financial forward, swap and option components. Forward and swap components are valued against the appropriate market curve. The optionality is valued using a modified Black-Scholes model or a stochastic simulation (Monte Carlo) approach. Each option component is modelled and valued separately using the appropriate forward price curve.

Interest rate swaps and forward-rate agreements are valued by calculating the present value of future cash flows, estimated using forward market curves.

Interest rate swaptions are valued using the market yield curve and implied volatilities at the period end. Cross-currency swaps are valued by adding the present values of the two legs of each swap: present values are calculated by discounting the future cash flows, estimated using the appropriate forward price curve for that currency, at the appropriate market discount rates. Forward foreign exchange contracts are valued using market forward exchange rates at the period end.

The methodology applied in the fair value of derivative contracts under FAS 133, is consistent with that used for IAS 39. Further details are provided in Section 14 on page 64.

In Table 41 changes in fair values attributable to changes in valuation techniques and assumptions reflect changes in the fair value of mark-to-market values as a result of applying refinements in valuation modelling techniques.

Other changes in fair value reflect changes in underlying economic fundamentals which impact on the value of the derivative including commodity price risk, which is influenced by contract size, term, location and unique or specific contract terms; movements in foreign exchange rates which impact the value of cross-currency swaps; and movements in interest rates which impact on the value of interest rate swaps, forward-rate agreements and cross-currency swaps.

     

Ø    Table 41

Fair value of energy-related and treasury

derivative contracts (£m)

 

         PacifiCorp     PPM
Energy
 
 
  UK
Division
 
 
  Treasury    Total
    Fair value of contracts outstanding at 1 April 2004    (225.7 )   124.4     69.2     376.3    344.2
    Contracts realised or otherwise settled during the year    (21.1 )   (20.1 )   (32.7 )   (212.7)    (286.6)
    Changes in fair values attributable to changes in valuation techniques and assumptions                  
    Other changes in fair value    162.2     (18.7 )   275.9     127.9    547.3
    Foreign exchange movement    2.9     (2.5 )          0.4
    Fair value of contracts outstanding at 31 March 2005    (81.7 )   83.1     312.4     291.5    605.3
   

 

As shown in Table 42, standardised derivative contracts that are valued using market quotations are classified as prices based on quoted market prices from third party sources. All remaining contracts, which include non-standard contracts and contracts for which market prices are not routinely quoted, are classified as prices based on models and other valuation methods.

 

Ø    Table 42

Maturity profile of fair value of derivative

contracts outstanding (£m)

 

         Within
1 year
 
 
  Between
1-3 years
 
 
  Between
3-5 years
 
 
 

After

5 years

   Total
    Prices based on quoted market prices from third party sources    (33.3 )   (57.8 )   6.4     (9.1)    (93.8)
    Prices based on models and other valuation methods    301.0     408.8     71.5     (82.2)    699.1
    Total    267.7     351.0     77.9     (91.3)    605.3
   

 


 

9     Pension Arrangements

 

As required by the transitional arrangements for Financial Reporting Standard (“FRS”) 17 ‘Retirement Benefits’, we have disclosed, at 31 March 2005, a deficit of £147 million (2004: £120 million) net of deferred tax for our UK defined benefit pension schemes and a deficit of £181 million ($342 million) (2004: £180 million ( $331 million)) net of deferred tax for our US schemes. With the obligation to fund other post-retirement benefits in the US, we have also reported a deficit under FRS 17 at 31 March 2005 of £83 million ( $157 million) (2004: £96 million ($177 million)), net of deferred tax. Had the measurement rules within FRS 17 been applied during the financial year 2004/05, the group’s operating profit would have increased by £14 million (2003/04: £24 million), finance costs would have decreased by £1 million (2003/04:

 

 

 

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increased by £15 million) and profit before tax would have increased by £15 million (2003/04: £9 million). Net assets and reserves at 31 March 2005 would have been reduced by £341 million (2004: £311 million).

FRS 17 prescribes detailed rules for the calculation of pension scheme assets and liabilities and indicates the net accounting surplus or deficit that would exist on an ongoing basis using market conditions at the balance sheet date. Fluctuations in investment conditions can result in significant volatility in funding levels.

Pension schemes are, however, managed over the long-term. Investment and liability decisions are based on underlying actuarial and economic circumstance with the intention of making sure that the schemes have sufficient assets to meet liabilities as they fall due, rather than meeting accounting requirements. The company and the trustees of the group’s schemes have reviewed the investment strategy for the asset/liability matching of the group’s schemes and this has resulted in agreement to a gradual shift towards a higher element of bond/gilt holdings from equities.

The charge in the year for these pension schemes, as reflected in the group profit and loss account, is based on Statement of Standard Accounting Practice (“SSAP”) 24 ‘Accounting for pension costs’. The charge on this basis has increased from £28 million to £36 million in the UK, and decreased from £39 million ($71 million) to £38 million ($71 million) in the US. Achieving regulatory recovery of these costs is a priority and there is a focus on ensuring inclusion of any increased expense in US rate cases and this is already being achieved in recent US rate cases. In the UK, pension costs were included in the UK regulatory price review.

 


   11   

Critical Accounting Policies

– UK GAAP

  

 

The group’s Accounts are prepared in accordance with UK GAAP. This requires the directors to adopt those accounting policies, which are most appropriate for the purpose of the Accounts giving a true and fair view. The group’s material accounting policies are set out in full on pages 108 to 111. In preparing the Accounts in conformity with UK GAAP, the directors are required to make estimates and assumptions that impact on the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Certain of the group’s accounting policies have been identified as critical accounting policies by considering which policies involve particularly complex or subjective decisions or assessments and these are discussed below. The discussion below should be read in conjunction with the full statement of “Accounting Policies”. The critical accounting policies have been discussed with the group’s senior management and the Audit Committee.

 

UK GAAP – Turnover

Prices for electricity supplied to the group’s retail customers in the US are determined by the relevant regulatory authorities. In the group’s UK Division, prices for electricity and gas supplied to retail customers are determined within competitive markets. In both cases, the assessment of energy sales to customers is based on meter readings, which are carried out on a systematic basis throughout the year. At the end of each accounting period, amounts of energy delivered to customers since the last billing date are estimated and the corresponding unbilled revenue is estimated and recorded as sales. Unbilled revenues included within the group’s balance sheet relating to the group’s retail customers at 31 March 2005 amount to £322 million (2004: £256 million).

10

 

Creditor Payment Policy

and Practice

  

UK GAAP – Impairment of Goodwill

 

In the UK, the group’s current policy and practice concerning the payment of its trade creditors is to follow the Better Payment Practice Code to which it is a signatory. Copies of the Code may be obtained from the Department of Trade and Industry or from the website www.payontime.co.uk.

The group’s policy and practice is to settle terms of payment when agreeing the terms of the transaction, to include the terms in contracts and to pay in accordance with its contractual and legal obligations. The group’s creditor days at 31 March 2005 for its UK businesses and US businesses were 15 days and 42 days, respectively.

  

Goodwill on the group’s acquisitions after 1 April 1998 has been capitalised and amortised over its estimated useful economic life. Where there is an indicator of impairment, goodwill is required to be reviewed for impairment. In November 2004, the Board began a strategic review of PacifiCorp as a result of its performance and the significant investment it required in the immediate future. In May 2005, the Board concluded that in light of the prospects for PacifiCorp, the scale and timing of the capital investment required and the likely profile of returns, shareholders’ interests were best served by a sale of PacifiCorp and the return of capital to shareholders. As a consequence, the group has undertaken a review of the carrying value of the goodwill allocated to the PacifiCorp reporting segment as at 31 March 2005. The estimated recoverable value has been based on net realisable value, with reference to the price of comparable businesses, recent market transactions and the estimated proceeds from disposal. This has resulted in an exceptional charge in the year ended 31 March 2005 for the impairment of

 

 

 

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Financial Review

 

 

 

goodwill of £927 million which is disclosed separately within operating profit as an exceptional item.

 

UK GAAP – Environmental Provisions

 

Provision is made for liabilities relating to environmental obligations when the related environmental disturbance occurs, based on the net present value of estimated future costs. Estimates of environmental liabilities are principally based on reports prepared by external consultants. The ultimate cost of environmental disturbance is uncertain and there may be variances from these cost estimates, which could affect future results. At 31 March 2005, the group had provided £17.6 million (2004: £60.5 million) for environmental obligations.

 

UK GAAP – Decommissioning and Mine Reclamation Provisions

 

Provision is made for the decommissioning of major capital assets where the costs are incurred at the end of the lives of the assets. Similarly, closure and reclamation costs are a normal consequence of mining with the majority of the expenditure incurred at the end of the life of the mine. Although the ultimate cost to be incurred is uncertain, estimates have been made of the respective costs based on local conditions and requirements. At 31 March 2005, the group had provided £91.8 million (2004: £84.3 million) for decommissioning costs and £74.6 million (2004: £79.6 million) for mine reclamation costs.

 

UK GAAP – Tax

 

The group’s tax charge is based on the profit for the year and tax rates in force at the balance sheet date. Estimation of the tax charge requires an assessment to be made of the potential tax treatment of certain items which will only be resolved once finally agreed with the relevant tax authorities. In particular, the tax returns of the group’s US businesses are examined by the Internal Revenue Service and state agencies on a several year lag. Assessment of the likely outcome of the examinations is based upon historical experience and the current status of examination issues.

 

UK GAAP – Provisions and Contingencies

 

In accounting for contingencies, the group applies FRS 12 ‘Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets’. FRS 12 requires that a provision be recognised where there is a present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. If these conditions are not met, no provision should be recognised. However, contingent liabilities are required to be disclosed in the Notes to the Group Accounts, unless the possibility of a transfer of economic benefits is remote. Contingent gains are not recognised unless realisation of the profit is virtually certain.

Provisions are established when required based upon the directors’ best judgement. Appropriate disclosures are made regarding litigation, tax matters, environmental issues, among

  

others. The evaluation of these contingencies is performed by various specialists inside and outside of the group. Accounting for contingencies requires significant judgement by management regarding the estimated probabilities and ranges of exposure to potential loss. The directors’ assessment of the group’s exposure to contingencies could change as new developments occur or more information becomes available. The outcome of the contingencies could vary significantly and could materially impact the group’s results and financial position. The directors have used their best judgement in applying FRS 12 to these matters.

 

UK GAAP – Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits

 

The group operates a number of defined benefit schemes for its employees. In addition, other post-retirement benefits are provided to employees within the group’s US businesses. The group accounts for these arrangements under UK GAAP in accordance with SSAP 24. The impact on the group’s Accounts had the measurement rules of FRS 17 been implemented is summarised in the “Pension Arrangements” section on page 58.

The expense and balance sheet items relating to the group’s accounting for pension schemes under SSAP 24 are based on actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are key assumptions, including discount rates, earnings increases and pension increases in payment. These actuarial assumptions are reviewed periodically and modified as appropriate. The effect of modifications is generally amortised over future periods. The assumptions adopted are based on prior experience, market conditions and the advice of plan actuaries.

The group chooses a discount rate for each scheme which reflects yields on high-quality fixed-income investments, which may be increased for SSAP 24 purposes to allow for higher returns expected over the longer-term from the schemes’ equity holdings. The pension liability and future pension expense both increase as the discount rate is reduced. If the SSAP 24 expense for the year ended 31 March 2005 had been based on a discount rate 0.5% p.a. higher or lower than those actually used, the expense would have reduced or increased, respectively, by £19 million in respect of the group’s UK pension schemes and £5 million in respect of the group’s US pension schemes.

The discount rates used for the purposes of UK GAAP for the group’s principal pension schemes are set out in Table 43. Discount rates may vary between schemes as a result of different investment strategies, liability profiles and timing of the actuarial valuations.

 

Ø    Table 43

Discount rates

        Discount rate
– UK GAAP (SSAP 24)
   Discount rate
– US GAAP
  

Pension fund

         
  

ScottishPower

   6.0%    5.4%
  

Manweb

   6.0%    5.4%
  

PacifiCorp

   6.25%    5.75%

 

 

 

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of operations, sales and load growth forecasts and the nature of any legislative or regulatory cost recovery mechanism.

 

US GAAP – Impairment of Goodwill

 

FAS 142 ‘Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets’ deals with the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets upon their acquisition and their subsequent measurement. The standard requires that goodwill is not amortised but is tested for impairment at least annually. Under FAS 142, the impairment test is in two stages. The first step is a screen for potential impairment. This compares an estimate of the fair value of the reporting unit that contains the goodwill with the carrying value of the net assets (including goodwill) in the balance sheet of that reporting unit. If this identifies a potential impairment then the second step is required. This requires assigning fair values to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit (similar to what would be required under acquisition accounting). The difference between the fair value of these net assets and the estimate of the fair value of the reporting unit as a whole provides an implied fair value of the goodwill. If this implied fair value is less than the carrying value of the goodwill, then goodwill is impaired and an impairment charge requires to be recognised. In accordance with the requirements of the standard, the group performed its annual review at 30 September 2004. In addition, following a review of the impairment of goodwill relating to PacifiCorp under UK GAAP, the group has performed a review of the carrying value of the long-lived assets and goodwill allocated to the PacifiCorp reporting unit under US GAAP in accordance with FAS 144 ‘Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets’ and FAS 142, respectively. A two-step impairment test is also required under FAS 144. Under FAS 144, undiscounted cash flows for the long-lived assets of PacifiCorp exceeded their carrying value and accordingly no impairment was triggered. Under FAS 142 the carrying value of PacifiCorp (including goodwill) under US GAAP was determined to be in excess of its fair value, and accordingly the group has carried out an analysis to determine the implied value of goodwill. Fair value was determined under US GAAP using discounted cash flows and with reference to the price of comparable businesses, recent market transactions and estimated proceeds from disposal. As a result, a goodwill impairment charge of £1,381 million has been recorded in the PacifiCorp reportable segment under US GAAP reflecting the amount by which the carrying value of the goodwill exceeded its implied fair value. The impairment charge under US GAAP is £454 million higher than the charge under UK GAAP principally due to the higher carrying value of the net assets of PacifiCorp under US GAAP compared to UK GAAP. This is as a result of the recognition under US GAAP of regulatory assets, the impact of FAS 133 and lower cumulative amortisation of goodwill under US GAAP.

12   

Critical Accounting Policies

– US GAAP

    
       

 

In addition to preparing the group’s Accounts in accordance with UK GAAP, the directors are also required to prepare a reconciliation of the group’s profit or loss and shareholders’ funds between UK GAAP and US GAAP. The adjustments required to reconcile the group’s profit or loss and shareholders’ funds from UK GAAP to US GAAP are explained in Note 34 to the Group Accounts. Certain of the group’s US GAAP accounting policies have been identified as critical US GAAP accounting policies and these are discussed below. The discussion below should be read in conjunction with the full discussion of the differences between the group’s UK and US GAAP accounting policies set out in Note 34.

 

US GAAP – US Regulatory Assets

 

The group prepares its US GAAP financial information in accordance with FAS 71 in respect of its regulated US business, PacifiCorp.

In order to apply FAS 71, certain conditions must be satisfied, including the following: an independent regulator must set rates; the regulator must set the rates to cover the specific costs of delivering service; and the service territory must lack competitive pressures to reduce rates below the rates set by the regulator. FAS 71 requires the group to reflect the impact of regulatory decisions and requires that certain costs be deferred on the balance sheet under US GAAP until matching revenue can be recognised. FAS 71 provides that regulatory assets may be capitalised, under US GAAP, if it is probable that future revenues, in an amount at least equal to the capitalised costs, will result from the inclusion of that cost in allowable costs for ratemaking purposes. In addition the rate actions should permit recovery of the specific previously incurred costs, rather than to provide for expected levels of similar future costs. An entity applying FAS 71 does not need absolute assurance prior to capitalising a cost, only reasonable assurance. Based on the group’s US regulatory net asset balance under US GAAP at 31 March 2005, if the group stopped applying FAS 71 to its remaining regulated US operations, it would have recorded a loss after tax, of £337 million under US GAAP in relation to this balance. PacifiCorp intends to seek recovery of all of its prudent costs, including stranded costs, in the event of deregulation. However, due to the current lack of definitive legislation, it is not possible to predict whether PacifiCorp will be successful.

Because of potential regulatory and/or legislative actions in the various states in which PacifiCorp operates, the group may have regulatory asset write-offs and charges for impairment of regulatory assets, under US GAAP, in future periods. Such impairment reviews would involve estimates of future cash flows including estimated future prices, cash costs

    

 

 

 

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US GAAP – Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The group accounts for its derivative financial instruments under US GAAP in accordance with FAS 133, as amended. FAS 133 requires, for the purposes of US GAAP, all derivatives, as defined by the standard, to be recorded at fair value except for those which qualify for specific exemptions under the standard, such as the normal purchases and normal sales exception. Changes in the fair values of derivatives that are not designated as hedges are adjusted through earnings under US GAAP with the exception of long-term energy contracts that were in existence on 1 April 2001 and are included in PacifiCorp’s ratemaking base. For these long-term energy contracts PacifiCorp received regulatory accounting orders to adjust the fair value through regulatory assets or liabilities, reversing recorded amounts as the contracts settle. For derivatives designated as effective cash flow hedges, the changes in fair values are recognised under US GAAP in accumulated other comprehensive income until the hedged items are recognised in earnings. For derivatives designated as effective fair value hedges, the changes in fair values are recognised under US GAAP in the income statement, offset to the extent that they are effective, by fair value movements on the designated risk of the item being hedged. The group’s future results under US GAAP could be impacted by changes in market conditions to the extent that changes in contract values are not offset by regulatory or hedge accounting.

The group’s valuation policy for derivative and other financial instruments is to utilise, as much as possible, quoted prices in an active trading market.

Futures, swaps and forward agreements are valued against the appropriate market-based curves. Forward price curves are developed using market prices from independent sources for liquid commodities, markets and products and modelled for illiquid commodities, markets and products.

Structured transactions are disaggregated into their traded core components, and each component is valued against the appropriate market-based curves. For transactions where a market price for the point of delivery is not actively quoted, if possible, the transaction is valued at the most appropriate point of delivery where a market price exists with appropriate adjustments for the actual point of delivery, including, if applicable, currency adjustments.

In the absence of quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities, it is sometimes necessary to apply valuation techniques where contracts are market to approved models. Models are used for developing both the forward curves and the valuation metrics of the instruments themselves where the instruments are complex combinations of standard and non-standard products. All models are subject to rigorous testing prior to being approved for valuation and subsequent continuous testing and approval procedures designed to ensure the validity and accuracy of the model assumptions and inputs. To the extent that observable market or transaction data for a

 

contract indicates that an assumption should be adjusted, this is treated as a change in estimate.

 

US GAAP – Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits

 

The group accounts for its pension schemes under US GAAP in accordance with FAS 87 ‘Employers’ Accounting for Pensions’. Under FAS 87, certain of the group’s pension schemes had assets with a fair value at 31 March 2005 that was less than the accumulated benefit obligation under the schemes at the same date. As a result, at 31 March 2005 the group recognised a minimum pension liability under US GAAP of £365 million, of which £216 million was charged to accumulated other comprehensive income and £149 million was recognised as a US regulatory asset. If a discount rate had been used for accumulated benefit obligation purposes which was 0.5% p.a. higher than that actually used, the impact would have been to reduce the minimum pension liability by £47 million in respect of the group’s UK pension schemes and £43 million in respect of the group’s US pension schemes. The discount rates used for the purposes of US GAAP for the group’s principal pension schemes are set out in Table 43.

 


 

13    Accounting Developments

 

UK GAAP Developments Applicable for the Year to March 2005

During the year ended 31 March 2005 the UK Accounting Standards Board (“ASB”) issued a number of new standards which were not required to be implemented in 2004/05 as they form part of the ASB’s convergence programme to align UK GAAP with IFRS over time.

From 2005/06, however, ScottishPower will be required to prepare its consolidated Accounts in compliance with IFRS rather than UK GAAP and it will, therefore, be the international equivalents that the group will be required to apply in its 2005/06 Accounts. The impact of IFRS on the group is discussed in Section 14 on page 64.

 

US GAAP Developments Applicable for the Year to March 2005

 

In May 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released FASB Staff Position (“FASB SP”) No. 106-2, ‘Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003’. FASB SP No. 106-2 provides guidance on the accounting for the effects of the Medicare Act. The Medicare Act introduced a prescription drug benefit under Medicare, as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health plans which include prescription drug benefits.

Employers that sponsor post-retirement healthcare plans that offer prescription drug benefits must determine if their prescription drug benefits are actuarially equivalent to the drug benefit provided under Medicare Part D as of the date of

 

 

 

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enactment of the Medicare Act to be entitled to receive the subsidy. Employers are required to disclose the effect of the federal subsidy afforded by the Medicare Act if its prescription drug benefits are determined to be actuarially equivalent to the Medicare Part D benefit. FASB SP No. 106-2 was effective for the first interim period or annual period beginning after 15 June 2004. Adopting FASB SP No. 106-2 did not have a material impact on the group’s results and financial position under US GAAP.

 

US GAAP Developments Applicable in the Future

 

In January 2005, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released final regulations for implementing the Medicare Act. These regulations provide guidance for making a determination of whether the benefits under a plan will meet the definition of actuarial equivalence. As this was subsequent to PacifiCorp’s measurement date, these regulations had no impact on the year ended 31 March 2005. The group does not expect these regulations to have a material impact on the group’s results and financial position under US GAAP during the year ending 31 March 2006.

In June 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) issued EITF No. 03-1, ‘The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments’. Application guidance in EITF No. 03-1 should be used to determine whether an investment is considered impaired, whether an impairment is other than temporary, and the measurement of any such impairment. The guidance also includes accounting and disclosure considerations. In September 2004, the FASB issued FASB EITF No. 03-1-1, ‘Effective date of paragraphs 10-20 of EITF No. 03-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments’. FASB EITF No. 03-1-1 delayed the previously required effective date of 1 July 2004 for the group regarding the measurement and recognition guidance contained in the applicable paragraphs. The delay of the effective date is likely to be superseded with the final issuance of a FASB Staff Position on other-than-temporary impairments of investments. The adoption of the measurement and recognition guidance of EITF No. 03-1, if implemented in its present form, is not anticipated to have a material impact on the group’s results and financial position under US GAAP.

In November 2004, the FASB issued FAS 151, ‘Inventory Costs’. FAS 151 requires that abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material (spoilage) be included as current-period charges, eliminating the option for capitalisation. This statement is effective for inventory costs incurred after 1 April 2006. This statement is not expected to have a material impact on the group’s results and financial position under US GAAP.

In December 2004, the FASB issued FAS 153, ‘Exchanges of Non-monetary Assets’, which amends Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 29, ‘Accounting for Non-monetary

 

Transactions’. FAS 153 eliminates the exception from fair value measurement for non-monetary exchanges of similar productive assets in APB No. 29 and replaces it with an exception for exchanges that do not have commercial substance. This statement specifies that a non-monetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. This statement is effective for any exchanges of non-monetary assets that occur after 1 April 2006. This statement is not expected to have a material impact on the group’s results and financial position under US GAAP.

In December 2004, the FASB issued FAS 123R, ‘Share-Based Payment’, a revision of the originally issued FAS 123 ‘Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation’. FAS 123R establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. In March 2005, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 107, which provides additional guidance in applying the provisions of FAS 123R. FAS 123R requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognised in the financial statements using the fair value method. The intrinsic value method of accounting established by APB No. 25 ‘Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation’ will no longer be allowed. SAB 107 describes the SEC staff’s expectations in determining the assumptions that underlie the fair estimates and discusses the interaction of FAS 123R with other existing SEC guidance. In April 2005, the effective date of FAS 123R was deferred until the beginning of the financial year that begins after 15 June 2005, however early adoption is encouraged. A modified prospective application is required for new awards and to awards modified, repurchased or cancelled after the required effective date. The provisions of SAB 107 will be applied upon adoption of FAS 123R. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material impact on the group’s results and financial position under US GAAP.

In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB SP No. 109-1, ‘Application of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, to the Tax Deduction on Qualified Production Activities Provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004’. This tax deduction will be treated as a “special deduction” as described in FAS 109, ‘Accounting for Income Taxes’. As such, the special deduction has no effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities existing at the enactment date. Rather, the impact of this deduction will be reported in the period in which the deduction could be claimed on a separate return basis in accordance with the group’s accounting policy. FASB SP No. 109-1 became effective upon issuance. The impact of the deduction to the group will depend on the application of forthcoming guidance from the Internal Revenue Service and therefore the group continues to evaluate the effect that FASB SP No. 109-1 will have on its results and financial position under US GAAP.

In March 2005, the FASB issued Financial Interpretation

 

 

 

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No. (“FIN”) 47 ‘Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations’. FIN 47 clarifies that the term “conditional asset retirement obligation” as used in FAS 143, refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. The obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional even though uncertainty exists about the timing and/or method of settlement. FIN 47 clarifies that an entity is required to recognise a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation when incurred if the liability’s fair value can be reasonably estimated.

 

FIN 47 is effective at the end of the financial year ending after 15 December 2005. The group is currently evaluating the impact of adopting FIN 47 on its results and financial position under US GAAP.

 


 

  

 

 

 

has also been provided. This IFRS financial information will form the basis of the comparative information which will be included in the group’s first Annual Accounts prepared in accordance with IFRS for the year ending 31 March 2006. The information on pages 173 to 184 has been audited and the independent auditors’ report is set out on page 185.

The financial information referred to above does not include any adjustments for IAS 32 and IAS 39 which are being applied by the group with effect from 1 April 2005 in accordance with the transitional arrangements set out in IFRS 1 ‘First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards’. Further information regarding the impact of these standards is contained on pages 68 to 70 and on pages 187 to 190.

The effect of moving from UK GAAP to IFRS has increased group profit before taxation by £127.7 million for the year ended 31 March 2005, principally due to the cessation of amortisation of goodwill which increased operating profit by £117.5 million. Earnings per share, before goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, reduced by 0.42 pence. The group’s net assets have reduced by £80.6 million as at 31 March 2005 mainly as a result of recognition of the assets and liabilities of the group’s pensions and other post-retirement benefits, net of deferred tax, offset by the cessation of goodwill amortisation. Net debt under IFRS increased by £159.3 million to £4,306.3 million, primarily as a result of the grossing up of £88.5 million of non-recourse debt relating to the group’s US finance lease arrangements which was included within debtors under UK GAAP, as the financing qualified for linked presentation. Additional finance lease obligations of £70.8 million have been recognised due to the recently issued International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”) 4 ‘Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease’. Whilst this impacts on what is reported as net debt, cash flows are unaffected. Other than pensions and other post-retirement benefits and goodwill, the adjustments discussed below are not material.

The rules for first-time adoption of IFRS are contained within IFRS 1, which requires that the group should use the same accounting policies in its opening IFRS balance sheet and throughout all periods presented in its first IFRS financial statements. These policies are required to comply with IFRS effective at the reporting date of ScottishPower’s first published financial statements under IFRS as at 31 March 2006. Due to a number of new and revised standards included within the standards that comprise IFRS, there is not yet a significant body of established practice on which to draw in forming opinions regarding interpretation and application. Accordingly, practice is continuing to evolve. At this preliminary stage, therefore, the full financial effect of reporting under IFRS as it will be applied and reported on in the group’s first IFRS financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2006 may be subject to change.

14       

Implementation of

International Financial

Reporting Standards

  

 

IFRS Transition - Introduction

 

In June 2002, the European Union (“EU”) adopted Regulations which require that the consolidated accounts of listed companies in the EU should, from 2005, be presented in accordance with EU-adopted IFRS and IAS, collectively referred to below as ‘IFRS’.

ScottishPower is required to present its consolidated Accounts for the first time in accordance with IFRS for the financial year commencing 1 April 2005 and, from that date, the group’s Accounts will no longer be prepared in accordance with UK GAAP. The group’s first published quarterly Accounts prepared in accordance with IFRS will be those for the quarter ending 30 June 2005, due to be published in August 2005.

The SEC has adopted amendments to Form 20-F to allow foreign private issuers such as ScottishPower, to provide in their SEC filings two years rather than three years of audited financial statements prepared on a consistent basis of accounting. The group has therefore decided to take advantage of this concession and adopt a transition date of 1 April 2004.

 

Overview of IFRS Reconciliations

 

Detailed reconciliations of the group’s income statement for the year ended 31 March 2005 and balance sheets as at 1 April 2004 (the group’s date of transition to IFRS) and 31 March 2005 under IFRS to the results and financial position previously reported under UK GAAP, have been included within the “IFRS Financial Information” section, to assist in understanding the nature and quantum of the differences between the two reporting bases. In addition, the group’s cash flow statement under IFRS for the year ended 31 March 2005, together with a narrative explanation of the main differences from UK GAAP,

  

 

 

 

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On transition to IFRS, the group has taken advantage of the following exemptions contained within IFRS 1:

 

Ø     Business combinations: The group has elected not to restate business combinations accounted for prior to 1 April 2004, the group’s date of transition to IFRS. Acquisitions after this date, namely Damhead Creek and Brighton power station, have been restated to comply with IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’;

 

Ø     Revaluation as deemed cost: Manweb distribution assets, which were last revalued in 1997, have been deemed to be recorded at cost;

 

Ø     Employee benefits: The cumulative actuarial losses relating to pensions and other post-retirement benefits at the date of transition to IFRS have been recognised in retained earnings;

 

Ø     Financial instruments: The group has elected not to prepare comparative information in accordance with IAS 32 and IAS 39. These standards will be applied with effect from 1 April 2005. Details of the group’s IAS 32 and IAS 39 opening position are presented later in this section on pages 68 to 70; and

 

Ø     Share-based payment: The group has applied IFRS 2 ‘Share-based Payment’ to equity instruments granted after 7 November 2002 only.

 

The group has elected not to take advantage of the IFRS 1 exemption to reset the foreign currency translation reserve to zero at the date of transition to IFRS and has therefore transferred £484.6 million from retained earnings to the newly created translation reserve. This represents the benefit of our balance sheet hedging strategy which will be reflected in the group’s income statement on completion of the sale of PacifiCorp.

 

Overview of Other IFRS Information

 

The group’s IFRS accounting policies as they have been applied for the year ended 31 March 2005 are set out on pages 173 to 178.

These accounting policies have been adopted based on all IFRS and IFRIC interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) as at the date of this report and which have either been approved by the EU or are more likely than not to be approved by the EU by the time the group prepares its first Annual Accounts in accordance with IFRS for the year ending 31 March 2006. In particular, this assumes that the EU will adopt revised IAS 19 (2004) ‘Employee Benefits’ issued by the IASB in December 2004 and IFRIC 4. It also assumes that the EU will not adopt IFRIC 3 ‘Emission Rights’ in its current form.

In addition, selected unaudited financial income statement data for the three months ended 30 June 2004, the six months ended 30 September 2004 and the nine months ended 31 December 2004 has been presented on page 186 to give further

 

details of the comparative figures that will be published in each of the quarters during the year ending 31 March 2006.

Whilst these numbers do not include the impact of IAS 32 and IAS 39, which are being applied with effect from 1 April 2005, pages 68 to 70 provide further details of the impact of these standards on the group, including the IAS 32 and IAS 39 opening position at 1 April 2005. In addition, a summary of the IAS 32 and IAS 39 accounting policies are also provided on pages 187 to 190 for information.

 

IFRS Summary of Impact

 

Presentation of IFRS Financial Statements

 

In reconciling from UK GAAP to IFRS, the format of the group income statement and the group balance sheet have been adjusted to reflect reclassifications that would be required to comply with IAS 1 ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’. As the income statement forms part of the reconciliation from UK GAAP to IFRS, certain of the headings will not be required when the group reports its income statement under IFRS in its first full IFRS financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2006.

 

IFRS Remeasurements

 

The remeasurement adjustments that have been made to the amounts previously reported under UK GAAP are discussed in detail below:

 

Ø     Dividends

 

Under UK GAAP, dividends proposed after the balance sheet date are accrued in the balance sheet. Under IFRS, these dividends are not accrued until the date at which they are declared. This adjustment, which is merely a timing difference, has increased net assets by £139.4 million at 31 March 2005.

 

Ø     Income Taxes

 

Under UK GAAP, deferred tax is provided based on timing differences, whilst IFRS has a wider scope and requires deferred tax to be provided on all temporary differences. The group’s IFRS balance sheet as at 31 March 2005 includes a reduction in the deferred tax liability of £172.1 million, primarily relating to the recognition of a further deferred tax asset on the pension deficit of £177.9 million. In addition, the income tax expense for the financial year ended 31 March 2005 has increased by £13.0 million, primarily as a result of an increase in the tax charge of £16.3 million due to the unwinding of temporary differences relating to previous acquisitions. This has led to a 1% increase in the group’s effective tax rate, excluding the exceptional item, under IFRS compared to UK GAAP for the year ended 31 March 2005.

In accordance with the requirements of IFRS, additional deferred tax has been provided on the temporary differences arising on the acquisitions of Damhead Creek and Brighton

 

 

 

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power station as the recognition of assets and liabilities acquired at fair value differs to their tax base. This leads to additional deferred tax liabilities of £35.2 million being recognised under IFRS as at 31 March 2005.

Under UK GAAP, a deferred tax provision is made for tax which would arise on the remittance of the retained earnings of overseas subsidiaries, joint ventures and associated undertakings, only to the extent that dividends have been accrued as receivable or there is a binding agreement to distribute past earnings. IFRS requires deferred tax to be recognised on all retained earnings whose distribution is not within the control of the group or whose distribution is likely in the foreseeable future, irrespective of whether dividends have actually been accrued or declared. As the group has met the two conditions within IAS 12 ‘Income Taxes’ for non-recognition of deferred tax on undistributed profits, no adjustment to the IFRS balance sheet has been made in this respect.

 

Ø     Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Under UK GAAP, depreciation of property, plant and equipment is based on the cost or revalued amounts of the assets less the estimated residual value of the assets at the end of their useful economic lives. These residual values are based on prices prevailing at the time of acquisition or revaluation. Under IFRS, residual values are based on prices prevailing at each balance sheet date. Any changes in residual values impact the prospective depreciation charge. As a result of using updated residual values at 1 April 2004 on the transition to IFRS, the depreciation charge recognised under UK GAAP for the year ended 31 March 2005 has been reduced by £1.7 million.

 

Ø     Leases

 

The group has finance leases where it acts as a lessor and funds these through non-recourse debt. Under UK GAAP, these are accounted for on a net cash investment basis and qualify for linked presentation whereby the non-recourse debt is offset against the receivable in accordance with FRS 5 ‘Reporting the Substance of Transactions’. Under IFRS, such leases are required to be accounted for as a receivable at an amount equal to the net investment in the lease and, unlike FRS 5, there is no concept of linked presentation in relation to non-recourse debt. The balance sheet has therefore been grossed up to present separately a finance lease receivable of £86.5 million and £88.5 million of non-recourse debt.

 

IFRIC 4 contains specific guidance on the identification of lease arrangements and is of particular relevance to the power industry. Adoption of IFRIC 4 is not mandatory for the group until 1 April 2006 but ScottishPower has, as permitted, adopted it from 1 April 2004 in order to assist comparability. The arrangements, which have been identified as leases under IFRIC 4, have been assessed against the criteria contained in IAS 17 ‘Leases’ to determine whether they should be categorised as operating or finance leases. This has resulted in

 

 

 

 

an increase in net debt of £70.8 million as a result of the inclusion of these additional finance lease obligations.

The total impact of IAS 17 has therefore led to an increase in net debt of £159.3 million. Underlying cash flows are not affected.

 

Ø     Employee Benefits

 

Under UK GAAP, the group applied the provisions of SSAP 24 and provided detailed disclosures under FRS 17 in accounting for pension and other post-retirement benefits.

Under IFRS, accounting for pensions and other post-retirement benefits is significantly different from SSAP 24 and reflects, at each balance sheet date, the surplus or deficit in the pension scheme and other post-retirement benefit obligations. The group has applied the provisions of revised IAS 19 (2004) and, as such, actuarial gains and losses relating to these arrangements are recorded directly in retained earnings and will be presented in the statement of recognised income and expense. The additional provision, before deferred tax, recognised under IFRS amounts to £501.7 million at 31 March 2005. This results in a net liability for retirement benefits of £635.5 million at 31 March 2005. The effect of adopting revised IAS 19 (2004) on the group’s income statement is to increase operating profit for the year ended 31 March 2005 by £14.3 million, reduce net finance costs by £0.6 million and hence increase profit before tax by £14.9 million. The resulting pensions and other post-retirement benefit costs for the year ended 31 March 2005, before the effect of capitalisation, are £69.0 million charged to operating profit and £0.2 million credited to net finance costs.

The level of costs for such arrangements will vary depending on, among other things, the benefits given to members and assumptions relating to interest rates, expected return on equities and mortality rates. As the balance sheet under IFRS reflects the deficit in the group’s pension schemes and other post-retirement benefit arrangements, changes in these amounts due to, among other things, changes in investment value, interest rates and actuarial assumptions, will impact reported net assets. The information regarding pensions has been previously disclosed in our Annual Report & Accounts. The group has decided not to adopt the “corridor” approach under IAS 19 and will continue to show the full surplus or deficit of the group’s pension schemes and other post-retirement benefit arrangements on the balance sheet going forward.

 

Ø     Share-based Payment

 

Under UK GAAP, the group accounts for its share and share option schemes based on an intrinsic value basis, except for the group’s Sharesave scheme which is excluded from these accounting requirements. Under IFRS, the Sharesave scheme is included, and application of the fair value model for assessing the value of share-based payments results in a different charge to the income statement. The impact of applying IFRS 2 has been to increase operating profit for the year ended 31 March

 

 

 

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2005 by £0.4 million. The resulting cost for share-based payments in the year ended 31 March 2005 is £6.8 million. The cost is reduced compared to UK GAAP as IFRS 2 is only required to apply to share and share option awards granted after 7 November 2002. In future years, the cost of share schemes will increase under IFRS 2 as more awards come within the scope of the standard. The amount of future cost will vary depending on the nature of the group’s share and share option arrangements in those years.

 

Ø     Goodwill

 

Under UK GAAP, goodwill is required to be amortised over its estimated useful economic life. On transition to IFRS, the balance of goodwill recognised under UK GAAP at that date is “frozen” and no future amortisation is charged. However, the goodwill is subject to a mandatory impairment test on at least an annual basis and otherwise if there is any indication of impairment. The goodwill amortisation of £117.5 million for the year ended 31 March 2005 has therefore been reversed in the income statement under IFRS. This, together with the consequential foreign exchange impact, is reflected in a balance of goodwill of £885.1 million at 31 March 2005 under IFRS compared to £765.2 million under UK GAAP.

 

Ø     Impairment of Goodwill

 

The goodwill associated with PacifiCorp has been reviewed for impairment under both UK GAAP and IFRS, as required where there is an indicator of impairment. This resulted in a charge for impairment under IFRS which is £5.0 million lower compared to the charge under UK GAAP, as a result of the lower net assets of PacifiCorp under IFRS.

On 24 May 2005 the group announced the sale of PacifiCorp. In the Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2006, PacifiCorp will be classified as a discontinued operation under IFRS 5 ‘Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations’. This will result in the net income of PacifiCorp being disclosed as a single line item within the income statement, and the aggregation and separate disclosures of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet.

 

Ø     Business Combinations

 

The fair values attributed under IFRS to deferred tax and intangible assets on the acquisitions of Damhead Creek and Brighton power station differ from those under UK GAAP. Accordingly, the amount recognised for amortisation of the intangible assets under IFRS compared to UK GAAP is higher by £10.0 million and is included within cost of sales.

 

IFRS Reclassifications

 

In addition to the above, a number of reclassification adjustments have been made to the income statement and balance sheet. These have no effect on either net income or net assets. The principal reclassifications from UK GAAP to IFRS are:

 

Ø     Associates/Jointly Controlled Entities

 

Under UK GAAP, the group’s share of the operating profit, interest and taxation of associates and jointly controlled entities is required to be shown separately in the income statement. Under IFRS, the group’s share of the post-tax results of associates and jointly controlled entities is included within operating profit as the operations are closely related to those of the parent and other subsidiaries. Whilst profit for the financial year remains unchanged, this has resulted in a £6.0 million decrease in operating profit for the year ended 31 March 2005.

 

Ø     Intangible Assets

 

Computer software – Under UK GAAP, capitalised computer software of £238.6 million is included within tangible fixed assets on the balance sheet as at 31 March 2005. Under IFRS, capitalised computer software is recorded as an intangible asset.

Hydroelectric relicensing costs – Under UK GAAP, hydroelectric relicensing costs of £62.5 million are included within the cost of the related hydroelectric asset as at 31 March 2005. Under IFRS, these costs are separately recorded as intangible assets.

Neither of the above reclassifications have an effect on the amortisation of these costs through the IFRS income statement for the year ended 31 March 2005 or going forward.

 

Ø     Provisions

 

Under UK GAAP, provisions are required to be shown within one caption on the balance sheet. Under IFRS, provisions due within one year and those due after more than one year are required to be shown separately on the face of the balance sheet. Consequently, provisions due within one year of £80.1 million have been separately classified on the balance sheet.

 

Ø     Foreign Currency Debt

 

Under UK GAAP, all debt denominated in foreign currencies has been retranslated using the exchange rate specified in the related hedge contract. IAS 21 ‘The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates’ requires that all financial instruments be separately measured and presented at the closing balance sheet rate. As a result, foreign currency debt is translated at the closing exchange rate and the group’s related derivatives have been separately presented on the balance sheet rather than disclosing the net hedged position that exists under UK GAAP. Therefore, under IFRS, derivatives currently showing a gain as at 31 March 2005 of £37.5 million and £11.6 million have been included within non-current and current trade and other receivables, respectively. Derivatives currently showing a loss are valued at £2.7 million and £17.9 million and have been reclassified from loans and other borrowings and included within non-current and current trade and other payables, respectively. The group’s net debt calculation will be adjusted to take account of this change in presentation resulting in no change to reported net debt.

 

 

 

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Ø     Other

 

Balances relating to pensions and other post-retirement benefits, translation reserve, leases and current taxation have been shown separately on the face of the balance sheet prepared under IFRS. In addition, the current and non-current balance of trade and other receivables and finance lease receivables have been presented separately on the face of the balance sheet.

 

Summary of IAS 39 Impact

 

Both IAS 32 and IAS 39 will be applied by ScottishPower with effect from 1 April 2005 and are therefore not included in the reconciliations set out on pages 179 to 184. IAS 32 sets out the presentation requirements for debt and own equity instruments and also the disclosure requirements for financial instruments and IAS 39 sets out the accounting requirements for financial instruments. The definition of financial instruments in IAS 39 captures certain commodity contracts (including energy), loans and borrowings, trade receivables and payables, investments and cash as well as derivatives. There has been no equivalent standard prior to 1 January 2005 within UK GAAP but the group has, for some years, accounted for its derivative financial instruments under US GAAP in accordance with FAS 133. Although there are similarities in the conceptual basis underpinning both IAS 39 and FAS 133, there are differences in definition, scope and other specific rules. Accordingly, the group’s reported FAS 133 amounts should not be taken as representative of those amounts the group may report in future under IAS 32 and IAS 39.

The group has adopted the full IASB versions of IAS 32 and IAS 39 in line with the recommendations of the ASB. The sections of IAS 39 which were “carved out” by the EU do not have any impact on the group.

 

Energy Commodity Contracts

 

IAS 39 captures commodity contracts that do not meet the criteria for “own use”. These commodity contracts are treated as derivatives and have to be fair valued. To prove that commodity contracts meet the “own use” criteria, the entity must demonstrate that the contracts are for normal business requirements, are not exchangeable for other commodities or financial instruments, and result in physical delivery of the commodity. Whilst many of the group’s commodity contracts meet these tests, a substantial number do not, given the flexibility inherent in the group’s gas and power portfolios and, therefore these contracts fall within the scope of IAS 39 and are subject to fair value accounting.

IAS 39 requires any changes in fair value of a derivative to be taken to the income statement, except in circumstances where an effective cash flow hedging relationship is established and maintained against a highly probable forecast transaction. In these instances, fair value changes are initially taken directly to a “hedge reserve” within shareholders’ equity and

 

 

 

 

subsequently matched in the income statement on settlement of the hedge transactions, minimising earnings volatility from movements in fair value to the extent the hedge is effective. Regardless of whether or not hedge accounting is available, changes in fair value will impact reported net assets. Fair value is estimated by calculating the present value of the difference between the prices in the contract and the applicable forward price curve. Forward price curves used are consistent with those used for FAS 133 accounting.

Adopting IAS 39 will not alter the group’s balanced economic hedging strategy, nor underlying contract cash flows. The principal contributors to the group’s opening IAS 39 position are as follows:

 

Ø     Gas is purchased under short-  and long-term contracts to meet the needs of gas-fired generation plants, in the UK and US, and UK retail gas customers. Although the retail gas customer sales contracts achieve “own use” treatment, the flexibility inherent in the purchase contracts precludes them from being accounted for in this manner. As a consequence, such contracts are subject to fair value accounting, some of which will meet the requirements necessary to qualify for hedge accounting treatment.

 

Ø     PacifiCorp has entered into a number of long-term energy contracts to meet its future retail load requirements and, due to the regulatory environment in which it operates, is permitted to recover the underlying costs of these contracts through rates charged to customers. Since these contracts do not meet the criteria for “own use” designation, they are recorded at fair value. Movements in contract fair values have no effect on either contractual cash flows or cash flows receivable from customers.

 

Table 44 shows the effect of implementing IAS 39 as it relates to energy commodity contracts on the group’s IFRS balance sheet at 1 April 2005. These adjustments reflect the incremental adjustment required to the UK GAAP balance sheet at 31 March 2005.

On implementation of IAS 39, the group’s net assets under IFRS have increased by £252 million, net of deferred tax of £86 million, in respect of energy-related contracts which do not qualify for “own use” designation. This includes the reversal of UK GAAP amounts in relation to contracts which will be subject to IAS 39 from 1 April 2005. The increase in net assets of £252 million is reflected in a reduction in retained earnings of £90 million and the establishment of a hedge reserve balance of £342 million. The opening value together with subsequent movements in the value of contracts which do not qualify for hedge accounting, will unwind through the income statement over time. Any movements in the fair value of contracts which qualify for hedge accounting will be offset within the hedge reserve and released to the income statement on settlement of the underlying hedged transactions.

 

 

 

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Ø      Table 44

Incremental effect of IAS 39 on energy-related contracts at 1 April 2005 (£m)

       

 

     PacifiCorp     PPM Energy     UK Division     Commodity
Total
 
 

IAS 39 assets/(liabilities)

   (184 )   6     532     354  

Onerous contracts/intangible assets reversal

           (16 )   (16 )

Deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

   71     (2 )   (155 )   (86 )

Total net assets/(liabilities)

   (113 )   4     361     252  

Fair value deferred in hedge reserves

   36         306     342  

Fair value impact on retained earnings

   (149 )   4     55     (90 )

Total reserves movement

   (113 )   4     361     252  

 

 

Based on the group’s contract portfolio at 1 April 2005 and designated hedge accounting relationships, a 1% movement in forward price curves would result in a pre-tax fair value movement of £32 million of which £13 million would be reported through the income statement.

 

Treasury

 

IAS 39 also applies to the group’s treasury activities. Table 45 shows the effect of implementing IAS 39 as it relates to treasury-related contracts on the group’s IFRS balance sheet at 1 April 2005. These adjustments reflect the incremental adjustment required to the UK GAAP balance sheet at 31 March 2005.

The group’s loans, borrowings and derivatives portfolio are financial instruments within the scope of IAS 39. IAS 39 requires loans and borrowings to be accounted for on the basis of amortised cost, in line with the accounting treatment under UK GAAP. The group also enters into a number of derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business to manage movements in exchange rates and interest rates impacting earnings, cash flows and the US net investment on consolidation. These contracts will now be subject to fair value accounting which will impact the timing of recognition of interest rate benefits, although the group’s economic policy of hedging against foreign exchange movements in its US net assets will continue.

Under UK GAAP, the group’s US convertible bonds were accounted for as dollar-denominated liabilities and are part of

 

Ø      Table 45

Incremental effect of IAS 39 on treasury-related

contracts at 1 April 2005 (£m)

 

 

the dollar liabilities hedging the group’s US net assets. Under IAS 39, these liabilities will continue to form part of the hedging relationship of the US net investment on consolidation. They require to be accounted for as US dollar liabilities with the foreign exchange and equity-linked embedded derivative components of the convertible bonds separately identified, and measured at fair value through the income statement. The impact of accounting for the convertible bonds in this way from 1 April 2005, compared to UK GAAP, is to increase the effective interest charge in the income statement and introduce changes to net debt and the income statement through movements in fair value of the embedded derivative.

The group notes that the IASB is proposing to amend sections of IAS 39 that allow companies to carry designated financial instruments at fair value. If the proposed amendment to IAS 39 is implemented by the IASB and subsequently endorsed by the EU, the group may be able to designate the convertible bonds as financial liabilities held at fair value. Until such time as this may happen, however, the group will continue to apply the accounting described above for the convertible bonds.

IAS 39 restricts foreign currency hedging to cash flows denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity entering into the transaction. Therefore the group’s previous strategy of hedging expected US dollar profits using US dollar forwards will no longer operate as a hedge from 1 April 2006. Subject to EU approval, transitional provisions will enable the group to continue to hedge dollar revenues as an alternative for financial year 2005/06 only.

The group has hedged part of its investment in US net assets by the use of cross-currency swaps, and uses interest rate swaps to protect results from interest rate movements. IAS 39 does not permit hedge accounting for hedge instruments that are matched to other hedge instruments and the interest rate swaps will therefore be fair valued through the income statement after adoption of IAS 39. There are a number of other positions which, due to effectiveness test criteria, require to be fair valued.

On implementation of IAS 39, the group’s net assets under IFRS have increased by £16 million, net of deferred tax of £5 million in respect of treasury-related contracts. This increase in

    Treasury  

IAS 39 assets

  21  

Deferred tax liabilities

  (5)  

Total net assets

  16  

 

Fair value deferred in hedge reserves

  33  

Fair value impact on retained earnings

  (17)  

Total reserves movement

  16  

 

 

 

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net assets of £16 million is reflected in a reduction in retained earnings under IFRS of £17 million and an increased hedge reserve of £33 million.

Based on the group’s treasury derivatives portfolio at 1 April 2005 and designated hedge accounting relationships, a 100 basis point movement in interest rate forward price curves would result in a pre-tax fair value movement of £22 million, of which £4 million would be reported through the income statement. A 10% movement in foreign exchange forward price curves would result in a pre-tax fair value movement of £117 million, of which £27 million would be reported through the income statement.

 

Available-for-sale Investments

 

In addition to financial instruments the group has various investments which were previously recorded at cost in the UK GAAP financial statements. Where these interests in other investments meet the definition of available-for-sale assets, IAS 39 requires that these be carried at fair value on the balance sheet, with any change in value being taken through equity. This is consistent with the US GAAP treatment of these investments. As at 1 April 2005, this would have reduced net assets by £2 million.

 

Summary of IAS 32 Impact

 

Minority Interests

 

Minority interests previously classified under UK GAAP as non-equity have been reclassified as liabilities under IAS 32. As at 1 April 2005, this would have reduced net assets by £53 million, and increased net debt by the same amount.

 

Summary of Combined IAS 32 and IAS 39 Impact

 

The combined incremental effect of the implementation of IAS 32 and IAS 39 on the group’s balance sheet at 1 April 2005, based on the portfolio of contracts in place at this date, was an increase in net assets of £213 million, net of deferred tax of £91 million, and an increase to net debt of £53 million.

 

Impact on Effective Tax Rate

 

The application of IAS 39 and the differing tax rates between the UK and the US, means that the effective tax rate, and resultant current/deferred tax split, will be impacted by the relative fair value movements arising across the group’s UK and US operations and any current or deferred tax on fair value movements deferred in the hedge reserve.

  
   15      

Off Balance Sheet

Arrangements

 

  

The group has not entered into any transactions or arrangements which have given rise to off balance sheet obligations other than in respect of the following:

 

Operating Leases

 

The group has entered into various operating leases. In accordance with UK GAAP, future payments under these leases, amounting to £140.7 million at 31 March 2005 (March 2004: £69.9 million), are not recognised as liabilities in the group’s balance sheet.

 

Derivative Contracts

 

The group has entered into various energy-related and treasury derivative contracts, primarily for hedging purposes. In accordance with UK GAAP, the value of derivatives held for hedging purposes are only recognised when the hedged item is recognised. This contrasts with US GAAP, which requires that derivatives, as defined in the relevant US accounting standards, are reflected as assets or liabilities at their fair values at the balance sheet date. An analysis of the group’s derivatives, as defined under US GAAP, is set out in the “Fair Value of Derivative Contracts” section on page 57.

 

Guarantees

 

In the course of its ordinary business, the group has provided certain guarantees of its own performance. These guarantees are not expected to have a material impact on the group’s financial position. In addition, in accordance with common practice, the group has provided guarantees of the performance of certain businesses and assets, which have been disposed of. The amounts guaranteed under these arrangements are significant in absolute value but the probability of these guarantees crystallising and resulting in a material change in the group’s financial position is remote. The group has also entered into other arrangements in the normal course of business, which may crystallise as a result of events other than the group’s non-performance of its contractual obligations. The probability of these guarantees giving rise to a material change in the group’s financial position is remote. Further details of these guarantees are provided in Note 34 to the Group Accounts.

 

 

 

 

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16      

UK GAAP to US GAAP

Reconciliation

 

  17       Summary

The group’s Accounts are prepared in accordance with UK GAAP, which differs in significant respects from US GAAP. Reconciliations of profit and equity shareholders’ funds between UK GAAP and US GAAP are set out in Note 34 to the Group Accounts. Under US GAAP, the loss for the year ended 31 March 2005 was £495 million, compared to a profit of £742 million in the previous year, before charging a cumulative adjustment for the effect of adopting FAS 143, net of tax, of £0.6 million. The loss per share under US GAAP was 27.02 pence per share compared to earnings per share, before the cumulative adjustment for FAS 143, of 40.57 pence per share in 2003/04. The loss per share under US GAAP was 27.02 pence per share compared to earnings per share in 2003/04 of 40.54 pence. Equity shareholders’ funds under US GAAP amounted to £4,794 million at 31 March 2005 compared to £5,730 million at 31 March 2004.

In addition to the review of the goodwill allocated to the PacifiCorp reporting segment under UK GAAP, the group performed a similar review under US GAAP and, as a result, a goodwill impairment charge of £1,381 million has been recorded in the PacifiCorp segment under US GAAP. The higher charge is principally due to the higher carrying value of the net assets of PacifiCorp under US GAAP compared to UK GAAP. This difference is primarily attributable to the recognition of regulatory assets, FAS 133 and lower cumulative amortisation of goodwill under US GAAP.

 

In the year, investment, business performance and our hedging strategy all contributed to delivering pre-tax profit, excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item, of over £1 billion* for the first time. This performance has been reflected in the dividends for the full year, which have increased by 10% to 22.50 pence. Further to a strategic review of PacifiCorp, the Board concluded that shareholders’ interests were best served by a sale of PacifiCorp and the return of capital to shareholders. An exceptional goodwill impairment charge of £927 million was made to reduce the book value of PacifiCorp down to its expected net realisable value.

Reporting under IFRS has been successfully implemented at 1 April 2005 and we will report our first set of results on this basis in August 2005.

As we move forward our focus is on the continuing growth and development of the Infrastructure Division, UK Division and PPM Energy.

 

LOGO

 

David Nish  Finance Director

 

24 May 2005

 

 

* Non-GAAP performance measure (see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information” on page 72)

 

 

 

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18   

    Cautionary Statement

    Regarding Non-GAAP

    Financial Information

  

comparisons between the financial results of our business and other companies. Nonetheless, ScottishPower recognises that presenting performance measures which exclude goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item is additional disclosure to that required under UK GAAP. Furthermore, ScottishPower recognises that such non-GAAP performance measures should not be viewed as replacements for, or alternatives to, comparable GAAP measures, rather they should be considered as supplementary measures of ScottishPower’s operating performance. In addition, the non-GAAP measures used by ScottishPower may differ from, and not be comparable to, similarly-titled measures used by other companies.

As ScottishPower management considers goodwill amortisation to be material and non-operational in nature and the exceptional item to be material and non-recurring in nature, it excludes these items from the primary financial indicators it uses for internal management reporting, forecasting, budgeting and planning purposes. In addition, the non-GAAP performance measures included herein are consistent with measures used to determine group dividend policy and to reward and incentivise senior management. ScottishPower has historically reported these non-GAAP performance measures to the investment community and believes that their inclusion provides consistency in its financial reporting. Looking forward, implementation of IFRS 3, discussed in Section 14, will prohibit the amortisation of goodwill and instead will require an impairment test to be performed on at least an annual basis. This will remove the goodwill amortisation charge currently reported as part of the group’s Profit and Loss Account.

 

Presentation of EBITDA and EBITDA excluding the Exceptional Item

 

Management and external credit rating agencies also utilise a number of financial ratios when assessing the performance of ScottishPower and the group’s financing arrangements are also subject to a number of ratio-based covenants contained within its principal credit agreements, one of which is EBITDA, excluding the exceptional item. EBITDA and EBITDA, excluding the exceptional item, are non-GAAP liquidity measures, and, as such, should not be viewed as replacements for, or alternatives to, comparable GAAP measures; rather they should be considered as supplementary measures of ScottishPower’s liquidity position and may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies.

 

ScottishPower management believes that the non-GAAP measures used by ScottishPower in the periods presented, when used in conjunction with other measures that are computed in accordance with UK GAAP, provide useful information to both management and investors and enhance an understanding of ScottishPower’s reported results. As equal prominence is given to performance measures including and excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item within the discussion included in this Annual Report & Accounts, ScottishPower management does not consider the inclusion of non-GAAP measures specifically relating to the exclusion of goodwill and the exceptional item or the presentation of EBITDA, disadvantages or materially constrains a reader’s ability to assess ScottishPower’s performance or liquidity.

 

Exclusion of Goodwill Amortisation and the Exceptional Item

 

ScottishPower management assesses the underlying performance of its businesses by adjusting UK GAAP statutory results to exclude items it considers to be non-operational or non-recurring in nature. In the periods presented, goodwill amortisation has been excluded because it is a recurring, non-operational item and the exceptional goodwill impairment charge has been excluded because it is a non-recurring item. ScottishPower management assesses the performance of its business excluding these items, enabling management to focus on the operational performance of the business. Therefore, to provide more meaningful information, ScottishPower has focused its discussion of business performance on the results excluding goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item. In the particular circumstances of the current financial year and the previous two financial years, the charge recognised for goodwill amortisation has remained broadly similar and, therefore, would not have significantly impacted year-on-year comparison of financial performance. The exceptional goodwill impairment charge is a prominent non-recurring item and, given its materiality, has been separately disclosed within the group’s Profit and Loss Account, under UK GAAP.

Goodwill amortisation is a financially material item within ScottishPower’s Accounts and is not common to all UK registered companies. The exceptional item is material and non-recurring as no impairment of goodwill has occurred in the last two years and there is no expectation of a further exceptional impairment charge for goodwill in the next two years. UK analysts and the business community in general regularly exclude goodwill amortisation and exceptional items when assessing and forecasting the results of UK companies. Presenting ScottishPower’s results both including and excluding these non-operational and non-recurring items, ensures investors are in a position to make fair and equitable

  

 

 

 

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Risk Factors

 


 

1   

Ø  Introduction

2   

Ø  Risks Relating to the Group’s

     Business

3   

Ø  Quantitative and Qualitative

     Disclosures about Market Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

1        Introduction   

The sale of PacifiCorp may not progress or conclude as expected.

 

The sale of PacifiCorp is subject to US Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Justice or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”), Federal Trade Commission and Nuclear Regulatory Commission approvals at the federal level, without conditions that would have a material adverse effect on the PacifiCorp business. In addition it is subject to approval at state level in Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington, Idaho and California provided such state approvals are not subject to conditions whose effect would be meaningfully adverse to the business of PacifiCorp. The sale is subject to further conditions to completion which include the representations and warranties of the parties remaining true and correct, the parties performing their covenants and obligations under the agreement in all material respects, and no material adverse effect in relation to PacifiCorp having occurred. The agreement may be terminated prior to completion by mutual agreement of the parties or otherwise in certain circumstances including material breach of the representations, warranties or covenants of the parties, ScottishPower shareholders not approving the sale or the sale not having been completed by 23 May 2006 or in certain circumstances by 17 February 2007 and (by MidAmerican) where the Board of ScottishPower withdraws or adversely modifies its recommendation of the sale.

 

Changes in federal and state regulatory requirements in the US could negatively affect the group’s turnover or profitability.

 

In the US, the group is subject to the jurisdiction of federal and

There are risks and uncertainties inherent in the group’s business. These risks could materially affect the group’s business, its turnover, operating profit, net assets, liquidity and capital resources. The risk management processes established by the group are designed to identify, assess, monitor, report, manage and mitigate each of the various types of risk involved in the group’s business and activities; measure quantitative market risk exposure; and identify qualitative market risk exposure in its business. Increases or reductions in future retail demand for electricity as a result of economic growth or downturns, among other factors, including abnormal weather, may impact retail revenues, cash flows and investment levels.

 


 

  
2   

    Risks Relating to

    the Group’s Business

  

The assets and business processes of the group may not perform as expected, which could impact the group’s ability to meet its obligations, including obligations to its investors.

 

The group’s assets and mechanical systems, as well as its business processes and procedures, might not perform as expected. This may result in the group being unable to meet its obligations without resorting to an unanticipated market transaction and may lead to loss of revenue and a reduction in profitability.

  

 

 

 

 

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state regulatory authorities. The FERC establishes tariffs under which PacifiCorp provides transmission services to the wholesale market and the retail market for states allowing retail competition, establishes both cost-based and market-based tariffs under which PacifiCorp sells electricity at wholesale and has licensing authority over most of PacifiCorp’s hydroelectric generation facilities. In each state in which PacifiCorp operates, the utility regulatory commissions independently determine the rates PacifiCorp may charge its retail customers in that state.

Each state’s rate setting process is based upon that commission’s acceptance of an allocated share of PacifiCorp’s total costs as such state’s “responsibility”. When different states adopt different methods to address this “inter-jurisdictional cost allocation” issue, some costs may not be incorporated into any rates in any state. Ratemaking is done on the basis of “normalised” costs, so if, in a specific year, realised costs are higher than normal, rates will not be high enough to cover those costs. Likewise, if, in a given year costs are lower than normal or revenues are higher, PacifiCorp retains the resulting higher-than-normal profit. Each state commission sets rates based on a “test year” presented by a company in accordance with commission rules. In states that use a historical test year, rate adjustments can follow historical cost increases, or decreases, by up to two years. Regulatory lag requires PacifiCorp to incur costs, including those for new investments, for which recovery through rates is delayed. Further, each state commission decides what levels of expense and investment are “necessary, reasonable and prudent” in providing service. In the event that a state commission decides that part of PacifiCorp’s costs do not meet this standard, such costs will be “disallowed” and not recovered in rates. For these reasons, the rates authorised by the regulators may be less than the costs incurred by PacifiCorp to provide electrical service to its customers in a given period.

 

Changes in national regulatory requirements in the UK could negatively affect the group’s turnover or profitability.

 

In the UK, the electricity and gas industries are regulated primarily through powers assigned, under the Utilities Act 2000, to the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (“the Authority”) which licenses industry participants, enforces licence conditions, regulates quality of service and sets pricing formulae for electricity transmission and distribution activities. In principle, the Authority has wide discretion in the exercise of its obligation to act to protect the interests of customers, by promoting effective competition wherever appropriate. Ensuring that licence holders are able to finance their functions is only one of a number of other factors which the Authority must consider. Hence, the Authority imposes limitations on the rates the group can charge and seeks to promote competition in certain of the group’s markets. Future regulatory changes in the UK may negatively affect the group’s compliance costs, its business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

 

 

 

Pending legislation in the US could have currently unpredictable effects on the nature and extent of regulations to which the group is subject and on its revenues or profitability.

 

In the US, PacifiCorp and PPM Energy conduct business in conformance with a multitude of federal and state laws. During the past several years, the United States Congress has had, and continues to have, under active consideration, significant changes in energy and air quality policy. For example, comprehensive energy legislation could possibly change the hydroelectric relicensing process under the Federal Power Act, repeal the Public Utility Holding Company Act (“PUHCA”) and encourage investment in renewable and lower-emission coal generation. The late-2004 extension to 31 December 2005 of the renewable energy Production Tax Credit might be further extended. Energy tax credits may have significant influence in PPM Energy’s business planning. Changes to the Clean Air Act contemplated by a variety of pending legislative proposals are being monitored closely as they may impact requirements for emissions from fossil-fuelled generation plants, although the Clear Skies Act and other proposals remain deadlocked in a Senate committee. The Clear Skies Act and other air quality initiatives could require additional control of emissions from PacifiCorp’s fossil-fuelled generation plants, which would increase PacifiCorp’s costs or lower electricity generation output.

The laws of the states in which PacifiCorp operates affect the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. The state legislatures continue to make adjustments to the legislation covering PacifiCorp’s activities but the broad thrust of recent changes is to clarify resource procurement, taxation, resource allocation and inter-utility service territory procedures and the changes are not thought likely to have a significant adverse impact on PacifiCorp’s operations. Indeed, some may clarify issues and increase the certainty of recovery for a range of investments and expenses.

 

The group cannot be certain of the extent or timing of the general trend towards tightening regulation of environmental impact and may, therefore, fail to meet predicted turnover or profitability.

 

Federal, state and local authorities regulate many of the group’s US activities pursuant to laws designed to restore, protect and enhance the quality of the environment. PacifiCorp and PPM Energy cannot predict what material impact, if any, future changes in environmental laws and regulations may have on the group’s consolidated results or financial position.

Several of PacifiCorp’s hydroelectric projects are in some stage of the FERC relicensing under the Federal Power Act. The relicensing process is a political and public regulatory process that involves sensitive resource issues. PacifiCorp cannot predict the requirements that may be imposed during the relicensing process, the economic impact of those

 

 

 

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requirements, whether new licences will ultimately be issued or whether PacifiCorp will be willing to meet the relicensing requirements to continue operating its hydroelectric projects.

UK regulations designed to restore, protect and enhance the quality of the environment are similarly introduced through a process of intensive – and generally public – consultation with the industry and other parties. The costs associated with the general tightening of environmental regulation may adversely affect UK turnover and profitability.

 

The group’s business may be vulnerable to acts of terrorism.

 

Terrorism threats are an ongoing risk to the entire utility industry, including ScottishPower. Potential disruptions to operations and information technologies or destruction of facilities from terrorism, including cyber attacks, are not readily determinable and could lead to a loss of revenue and reduction in profitability.

 

The group’s pension plan funding obligations are significant and are affected by factors beyond its direct control.

 

Estimates of the amount and timing of future funding obligations for the group’s pension plans are based on various assumptions including, among other things, the actual and projected market performance of the pension plan assets, future long-term corporate bond yields and statutory requirements. In the last year the relative improvement in equity markets has seen the plans’ asset values rise, however this has been offset by falling bond yields and, therefore, the liabilities have increased in value. The investment risk continues to be monitored by the company and the trustees, which is reflected in the gradual shift in asset allocation from equities to bonds with a target of 50% equities in the two closed UK plans. As a result of the recent conditions in the equity markets and low interest rates, the group anticipates that pension expense and cash contributions into the pension plans will increase in the near future. The ability to recover pension costs through regulated rates and market prices cannot be predicted with certainty.

 

The UK Government’s energy policy could change, negatively affecting the context in which the group has established its UK business strategy.

 

In the UK, energy policy has been set out in a Government White Paper, published in February 2003, which emphasises a continuing intention to make maximum use of market-based mechanisms whilst seeking to reduce the use of carbon, boost energy-saving and maintain efforts to mitigate the impact of fuel costs on lower-income households. There is particular focus on the use of renewable energy sources and developing discussion of the network enhancements likely to be required for the increased use of both renewables and embedded generation. The White Paper has received broad endorsement across the UK political spectrum and appears to be largely

  

consistent with European Union (“EU”) policy generally. However, as the policy outlined extends well into the future, it could be subject to change and amendment by future Governments.

 


 

   3   

Quantitative and Qualitative

Disclosures about Market Risk

  

Market Rate Sensitive Instruments and Risk Management

 

The following discussion about the group’s risk management activities includes “forward-looking” statements that involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

The Tables in Note 20 to the Group Accounts on pages 129 to 134 summarise the financial instruments, including derivative instruments and derivative commodity instruments, held by the group at 31 March 2005, which are sensitive to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices. The group uses interest rate swaps, forward foreign exchange contracts and other financially settled derivative instruments to manage the primary market exposures associated with the underlying assets, liabilities and committed transactions. Financially settled “weather” derivatives may be used from time to time to manage risk created by varying weather circumstances affecting commodity demand and operations. The group also uses commodity transactions and commodity derivatives (that can be settled financially or by delivery of the physical commodity) to further manage its commodity price and volumetric risks. These instruments are employed to reduce risk by creating offsetting financial positions or by directly hedging such commodity exposures.

Such physically or financially settled instruments (as above) held by the group match offsetting physical transactions and are not held for financial trading purposes. Exceptions to this exist in the group’s competitive divisions (PPM Energy and the UK Division) where a limited and controlled number of transactions and derivatives may be held for proprietary trading or price discovery purposes. In addition, weather derivatives are not held for proprietary trading purposes. Subject to risk management controls, businesses may enter into financial transactions that are designed to reduce earnings volatility and improve the return on assets and are structured around the physical assets of the group. ScottishPower Energy Management (Agency) Limited is authorised by the UK Financial Services Authority to undertake investment activity in the energy markets as an Energy Market Participant.

 

Risk Management

 

Overview

 

The principal financial risks faced by the group are energy price risk, energy volumetric risk (created by varying demand due to weather and economic circumstances and varying

 

 

 

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supply due to forced outages or other physical supply and logistics limitations), credit risk, interest rate risk, inflation rate risk, insurance risk, foreign exchange translation and transaction risk, liquidity risk and derivative risk. The Board has reviewed and agreed policies for managing each of these risks as summarised below. In order to mitigate the financial risks identified, the Board has endorsed the use of derivative financial instruments including swaps, both interest rate and cross-currency, swaptions, options, forward-rate agreements, financial and commodity forward contracts, commodity futures, commodity options and weather derivatives.

 

Energy Risk Management

 

Energy risk is governed globally (with oversight from the Executive Team) by the Group Energy Risk Committee (“GERC”), chaired by the Group Energy Risk Director with membership from the divisions and the independent corporate risk management team. The GERC defines, and the ScottishPower Board approves, the group risk management policies and limits as well as the UK and the US risk policies and limits. These policies and limits are designed to create consistent risk measurement, monitoring and management standards throughout the group. The monitoring and management of the level of exposure covered is handled by the businesses, with full oversight by a corporate risk management function, independent of the businesses, reporting to the Finance Director. The businesses with commodity exposure are authorised to manage this exposure using approved products, policies and limits. These businesses each report no less frequently than monthly to a local risk committee, as well as to the GERC.

Market exposures are quantified and controlled using a number of different risk measures. These include Value-at-Risk (“VaR”) methods for earnings volatility control. VaR is a measure of the potential financial loss on a price exposure position over a defined period to a given level of confidence. VaR computations for the group’s energy commodity portfolios are based on a historical simulation technique. This technique utilises historical energy market forward price curve changes over a specified period to simulate potential forward price curve changes to estimate the potential unfavourable impact of price changes in the portfolio positions scheduled to settle within the forward 24 months. The quantification of market risk using VaR provides a consistent measure of risk across the group’s continually changing portfolio. VaR represents an estimate of possible changes at a given level of confidence in fair value that would be measured on its portfolio assuming hypothetical movements in future market rates, and is not necessarily indicative of actual results that may occur. Future changes in markets inconsistent with historical trends or assumptions used could cause actual results to exceed predicted estimates.

The group’s VaR computations for its energy commodity portfolio utilise several key assumptions, including a 99%

 

 

 

 

confidence level for the resultant price changes and a holding period of five business days. VaR represents an estimate of reasonably possible changes in fair value that would be measured on its portfolio assuming hypothetical movements in future market rates. VaR, while sensitive to changes in portfolio volume, does not account for commodity volume risk. The calculation includes short-term commodity transactions and commodity derivative instruments held for trading and balancing purposes, the expected resource and demand obligations from the group’s long-term contracts, the expected generation levels from the group’s generation assets and the expected retail and wholesale load levels. Optionality embedded within the group’s bilateral contracts, generation assets and other derivative instruments with option characteristics within the energy portfolio are treated in the historical simulation of VaR as static expected or delta adjusted positions through the simulation process. Expected positions and option deltas are recalculated on a daily basis to determine the portfolio position changes due to changes in market prices.

Commodity price exposure is defined as the possibility that a change in market prices will alter the proceeds of sales or the costs of purchases through the life of the transaction. Commodity volume risk is defined as the possibility that a change in the supply of or demand for the commodity will create an unexpected imbalance and change the requirements for the commodity. Additional risk measures are being developed to quantify risks beyond the confidence intervals defined in the VaR methodology and determine volumetric risks in physical positions. We apply stress tests to reinforce our VaR conclusions and have introduced stochastic analysis to estimate the impact of risks on outcomes.

 

Energy Price and Volume Risk Management

 

UK Division

 

The New Electricity Trading Arrangements (“NETA”) were introduced in England & Wales on 27 March 2001, replacing the previous ‘Pool’ mechanism for the sale and purchase of wholesale electricity in England & Wales. NETA provided for a bilateral wholesale market, with suppliers, traders and generators trading firm physical forward contracts for bulk electricity supply. In addition to transacting to directly manage our market price exposure in the England & Wales market, the UK Division also manages its price exposure arising from sales within the Scottish market by the use of forward contracts. On 1 April 2005, NETA was superseded by the British Energy Trading and Transmission Arrangements (“BETTA”), which combined the Scottish wholesale market with the wholesale market in England & Wales, thus creating a Great Britain-wide wholesale electricity market.

Following the introduction of BETTA, the balancing mechanism, operated from one hour ahead of real-time (gate closure) up to real-time by the National Grid Company, is now used to manage the entire Great Britain grid system on a

 

 

 

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second-by-second basis, as opposed to only the England & Wales grid under NETA. Market participants can participate actively in this market through the submission of bids and offers to vary their output as a generator or demand as a customer. The mechanism also provides for calculation and settlement of imbalance charges and revenues arising from the differences between parties’ contract positions and their actual physical energy flows.

The UK Division has procedures in place to minimise exposure to uncertain balancing mechanism prices, that is, the possibility that the UK Division will face high charges for shortfalls in physical energy or receive low revenues for surplus physical energy. These procedures involve the UK Division entering into bilateral contracts for the sale and purchase of energy across a range of time periods to minimise exposure to the balancing mechanism. In addition, the division’s portfolio of flexible generating assets in England and Scotland can be used up to gate closure to minimise further this exposure and also to attract premium income from providing flexible electricity to the balancing mechanism. A proportion of the wind output from several UK Division-owned wind generation facilities located within the UK is dispatched directly as generated into the UK electricity distribution system; however exposure to imbalance charges for this volume is largely mitigated through persistence modelling of the site output up until gate closure.

The UK Division has also entered into longer-term (in excess of one year) arrangements to protect against longer-term volatility of electricity prices. The time periods covered by these longer-term arrangements are reviewed on a continuous basis to provide the desired level of price stability.

The UK Division also has procedures in place to minimise exposure to natural gas price variations. In a similar manner to our electricity price exposure management strategy, natural gas price risk is managed through a combination of longer-term contracts and shorter-term trading contracts with flexible delivery profiles, certain derivative financial instruments and through the use of flexibility within the division’s portfolio of electricity generation and natural gas storage assets. The UK Division mitigates its exposure to coal price risk through the use of a combination of financial and physical contracts as well as currency hedges executed by the ScottishPower treasury function. Cover against volatile spot prices is built up on a rolling basis through the year and, at 31 March 2005, a significant proportion of the UK Division’s exposure to electricity, natural gas and coal price variations for the period to 31 March 2007 have been mitigated. Following the commencement of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (“ETS”) in January 2005 the UK Division has an exposure to the price of carbon allowances, in order to enable the maximum economic running of thermal generation plant. The UK Division also has procedures in place to minimise exposure to carbon emission allowance price variations. In a similar manner to our power

 

and natural gas price exposure management strategy, carbon emission allowance price risk is managed through trading contracts with delivery within each individual year throughout Phase 1 of the ETS (2005 to 2007). The euro exposure arising as a result of managing this carbon price exposure is mitigated with currency hedges executed by the ScottishPower treasury function.

The UK Division measures the market risk in its energy portfolio daily utilising the VaR approach (described above), stress tests as well as other measurements of net position, and monitors its portfolio exposure to market risk in comparison to established thresholds. The UK Division also measures its open positions at price risk in terms of volumes at each significant delivery location for each forward time period.

As at 31 March 2005, the UK Division’s estimated potential five-day unfavourable impact on fair value of the energy commodity portfolio over the next 24 months was £11.9 million, as measured by the VaR computations (described above), compared to £8.8 million as at 31 March 2004. The average daily VaR (five-day holding period) for the year ended 31 March 2005 was £8.0 million. The maximum and minimum VaR measured during the year ended 31 March 2005 were £12.8 million and £4.2 million, respectively. Changes in markets inconsistent with historical trends or assumptions used could cause actual results to exceed predicted estimates.

 

PacifiCorp

 

PacifiCorp’s market risk to commodity price change is primarily related to its natural gas and electricity purchases and sales arising principally from its electricity supply obligation in the US. As in the UK, this risk to price change is subject to fluctuations in weather, economic growth and generation resource availability which impacts supply and demand. For example, during the 2004/05 winter months, PacifiCorp experienced higher than average temperatures and lower than normal snow pack and rain levels, producing lower than normal hydro conditions. Risk limits are established to govern energy purchases and sales. Price risk is managed principally through the operation of its generation and transmission system in the western US and through its wholesale energy purchase and sales activities. Physically settled contracts are used to hedge PacifiCorp’s excess or shortage of net electricity for future months. PacifiCorp has a forecast net balanced position for the summer of 2005.

While PacifiCorp plans for resources to meet its current and expected retail and wholesale load obligations, resource availability, price volatility and volumetric volatility around both load and resources may materially impact the net power costs to PacifiCorp and profits from surplus power sales in the future. Prices paid by PacifiCorp to provide certain load balancing resources to supply its load may exceed the amounts it receives through retail rates and wholesale prices. Prices received by PacifiCorp to dispose of resources made excess by

 

 

 

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changes in retail and wholesale load obligations may fall short of the amounts PacifiCorp has paid for such resources. In the 2000/01 power crisis, regulatory approval of deferred accounting treatment under US GAAP for these excess costs mitigated a portion of this price risk to the extent that recovery mechanisms were implemented. Recovery of amounts allowed by the public utility commissions are scheduled to continue through 2005. Deferred accounting treatment was granted to allow PacifiCorp to recover a portion of the excess power costs from the power crisis. Subsequent use of this mechanism is not automatic and is not guaranteed for future use.

PacifiCorp continues to actively manage commodity price volatility and reduce exposure. These steps include adding to its generation portfolio and entering into transactions that help to shape PacifiCorp’s system resource portfolio, including wholesale contracts and financially settled temperature-related derivative instruments that reduce volume and price risk due to weather extremes. In addition, a streamflow hedge is in place through September 2006 to reduce volume and price risks associated with PacifiCorp’s hydroelectric generation resources.

PacifiCorp measures the market risk in its natural gas and electricity portfolio daily utilising the VaR approach (described above), as well as other measurements of net position, and monitors its portfolio exposure to market risk in comparison to established thresholds. PacifiCorp also measures the price risk of its open positions in terms of quantity at each significant delivery location for each forward time period.

At 31 March 2005, PacifiCorp’s estimated potential five-day unfavourable impact on fair value of the natural gas and electricity commodity portfolio over the next 24 months was £9.7 million, as measured by the VaR computations (described above), compared to £10.0 million at 31 March 2004. The average daily VaR (five-day holding) for the year ended 31 March 2005 was £10.4 million. The maximum and minimum VaR measured during the year ended 31 March 2005 were £16.4 million and £6.6 million, respectively. Changes in markets inconsistent with historical trends or assumptions used could cause actual results to exceed predicted estimates.

 

PPM Energy

 

PPM Energy is ScottishPower’s competitive US energy business, which is primarily focused on providing environmentally responsible energy products to wholesale customers. The strategic priorities of PPM Energy are to grow its renewable/thermal energy portfolio and natural gas storage/hub services business and optimise returns through the integration of assets, trading and commercial activities. PPM Energy’s strategy is to match the capacity and output of PPM Energy assets and long-term sales obligations. Imbalances between asset positions and long-term sales are managed via wholesale energy purchases and sales activities.

PPM Energy owns a number of wind generation facilities located throughout the US and also owns the output from a

 

 

 

 

number of other facilities. Associated with the wind energy production are Renewable Energy Certificates (“RECs”) that represent the environmental attributes of the renewable energy. Consistent with its overall portfolio strategy, PPM Energy balances its wind asset position with long-term forward sales and some spot sales of both energy and renewable attributes. Wind generation resource availability and variability is subject to price changes for that portion of the output that is not committed to long-term fixed price bilateral contracts. Imbalances in the REC portfolio are subject to price changes in the REC market.

PPM Energy owns or controls over 800 MW of thermal capacity on its own behalf and on the behalf of third parties. Substantially all of this capacity is committed to long-term contracts, with the imbalance being subject to generation resource availability and the relationship of fuel (natural gas) costs to electricity prices (or “spark spread”). PPM Energy manages short-term and daily imbalance through real-time markets. PPM Energy’s risk in this business is principally if counterparties fail to perform in accordance with contracts and if PPM Energy’s generation assets fail to perform at reasonable levels.

PPM Energy also owns and manages group owned natural gas storage facilities and contracted natural gas storage capacity in Canada, Texas, New Mexico and other locations. PPM Energy’s strategy is to develop a natural gas storage/hub services business that will own and operate facilities across North America. Through a process of prudent risk limits, established risk information systems and clear reporting, PPM Energy’s gas storage business model is designed to minimise commodity risk. PPM Energy provides a service for a fee for both long-term and short-term hub services. Hub services is a generic term used to describe various fee-based transactions carried out by the storage operator such as parking and loaning of natural gas or the “wheeling” of natural gas from one pipeline to another at the storage location. As a result, the hub services business is subject to the risks associated with the operations and marketing of the storage facilities and services.

PPM Energy may maintain or create open positions in response to (or in anticipation of) long-term origination or development transactions creating exposure to market price movements, subject to market risk limitations delegated by ScottishPower and oversight by the corporate risk management group embedded in PPM Energy. As such, PPM Energy will participate in the wholesale electricity and natural gas markets to manage its open positions. In addition, PPM Energy engages in point-of-view energy management activities in accordance with strict limits approved by the business unit risk committee (chaired by the group risk management function). Control and performance metrics for such activities are tracked daily.

PPM Energy measures the market risk in its natural gas and electricity portfolio daily utilising the VaR approach (described above), as well as other measurements of net position, and monitors its portfolio exposure to market risk in

 

 

 

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comparison to established thresholds. PPM Energy also measures its open positions at price risk in terms of volumes at each delivery location for each forward time period.

At 31 March 2005, PPM Energy’s estimated potential five-day unfavourable impact on fair value of the energy commodity portfolio over the next 24 months was £8.9 million, as measured by the VaR computations (described above), compared to £5.8 million at 31 March 2004. The average daily VaR (five-day holding) for the year ended 31 March 2005 was £5.4 million. The maximum and minimum VaR measured during the year ended 31 March 2005 were £8.9 million and £1.2 million, respectively. Changes in markets inconsistent with historical trends or assumptions used could cause actual results to exceed predicted estimates.

 

Credit Risk Management

 

The role of the group’s credit function, which is part of the independent corporate risk management group, is to set consistent standards for assessing, quantifying, monitoring, mitigating and controlling the credit risk introduced by contractual obligations of wholesale trading partners, suppliers and industrial and commercial customers. A group credit committee provides umbrella oversight to ensure a consistent approach to counterparty rating. The group credit committee manages credit limits adopted across the group and oversees the allocation of limits to those counterparties that overlap both the US and the UK markets. This group credit committee ensures that each individual business is subject to concentration rules that prevent misallocation of credit risk amongst counterparties. Beneath the group credit committee, the UK and the US credit committees provide local expertise to understand the credit environment in each geographic location. All decisions are supported by rigorous measurement and reporting of credit exposures and the use of credit rating models. Credit approvals are subject to regular and/or event driven reviews.

To be eligible for a credit line, which is a function of credit quality, counterparties for energy commodity transactions must meet the following requirements: (a) counterparties must be determined investment grade by an internal process review or through an external assessment process (rated BBB- or better by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“S&P”) or equivalent rating from Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”)) to avoid posting collateral or otherwise perfect their credit, or (b) non-rated or less than BBB- rated counterparties must either have a guarantee from an investment grade entity, post collateral or provide other assurances deemed acceptable to the group credit committee.

 

Treasury Risk Management

 

The group treasury function is authorised to conduct the day-to-day treasury activities of the group within policies set out by the Board. The group treasury function reports regularly to the Board, through the monthly Group Performance and Risk Report and is subject to internal audit.

 

Interest Rate Risk Management

 

The group continues to manage its interest rate exposure by maintaining a percentage of its debt at fixed rates of interest. This is done either directly by means of fixed rate debt issues or by use of interest and cross-currency swaps to convert variable rate debt into fixed rate debt and fixed/variable non-functional currency denominated debt into fixed rate functional currency debt. The use of derivative financial instruments relates directly to underlying existing and anticipated indebtedness.

The exposure to fluctuating interest rates is managed by either issuing fixed or floating rate debt or using a range of financial derivative instruments to create the desired fixed/floating mix. The group’s interest rate policy is to target a long-term benchmark of at least 70% fixed rate interest. At 31 March 2005, 98% (March 2004: 84%) of the net debt was either issued as fixed or converted to fixed rates using interest rate swaps. The weighted average period to maturity of year end fixed debt and interest swaps was 10 years (UK 10 years, US 10 years). Based on net floating rate investments of £134 million at 31 March 2005, a 1% change in interest rates at that date would result in a £1.3 million change in profit before tax over a twelve-month period.

All treasury transactions are undertaken to manage the risks arising from underlying activities and no speculative trading is undertaken. The counterparties to these instruments generally consist of financial institutions and other bodies rated at least AA- by one of S&P, Moody’s or The Fitch Group. Although the group is potentially exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties, such credit risk is controlled through credit rating reviews of the counterparties and by limiting the total amount of exposure to any one party to levels agreed by the Board. The group does not believe that it is over exposed to any material concentration of credit risk.

 

Inflation Rate Risk Management

 

In recognition of the fact that a portion of UK revenues are linked to inflation, Scottish Power UK plc maintains part of its debt portfolio in index-linked liabilities. This is done either through issues of debt or through swapping fixed rate debt into index-linked. Index-linked liabilities total £275 million, which represents around 8% of the UK debt portfolio.

 

Insurance Risk Management

 

Where cost effective, the group maintains a wide-ranging insurance programme providing financial protection, predominately against catastrophic risks. The insurance market has continued to show mixed trends in pricing over the past year. For property insurance, there has been a general decrease in premiums although the extent of the decrease has shown signs of levelling off. Other classes of insurance are still experiencing upward pressure on premiums. The group has worked closely with its insurance advisors and insurers to maintain efficiencies and long-term stability in premium costs.

 

 

 

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Risk Factors

 

 

The renewal of the group’s main insurance policies for 2005/06 has been completed with commercial insurers delivering a net premium reduction.

 

Foreign Exchange Risk Management

 

Translation Risk

 

The principal objective of our currency risk management and hedging strategy is to seek to mitigate exposure to movements in foreign exchange rates for both dollar denominated net assets and earnings, taking into account its potential effect on our net debt and related credit statistics. The aim is to hedge nearly 100% of US net assets with dollar liabilities. This is done by a combination of borrowing dollars in the UK, swapping sterling debt into dollars or creating additional dollar liabilities (and corresponding sterling assets) to the extent that total net dollar assets exceed UK based debt. The resulting stream of dollar interest acts as a natural partial hedge to the translation of US profits. US profits are greater than interest paid in dollars and the resulting gap is hedged either by UK based purchases of coal (which is traded in dollars) or by selling dollars in order to mitigate the impact of exchange rate movements. Under International Financial Reporting Standards, International Accounting Standard 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’ prohibits the hedging of internal cash flows, and therefore the group’s previous strategy under UK GAAP of hedging expected US dollar profits using US dollar forwards will no longer be permitted. Subject to EU approval, transitional provisions will however, enable the group to use dollar forwards for earnings hedge purposes for financial year 2005/06. However, this will cease with effect from 1 April 2006. All foreign currency derivative contracts are subject to the same controls as interest rate derivatives referred to above.

Any foreign currency denominated debt will be subject to re-translation at period end closing rates. A ten cent (5%) strengthening of the 31 March 2005 closing US dollar exchange rate would give rise to a £188 million increase in reported net debt at 31 March 2005.

 

Transaction Risk

 

Other than the import of coal and trading of carbon allowances in the UK, transactions denominated in a foreign currency are not numerous in the group. Where they arise as a result of imports of capital or other goods denominated in foreign currencies the exposure is hedged as soon as it is committed.

 

Liquidity Risk Management

 

In recognition of the long life of the group’s assets and anticipated indebtedness, and to create financial efficiencies, the group’s policy is to arrange that debt maturities are spread over a wide range of dates, thereby ensuring that the group is not subject to excessive refinancing risk in any one year. The

 

 

 

 

 

 

group has entered into borrowing agreements for periods out to 2039. The weighted average period to maturity of year end debt was ten years. The group had undrawn committed revolving credit facilities totalling $1,800 million as at 31 March 2005 which provide backstop liquidity should the need arise. Liquidity in the UK is currently supported by proceeds from the $1,500 million bond issue and cash receipts from matured and cancelled cross-currency swaps. Current cash investments amount to £1,748 million.

 

Derivative Risk Management

 

The use of derivative financial instruments (other than those described for energy commodities above) relates directly to underlying existing and anticipated indebtedness, foreign subsidiary earnings and net assets and business transactions denominated in foreign currencies.

During the year, several cross-currency swaps and foreign exchange forwards hedging the US dollar net assets matured, resulting in cash receipts of £140 million and were replaced with new cross-currency swaps with maturities between 2007 and 2010. As well as this, $1,500 million of cross-currency swaps were cancelled in conjunction with the $1,500 million bond issue by Scottish Power plc which replaced the swaps as a hedge of the US dollar net assets and resulted in cash receipts of £92 million. These cash receipts resulted from the weakness of the US dollar since the hedges were put in place. A prolonged period of relative US dollar strength would result in the payment of cash to counterparties, to the extent that the derivatives had not been replaced by primary dollar debt.

Credit risk on non-energy commodity derivative transactions is mitigated by a policy of only using counterparties with a credit rating of AA- or above. Exposure to derivative counterparties is monitored using measures, dependent on the type of transactions, that take into account potential market volatility.

 

80    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

Board of Directors

and Executive Team

 

 

Chairman

 

Charles Miller Smith (65) joined the Board as Deputy Chairman in August 1999 and was appointed Chairman in April 2000. Following a career with Unilever for some 30 years, during the last five of which he was Director of Finance and latterly of the Food Executive, he was appointed Chief Executive of ICI in 1995 and then served as Chairman from 1999 to 2001. He is a member of the Board of the Indian company, ICICI One Source plc, and of the Ministry of Defence Management Board. During the year, he participated in a programme mentoring women in senior business roles with a view to increasing female representation in the boardroom.

 


 

Non-Executive Directors

 

Vicky Bailey (53) joined the Board in June 2004. Based in Washington DC, she is a former Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs at the US Department of Energy and ex-member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). She has also served as an Indiana state utility regulator, and was President of PSI Energy Inc., Indiana’s largest electricity supplier, from June 2000 to July 2001. She is currently a Partner of Johnston & Associates, a public and legislative affairs consultancy. Her current term of office, following her election in 2004, will expire at the AGM in 2007.

 

Euan Baird (67) joined the Board in January 2001. He served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Schlumberger Limited from 1986 to 2003, and as non-executive Chairman of Rolls-Royce plc until June 2004. He is a non-executive director of Société Générale and Areva. He is a trustee of Tocqueville Alexis Trust and Carnegie Institution of Washington. His current term of office will expire at the AGM in 2007.

 

Donald Brydon (59) joined the Board in May 2003. Following a 20-year career with Barclays Group plc, he joined AXA Group in 1997 and is now Chairman of AXA Investment Managers. He is also Chairman of Smiths Group plc and the London Metal Exchange, and Chairman of the Code Committee of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers. His current term of office, subject to his re-election in 2005, will expire at the AGM in 2006.

 

Philip Carroll (67) joined the Board in January 2002, but was absent during the period May to October 2003. He was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fluor

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Corporation, a California-based international engineering, construction and services company, until his retirement in February 2002. Previously, he was with Shell Oil for over 35 years, serving as President and Chief Executive Officer from 1993 to 1998. He is an honorary life member of the Board of the American Petroleum Institute and holds various posts with the James A Baker III Institute for Public Policy of Rice University and the University of Houston. He will retire from the Board after the AGM in 2005.

 

Nolan Karras (60) joined the Board in November 1999. He continues as a non-executive director of PacifiCorp, having previously (until the merger in November 1999) served as Chairman of the PacifiCorp Personnel Committee. He is Chair of the PacifiCorp Utah regional advisory board, and President of The Karras Company, Inc., and a Registered Principal for Raymond James Financial Services. He is Chief Executive Officer of Western Hay Company, Inc., and a non-executive director of Beneficial Life Insurance Company. He is Chairman of the Utah State Higher Education Board of Regents and a member of the board of Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College. He also served as a member of the Utah House of Representatives from 1981 to 1990, and as Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives from 1989 to 1990. His current term of office, subject to his re-election in 2005, will expire at the AGM in 2006.

 

Nick Rose (47) joined the Board in February 2003. He is Chairman of the Audit Committee and is the Committee’s designated “financial expert”. He is Finance Director of Diageo plc, having been appointed to this position in July 1999. Previously he held senior finance positions with GrandMet and was latterly Finance Director of International Distillers & Vintners in 1996 and then of United Distillers & Vintners in 1997. He is also a director of Moët Hennessy. His current term of office will expire at the AGM in 2006.

 

Nancy Wilgenbusch (57) joined the Board in June 2004. She is a distinguished community administrator and President of Marylhurst University in Portland, Oregon. She served as a non-executive director of PacifiCorp from 1986 until the merger in November 1999 and is Chair of the PacifiCorp Pacific regional advisory board. She is a former chair of the Portland Branch of the San Francisco Federal Reserve, and a director of West Coast Bank. Her current term of office, following her election in 2004, will expire at the AGM in 2007.

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    81


Table of Contents

Board of Directors and Executive Team

 

 


 

Executive Directors

 

Ian Russell (52) is Chief Executive, having been appointed to this position in April 2001. He joined ScottishPower as Finance Director in April 1994, and became Deputy Chief Executive in November 1998. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, having trained with Thomson McLintock, and has held senior finance positions with HSBC. He serves on the Council of Edinburgh International Festival and the Scottish Council of the Prince’s Trust. During the year he led a UK Government Commission on the development of a National Youth Volunteering Strategy, the conclusions of which were published in March 2005.

 

David Nish (45) is Finance Director, having joined ScottishPower in September 1997 as Deputy Finance Director and then being appointed to the Board as Finance Director in December 1999. In this capacity, he also has responsibility at Board level for performance and risk management. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, the Scottish Council of the CBI, and the Accounting Standards Board’s Urgent Issues Task Force, and a non-executive director of The Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Prior to joining ScottishPower, he was a partner with Price Waterhouse. He has a BAcc from the University of Glasgow. As previously announced he becomes Executive Director, Infrastructure as part of the planned board development programme with effect from 24 May 2005.

 

Charles Berry (53) is Executive Director UK, responsible in this capacity for the UK energy businesses of Generation, Energy Management and Supply. He joined ScottishPower in November 1991 and was appointed to the Board in April 1999. He is a non-executive director of the Securities Trust of Scotland plc. Prior to joining ScottishPower, he was Group Development Director of Norwest Holst, a subsidiary of Compagnie Générale des Eaux, and prior to that held management positions within subsidiaries of Pilkington plc. He holds a BSc (First Class Hons) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Glasgow and a Masters Degree in Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

 

Judi Johansen (46) is President and Chief Executive Officer of PacifiCorp; she was appointed to this position in June 2001 and joined the Board on 1 October 2003. She joined PacifiCorp as Executive Vice President of Regulation and External Affairs in December 2000, having held senior positions with the Bonneville Power Administration and Washington Water Power. She is a former member of the Board of the Portland Branch of the US Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, a commissioner for the Port of Portland, director of the Oregon Business Council and trustee of law at

 

 

 

 

 

Lewis & Clark College. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Colorado State University and a law degree from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and is a member of the Oregon and Washington State Bar Associations.

 

Simon Lowth (43) is Director, Corporate Strategy and Development, having been appointed to the Board in this position on 1 September 2003. He is responsible in this role for leading the formulation, presentation and delivery of corporate strategy. With effect from 24 May 2005 he assumes the new role of Executive Director, Finance and Strategy. He was formerly a Director with McKinsey and Company, leading its UK industrial practice, serving clients in the energy and utilities, manufacturing and transport sectors. He holds an MA in Engineering from Cambridge University and an MBA from London Business School.

 


 

Executive Team

 

The Executive Team is constituted as a committee of the Board and includes not only the Executive Directors of the Board but also the following key Executives and Officers from the group. For US reporting purposes the members of the Executive Team, and also the Company Secretary, are regarded as officers of the company.

 

Dominic Fry (45) joined ScottishPower in September 2000 as Group Director, Corporate Communications. He is responsible for investor and media relations, communications with employees, corporate social responsibility and management of the group’s overall reputation. He has held appointments as Communications Director with J Sainsbury plc and Eurotunnel plc. He chairs the Trading Board of the Glasgow Science Centre and is a communications adviser to the Royal Shakespeare Company and Business in the Community. He is also a director of Scottish Business in the Community and of Project Scotland. He was educated at the Université Paul Valéry III in Montpellier and the University of North Carolina.

 

Terry Hudgens (50) was appointed Chief Executive Officer of ScottishPower’s competitive US energy business, PPM Energy, in May 2001 and joined the Executive Team in December 2001. He joined PacifiCorp as Senior Vice President of Power Supply in April 2000, having previously spent 25 years with Texaco, Inc. He was formerly President of Texaco Natural Gas and served as Texaco’s senior representative and elected officer in the Natural Gas Supply Association. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Nature Conservancy in Oregon. He has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Houston.

 

 

 

82    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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Ronnie Mercer (61) is Executive Vice President, Operations, PacifiCorp, having been appointed to this new role on 1 January 2005. In this role he has joint responsibility with Judi Johansen for the operating performance and results within Generation, Power Delivery and Mining. He was previously Group Director, Infrastructure and was responsible for the UK wires businesses. He joined the ScottishPower Generation Business in 1994 and was appointed Generation Director in 1996 and then Managing Director of Southern Water in 1998. Previous career positions include Scottish Director and Managing Director roles in British Steel. He was educated at Paisley College of Technology.

 

Michael Pittman (52) was appointed Group Director, Human Resources in November 2001. He has groupwide responsibility for human resources, leading the focus on talent management, one of the group’s main strategic thrusts. He joined PacifiCorp in December 1979 and was appointed to the PacifiCorp Board in May 2000. He chairs the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning Board and is involved in numerous civic activities, including chairing the Board of Directors for the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System. He has held several positions within PacifiCorp, including safety and health, risk management and operations. He holds an advanced degree in environmental health from the University of Washington.

 

James Stanley (50) is Legal, Commercial and Compliance Director, having joined ScottishPower in March 1996. He is responsible for legal compliance and reporting together with the provision of all legal, commercial and associated services and particularly the negotiation, structuring and delivery of M&A and similar projects. In January 2005 his role was expanded to include responsibility for the Corporate Secretarial Department and the coordination of procurement throughout the group. In his early career he specialised in commercial litigation in private practice. In 1986 he moved to the Trafalgar House Group and subsequently became both Commercial Director of John Brown plc and General Counsel to the Global Engineering Division of the Group. He is a graduate in law from Nottingham University and the College of Law in Chester where he qualified as a solicitor in 1980.

 


 

David Rutherford (41) is Managing Director, PowerSystems, having been appointed to that role in April 2003. He holds a BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Strathclyde University and an MBA from Heriot Watt University. During the period between Ronnie Mercer’s appointment as Executive Vice President, Operations at PacifiCorp and David Nish becoming Executive Director, Infrastructure in May 2005, he acted as Divisional Director, Infrastructure and in that capacity attended Executive Team meetings.

 

 

Company Secretary

 

Andrew Mitchell (53) was appointed Group Company Secretary in July 1993 and is responsible in this role for Board and shareholder services, corporate governance and compliance, and group security. He also serves as Chairman of the trustees of the group’s UK pension schemes and as the company’s e7 representative. Prior to joining ScottishPower, he held a number of company secretarial appointments, latterly as Company Secretary of The Laird Group plc and then Stakis plc, now part of the Hilton Group. He is a graduate in law from the University of Edinburgh (LLB Hons) and the London School of Economics (LLM) and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.

 


 

Members of the Nomination Committee

 

Charles Miller Smith, Chairman

Donald Brydon

Nolan Karras

Ian Russell

Nancy Wilgenbusch

 

Members of the Remuneration Committee

 

Nolan Karras, Chairman

Euan Baird

Donald Brydon

Philip Carroll

Nick Rose

Nancy Wilgenbusch

 

Members of the Audit Committee

 

Nick Rose, Chairman

Vicky Bailey

Donald Brydon

Philip Carroll

Nolan Karras

 

Board and Executive Team changes

 

Mair Barnes and Sir Peter Gregson retired from the Board following the conclusion of last year’s AGM on 23 July 2004. Vicky Bailey and Nancy Wilgenbusch were appointed to the Board on 1 June 2004; their appointments were confirmed by election at the AGM in 2004.

 

In accordance with the Articles of Association, Charles Berry, Donald Brydon, Philip Carroll and Nolan Karras will retire from office at the Annual General Meeting. Charles Berry, Donald Brydon and Nolan Karras, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election. Philip Carroll will retire from the Board and accordingly does not seek re-election. Charles Berry has a service contract terminable by either party upon 12 months’ notice.

 

Changes to the responsibilities of Executive Team members are described in their individual biographies.

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    83


Table of Contents

Corporate Governance

 


 

1   Ø   Corporate Governance Statement   11   Ø   Identification and Evaluation of
2   Ø   Board Composition           Risks and Control Objectives
3   Ø   Board Proceedings   12   Ø   Energy Management
4   Ø   Directors’ Induction and   13   Ø   Capital Investment
        Professional Development   14   Ø   Monitoring and Corrective Action
5   Ø   Board Performance Evaluation   15   Ø   Auditor Independence
6   Ø   Relations with Shareholders   16   Ø   Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and
7
8
9
10
  Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
 

Report from Nomination Committee

Report from Audit Committee

Internal Control

Control Environment

          Procedures (Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
      17   Ø   Social, Environmental and Ethical Matters
      18   Ø   Political Donations and Expenditure
      19   Ø   NYSE Corporate Governance Rules

 


 

Dear Shareholder,

 

I am pleased to introduce this section of the Annual Report which sets out our company’s approach to corporate governance. Corporate governance is a term which is frequently used but often misunderstood, so to be clear about what we mean by it: we see corporate governance as being about the relationship between the company, its directors and its shareholders. Corporate governance determines how authority and accountability are distributed throughout the company and sets the framework within which we meet our objectives. All of the members of the Board recognise that as directors we are in a position of trust; as such, we believe we have a responsibility to our shareholders to put in place robust structures and processes and to observe the highest standards of corporate governance.

 

We have made a number of changes to our corporate governance arrangements over the past couple of years. These have reflected developments in best practice, most notably contained in the Higgs Report and the resultant revised Combined Code in the UK as well as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

 

 

  

 

 

of 2002 in the US. The changes we have made have not, however, been driven simply by a desire to achieve compliance; rather, we have made changes because we recognise them to be pragmatic and worthwhile improvements. In particular, we have placed an emphasis on the professionalism of the Board, employing external performance evaluation and a structured programme of directors’ induction and training.

 

I hope you find the statement which follows both interesting and informative. We are committed to maintaining an open and constructive dialogue on corporate governance issues, and I would welcome any suggestions or comments you may have.

 

LOGO

 

Charles Miller Smith Chairman

 

84    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

 

    
1     

Corporate Governance

Statement

  

 

Biographies of Board members, giving details of their experience and other main commitments, are set out on pages 81 and 82. Any changes to the other commitments of the directors are reported to the Board and the company’s position on executive directors undertaking external non-executive appointments is set out on page 100 of the Remuneration Report. The diverse experience and backgrounds of the non-executive directors ensures that they can debate with and constructively challenge management both in relation to the development of strategy and in relation to operational and financial performance.

All of the non-executive directors are considered by the Board to be independent in character and judgement, having no material relationship with the company. The decision of the Board to make this determination was informed by questionnaires completed at the year-end by all non-executive directors, based on the independence tests contained in the Combined Code, the corporate governance rules contained in the listing rules of the New York Stock Exchange and the tests for the independence of audit committee members contained in rules promulgated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Nolan Karras and Nancy Wilgenbusch served as directors of PacifiCorp from 1993 and 1986 respectively until the merger in 1999; Mr Karras joined the Scottish Power plc Board immediately on the merger while Dr Wilgenbusch joined the Board in 2004. Mr Karras remains a director of PacifiCorp (but receives no additional fee for this service) and is chair of the PacifiCorp Utah regional advisory board. Dr Wilgenbusch serves as chair of the PacifiCorp Pacific regional advisory board. Both directors receive emoluments in the US for their service on the regional advisory boards as detailed in the Remuneration Report. The regional advisory boards link the company with the communities it serves in the US and enable it to maintain constructive relationships with key stakeholder groups.

In assessing independence, the Board considered that service on the PacifiCorp board prior to the merger date should be disregarded on account of a new company, with a substantially refreshed board, having been formed. The Board considered that the emoluments for service on the respective advisory boards constituted fees paid for service on a committee of the PacifiCorp board (as PacifiCorp is an affiliate of the company, these fees qualify for an exemption contained in rules, relating to independence standards for audit committee members, promulgated under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934). The Board considered that their payment does not in any way compromise the independence of the directors. Accordingly, the Board concluded that all of the non-executive directors are independent and that therefore it meets the Combined Code requirement that at least half the board, excluding the chairman, should comprise independent non-executive directors.

 

Scottish Power plc is committed to the highest standards of corporate governance. This statement, together with the Remuneration Report of the Directors (set out on pages 95 to 105), describes how the company has applied the principles of good corporate governance set out in Section 1 of the Combined Code in the UK and has complied with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and associated rules (to the extent they currently apply to the company) in the US. In respect of the financial year ended 31 March 2005, the company has complied fully with the provisions set out in Section 1 of the Combined Code, except in one respect arising from Code provision D.1.1 which is concerned with dialogue with major shareholders on issues of governance and strategy. An explanation of this is contained in the statement below under the heading Relations with Shareholders.

The company has taken account of the corporate governance rules contained in the listing rules of the New York Stock Exchange (as they apply to foreign issuers) and a summary of the differences between those rules and the company’s practices is contained in the statement below.

 


  
2     

 

Board Composition

  

 

The Board comprises the Chairman, five executive directors and seven non-executive directors. The Chairman is Charles Miller Smith, the Chief Executive is Ian Russell and Donald Brydon is the senior independent director. The chairmen and members of the Nomination, Remuneration and Audit Committees are listed on page 83 and in the reports from the respective Committees. Details of the attendance of Board members at meetings of the Board and its Committees are set out in Table 46.

There is a clear division of authority at the most senior level within the company through the separation of the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive. This ensures that no one individual has unfettered powers of decision. The division of responsibilities between the role of the Chairman to run the Board and the role of the Chief Executive to run the company’s business is documented in writing and has been agreed by the Board.

The senior independent director serves on the Nomination, Remuneration and Audit Committees and is the presiding director at meetings of the non-executive directors. He is responsible for providing feedback to the Chairman following the evaluation (conducted by all directors) of the performance of the Chairman. He is also available to shareholders for concerns which have not been resolved by contact with the Chairman or Chief Executive or for which such contact is inappropriate.

  

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Corporate Governance

 

 

Non-executive directors are appointed for a specified term of three years and re-appointment is not automatic. It is company policy that, other than in exceptional circumstances, non-executive directors should serve no more than two three-year terms. Directors also stand for re-election by the shareholders at the first annual general meeting following their appointment and at regular intervals of not more than three years thereafter. Decisions on re-election are informed by the results of the performance evaluation of the director concerned. The report from the Nomination Committee below explains the process for selection of directors and sets out the Committee’s responsibility for reviewing the composition of the Board and for succession planning. The Committee kept the composition of the Board under review throughout the year, considering the size and diversity of the Board in terms of its gender, age and nationality profile as well as the skills, experience and connections of individual directors.

`Directors and officers of the company and its subsidiaries have the benefit of a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy which provides appropriate cover in respect of legal action brought against its directors. Article 159 of the company’s Articles of Association provides that every director or officer of the company shall be entitled to be indemnified by the company to the extent permissible under UK company law in respect of liabilities incurred in connection with their duties, powers or office. The Board has approved the granting of deeds of indemnity (in similar terms to Article 159) to each

 

 

 

 

current director and officer of the company. Once granted, these indemnities will be available for inspection by shareholders at the company’s registered office. In addition, all directors have access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary and can take independent professional advice at the company’s expense in the furtherance of their duties.

 


 

3    Board Proceedings

 

During the year, the Board planned to hold 12 monthly meetings, six at locations in the UK and US and the remaining six by telephone conference, with additional meetings being arranged as required. As an outcome of the Board performance evaluation conducted in 2004, the Board meeting programme was reviewed during the year in an effort to make best use of directors’ time.

For a number of years, the company has provided an opportunity within the scheduled meeting programme for the non-executive directors to meet on occasion without the Chairman or executive directors present. The meeting is structured so that the Chairman and Chief Executive are in attendance for the first part of the meeting. The Chief Executive then retires, leaving the Chairman to continue the meeting with the non-executive directors. Similarly, after an appropriate time, the Chairman leaves the meeting, with the non-executive directors continuing the discussion alone (under

 

           Table 46

 

Ø   Board and Committee attendance during the year ended 31 March 2005

 

    Charles
Miller Smith
(N*)
  Vicky
Bailey2
(A)
  Euan
Baird3
(R)
  Mair
Barnes4
(N, R)
  Donald
Brydon5
(N, R, A)
  Philip
Carroll
(R, A)
  Sir Peter
Gregson6
(N, R, A)
  Nolan
Karras
(N, R*, A)
  Nick
Rose7
(R, A*)
  Nancy
Wilgenbusch8
(N, R)
  Ian
Russell
(N)
  Charles
Berry
  Judi
Johansen
  Simon
Lowth
  David
Nish

Board

                                                           

(11 meetings1)

  11   8   1   4   10   10   4   11   7   9   11   11   11   11   11

Nomination

                                                           

Committee

                                                           

(4 meetings)

  4           1   3       1   4       3   4                

Remuneration

                                                           

Committee

                                                           

(2 meetings)

          0   1   2   2   1   2   0   1                    

Audit Committee

                                                           

(6 meetings)

      3           6   6   3   5   5                        

 

    N – Nomination Committee

 

    R – Remuneration Committee

 

    A – Audit Committee

 

  * Committee Chairman

 

  1 While the Board planned to hold 12 monthly meetings, a change in the timing of the meetings during the period meant that 11 scheduled meetings were held, with the final meeting for the year actually taking place in early April 2005.

 

  2 Vicky Bailey was appointed to the Board, and to the Audit Committee, in June 2004.

 

  3 Euan Baird was absent from the Board and Remuneration Committee due to ill health for the duration of the year until January 2005.

 

  4 Mair Barnes retired from the Board, and from the Nomination and Remuneration Committees, in July 2004.

 

  5 Donald Brydon was appointed to the Nomination Committee in June 2004.

 

  6 Sir Peter Gregson retired from the Board, and from the Nomination, Remuneration and Audit Committees, in July 2004.

 

  7 Nick Rose was appointed to the Remuneration Committee in June 2004.

 

  8 Nancy Wilgenbusch was appointed to the Board, and to the Nomination and Remuneration Committees, in June 2004.

 

 

 

86    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

the guidance of the senior independent director). In the 2004/05 financial year, a meeting was held in April 2004 but the meeting planned for October 2004 was cancelled due to prevailing circumstances. A further meeting was held in early April 2005, and one of the main purposes of this was to coincide with the conclusion in 2004/05 of the process of Board performance evaluation.

The Board adopted the current schedule of matters reserved to it for decision in January 2004. This schedule is intended to ensure that the Board retains full control over strategy, investment and capital expenditure, and limits the decisions which can be taken by management in the areas of governance, strategic and financial management and reporting, capital structure, corporate actions, mergers and acquisitions, energy management, contracts and other commitments, litigation and regulatory proceedings, and remuneration and share plans. Where authority is delegated to management, it is on a structured basis according to a delegation of authority matrix (based on the schedule of matters reserved to the Board), ensuring that proper oversight and accountability exist at the appropriate level. Within management, the Executive Team, which meets at least once a month either physically or by telephone conference, ensures executive focus on groupwide performance and risk management, while each of the four businesses (PacifiCorp, Infrastructure Division, UK Division and PPM Energy) holds monthly board meetings involving the Chief Executive and Finance Director as well as senior divisional management.

Board meetings involve reviews of financial and business performance against the plan approved by the Board and risk management, both at a group level and also for each of the four businesses, on a month-by-month basis. They also cover strategic issues, business issues requiring decision (often in relation to capital expenditure projects) and other specific issues for decision or information. On a rotating basis, the Board receives presentations from each of the businesses and other key functions, enabling it to explore specific issues and developments in more detail. Any matter requiring a decision by the Board will be supported by a paper analysing relevant aspects of the proposal – for example, in the case of capital expenditure, the expected returns and a comparison with the investment hurdles set by the Board, as well as potential risks and proposed management action.

The Company Secretary is responsible for ensuring that Board procedures are observed and for advising the Board on all corporate governance matters. The Company Secretary’s remit also encompasses ensuring good information flows within the Board and its Committees as well as facilitating the programme of directors’ induction and professional development and the Board performance evaluation exercise. The appointment and removal of the Company Secretary is reserved to the Board for its decision.

The Board is supported by a number of committees: as well

 

as the Nomination, Remuneration and Audit Committees, the Board has also established a Group Finance Committee, chaired by Philip Carroll and comprising both executive and non-executive directors, which allows for more detailed scrutiny of financing issues than would be possible within the confines of regular Board meetings. It has authority to approve financing transactions within the strategy set by the Board. Reports from the Nomination and Audit Committees are contained in the statement below. The activities of the Remuneration Committee are described in the Remuneration Report on pages 95 to 105.

 


 

  4       

Directors’ Induction and

Professional Development

 

 

All newly appointed directors receive a full and structured induction to ensure they have the necessary knowledge and understanding of the company and its activities. The induction programme takes into account each director’s particular background and experience in order to develop a plan tailored to their requirements, including any additional responsibilities which they may take on (such as membership of Committees). The programme commences at the pre-appointment stage with the provision of targeted, practical information to facilitate due diligence and general familiarisation. It then continues on an incremental basis over the first six months of the appointment, first with introductory meetings with key members of management and then with briefing sessions covering governance, strategy, stakeholder issues, finance and risk management, and human resources strategy (the latter two sessions being targeted specifically at ensuring directors have a clear understanding of the roles of the Audit and Remuneration Committees, even if they do not themselves serve on these Committees). These internal sessions are supplemented by occasional presentations from external advisers on specific topics, such as remuneration issues. Over this period, new directors also undertake site visits to business locations in the UK and US. The cycle of business overview presentations made to the Board serves to deepen each new director’s understanding of the company. A record is maintained for each director to track their progress through the induction programme, and a review is conducted at the end of the director’s first year in office to assess any further induction requirements.

Two new non-executive directors (Vicky Bailey and Nancy Wilgenbusch) were appointed during the 2004/05 financial year. At the time of appointment of new non-executive directors they are available to meet with shareholders on request.

Continuing professional development is provided through briefing sessions in the course of, or linked to, regular Board meetings, and these cover business-specific and broader

 

 

 

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Corporate Governance

 

 

regulatory issues. Topics covered by such briefing sessions during the year have included energy risk management, technology and engineering, company values and the transmission and distribution price reviews. Directors also receive a monthly in-house newsletter highlighting topical developments of relevance to ScottishPower in the fields of corporate governance, company law and related issues. Further, the annual performance evaluation of individual directors (outlined below) provides an opportunity for the training and development needs of Board members to be identified and addressed on a structured basis.

 


 

 

 

 

to decision-making, and constructive challenging of information. In addition to a number of generic statements, additional competencies were included for the roles of Chairman, Chief Executive, executive and non-executive director. Again, the ratings and comments provided were synthesised by the ICSA into a consolidated report for each director. These reports were provided to each director individually and formed the basis of a feedback session between the Chairman and the director. The evaluation of the Chairman followed the same process, with input from the non-executive and executive directors; feedback to the Chairman was provided by the senior independent director. A summary of the results for all directors was provided to the Nomination Committee at its meeting in early April 2005, and informed the Committee in its consideration of those directors to be recommended to the Board for re-election at the forthcoming AGM as well as the broader training and development needs of directors.

The Board was satisfied that the evaluation process was rigorous and effective. The evaluation of the Board as a whole produced another very favourable result, building on the last two evaluations. Good progress was noted in the areas of Board responsibilities, monitoring of management, strategy development, risk assessment, and information provision. Recognising that there is always scope for improvement, the report recommended consideration of a number of issues where further progress could be made. The Board reviewed these points at its meeting in early April 2005 and was supportive of effecting change to address the recommendations. The evaluation of the Committees found them to be generally effective in supporting the Board and a number of the recommendations made echoed the results of the Board evaluation.

 


5       

Board Performance

Evaluation

 

 

During the year, the company engaged the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (“ICSA”) to undertake an independent external evaluation of the performance of the Board, its principal Committees (Nomination, Remuneration and Audit) and individual directors. This represented a natural progression from the previous two financial years, during which the evaluation (also conducted externally by the ICSA) had focussed on the performance of the Board as a whole. The evaluation process was led by the Chairman, with the support of the Company Secretary, and progress updates were provided to the Nomination Committee and to the Board. All directors participated in the evaluation, with the exception of Euan Baird who had been absent from the Board for substantially all of the year due to ill health.

The evaluation of the Board and its Committees was conducted on the basis of private interviews held between each individual director and the ICSA facilitator (in the case of the Committees, additional specific questions were asked of Committee members and views were also canvassed from key executives having a close link with the work of the particular Committee as well as, in the case of the Audit Committee, the external auditors). The topics discussed during the course of the interviews included the responsibilities and oversight of the Board, meeting arrangements, information and support, Board composition, and decision-making and output. Similar topics were covered in respect of each of the Committees. The results of these interviews were documented, agreed with the individual director and then collectively formed the basis of a report (including specific recommendations) from the ICSA which was presented to the Board at its meeting in early April 2005.

As regards the evaluation of individual performance, each director completed a questionnaire rating, and provided comments on, their own performance and that of each of their fellow directors against a range of key competencies. These competencies included strategic thinking, commitment and preparedness, listening and communication skills, contribution

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  6       

Relations with

Shareholders

 

 

The company has a well-established investor relations programme for major shareholders, promoting dialogue through analysts’ briefings involving the Chief Executive, Finance Director and other members of management, as well as extensive investor roadshows in the UK, US and Europe. As well as reviewing the company’s financial and operational performance, these presentations provide shareholders with information on the company’s strategy and its delivery. Further communication takes place through site visits, roundtable presentations and timely stock exchange announcements. The Board, and in particular non-executive directors, is kept informed of investors’ views principally through the distribution of analysts’ and brokers’ briefings. In addition, the company undertakes periodic research using Makinson Cowell, an independent adviser, to ascertain the views of shareholders,

 
 
        
        
        
        
        
        

 

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and the conclusions of this research are reported to the Board. These channels are considered to offer the most practical and effective method of communicating shareholder opinion to the Board on a regular basis.

The Chairman and the senior independent director (and indeed other non-executive directors) are available to shareholders in the event of any concerns arising which cannot be addressed through management, or in connection with any significant change to the company’s strategy, remuneration policy or governance arrangements. However, it is not the company’s practice for the Chairman or senior independent director to meet routinely with major shareholders; it is believed that the approach described in this section offers a more efficient method of maintaining contact with shareholders, and to date there has been little evidence of demand from shareholders for such meetings. As a result, the company has not strictly complied with provision D.1.1 of the Combined Code. The company is committed to keeping this situation under review in the year ahead.

Broader shareholder communication takes place through the company’s website, which contains recent company announcements and other useful information, including profiles of Board members and terms of reference of the Nomination, Remuneration and Audit Committees. This Annual Report & Accounts includes a wealth of information for those shareholders who choose to receive it; the Annual Review provides a more concise version which summarises key issues and developments during the year. The Annual General Meeting gives shareholders the opportunity to hear presentations on the company’s financial and business performance as well as to question the Board on its stewardship of the company. It is expected that all directors will attend the AGM and that the chairmen of the Nomination, Remuneration and Audit Committees, along with other directors, will be available to answer questions. All resolutions at the AGM are voted by poll, with full results (including the number of votes withheld) published following the close of the meeting.

The company declares and pays dividends on a quarterly basis. This practice has been followed since the time of the merger with PacifiCorp in 1999, at which time the Articles of Association adopted by the company empowered the directors to declare both interim and final dividends. Accordingly, it has not been the company’s practice to propose a resolution on the final dividend or on the dividend policy for the approval of shareholders at the AGM. The payment of dividends by the company follows a regular pattern, with the fourth quarter dividend becoming payable during the month of June. If this dividend were to be made contingent on the approval of shareholders at the AGM at the end of July (as has been suggested by certain shareholder representative groups), this payment timetable would be delayed significantly. It is not considered to be in the best interests of shareholders to delay the payment of dividends when any shareholder vote could

 

result only in the level of the proposed dividend being approved or reduced.

 


  7       

Report from

Nomination Committee

 

 

Charles Miller Smith, the Chairman of the company, is the Chairman of the Committee. Mair Barnes and Sir Peter Gregson served on the Committee until their retirement at the AGM on 23 July 2004; Donald Brydon and Nancy Wilgenbusch, both independent directors, were appointed to the Committee with effect from 1 June 2004. The other members of the Committee throughout the year were Nolan Karras, an independent director, and Ian Russell, the Chief Executive. Accordingly, throughout the year, the majority of the members of the Committee have been independent non-executive directors. Details of their qualifications and experience are set out on pages 81 and 82. Andrew Mitchell, Company Secretary, or his deputy, acts as secretary to the Committee.

The Committee has written terms of reference and these are available on the company’s website. The terms of reference (which were reviewed by the Committee during the year) provide that the principal role of the Committee is to:

 

Ø    review the structure, size and composition (including the skills, knowledge and experience) required by the Board;

 

Ø    give full consideration to succession planning for directors (in particular, for the key roles of Chairman and Chief Executive), taking into account the challenges and opportunities facing the company and what skills and expertise are needed on the Board in the future;

 

Ø    identify and nominate, for the approval of the Board, candidates to fill Board vacancies as and when they arise;

 

Ø    evaluate the balance of skills, knowledge and experience on the Board and keep under review the leadership needs of the organisation;

 

Ø    keep under review legal and regulatory developments in relation to corporate governance and consider changes to the company’s policy and practices to address such developments.

 

The Committee has developed a robust process for the selection and recruitment of directors. Following a review of the Board’s size, composition and diversity, the Committee determines the selection criteria and the role specification. External selection consultants are retained to conduct searches. The Committee reviews the profiles of the candidates and interviews are carried out. The Committee then makes its recommendations to the Board for approval.

Two non-executive directors (Vicky Bailey and Nancy Wilgenbusch) were selected by the Committee during the year. The Committee agreed search criteria, detailing the required

 

 

 

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experience and diversity profile, which were given to selection consultants in the UK and US. The Committee then considered the profiles of a number of candidates (identified both as a result of the external search and through internal contacts) and meetings were held between members of the Committee (along with other directors) and the favoured candidates. Vicky Bailey was identified by the external consultants while Nancy Wilgenbusch was identified through her membership of the PacifiCorp Pacific regional advisory board and as a result of her profile as a distinguished community administrator. The Committee considered that both candidates fulfilled the search criteria and would make a strong contribution to the Board, bringing differing but equally valuable perspectives to its deliberations.

During the year ended 31 March 2005, the Committee met on four occasions. In addition to identifying and nominating candidates as directors for approval by the Board, the Committee reviewed the composition of the Board and its Committees and considered issues of management succession, in particular in relation to the role of Finance Director. In performance of its corporate governance role, the Committee examined the company’s approach to dialogue with major shareholders, considered the directors’ induction and professional development programme (including monitoring the progress of directors through the programme), oversaw the Board evaluation exercise and approved, for submission to the Board, a statement of the respective responsibilities of the Chairman and Chief Executive.

 


 

  

policies, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, judgmental issues and the findings of the external auditors;

 

Ø     the activities and effectiveness of the internal audit function;

 

Ø     the relationship with the external auditors, including the engagement of auditors, the audit scope and approach, fees and performance, and policy on provision of non-audit services by the external auditors and recruitment of former external auditors by the company;

 

Ø     compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

 

Ø     litigation and claims affecting the group.

 

In addition, the terms of reference of the Committee encompass the receipt and review by the Committee of any complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and of any confidential, anonymous submissions by employees regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. They also empower the Committee to engage external counsel or other advisers at the expense of the company.

Meetings of the Committee are normally attended by the Chief Executive, the Finance Director, the Director Group Internal Audit and representatives of the external auditors. However, the Committee holds regular private sessions to meet separately with senior management, representatives of Internal Audit and the external auditors, and, where appropriate, external counsel.

During the year ended 31 March 2005 the Committee met on six occasions. The Committee reviewed the quarterly and annual results announcements of both Scottish Power plc and PacifiCorp and received quarterly reports on the work of the Internal Audit function, including the results of audits undertaken during the period and delivery of the audit plan. It also received more detailed presentations on risk and control issues from the management of each of the four businesses, allowing the Committee to question and challenge management directly on these issues. The Committee also received reports on actions being taken to enhance the control environment relating to legal compliance, including introduction of “whistleblowing” arrangements across the group to allow employees to raise concerns confidentially through an external agency.

In addition, the Committee monitored progress on two significant projects affecting the group, namely implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Key issues considered by the Committee in relation to IFRS included the treatment of the group’s energy management and treasury activities under International Accounting Standard 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’. In relation to Section 404, regular reports from each of the four businesses ensured that the Committee remained aware of progress and issues as they arose during the year.

8   

Report from

Audit Committee

  

 

Nick Rose is the Chairman of the Committee and has also been identified as the “audit committee financial expert” for Scottish Power plc. Sir Peter Gregson served on the Committee until his retirement at the AGM on 23 July 2004; Vicky Bailey was appointed to the Committee with effect from 1 June 2004. The other members of the Committee throughout the year were Donald Brydon, Philip Carroll and Nolan Karras. All of the members of the Committee are independent non-executive directors. Details of their qualifications and experience are set out on pages 81 and 82. Andrew Mitchell, Company Secretary, or his deputy, acts as secretary to the Committee.

The Committee has written terms of reference and these are available on the company’s website. The terms of reference (which were reviewed by the Committee during the year) provide that the principal role of the Committee is to review:

Ø     the effectiveness of the system of internal control and consider reports from both internal and external auditors on key risks facing the group and controls over these risks;

 

Ø     the company’s financial statements, including accounting

  

 

 

 

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9    Internal Control

The directors of ScottishPower have overall responsibility for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal controls and for reviewing the effectiveness of the system. The effectiveness of the system is kept under review on a continual basis throughout the year through the work of the Audit Committee on the Board’s behalf. The system of internal control is designed to manage rather than eliminate risk. In pursuing these objectives, internal control can only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss.

The Executive Team is responsible for implementing the risk management strategy; ensuring that an appropriate risk management framework is operating effectively across the group; embedding a risk culture throughout the group; and providing the Board and the Audit Committee with a consolidated view of the risk profile of the company, identifying any major exposures and mitigating actions.

The risk management framework and internal control system across the group, which is subject to continuous development, provides the basis on which the company has complied with the Combined Code provisions on internal control.

 


 

10    Control Environment

The company is committed to ensuring that a proper control environment is maintained. There is a commitment to competence and integrity and to the communication of ethical values and control consciousness to managers and employees. During the year, the company produced a new document, Compliance – Behaviour and the Law, which aims to summarise some of the main legal, regulatory, cultural and business standards applicable to all employees. This document has been distributed to all employees in the UK and to employees of PPM Energy in the US; employees of PacifiCorp are required to adhere to its Guide to Business Conduct, which contains similar content. Furthermore, in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the company has adopted a Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive, Finance Director and principal accounting officers (a copy of this document will be filed with the company’s report to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form 20-F). Human resources policies underpin that commitment by a focus on enhancing job skills and promoting high standards of probity among staff. In addition, the appropriate organisational structure has been developed within which to control the businesses and to delegate authority and accountability, having regard to acceptable levels of risk.

The company has in place a fraud policy and procedures to ensure that all incidences of fraud are appropriately

  

 

investigated and reported. The company has also adopted a revised Speaking Out and Whistleblower Protection Policy, incorporating a confidential, external reporting service operated by an independent provider. This Policy covers the reporting and investigation of suspected fraud and misappropriation, questionable accounting, financial reporting or auditing matters, breaches of internal financial control procedures, and serious breaches of behaviour and ethical principles. It provides for all such reports made through the external service, and all other internal reports judged material, to be communicated to the Audit Committee. Again, PacifiCorp currently adheres to its own procedure in this regard, offering employees the alternative of contacting an internal fraud hotline or reporting breaches of the Guide to Business Conduct to designated internal company officers or the PacifiCorp ombudsman. These reports are communicated to the Audit Committee on the same basis as under the Speaking Out and Whistleblower Protection Policy.

A Disclosure Committee, constituted at management level, is in place to ensure effective disclosure controls are operating around the production of key published financial statements and to provide assurance to the Chief Executive and Finance Director that they may sign their formal certification to the SEC in accordance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 


 

   11       

Identification and

Evaluation of Risks and

Control Objectives

  

 

The company’s strategy is to follow an appropriate risk policy, which effectively manages exposures related to the achievement of business objectives.

Each business identifies and assesses the key business risks associated with the achievement of its strategic objectives. Any key actions needed to enhance the control environment are identified, along with the person responsible for the management of the specific risk. Each month, a detailed review of the key risks, controls and action plans within each of the businesses takes place and a Risk Report is produced for review and challenge by the business boards at their monthly meetings. This is a key tool in ensuring the active management of risk across the organisation.

Business controls managers have been appointed within each of the businesses to help ensure that the risk management and internal controls system is consistently adopted, updated and embedded into the business processes.

The corporate centre also considers those risks to the group’s strategic objectives that may not be identified and managed at a business level.

The Board and Executive Team receive on a monthly basis the groupwide Risk Report, together with supporting documentation, for review. This report highlights the most

 

 

 

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significant risks across the group and the actions being taken to mitigate them, and also identifies the individuals responsible for the management of these risks. The information being supplied to the Board and Executive Team is continually being developed to include quantitative measures such as sensitivity analyses and Value-at-Risk calculations for issues reported in the Group Energy Risk Report.

The use of a well-defined risk management methodology across all businesses allows a consistent and coordinated approach to risk reporting for review by the Board, which also receives regular reports on these matters from the Audit Committee, to enable the directors to review the effectiveness of the system of internal control on a regular basis.

A key element and requirement of the risk evaluation process is that a written certificate is provided quarterly by all members of the Executive Team, confirming that they have reviewed the effectiveness during the period of the system of internal control under their responsibility.

A further measure in managing exposure to risk is the ongoing development of a formalised and coherent approach to business continuity management, which is underpinned and validated by testing and continuous development.

 


 

12    Energy Management

A Group Energy Risk Committee (“GERC”) has been established to assist the Executive Team in ensuring that there is an appropriate risk and control governance framework in place over energy activities. The GERC meets monthly and the key responsibility of this group is to make suitable recommendations to the Executive Team on energy-related risk policy issues. In addition, the Group Energy Risk Director, with other members of the GERC, continues to enhance business processes and systems to ensure that all risks pertaining to the energy management businesses are understood, quantified, managed and reported on a consistent basis across the group.

The GERC also provides advice and guidance to the businesses on interpretation and execution of the Group Energy Management and Risk Management Policy.

 


 

13    Capital Investment

Substantial capital investment proposals are reviewed by the Group Investment Committee (“GIC”), chaired by the Finance Director, to ensure that they are in line with the group’s strategy, achieve the required rate of return, comply with legal requirements and commercial practice, and are supported by robust financial analysis. The role of the GIC, acting on behalf of the Executive Team, is to review the group’s capital programme, monthly and quarterly capital expenditure and

  

capital budgeting process, and to monitor the post-investment appraisal process. In particular, the GIC reviews all business acquisitions and disposals and new business ventures.

 


  

14  

 

  

Monitoring and Corrective Action

 

  

The Executive Team reviews monthly the key risks facing the group and the controls and monitoring procedures for these. Operation of the group’s control and monitoring procedures is reviewed and tested by the group’s Internal Audit function under the supervision of the Director Group Internal Audit, with a direct reporting line to the Audit Committee and to the Finance Director. Internal Audit reports and recommendations on the group’s procedures are reviewed regularly by the Audit Committee. The external auditors also provide reports to the Audit Committee on matters in relation to the group’s internal financial control procedures identified during the course of their audit. The Audit Committee also receives regular reports on the continued development, implementation and evaluation of the risk management and internal control system.

 


 

15    Auditor Independence

The Audit Committee and the firm of external auditors have safeguards to avoid the possibility that the auditors’ objectivity and independence could be compromised. These safeguards include adoption by the Audit Committee of a policy regarding pre-approval of audit and permitted non-statutory audit services provided by the external auditors and a policy on the hiring of former external audit staff by the group.

Where the work to be undertaken is of a nature that is generally considered reasonable to be completed by the external auditors for sound commercial and practical reasons, including confidentiality, the conduct of such work will be permissible provided that it has been pre-approved by the Audit Committee. Examples of pre-approved services include the completion of regulatory audits, provision of taxation and regulatory advice, reporting in relation to SEC and UK Listing Authority requirements and the completion of certain financial due diligence work. Under the policy, any work performed in excess of a pre-defined limit (being an initial fee value in excess of £100,000) must also be approved by the Finance Director and the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Fees paid to the external auditors during the year ended 31 March 2005 (with equivalent information for the year ended 31 March 2004) are shown in Table 47 below:

 

 

 

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Ø    Table 47

Auditors’ remuneration

    

on the group’s short- and long-term value. SEE matters are also included in the induction and development programme for directors.

In terms of risk identification and management, SEE matters are included in the overall risk and control framework and in the Risk Report which is reviewed on a monthly basis by the Board and Executive Team. The company also employs management tools such as balanced scorecards to measure progress against key strategic priorities and has developed an International Leadership Model which integrates values with performance throughout the business.

Further information regarding SEE matters can be found in the Business Review section of this Report. In addition, the company publishes separately an Environmental and Social Impact Report, which includes information on the company’s SEE policies and practices and internal governance structures, and individual performance reports which will appear on the company’s website. The Environmental and Social Impact Report and the performance reports are verified and independently assured by csr network, a corporate social responsibility consultancy firm.

 


         2004/05
£m
   2003/04
£m
    

Audit services

              

– statutory audit

   1.7    1.5     

– audit-related regulatory reporting

   0.7    0.4     

Further assurance services

   2.5    0.7     

Tax services

              

– compliance services

   1.0    1.6     

– advisory services

   0.4    0.8     

Total UK and US audit and non-audit fees paid to auditors

   6.3    5.0     

 

Further assurance services principally represents fees associated with due diligence work and advice regarding the implementation of s404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

 

     18     

Political Donations

and Expenditure

All of these fees were either specifically approved by the Audit Committee or were subject to the pre-approval procedure described above.

Safeguards are also in place to protect the independence of the Internal Audit department. The department reports directly to the Audit Committee; the Committee reviews the Internal Audit work plan and sets the department’s budget. In addition, the Committee is required to approve the appointment, replacement, reassignment or dismissal of the Director Group Internal Audit.

 


    

 

ScottishPower is a politically neutral organisation but is required to comply with the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. This legislation defines political “donations” and “expenditure” in wider terms than would be commonly understood by these phrases. The definitions include expenditure which the Board believes it is in the interests of the company to incur. The Act also requires companies to obtain prior shareholder approval of this expenditure; at the Annual General Meeting in 2004 the company obtained authorisation up to a maximum amount of £100,000.

16  

 

Evaluation of Disclosure

Controls and Procedures

(Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

 

    

During the financial year ended 31 March 2005, the company paid a total of £26,645 for activities which may be regarded as falling within the terms of the Act. The recipients of these payments were:

The Chief Executive and the Finance Director have evaluated the effectiveness of the group’s disclosure controls and procedures as at the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive and Finance Director concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures (as they are defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) are effective.

There has been no change to the group’s internal controls that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, these controls over financial reporting during the period covered by this report.

    

Ø    The Labour Party £18,095

 

Ø    The Conservative and Unionist Party £3,500

 

Ø    Liberal Democrats £1,300

 

Ø    Scottish National Party £2,750

 

Ø    Plaid Cymru £1,000.

 

These activities comprised the sponsorship of briefings and receptions at party conferences and attendance at party events. These occasions present an important opportunity for the company to represent its views on a non-partisan basis to politicians from across the political spectrum. The payments do

 


    
17    

 

Social, Environmental

and Ethical Matters

    

 

The Board receives monthly operational reports which include consideration of relevant developments across the group in social, environmental and ethical (“SEE”) matters. This enables the Board to take regular account of the strategic significance of SEE matters to the group, and to consider the risks and opportunities arising from these issues that may have an impact

    

 

 

 

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not indicate support, and are not intended to influence support, for any particular political party.

It should be noted that these activities do not contravene the restrictions on political contributions under the US Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, to which the company is subject.

 


 

    

19

 

  

NYSE Corporate

Governance Rules

 

    

The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) issued extensively revised corporate governance rules for its listed companies in 2003 and these were updated in November 2004. While these rules are mandatory for US incorporated companies whose shares are listed on NYSE, foreign issuers such as Scottish Power plc are exempt from a number of the requirements and may adopt different practices that reflect home country practice. With the exception of two specific areas, the company complies fully with these rules, which are broadly comparable to the requirements of the Combined Code. The two areas where the company does not comply with the NYSE rules are:

 

Ø     Composition of the Nomination Committee – in line with UK corporate governance practice, the Nomination Committee comprises a majority of independent non-executive directors, but does also include both the Chairman and Chief Executive. The NYSE rules would require all members of the Committee to be independent.

 

Ø     Adoption of Corporate Governance principles – UK listed companies are required either to comply with the Combined Code or explain why they have not done so. As a result, the Combined Code in effect provides a set of corporate governance principles for the company addressing all of the corporate governance guidelines described in the NYSE rules, and accordingly the company does not believe that additional company-specific principles are necessary.

    

 

 

 

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Remuneration Report

of the Directors

 

 

 

1    Ø    Consideration of Remuneration

              Matters by the Directors
2    Ø    Statement of Remuneration Policy
3    Ø    Elements of the Remuneration
              Package 2004/05

 

 

 

 


 

    
1   

Consideration of

Remuneration Matters

by the Directors

  

policy and advise, as appropriate, on the performance of senior executives. They are not present during any discussion of their own remuneration. The Terms of Reference contain conflict of interest provisions to ensure that no directors are involved in any decision relating to their own remuneration.

The Committee is able to draw on advice from independent remuneration consultants and internal expertise. Towers, Perrin, Forster & Crosby, Inc., (“Towers Perrin”) act as remuneration consultant and independent advisor to the Committee. Towers Perrin’s appointment by the Committee followed a competitive tendering exercise. Towers Perrin also provides remuneration and other human resources consultancy services directly to some ScottishPower companies within parameters established by the Committee. The Terms of Reference of the independent remuneration advisors are available on the company’s website. Company executives whom the Committee may consult include the Group Company Secretary, (who acts as Secretary to the Committee), the Group Director, Human Resources, the Director Group Talent Management and Reward, and the Head of Group Reward. The Terms of Reference of the Remuneration Committee empower it to avail itself of external legal and professional advice at the expense of the company.

The Committee met on two occasions during the year ended 31 March 2005.

During the year, the Board accepted all of the recommendations from the Committee without significant amendment.

 

The ScottishPower Board is responsible for determining the remuneration policy for the ScottishPower group. The Remuneration Committee, with delegated authority from the Board, determines the detail of remuneration arrangements for the Executive Team, including the executive directors, and reviews proposals in respect of other senior executives. The relationship between the Board and the Committee is based on formal Terms of Reference, which are available on the company’s website, and are regularly reviewed to ensure that they reflect best practice.

The Remuneration Committee consists solely of independent non-executive directors. Its members are Nolan Karras (Chairman), Euan Baird, Donald Brydon, Philip Carroll, Nick Rose and Nancy Wilgenbusch (the latter two directors were both appointed to the Committee on 1 June 2004). Sir Peter Gregson was Chairman of the Committee, and Mair Barnes was a member, until their retirement from the Board at the AGM on 23 July 2004. These members have no personal financial interest, other than as shareholders, in the matters considered by the Committee. Details of the payments made to all non-executive directors are set out in Table 48 (page 101).

The Chairman of the company, Charles Miller Smith, and the Chief Executive, Ian Russell, are invited to attend meetings and may provide guidance on the impact of remuneration

  

 

 

 

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Remuneration Report of the Directors

 


 

2  

 

Statement of

Remuneration Policy

  

governance practice. The Long Term Incentive Plan will expire at the 2006 AGM having reached the end of its ten-year lifespan. The Committee will, therefore, design an appropriate new long-term incentive plan for shareholder approval at the 2006 AGM. Prior to this the Committee will consult with major shareholders. At this time, no other substantial changes to the company’s policies with regard to directors’ remuneration are envisaged over the next year and in subsequent years. However, the Committee may develop policy and, should it determine any changes to be appropriate, will report such changes to shareholders through established channels of consultation and reporting.

 


 

Philosophy and Policy

 

ScottishPower seeks to ensure that remuneration and incentive schemes are in line with best practice, provide a strong link to individual and company performance and promote a community of interest between employees and shareholders.

  

Rewards for executives and directors are designed to attract and retain individuals of high quality, who have the requisite skills and are incentivised to achieve levels of performance which exceed that of competitor companies. As such, remuneration packages must be market-competitive and capable of rewarding exceptional performance. All senior management remuneration packages are set according to a mid-market position, with packages above the mid-market level provided only where supported by demonstrably superior personal performance. Remuneration packages are developed to reflect the prevailing market practice in each business environment.

Annual bonus arrangements have been structured so that stretching targets are based on corporate, business unit and individual performance.

The company operates a Personal Shareholding Policy (“PSP”), requiring executives and key senior managers to build-up and retain a shareholding in the company in proportion to their annual salaries. These proportions are three times base salary for the Chief Executive and two times base salary for other executive directors. The Committee expects PSP participants to have accumulated their respective shareholding targets within eight years of the introduction of the Policy, that is by the end of May 2008, or eight years after the first award under any discretionary share plan for external appointees to the Board. The Committee reviews this policy regularly to ensure that it is in line with evolving best practice and in the interests of shareholders.

In setting remuneration levels, the Committee commissions an independent evaluation of the roles of the Executive Team. The Committee takes independent advice from Towers Perrin on market-level remuneration, based on comparisons with other companies of similar size and complexity, including the major utility companies, with which the company competes for executive talent.

The Committee recognises the importance of linking rewards to business and personal performance and believes that the arrangements detailed below provide an appropriate focus on performance and balance between short- and long-term incentives. The annual bonus plan and long-term incentive arrangements are expected to provide 51% of total reward for the achievement of stretching target objectives. Higher proportions of performance-based reward are available for the delivery of exceptional personal and business performance resulting in enhanced shareholder value.

The Committee constantly monitors market practice in order to remain competitive, to ensure that reward policy supports company strategy and to reflect good corporate

  

3  

  

Elements of the Remuneration

Package 2004/05

     
  

 

Base Salaries

 

The Committee sets base salaries for the Executive Team by reference to individual performance through a formal appraisal system applied to all management employees, and to external market data, reflecting similar roles in comparable companies. Account is also taken of salary increases and employment conditions across the company.

 

Annual Performance-Related Bonus

 

Executive directors and senior management participate in the company’s performance-related annual incentive plans. Any payments to UK executives under the plans are non-pensionable and are determined by the Committee following assessment against stretching pre-determined targets. In line with US market practice, a proportion of bonus paid to US senior executives, including Judi Johansen the CEO of PacifiCorp, is pensionable.

The maximum annual incentive payment available to executive directors is 100% of base salary. 75% of any award is paid immediately in cash and 25% is deferred into company shares that are released to the individual after 3 years.

The 2004/05 annual incentive plan for the Chief Executive was based 45% on the achievement of key company financial targets, including Earnings per Share (“EPS”), interest cover, cash flow and return on capital. A further 45% was based on the achievement of key strategic objectives (including appropriate pre-determined targets in relation to customer service and health and safety, amongst others) and 10% was based on cultural and leadership behaviours.

For the other four executive directors, 25% of bonus was based on the achievement of key company financial targets, 25% was based on the achievement of key strategic objectives, 40% on the achievement of the appropriate function/division balanced scorecard targets (with financial metrics and performance targets relating to the function/division, including, where appropriate, customer service and health and safety metrics) and 10% was based on cultural and leadership behaviours.

Objectives are set annually by the Committee and performance against these is reviewed by the Committee at the

 

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half year and year end. In determining annual incentive payments for 2004/05, the Remuneration Committee gave detailed consideration to outturn against target in relation to company, divisional/functional and personal performance.

Payments made to executive directors were within the range of 53% to 96% of the maximum available opportunity.

 

Executive Share Plans

 

The company currently operates a performance share plan, known as the Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) for executive directors and other senior managers. In May 2004, the company made the final award under the Executive Share Option Plan 2001 (“ExSOP”).

Under the LTIP, awards to acquire shares in ScottishPower at nil or nominal cost are made to the participants up to a maximum value, at the time of grant, equal to 75% of base salary. The award will vest only if the Committee is satisfied that there has been sustained underlying performance of the company and, to this end, certain gateway performance targets are measured and the Committee reviews performance against these measures when determining if awards vest. The measures relate to the key financial performance indicators of the company and customer service standards. These measures provide a mechanism to safeguard stakeholder interests and provide an overview of the financial and operational success of the business.

The number of shares which actually vest is dependent upon the company’s comparative Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) performance, over a three-year performance period. TSR measures ScottishPower’s comparative performance against key competitors and only provides rewards if ScottishPower is at least equal to the median performance of appropriate comparators. The Committee chose TSR as the performance measure for the LTIP as it believes that it provides a clear link to the creation of shareholder value.

LTIP awards were granted to 54 directors and senior executives during the year (Award 9). TSR performance is measured against an international comparator group of 37 major energy companies, as identified below.

AES Corp; American Electric Power Inc; Calpine Corp; Centrepoint Energy Inc; Centrica; Chubu Electric Power Co Inc; CLP Holdings Limited; Constellation Energy Group Inc; Dominion Resources Inc; Duke Energy Corp; Dynegy Inc; Edison International; El Paso Corp; Electrabel SA; Electricidade de Portugal SA; Endesa SA; Ente Nazionale per l’Energia Elettrica SpA (Enel); Entergy Corp; Exelon; FirstEnergy Corp; FPL Group Inc; Gas Natural SDG SA; Iberdrola SA; Kansai Electric Power Co Inc; National Grid Transco plc; PPL Corp; Progress Energy Inc; Public Service Enterprise Group Inc; RWE AG; Scottish and Southern Energy plc; Southern Company Inc; Tenaga Nasional Bhd; Tokyo Electric Power Co Inc; TXU Corp; Union Fenosa; Williams Companies Inc; and Xcel Energy Inc.

No shares vest unless the company’s TSR performance is at least equal to the median performance of the comparator group,

 

at which point 40% of the initial award vests. 100% of the shares vest if the company’s performance is equal to or exceeds the top quartile. The number of shares that vest for performance between these two points is determined on a straight-line basis.

For LTIP Award 6, which had the potential to vest during the year, TSR performance was measured against a similar composition of international energy companies over the three-year period to 31 March 2004. After careful consideration, the Committee determined that the gateway measures relating to the financial and customer service performance of the company had been achieved. As the company was ranked at the median TSR performance level against the comparator group, 40% of the initial award vested. This meant that at the maximum level of participation whereby awards were made over shares with an initial value of 75% of base salary at May 2001, an award equal to 30% of base salary at May 2001, became available for exercise by participants in May 2004.

The Committee has approved the operation of the LTIP for 2005/06 and will continue to focus on performance and potential in determining LTIP participation. As an additional incentive and retention tool, the Committee will include selected key high potential/high performance individuals in the LTIP as identified by the talent management process (if not already at a level that qualifies for participation). The Committee has also agreed that participants who would normally receive an LTIP award as a result of their level in the company will only do so if they achieve a certain pre-determined level of performance as determined by the company’s performance management system. No significant changes to the operation of the LTIP have been implemented for 2005/06 and this will be the final grant under this plan as it will reach the end of its 10-year lifespan.

ExSOP awards were granted at market value to 300 senior executives including the Executive Directors in May 2004. Executive directors in post at May 2004 received an award of options with a value equivalent to 200% of base salary. Options granted to UK executives under the ExSOP are subject to the performance criterion that the average annual percentage increase in the company’s EPS be at least 3% (adjusted for any increase in the Retail Price Index). The Committee believes that EPS is an appropriate measure for the purposes of testing the ExSOP because it is based on the underlying financial performance of the company. This criterion is assessed at the end of the third financial year, the first year being the financial year starting immediately before the date of grant. If not satisfied on the third anniversary, the criterion may be retested, from the same base, on the fourth and fifth anniversaries of grant. Unvested options lapse at the fifth anniversary. The Company will make no further awards under the ExSOP.

 

Performance Graph

 

The Directors’ Remuneration Report Regulations require that a graph be presented showing the company’s TSR performance against the TSR performance of a broad equity market index over a five-year period. The FTSE 100 has been chosen because

 

 

 

 

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Remuneration Report of the Directors

 

 

it is the principal index in which the company’s shares are quoted. The graph below presents the comparative TSR performance of the company during the period 1 April 2000 – 31 March 2005. The graph shows that ScottishPower has outperformed the index over this period.

 

LOGO

 

This graph looks at the value (net of withholding tax), at 31 March 2005, of £100 invested in ScottishPower on 31 March 2000 compared with that of £100 invested in the FTSE 100 Index. The other points plotted are the values at intervening financial year ends.

 

All-Employee Share Plans

 

To facilitate high levels of share ownership by employees, the company operates three savings-related share ownership plans. These are all-employee Inland Revenue or Internal Revenue Service approved plans and are not subject to performance conditions. Participation is available to executive directors on the same basis as to all other eligible employees.

 

Sharesave

 

Employees domiciled in the UK are eligible to participate in the ScottishPower all-employee Sharesave plan. Under this plan, options are granted over ScottishPower shares at a discount of 20% from the prevailing market price at the time of grant to eligible employees who commit to save up to £250 per month over a period of three or five years.

 

Employee Share Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)

 

The company operates an ESOP (also known as a Share Incentive Plan) for all UK domiciled employees. The ESOP enables employees to purchase shares in the company from pre-tax income up to the limits specified in the legislation. The value of these shares is at risk as they are not normally released until the legislation allows. The company matches these shares at no cost to the employee on a one-for-one ratio.

 

Defined Contribution Savings Plan (“401(k)”)

 

Employees domiciled in the US are eligible to participate in a tax-beneficial savings plan (known as a 401(k) plan) provided for all US employees. The Plan provides for employee contributions up to statutory limits, which are matched by the company at 50% of the employee contribution up to the first 6% of pay (i.e. a 3% match). The company also makes an additional contribution of 2% of eligible pay for all participants. All contributions to the Plan are invested in a range of investment funds, including ScottishPower American Depositary Shares (“ADS”), at the discretion of the participant.

 

Pension

 

The UK domiciled executive directors, and other UK senior managers of the company, are provided with pension benefits through the company’s main pension scheme, and through an executive top-up pension plan which provides a maximum pension of two-thirds of final salary on retirement at age 63, reduced where service to age 63 is less than 20 years. Pensionable salary is normally base salary in the 12 months prior to leaving the company although there are prescribed mechanisms for calculating pensionable salary by averaging base salary over a period of up to three out of the last 10 years’ service. The employee contributes 5% of salary to the scheme. Life assurance provision of four times pensionable salary and a widow’s pension of half the executive’s pension on death are provided.

UK domiciled individuals who joined the company on or after 1 June 1989 are subject to the Inland Revenue ‘earnings cap’, introduced by the Finance Act 1989. Entitlement to pension benefits above the cap cannot be provided through the company’s approved pension scheme, and therefore arrangements on an unapproved basis have been made to provide total benefits for executives affected by the legislation as though there was no cap. The total liability calculated on an FRS 17 basis in respect of executives and senior employees arising in relation to unapproved benefits accrued for service for the year to 31 March 2005 was £1,520,900. The Trustee body of the Executive Top Up Plan is chaired by the Company Secretary.

The Committee has considered, at length, the company’s response to the government’s simplification of the pensions taxation regime to take effect on 6 April 2006 (‘A-day’). In determining future executive pensions policy, the Committee ensured that no additional benefit would accrue to executive directors as a result of the taxation reform. The Committee has decided that the unapproved promise will remain the sole vehicle for providing executive pensions above the new Life Time Allowance.

The US domiciled executive director and other US senior managers of the company participate in a qualified defined benefit pension plan and a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. The defined benefit plan is a non-contributory retirement plan. Benefits vest after five years of service and are determined

 

 

 

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by each employee’s years of service with the company, final average pay (the highest 60 consecutive months of eligible pay over the last 120 months of employment) and age at retirement. Pay includes base pay plus annual incentive plan payments up to 10% of annual base pay. The amount of pay considered under the plan is further limited by statute. Benefits under the plan, plus benefits payable from the US Social Security system, at age 65 (normal retirement) are targeted to replace 60%-70% of final average pay after a full career (defined as 30 years) with the company.

As a US domiciled executive director, Judi Johansen participates in the PacifiCorp Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) which provides additional retirement benefits to a select group of management or highly compensated employees as a means to attract and retain highly effective individuals. Participants receive benefits at retirement based on length of service with the company and average pay in the 60 consecutive months of highest pay out of the last 120 months, and pay for this purpose would include salary and annual incentive plan payments. Benefits are based on 50% of final average pay plus 1% of final average pay for each year that the Company meets certain performance goals set for each fiscal year by the Company. The maximum benefit is 65% of final average pay. Retirement benefits are reduced to reflect Social Security benefits as well as certain prior employer retirement benefits and other retirement benefits from the company’s qualified retirement plan. Participants are entitled to receive full benefits upon retirement after age 60 with at least 15 years of service. Participants are also entitled to receive reduced benefits upon early retirement after age 55 or after age 50 with at least 15 years of service and 5 years of participation in the supplemental plan.

The Committee has reported the pension expense in accordance with the requirements of the UK Listing Authority and Directors’ Remuneration Report Regulations. Pension costs detailed in the Accounts are calculated as the cost of providing benefits accrued in the 2004/05 year, in accordance with appropriate accounting standards.

 

Benefits

 

Executive directors are eligible for a range of benefits on which they are assessed for tax. These include the provision of a company car or a cash allowance in lieu of a car, fuel, private medical provision and permanent health insurance. The provision and level of benefits is reviewed regularly to ensure that practice is in line with the market.

The US domiciled executive director participates in post-retirement healthcare plans, subject to the eligibility criteria at termination from the company. Currently, those criteria are termination after age 55 with five or more years of service.

 

Service Contracts

 

Ian Russell, Charles Berry and David Nish entered into revised service contracts with the company dated 3 June 2003. On

 

appointment to the Board, Simon Lowth and Judi Johansen entered into new service contracts with the company on 1 September 2003 and 1 October 2003 respectively.

These are rolling contracts terminable by either party on no more than 12 months’ notice. They contain a payment in lieu of notice provision that allows the company to terminate the contract immediately and a liquidated damages provision which provides for a payment to the director if the company terminates the contract unlawfully. The payment in lieu of notice and liquidated damages provisions are calculated by reference to 12 months’ basic salary and contractual benefits (except bonus, pension and share-related incentives as set out below). With the exception of the US director, Judi Johansen, the company has the discretion to pay these amounts in full on termination of employment or, in line with emerging best practice, in instalments. If instalments are paid, an initial payment will be made in respect of six months’ loss only. Further instalments may be paid if the director has not started alternative employment within six months of the termination date. The director will only receive payment in respect of 12 months’ loss should he or she fail to start alternative employment within nine months of termination. If the director starts alternative employment within nine months of termination, the instalments will be reduced by the basic salary received by the director in his alternative employment. In line with US market practice any payments to be paid to the US director on unlawful termination of the contract shall be paid on regular Company pay dates or as otherwise agreed by both parties. If the director commences other employment within six months following termination of employment, severance pay and benefits will not be offset by any salary received from an alternative employer. If other employment commences after six months following termination of employment, any remaining severance pay due will be reduced by any salary or bonus received from alternative employment for the remainder of the severance pay period.

The director’s entitlement under any performance related pay scheme for the period prior to termination will be unaffected as will any entitlement under any executive share scheme. In addition, the company will pay to the director an amount representing a proportion of his or her maximum annual bonus for the notice period based on the company’s performance against its pre-determined financial objectives. This will be paid at the same time as annual bonuses are paid to other employees providing the director has complied with confidentiality obligations and any restrictive covenants and may be reduced if the director obtains alternative employment.

The service contract does not provide for any additional benefits where termination of a director is as a result of a change in control of the company.

If not otherwise terminated, the service contracts terminate automatically at Normal Retirement Age.

The company’s policy is that all new directors will be offered service contracts on the terms outlined above.

 

 

 

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Remuneration Report of the Directors

 

 

The Committee’s policy on early termination is to emphasise the duty to mitigate to the fullest extent practicable. Senior managers within the company have notice periods ranging from six months to one year.

The Chairman, Charles Miller Smith, does not have a service contract with the company.

The Remuneration Committee, in light of the expected timetable for obtaining regulatory approvals for PacifiCorp’s sale to MidAmerican, approved a cash retention award for PacifiCorp’s Chief Executive Officer, Judi Johansen, equal to one times base salary, which is contingent on the closing of PacifiCorp’s sale to MidAmerican and also on her continued employment and her satisfactory performance of duties in the period through the sale’s closing. She will receive 80% of the retention award upon the closing of the sale and the remaining 20% of the award 365 days from the date of the closing, provided there have been no breach of warranty claims against ScottishPower or PacifiCorp Holdings, Inc. under the Stock Purchase Agreement with MidAmerican.

 

External Non-Executive Appointments

 

The company encourages its Executive Directors to become non-executive directors of other companies, provided that these appointments are not with competing companies, are not likely to lead to any conflicts of interest, and do not require extensive commitments of time which would prejudice their roles within the company. This serves to add to their personal and professional experience and knowledge, to the benefit of the company. Any fees derived from such appointments may be retained by the executives.

In this respect, during 2004/05 Charles Berry received a fee of £1,135 from the Securities Trust of Scotland in his position as non-executive director. No other Executive Director receives remuneration from their respective external non-executive roles.

 

Remuneration Policy for Non-Executive Directors

 

The remuneration of non-executive directors is determined by the Chairman and the executive directors of the Board and consists of a base fee of £31,000 p.a., a committee membership fee of £5,000 p.a. (not paid to a committee chairman), a fee of £15,000 p.a. for chairing the Audit Committee and the Remuneration Committee, and an international travel fee of £1,000 for attending a tranche of meetings that involve a Transatlantic journey.

With effect from 1 April 2004, the Board introduced a fee of £10,000 p.a. for chairing the Group Finance Committee of the Board and £3,000 p.a. to be a member. Such fees are only paid to the independent non-executive directors who serve on the Group Finance Committee.

Effective from 1 August 2004, the Board introduced a fee of £10,000 p.a. for the role of Senior Independent Director.

In line with best practice, the independent non-executive directors do not have service contracts, but are appointed under standard letters of appointment. They are not members of the company’s pension schemes and do not participate in any

 

bonus, share option or other profit or long-term incentive plan. Full details of the remuneration of the non-executive directors are contained in Table 48.

 

Compensation of Directors and Officers

 

For US reporting purposes, it is necessary to provide information on compensation and interests for directors and officers. The aggregate amount of compensation paid by the group to all directors and officers of the company, as a group, was £7,488,467.

During 2004/05 the cost to the group to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for directors and officers of the company pursuant to any existing plan provided or contributed to by the group was £4,720,784 (calculated in accordance with Statement of Standard Accounting Practice 24 ‘Accounting for pension costs’).

 

Interest of Management in Certain Transactions

 

There have been no material transactions during the group’s three most recent financial years, nor are there presently proposed to be any material transactions to which the company or any of its subsidiaries was or is a party and in which any director or officer, or 10% shareholder, or any relative or spouse thereof or any relative of such a spouse, who had the same home as such person or who is a director or officer of any subsidiary of the company has or is to have a direct or indirect material interest.

During the group’s three most recent financial years there has been no, and at present there is no, outstanding indebtedness to the company or any of its subsidiaries owed or owing by any director or officer of the group or any associate thereof.

 

Directors’ Interests

 

Other than as disclosed, none of the directors had a material interest in any contract of significance with the company and its subsidiaries during or at the end of the financial year. The directors’ interests, all beneficial, in the ordinary shares of the company, including interests in options under the company’s ExSOP and Sharesave Scheme and awards under the LTIP, are shown on pages 102 to 105.

 

Directors’ Emoluments

 

Table 48 provides a breakdown of the total emoluments of the Chairman and all the directors in office during the year ended 31 March 2005.

 

Directors’ Pension Benefits

 

Details of pension benefits earned by the executive directors during the year are shown in Table 49.

 

The following tables provide details of the remuneration, pensions and share interests of the directors and the information is audited.

 

 

 

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           Table 48

Ø   Directors’ Emoluments 2004/05

 

    

Basic Salary

£ 000’s

  

Bonuses

£ 000’s

  

Benefits in Kind

£ 000’s

  

Total

£ 000’s

Total Emoluments    2005    2004    2005    2004    2005    2004    2005    2004

Chairman and executive directors

                                       

Charles Miller Smith (Non-Executive Chairman)

   275.0    275.0             4.7    275.0    279.7

Ian Russell

   705.0    650.0    627.5    414.4    47.6    32.7    1,380.1    1,097.1

Charles Berry

   400.0    315.0    382.0    212.6    37.7    27.4    819.7    555.0

Judi Johansen*

   406.3    206.6    213.3    258.3    11.5    3.2    631.1    468.1

Simon Lowth

   430.0    242.1    354.8    151.3    16.1    6.7    800.9    400.1

David Nish

   430.0    415.0    387.0    269.8    41.8    31.7    858.8    716.5

Total

   2,646.3    2,103.7    1,964.6    1,306.4    154.7    106.4    4,765.6    3,516.5
    

Fees

£ 000’s

  

Bonuses

£ 000’s

   Benefits in Kind
£ 000’s
  

Total

£ 000’s

     2005    2004    2005    2004    2005    2004    2005    2004

Non-executive directors (fees and expenses)

                                       

Euan Baird

   37.0    32.8             2.9    37.0    35.7

Mair Barnes (retired 23 July 2004)

   13.7    38.0          0.6    3.4    14.3    41.4

Donald Brydon

   53.8    29.6          13.4    0.1    67.2    29.7

Philip J Carroll

   55.0    23.8          0.6    1.5    55.6    25.3

Sir Peter Gregson (retired 23 July 2004)

   18.7    51.0          0.7    3.0    19.4    54.0

Nolan Karras**

   64.3    53.9             3.7    64.3    57.6

Nick Rose

   55.1    38.8          11.8    1.7    66.9    40.5

Vicky Bailey (appointed 1 June 2004)

   34.5             2.2       36.7   

Nancy Wilgenbusch** (appointed 1 June 2004)

   39.9                   39.9   

Total

   372.0    267.9          29.3    16.3    401.3    284.2

 

Other emoluments

 

*     Conversion rate used for Judi Johansen is £1 = $1.846, being the average exchange rate during the year.

 

**    Nolan Karras and Nancy Wilgenbusch received emoluments in the US of £8,667 (2004 £9,637) and £2,709 respectively. These amounts relate to services to the Utah and Pacific regional advisory boards and are paid in the form of cash and shares. The amounts are included within ‘Fees’ in the above table.

 

(i)    The emoluments of the highest paid director (Ian Russell) excluding pension contributions were £1,380,079 (2004 £1,097,144). Details of share related incentives are contained in Tables 50 and 51.

 

(ii)    Ian Russell has an entitlement under the unapproved pension benefits described further in Table 49.

 

 

 

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  Remuneration Report of the Directors

 

 

          Table 49

Ø   Defined Benefits Pension Plans 2004/05

 

Year   

Transferred

- in benefits
£ p.a.

   Additional
pension
earned in year
(net of inflation)
£ p.a.
  

Accrued
pension at

end of year
£ p.a.

  

(A)

Transfer value
of increases
after inflation
(net of director’s
contribution)

£

  

Value of
accrued
pension at
start of year

£

  

Value of
accrued
pension at

end of year

£

  

(B)

Total change

in value
during the year
(net of director’s
contributions)

£

Ian Russell

   19,347    31,017    246,803    430,932    2,637,029    3,385,630    743,500

Charles Berry

      37,397    152,287    525,393    1,416,165    2,125,091    703,827

Judi Johansen*

      20,401    59,547    78,327    146,921    252,611    105,689

Simon Lowth

   34,577    12,005    53,529    116,115    347,141    530,246    178,005

David Nish

   45,867    9,472    116,958    102,078    1,020,190    1,297,583    272,293

 

* Part of Judi Johansen’s benefits are provided in defined contribution form, through a company 401(k) plan. The figures in the table do not include any 401(k) element. The company contribution payable to the 401(k) plan in respect of Judi Johansen for the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005 was £6,540. See also note (xi) regarding her potential entitlement to post-retirement healthcare benefits. The conversion rate used is £1=$1.846 being the average exchange rate during the year.

 

  (i) The accrued entitlement of the highest paid director (Ian Russell) was £246,803 (2004 £208,489). During the year, retirement benefits were accrued under the defined benefits pension scheme in respect of five directors (2004 five directors).

 

  (ii) The transfer value of the increases after inflation (A) represents the current capital sum which would be required, using demographic and financial assumptions, to produce an equivalent increase in accrued pension and ancillary benefits, excluding the statutory inflationary increase, and after deduction of members’ contributions. Although the transfer value represents a liability to the Pension Scheme in respect of approved benefits and to the company in respect of any unapproved benefits, it is not a single sum paid or due to be paid to the individual director and cannot therefore meaningfully be added to the annual remuneration. Instead, this value would not be payable until the director’s retirement date, and thereafter would be spread over the remainder of his/her lifetime (and also covering the cost of dependants’ benefits after his/her death).

 

  (iii) The total change in value (B) in the last column of the table above reflects the following elements:
  1. changes to the economic and demographic assumptions underlying the transfer value basis over the year
  2. any increases in pensionable salary received during the year
  3. the completion of another year of pensionable service during the year
  4. the directors are a year closer to drawing their pensions, which increases their pension value (all other things being equal).

 

The change in the amount of the transfer values over the year includes the effect of fluctuations in factors that are beyond the control of the company and its directors, such as stockmarket movements and long-term interest rates.

 

  (iv) The accrued pension shown is that which would be paid annually on retirement based upon service to the end of the year. Members of the company’s schemes have the option of paying additional voluntary contributions; neither the contributions nor the resulting benefits are included in the above table.

 

  (v) Directors who joined the UK pension scheme on or after 1 June 1989 are subject to the earnings cap, introduced in the Finance Act 1989. Pension entitlements which cannot be provided through the company’s approved schemes, due to the earnings cap, are provided through unapproved pension arrangements, details of which are included in the Remuneration Report. The pension benefits disclosed above include approved and unapproved pension arrangements.

 

  (vi) The increase in UK accrued pension during the year excludes the increase due to RPI inflation as measured at December 2004 (3.5%).

 

  (vii) The value of directors’ UK entitlements has been calculated on the basis of actuarial advice in accordance with Actuarial Guidance note GN11, in two parts: the approved element being based upon the normal cash equivalent transfer value assumptions; the unapproved element being calculated in line with FRS 17 assumptions.

The value of the US director’s entitlement has been calculated in line with FRS 17 assumptions.

 

  (viii) Transferred-in plan benefits represent pension rights accrued in respect of previous employments. The accrued pension shown at the end of the year includes transferred-in benefits.

 

  (ix) The total liabilities, calculated on a FRS17 basis, arising in relation to UK unapproved benefits for all executives and senior employees for service in the year to 31 March 2005 was £1,520,900 (2004 £934,100). This figure relates only to the cost of benefits accruing over the year but does not include any finance items. It therefore differs from the full FRS17 charge for unapproved benefits over the same period.

 

  (x) All benefits above are provided on a defined benefit basis.

 

  (xi) Judi Johansen may also be eligible to participate in the company’s post-retirement healthcare plans, providing that she meets the eligibility criteria at the time she terminates or retires from the company. Currently that criteria is termination after age 55 with five of more years of service.

 

 

          Table 50

Ø   Directors’ Interests in ScottishPower Shares

 

     Ordinary shares   

Share options (Executive1)

  

Share options (Sharesave)

  

Long Term Incentive Plan

     31.3.05   

1.4.04

(or date of
appointment
if later)

   31.3.05   

1.4.04

(or date of
appointment
if later)

   31.3.05   

1.4.04

(or date of
appointment
if later)

   31.3.05   

1.4.04 (or date

of appointment if later)

                                   **Vested    *Potential    **Vested    *Potential

Charles Miller Smith

   11,000    11,000                        

Vicky Bailey (appointed 1 June 2004)

                             

Euan Baird

   114,363    114,363                        

Donald Brydon

   3,000    3,000                        

Philip Carroll

   4,000    4,000                        

Nolan Karras

   42,446    39,297                        

Nick Rose

   5,395    5,128                        

Nancy Wilgenbusch (appointed 1 June 2004)

   508                           

Ian Russell

   •128,280    127,376    1,206,427    844,192    5,290    5,290    58,047    367,006    21,217    323,243

Charles Berry

   •41,712    23,506    628,407    422,884    2,941    2,941       195,279    11,968    161,734

Judi Johansen

   103,331    88,960    496,500    898,000             166,289       86,627

Simon Lowth

   17,710       220,937                82,851      

David Nish

   •36,415    13,964    738,171    517,234       2,509       230,230    10,880    197,602

 

 

 

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None of the directors has an interest in ordinary shares which is greater than 1% of the issued share capital of the company.

 

  1 Includes options granted under the Executive Share Option Plan 2001 and, where applicable, the PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan.
  * These shares represent, in each case, the maximum number of shares which the directors may receive, dependent on the satisfaction of performance criteria as approved by shareholders in connection with the Long Term Incentive Plan.

 

  ** These shares represent the number of shares the directors are entitled to receive when the LTIP award becomes exercisable calculated according to the performance criteria measured over the three-year performance period.

 

  These shares include the number of shares which the directors hold in the Employee Share Ownership Plan, shown below.

 

     Free shares    Partnership
shares
   Matching shares    Dividend shares   

Total

 

 

     31.3.05    1.4.04    31.3.05    1.4.04    31.3.05    1.4.04    31.3.05    1.4.04    31.3.05    1.4.04

Ian Russell

   50    50    1,580    1,210    1,580    1,210    430    266    3,640    2,736

Charles Berry

   50    50    1,580    1,210    1,580    1,210    430    266    3,640    2,736

David Nish

   50    50    1,580    1,210    1,580    1,210    430    266    3,640    2,736

 

Between 31 March 2005 and 19 May 2005, Ian Russell, Charles Berry and David Nish each acquired 60 Partnership shares and 60 Matching shares as part of the regular monthly transactions of the Employee Share Ownership Plan; and Judi Johansen, Nolan Karras and Nancy Wilgenbusch acquired 394.0877, 30.8167 and 30.8167 ScottishPower ADSs (1,577, 123 and 123 Ordinary shares) respectively as part of the PacifiCorp Compensation Reduction Plan. Additionally, 1,225 ADSs (4,900 ordinary shares) held by Judi Johansen in the form of Unvested Restricted Stock in the PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan, vested and became non-forfeitable on 24 April 2005 and, in accordance with the deferral election executed by Judi Johansen, were all immediately transferred into the PacifiCorp Compensation Reduction Plan. Otherwise, there have been no changes to the directors’ interests between 31 March 2005 and 19 May 2005.

 

 

          Table 51

Ø   Directors’ Interests in Performance and Other Share Plans at 31 March 2005

 

     1 April 2004
(or date of
appointment
if later)
   Granted    Exercised    Lapsed#    31 March
2005
   Option
exercise price
(pence)
   Date
exercised
   Market price
at date of
exercise
(pence)
   Date from
which
exercisable
   Expiry date

Long Term Incentive Plan

                                                 

Ian Russell

   21,217             21,217    nil              05 May 04    04 May 07
     92,075          55,245    36,830    nil              04 May 04    03 May 08
     101,600             101,600    nil              02 May 05    01 May 09
     129,568             129,568    nil              10 May 06    09 May 10
        135,838          135,838    nil              27 May 07    26 May 11
     344,460    135,838       55,245    425,053                         

Charles Berry

   11,968       11,968          nil    09 Jun 04    392.5    05 May 04    04 May 07
     43,526       17,410    26,116       nil    09 Jun 04    392.5    04 May 04    03 May 08
     55,418             55,418    nil              02 May 05    01 May 09
     62,790             62,790    nil              10 May 06    09 May 10
        77,071          77,071    nil              27 May 07    26 May 11
     173,702    77,071    29,378    26,116    195,279                         

Judi Johansen

   36,794             36,794    nil              02 May 05    01 May 09
     49,833             49,833    nil              10 May 06    09 May 10
        79,662          79,662    nil              27 May 07    26 May 11
     86,627    79,662          166,289                         

Simon Lowth

      82,851          82,851    nil              27 May 07    26 May 11
        82,851          82,851                         

David Nish

   10,880       10,880          nil    25 Nov 04    394.3    05 May 04    04 May 07
     50,223       20,089    30,134       nil    25 Nov 04    394.3    04 May 04    03 May 08
     64,655             64,655    nil              02 May 05    01 May 09
     82,724             82,724    nil              10 May 06    09 May 10
        82,851          82,851    nil              27 May 07    26 May 11
     208,482    82,851    30,969    30,134    230,230                         

 

# During the year, the performance period for the awards granted under the Long Term Incentive Plan on 4 May 2001 ended and, on the basis of the company’s total shareholder return, 40% of shares under awards vested. These awards became exercisable either immediately or at any other time until the seventh anniversary of grant. The market price of ScottishPower ordinary shares at the date of grant of these awards was 432.35 pence and on 27 May 2004, being the date of vesting, was 396.75 pence. Long Term Incentive Plan awards granted before 2001 became exercisable on the fourth anniversary of grant. Awards granted in 2001 and subsequently became exercisable on the third anniversary of grant, as approved by shareholders.

 

Awards granted during the year were granted for no consideration. The market value of a ScottishPower shares at the date of grant was 396.75 pence.

 

 

 

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  Remuneration Report of the Directors

 

 

          Table 51

Ø   Directors’ Interests in Performance and Other Share Plans at 31 March 2005 continued

 

     1 April 2004
(or date of
appointment
if later)
   Granted    Exercised    Lapsed    31 March
2005
   Option
exercise
price
(pence)
     Date
exercised
   Market price
at date of
exercise
(pence)
    Date from
which
exercisable
   Expiry date

Executive Share Option Plan 2001

                                                    

Ian Russell

   227,743             227,743    483.0                 21 Aug 04    21 Aug 11
     270,935             270,935    406.0                 02 May 05    02 May 12
     345,514             345,514    376.3                 10 May 06    10 May 13
        362,235          362,235    389.3                 27 May 07    27 May 14
     844,192    362,235          1,206,427                            

Charles Berry

   107,660             107,660    483.0                 21 Aug 04    21 Aug 11
     147,783             147,783    406.0                 02 May 05    02 May 12
     167,441             167,441    376.3                 10 May 06    10 May 13
        205,523          205,523    389.3                 27 May 07    27 May 14
     422,884    205,523          628,407                            

Judi Johansen

   61,824             61,824    311.5                 02 May 05    02 May 12
     61,824       61,824          311.5      01 Jun 04    398.8 **   02 May 03    02 May 12
     61,824       61,824          311.5      01 Jun 04    398.8 **   02 May 04    02 May 12
     61,828             61,828    311.5                 02 May 05    02 May 12
     81,968       81,964       4    322.8      01 Jun 04    398.8 **   10 May 04    10 May 13
     81,964             81,964    322.8                 10 May 05    10 May 13
     81,968             81,968    322.8                 10 May 06    10 May 13
        208,912          208,912    379.9                 27 May 07    27 May 14
     493,200    208,912    205,612       496,500                            

Simon Lowth

      220,937          220,937    389.3                 27 May 07    27 May 14
        220,937          220,937                            

David Nish

   124,223             124,223    483.0                 21 Aug 04    21 Aug 11
     172,413             172,413    406.0                 02 May 05    02 May 12
     220,598             220,598    376.3                 10 May 06    10 May 13
        220,937          220,937    389.3                 27 May 07    27 May 14
     517,234    220,937          738,171                            

PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan

                                                    

Judi Johansen

   76,464       76,464          331.5      01 Jun 04    398.8 **   25 Jan 02    25 Jan 11
     76,468       76,468          331.5      01 Jun 04    398.8 **   25 Jan 03    25 Jan 11
     76,468       76,468          331.5      01 Jun 04    398.8 **   25 Jan 04    25 Jan 11
     22,464       22,464          339.9      01 Jun 04    398.8 **   24 Apr 02    24 Apr 11
     76,468       76,468          339.9      01 Jun 04    398.8 **   24 Apr 03    24 Apr 11
     76,468       76,468          339.9      01 Jun 04    398.8 **   24 Apr 04    24 Apr 11
     404,800       404,800                                  

Sharesave Scheme

                                                    

Ian Russell

   5,290             5,290    301.0                 01 Sep 08    28 Feb 09
     5,290             5,290                            

Charles Berry

   2,941             2,941    323.0 *               01 Sep 05    28 Feb 06
     2,941             2,941                            

David Nish

   2,509       2,509          386.0 *    17 Jan 05    412.5     01 Sep 04    28 Feb 05
     2,509       2,509                                  

*         Denotes options granted under a three-year scheme.

 

**        The exercise of Executive Share Option Plan 2001 options by Judi Johansen on 1 June 2004 was over 30,912 ADSs at US$23.55 per ADS and 20,491 ADSs at US$24.40 per ADS. The exercise of PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan options by Judi Johansen on 1 June 2004 was over 57,350 ADSs at US$25.06 per ADS and 43,850 ADSs at US$25.70 per ADS. On 1 June 2004 the market value of a ScottishPower ADS was US$29.51.

 

(i)        The market price of the shares at 31 March 2005 was 409.0 pence and the range during 2004/05 was 377.5 pence to 446.75 pence.

 

(ii)        The Long Term Incentive Plan makes annual awards to acquire shares in ScottishPower at nil or nominal cost to the plan participants up to a maximum value equal to 75% of base salary. The award will vest only if the Remuneration Committee is satisfied that certain performance measures related to the sustained underlying financial performance of the company and sustained underlying performance in certain Customer Service Standards are achieved over a period of three financial years commencing with the financial year preceding the date an award is made. Assuming that such targets have been achieved, the number of shares that can be acquired under awards granted before May 2001 was dependent upon how the company ranked in terms of its total shareholder return performance over a three-year period, in comparison to the constituent companies of the FTSE 100 index and the Electricity and Water sectors. A percentage of each half of the award would vest depending upon the company’s ranking within each of the comparator groups. For awards granted in May 2001 and subsequently, the company’s total shareholder return performance is compared over a three-year period against an international comparator group of major energy companies. A percentage of the award vests dependent upon the company’s ranking within the comparator group. The plan participant may acquire the shares in respect of the percentage of the award which has vested at any time after the third year (or fourth year for awards granted before 2001) up to the seventh year after the grant of the award. No dividends accrue to participants prior to vesting.

 

 

 

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(iii) The company has granted options annually for the last four years under the Executive Share Option Plan 2001 to relevant executives and senior managers at nil or nominal cost. The exercise of options granted to UK executives and senior managers, and of those granted to Judi Johansen since her appointment to the board of ScottishPower, is subject to the performance criterion that the percentage increase in the company’s annualised earnings per share be at least 3% (adjusted for any increase in the RPI). This criterion is assessed at the end of the third financial year, the first year being the financial year starting immediately before the date of grant. If the criterion is not satisfied over this period, it is tested again at the end of the fourth financial year. If the criterion is not satisfied over this period, it is tested again at the end of the fifth financial year. If the criterion is not satisfied over this period, then the options lapse. The exercise of options granted to US participants is not normally subject to the satisfaction of performance criteria, and they normally become exercisable as follows: one-third of the options from the first anniversary of the date of grant, a further one-third from the second anniversary and the final one-third from the third anniversary of the date of grant. In 2002, an additional, conditional share option award was made to some senior managers, including Judi Johansen, under the Executive Share Option Plan 2001. The exercise of these additional, conditional options is subject to the same exercise period and performance criterion as options granted to UK participants.

 

(iv) On 21 August 2004, options granted on 21 August 2001 to Ian Russell, Charles Berry and David Nish under the Executive Share Option Plan 2001 vested following testing against the performance criterion and became exercisable immediately. The market price of ScottishPower ordinary shares on 21 August 2001 and 20 August 2004 (being the last trading date before 21 August 2004) was 475.99 pence and 390.25 pence respectively.

 

(v) Options granted to Judi Johansen under the PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan and the Executive Share Option Plan 2001 are granted over ScottishPower ADSs. For the purposes of the above table, these options, in the case of Judi Johansen, have been converted to ordinary shares as follows: one ScottishPower ADS equals four ScottishPower ordinary shares. The US$ ADS option prices were converted so that they may be represented in terms of ScottishPower ordinary shares. The prices were further converted at the closing exchange rate on 31 March 2005 of £1 = $1.890 so as to be quoted in pence in the above table.

 

   61,824 options granted to Judi Johansen on 2 May 2002 and a further 81,968 options granted on 10 May 2003 under the Executive Share Option Plan 2001 became exercisable on 2 May 2004 and 10 May 2004 respectively. The market price of ScottishPower ordinary shares on 2 May 2002, 9 May 2003 (being the last trading date before 10 May 2003), 30 April 2004 (being the last trading date before 2 May 2004) and 10 May 2004 was 411.5 pence, 376.25 pence, 383.25 pence and 378.00 pence respectively. 76,468 options granted on 24 April 2001 to Judi Johansen under the PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan became exercisable on 24 April 2004. The market price of ScottishPower ordinary shares on 24 April 2001 and 23 April 2004 (being the last trading date before 24 April 2004) was 477.00 pence and 391.75 pence respectively.

 

(vi) The option price for Sharesave options is calculated by reference to the middle-market quotation on the day immediately preceding the date of invitation and discounted by 20% in accordance with the Inland Revenue rules for such schemes.

 

   The number of options granted to a director under the Sharesave Scheme is calculated by reference to the total amount which the director agrees to save for a period of either three or five years under an Inland Revenue approved savings contract, subject to a current maximum.

 

(vii) Total gains made on exercise of directors’ share options and awards during the year were £623,361 (2004 £60,442). The conversion rate for gains made by Judi Johansen is £1 = $1.846, being the average exchange rate during the year.

 

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by

 

LOGO

 

Nolan Karras  Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

 

24 May 2005

 

 

 

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Directors’ Responsibility for the Accounts

 

The directors are required by law to prepare Accounts for each financial year and to present them annually to the company’s members at the Annual General Meeting. The Accounts, of which the form and content are prescribed by the Companies Act 1985 and applicable accounting standards, must give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the group as at the end of the financial year, and of the group’s profit or loss for the period.

The directors confirm that suitable Accounting Policies have been used and applied consistently, and that reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates have been made in the preparation of the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2005. The directors also confirm that applicable accounting standards have been followed and that the Accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis.

The directors are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records and sufficient internal controls to safeguard

 

the assets of the company and of the group and to prevent and detect fraud or any other irregularities.

 

Auditors

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the company’s auditors, have expressed their willingness to continue in office and a resolution for their re-appointment will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.

 

Report of the Directors

 

The Report of the Directors, comprising the statements and reports on pages 2 to 106 of this Annual Report & Accounts, has been approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by

 

LOGO

 

Andrew Mitchell  Secretary

24 May 2005

 


 

Safe Harbor Statement

 

Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

 

Some statements contained herein may include statements regarding our assumptions, projections, expectations or beliefs about future events. These statements are intended as “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements with respect to us, our corporate plans, future financial condition, future results of operations, future business plans, strategies, objectives and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward looking. Statements containing the words “may”, “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “continue”, “plan”, “project”, “target”, “on track to”, “strategy”, “aim”, “seek”, “will meet” or other similar words are also forward-looking. These statements are based on our management’s assumptions and beliefs in light of the information available to us. These assumptions involve risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

ScottishPower wishes to caution readers, and others to whom forward-looking statements are addressed, that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results may differ materially from estimates in the forward-looking statements. ScottishPower undertakes no obligation to revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Important factors that may cause results to differ from expectations include, for example:

 

Ø   the success of reorganizational and cost-saving or other strategic efforts, including the proposed sale of PacifiCorp;

 

Ø   any regulatory changes (including changes in environmental regulations) that may increase the operating costs of the group, may require the group to make unforeseen capital expenditures or may prevent the regulated business of the group from achieving acceptable returns;

 

Ø   the outcome of general rate cases and other proceedings conducted by regulatory commissions;

 

Ø   the cost, feasibility and eventual outcome of hydroelectric relicensing proceedings;

 

Ø   future levels of industry generation and supply, demand and pricing, political stability, competition and economic growth in the relevant areas in which the group has operations;

 

Ø   the availability of acceptable fuel at favorable prices;

 

Ø   weather and weather-related impacts;

 

Ø   the availability of operational capacity of plants;

 

Ø   adequacy and accuracy of load and price forecasts that could impact the hedging strategy and costs to balance electricity load and supply;

 

Ø   timely and appropriate completion of the Request for Proposals process, unanticipated construction delays, changes in costs, receipt of required permits and authorizations, and other factors that could affect future generation plants and infrastructure additions;

 

Ø   the impact of interest rates and investment performance on pension and post-retirement expense;

 

Ø   the impact of new accounting pronouncements on results of operations; and

 

Ø   development and use of technology, the actions of competitors, natural disasters and other changes to business conditions.

 

 

 

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Accounts 2004/05

 

 

 

Ø    Accounting Policies and Definitions 107

 

Ø    Group Profit and Loss Account 112

 

Ø    Statement of Total Recognised

  Gains and Losses 113

 

Ø    Reconciliation of Movements

  in Shareholders’ Funds 113

 

Ø    Group Cash Flow Statement 114

 

Ø    Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow

  to Movement in Net Debt 114

 

Ø    Group Balance Sheet 115

 

 

Ø    Notes to the Group Accounts 116

 

Ø    Company Balance Sheet 167

 

Ø    Notes to the Company Balance Sheet

  168

 

Ø    Principal Subsidiary Undertakings

  and Other Investments 169

 

Ø    Independent Auditors’ Report 170

 

Ø    Five Year Summary 171

 

Ø    Glossary of Financial Terms and

  US Equivalents 172

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 


   

 

Accounting Policies

and Definitions

 

Definitions

 

Business segment definitions

 

ScottishPower defines business segments for management reporting purposes based on a combination of factors, principally differences in products and services and the regulatory environment in which the businesses operate.

Business segments have been included under either ‘continuing operations’ or ‘discontinued operations’ as appropriate.

The business segments of the group are defined as follows:

 

 

Continuing operations

 

United Kingdom

 

UK Division – Integrated Generation and Supply  The generation of electricity from the group’s own power stations, the purchase of external supplies of coal and gas for the generation of electricity, the purchase of external supplies of electricity and gas for sale to customers, together with related billing and collection activities, gas storage, sale of gas to industrial and domestic customers and the sale of electricity to electricity suppliers, in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England & Wales and full participation in the New Electricity Trading Arrangements (“NETA”) in England & Wales. NETA was replaced by the British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements (“BETTA”) with effect from 1 April 2005.

 

 

Infrastructure Division – Power Systems  The transmission and distribution businesses within the group’s authorised area of Scotland and the distribution business of Manweb operating in Merseyside and North Wales.

 

 

United States

 

PacifiCorp  A vertically-integrated electric utility that includes the generation, transmission and distribution and sale of electricity to retail, industrial and commercial customers in portions of six western states; Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington, Idaho and California. The operations also include wholesale energy sales and purchase transactions with various entities. The state regulatory commissions and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) regulate the retail and wholesale operations. The subsidiaries of PacifiCorp support its electric utility operations by providing coal mining facilities and services and environmental remediation.

 

PPM Energy (“PPM”)  The competitive energy development, origination and marketing business serving wholesale customers in North American markets. Electricity products and services are provided from gas generation and renewable wind generation resources located in the western and mid-western US. Natural gas storage and hub services are provided from gas storage facilities located in Canada and the US.

 

 

 

 

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Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

United Kingdom

 

Southern Water The provision of water and wastewater services in the south east of England, together with related billing and collection activities. The disposal of the Southern Water business was completed on 23 April 2002.

 

Revenue cost definitions

 

Cost of sales The cost of sales for the group, excluding Southern Water, reflect the direct costs of the generation and purchase of electricity and the purchase and transportation of natural gas.

For Southern Water, cost of sales represented the cost of extracting water from underground and raw water surface reservoirs and of its treatment and supply to customers and the collection of wastewater and its treatment and disposal.

 

Transmission and distribution costs The cost of transmitting units of electricity from the power stations through the transmission and distribution networks to customers. It includes the costs of metering, billing and debt collection. This heading is considered more appropriate to the electricity industry than the standard Companies Act heading of distribution costs.

 

Administrative expenses The indirect costs of businesses, the costs of corporate services, property rates, goodwill amortisation and impairment of goodwill.

 

Other definitions

 

Company or ScottishPower Scottish Power plc.

 

Group Scottish Power plc and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

Associated undertakings Entities in which the group holds a long-term participating interest and exercises significant influence.

 

Joint ventures Entities in which the group holds a long-term interest and shares control with another company external to the group.

 

Subsidiary undertakings Entities in which the group holds a long-term controlling interest.

 

Accounting Policies

 

Basis of accounting

 

The Accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of certain tangible fixed assets, and in accordance with applicable accounting standards in the UK and, except for the accounting policy for ‘Commodity contracts’, described below, comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 1985. Further details explaining this departure are contained in Note 20(i) to the Accounts.

 

 

 

 

Basis of consolidation

 

The group Accounts include the Accounts of the company and its subsidiary undertakings together with the group’s share of results and net assets of associated undertakings and joint ventures.

For commercial reasons certain subsidiaries have a different year end. The consolidation includes the Accounts of these subsidiaries as adjusted for material transactions in the period between the year ends and 31 March.

 

Use of estimates

 

The preparation of Accounts in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Accounts and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results can differ from those estimates.

 

Turnover

 

Turnover comprises the sales value of energy and other services supplied to customers during the year and excludes Value Added Tax and intra-group sales. Turnover from the sale of energy is the value of units supplied during the year and includes an estimate of the value of units supplied to customers between the date of their last meter reading and the year end, based on external data supplied by the electricity and gas market settlement processes. Prior to the disposal of Southern Water in April 2002, turnover also included the sales value of water and wastewater services.

 

Interest

 

Interest on the funding attributable to major capital projects is capitalised gross of tax relief during the period of construction and written off as part of the total cost over the operational life of the asset. All other interest payable and receivable is reflected in the profit and loss account as it arises.

 

Financial instruments

 

Debt instruments All borrowings are stated at the fair value of consideration received after deduction of issue costs. The issue costs and interest payable on bonds are charged to the profit and loss account at a constant rate over the life of the bond. Premiums and discounts arising on the early repayment of borrowings are recognised in the profit and loss account as incurred and received.

 

Interest rate swaps/Forward rate agreements These are used to manage debt interest rate exposures. Amounts payable or receivable in respect of these agreements are recognised as adjustments to interest expense over the period of the contracts. The cash flows from, and gains and losses arising on

 

 

 

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terminations of, these contracts are recognised as returns on investments and servicing of finance. Where associated debt is not retired in conjunction with the termination of an interest swap, gains and losses are deferred and are amortised to interest expense over the remaining life of the associated debt to the extent that such debt remains outstanding.

 

Interest rate caps/Swaptions/Options  Premiums received and payable on these contracts are amortised over the period of the contracts and are disclosed as interest income and expense. The accounting for interest rate caps and swaptions is otherwise in accordance with interest rate swaps detailed above.

 

Cross-currency interest rate swaps  These are used both to hedge foreign exchange and interest rate exposures arising on foreign currency debt and to hedge overseas net investment. Where used to hedge debt issues, the debt is recorded at the hedge contracted rate and accounting is otherwise in accordance with interest rate swaps detailed above. Where used to hedge overseas net investment, spot gains or losses are recorded on the balance sheet and in the statement of total recognised gains and losses, with interest recorded in the profit and loss account. The cash flows from, and gains and losses arising on the termination, repricing or maturity of, cross-currency interest rate swaps hedging overseas net investments are recognised as returns on investments and servicing of finance to the extent they relate to interest and as financing to the extent they represent spot gains or losses.

 

Forward contracts  The group enters into forward contracts for the purchase and/or sale of foreign currencies in order to manage its exposure to fluctuations in currency rates and to hedge overseas net investment. The cash flows from forward purchase contracts are classified in a manner consistent with the underlying nature of the hedged transaction. Hence, unrealised gains and losses on contracts hedging forecast transactions are not accounted for until the maturity of the contract. Foreign currency debtors and creditors that are hedged with forward contracts are translated at the contracted rate at the balance sheet date. Spot gains or losses on hedges of the overseas net investments are recorded on the balance sheet and in the statement of total recognised gains and losses with the interest rate differential reflected in the profit and loss account.

 

Hydroelectric and temperature hedges  These instruments are used to hedge fluctuations in weather and temperature in the US. On a periodic basis, the group estimates and records a gain or loss in the profit and loss account corresponding to the total expected future cash flows from these contracts.

 

Commodity contracts  Where there is no physical delivery associated with commodity contracts, they are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet and movements reflected through the profit and loss account. Gas and electricity forwards and futures are undertaken for hedging and proprietary trading purposes. Where the instrument is a hedge, the fair values are initially reflected on the balance sheet and subsequently reflected through the profit and loss account to match the recognition of the hedged item. Where the instrument is for proprietary trading the fair values are reflected through the profit and loss account. Recognition of unrealised gains on commodity contracts in the profit and loss account is not in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 1985. The directors consider that compliance with these requirements would lead to the accounts failing to give a true and fair view of the results of the group. Further details of the effect of this accounting policy are provided in Note 20(i) to the Accounts.

 

Taxation

 

In accordance with Financial Reporting Standard (“FRS”) 19 ‘Deferred tax’, full provision is made for deferred tax on a non-discounted basis.

 

Intangible assets

 

Long-term gas purchase contracts acquired as part of acquisitions are capitalised, as intangible fixed assets, separately from goodwill, provided their fair value can be measured reliably on initial recognition. As these contracts do not have readily ascertainable market values, fair value is limited to the amount that does not create or increase any negative goodwill, in accordance with FRS 10. These intangible fixed assets are amortised over the period of the contracts.

 

Goodwill

 

Purchased goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of the purchase consideration over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill arising from acquisitions prior to 31 March 1998 was written off against reserves. On disposal of trading entities, the goodwill previously included in reserves is charged to the profit and loss account matched by an equal credit to reserves. Goodwill arising on acquisitions since 1 April 1998 has been capitalised and amortised through the profit and loss account over its estimated useful economic life. Goodwill arising on overseas acquisitions is regarded as a currency asset and is retranslated at the end of each period at the closing rate of exchange.

The carrying value of goodwill is reviewed for impairment in periods if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are recognised in the period in which they are identified.

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    109


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Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Tangible fixed assets

 

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost or valuation and are generally depreciated on the straight line method over their estimated operational lives. Tangible fixed assets include capitalised employee, interest and other costs which are directly attributable to construction of fixed assets.

Land is not depreciated except in the case of mines (see below). The main depreciation periods used by the group are as set out below.

    

As lessor  Rentals receivable under finance leases are allocated to accounting periods to give a constant periodic rate of return on the net cash investment in the lease in each period. The amounts due from lessees under finance leases are recorded in the balance sheet as a debtor at the amount of the net investment in the lease after making provisions for bad and doubtful rentals receivable.

 

Investments

 

Investments in subsidiary and associated undertakings and joint ventures are stated in the balance sheet of the parent company at cost, or nominal value of shares issued as consideration where applicable, less provision for any impairment in value. The group profit and loss account includes the group’s share of the operating profits less losses, net interest charge and taxation of associated undertakings and joint ventures. The group balance sheet includes the investment in associated undertakings and joint ventures at the group’s share of their net assets. Other fixed asset investments are carried at cost less provision for impairment in value.

 

Own shares held under trust

 

Own shares held under trust have been deducted in arriving at shareholders’ funds in accordance with Urgent Issues Task Force Abstract 38 ‘Accounting for ESOP trusts’ (“UITF 38”). Purchases and sales of own shares are disclosed as changes in shareholders’ funds.

Revised UITF 17 ‘Employee share schemes’ (“Revised UITF 17”) requires that the profit and loss account charge be determined as the intrinsic value of the share options granted.

The group has taken advantage of the exemption within Revised UITF Abstract 17 not to apply its requirements to Inland Revenue approved savings-related share option schemes and equivalent overseas schemes.

 

Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”)

 

Shares in the company purchased for the LTIP are held under trust. The cost of awards made by the trust under the LTIP, being the difference between the fair value of the shares and the option price at the date of grant, is taken to the profit and loss account on a straight line basis over the period in which performance is measured.

 

Stocks

 

Stocks are valued at the lower of average cost and net realisable value.

 

US regulatory assets

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 71 ‘Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation’ (“FAS 71”) establishes US GAAP for utilities in the US whose regulators have

     Years     
Coal, oil-fired, gas and other generating stations    22 – 45     
Hydro plant and machinery    20 – 100     
Other buildings    40     
Transmission and distribution plant    20 – 75     
Towers, lines and underground cables    40 – 60     
Vehicles, computer software costs, miscellaneous equipment and fittings    3 – 40     

 

Composite depreciation rates applied to the group’s regulated utility plants in the US for the year ended 31 March 2005 were 3.0% (2004 3.0%, 2003 3.2%).

The carrying values of tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment in periods if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. For those assets with estimated remaining useful economic lives of more than 50 years, impairment reviews are undertaken annually. Impairment losses are recognised in the period in which they are identified.

 

Mine reclamation and closure costs  Provision is made for mine reclamation and closure costs when an obligation arises out of events prior to the year end. The amount recognised is the present value of the estimated future expenditure determined in accordance with local conditions and requirements. A corresponding tangible fixed asset is also created of an amount equal to the provision. This asset, together with the cost of the mine, is subsequently depreciated on a unit of production basis. The unwinding of the discount is included within net interest and similar charges.

 

Decommissioning costs  Provision is made for the estimated decommissioning costs at the end of the producing lives of the group’s power stations on a discounted basis. Capitalised decommissioning costs are depreciated over the useful lives of the related assets. The unwinding of the discount is included within net interest and similar charges.

 

Leased assets

 

As lessee  Assets leased under finance leases are capitalised and depreciated over the shorter of the lease periods and the estimated operational lives of the assets. The interest element of the finance lease repayments is charged to the profit and loss account in proportion to the balance of the capital repayments outstanding. Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the profit and loss account on a straight line basis.

    

 

 

 

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the power to approve and/or regulate rates that may be charged to customers. FAS 71 provides that regulatory assets may be capitalised if it is probable that future revenue in an amount at least equal to the capitalised costs will result from the inclusion of that cost in allowable costs for ratemaking purposes. Due to the different regulatory environment, no equivalent GAAP applies in the UK.

Under UK GAAP, the group’s policy is to recognise regulatory assets established in accordance with FAS 71 only where they comprise rights or other access to future economic benefits which have arisen as a result of past transactions or events which have created an obligation to transfer economic benefits to a third party. Measurement of the past transaction or event and hence the regulatory asset, is determined in accordance with UK GAAP.

 

Grants and contributions

 

Capital grants and customer contributions in respect of additions to fixed assets are treated as deferred income and released to the profit and loss account over the estimated operational lives of the related assets.

 

Pensions

 

The group provides pension benefits through both defined benefit and defined contribution arrangements. The regular cost of providing pensions and related benefits and any variations from regular cost arising from the actuarial valuations for defined benefit schemes are charged to the profit and loss account over the expected remaining service lives of current employees following consultations with the actuary. Any difference between the charge to the profit and loss account and the actual contributions paid to the pension schemes is included as an asset or liability in the balance sheet. Payments to defined contribution schemes are charged against profits as incurred.

 

Post-retirement benefits other than pensions

 

Certain additional post-retirement benefits, principally healthcare benefits, are provided to eligible retirees within the group’s US businesses. The estimated cost of providing such benefits is charged against profits on a systematic basis over the employees’ working lives within the group.

  

Environmental liabilities

 

Provision for environmental liabilities is made when expenditure on remedial work is probable and the group is obliged, either legally or constructively through its environmental policies, to undertake such work. Where the amount is expected to be incurred over the long-term, the amount recognised is the present value of the estimated future expenditure and the unwinding of the discount is included within net interest and similar charges.

 

Foreign currencies

 

Group The results and cash flows of overseas subsidiaries are translated to sterling at the average rate of exchange for each quarter of the financial year. The net assets of such subsidiaries and the goodwill arising on their acquisition are translated to sterling at the closing rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences which relate to the translation of overseas subsidiaries and of matching foreign currency borrowings and derivatives are taken directly to group reserves and are shown in the statement of total recognised gains and losses.

 

Company Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. At the year end, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date or, where applicable, at the hedged contracted rate. Any gain or loss arising on the restatement of such balances is taken to the profit and loss account.

 

Exchange rates

 

The exchange rates applied in the preparation of the Accounts were as follows:

 

       

Year ended 31 March

 

        2005    2004    2003
   Average rate for quarters ended:               
   30 June    $1.81/£    $1.62/£    $1.46/£
   30 September    $1.82/£    $1.61/£    $1.55/£
   31 December    $1.87/£    $1.71/£    $1.57/£
   31 March    $1.89/£    $1.84/£    $1.60/£
   Closing rate as at 31 March    $1.89/£    $1.84/£    $1.58/£
  

 

A glossary of terms used in the Accounts and their US equivalents is set out on page 172.

    

 

 

 

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    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Group Profit and Loss Account

 

    for the years ended 31 March 2005, 31 March 2004 and 31 March 2003

 

                    Year ended 31 March  
    Notes      

Continuing
operations
and

Total

2005

£m

       

Continuing
operations
and

Total

2004

£m

       

Continuing
operations
2003

£m

       

Discontinued
operations
2003

£m

       

Total

2003

£m

 

Turnover: group and share of joint ventures and associates

          6,877.4         5,828.9         5,273.1         26.7         5,299.8  

Less: share of turnover in joint ventures

          (27.4 )       (31.0 )       (25.2 )               (25.2 )

Less: share of turnover in associates

          (1.2 )       (0.8 )       (0.8 )               (0.8 )

Group turnover

  1       6,848.8         5,797.1         5,247.1         26.7         5,273.8  

Cost of sales

          (4,567.2 )       (3,630.6 )       (3,215.4 )       (11.4 )       (3,226.8 )

Gross profit

          2,281.6         2,166.5         2,031.7         15.3         2,047.0  

Transmission and distribution costs

          (606.2 )       (544.5 )       (512.6 )               (512.6 )

Administrative expenses before goodwill amortisation and exceptional item

          (511.3 )       (498.2 )       (474.2 )       (1.3 )       (475.5 )

Goodwill amortisation

          (117.5 )       (128.0 )       (139.0 )               (139.0 )

Exceptional item – impairment of goodwill

  4       (927.0 )                                

Administrative expenses

          (1,555.8 )       (626.2 )       (613.2 )       (1.3 )       (614.5 )

Other operating income

          33.0         26.8         26.0                 26.0  

Operating profit before goodwill amortisation and exceptional item

          1,197.1         1,150.6         1,070.9         14.0         1,084.9  

Goodwill amortisation

          (117.5 )       (128.0 )       (139.0 )               (139.0 )

Exceptional item – impairment of goodwill

  4       (927.0 )                                

Operating profit

  1, 2       152.6         1,022.6         931.9         14.0         945.9  

Share of operating profit in joint ventures

          2.2         7.3         4.8                 4.8  

Share of operating profit in associates

          3.8         0.3         0.4                 0.4  

Profit on ordinary activities before interest

          158.6         1,030.2         937.1         14.0         951.1  

Net interest and similar charges

                                                     

– Group

          (183.7 )       (232.3 )       (245.9 )       (3.0 )       (248.9 )

– Joint ventures

          (4.2 )       (5.8 )       (5.4 )               (5.4 )
    5       (187.9 )       (238.1 )       (251.3 )       (3.0 )       (254.3 )

Profit on ordinary activities before goodwill amortisation, exceptional item and taxation

          1,015.2         920.1         824.8         11.0         835.8  

Goodwill amortisation

          (117.5 )       (128.0 )       (139.0 )               (139.0 )

Exceptional item – impairment of goodwill

  4       (927.0 )                                

(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before taxation

          (29.3 )       792.1         685.8         11.0         696.8  

Taxation

                                                     

– Group

          (272.3 )       (247.3 )       (205.8 )       (3.4 )       (209.2 )

– Joint ventures

          (0.2 )       (1.0 )       0.3                 0.3  

– Associates

          (1.6 )       (0.1 )       (0.1 )               (0.1 )
    6       (274.1 )       (248.4 )       (205.6 )       (3.4 )       (209.0 )

(Loss)/profit after taxation

          (303.4 )       543.7         480.2         7.6         487.8  

Minority interests (including non-equity)

  27       (4.7 )       (5.8 )       (5.2 )               (5.2 )

(Loss)/profit for the financial year

          (308.1 )       537.9         475.0         7.6         482.6  

Dividends

  8       (412.6 )       (375.1 )       (529.5 )               (529.5 )

(Loss)/profit retained

  26       (720.7 )       162.8         (54.5 )       7.6         (46.9 )

(Loss)/earnings per ordinary share

  7       (16.83 )p       29.40 p       25.76 p       0.41 p       26.17 p

Adjusting items – goodwill amortisation

          6.42 p       7.00 p       7.54 p               7.54 p

                          – exceptional  item  –  impairment of goodwill

          50.63 p                                

Earnings per ordinary share before goodwill amortisation and exceptional item

  7       40.22 p       36.40 p       33.30 p       0.41 p       33.71 p

Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary share

  7       (16.83 )p       28.83 p                           26.11 p

Adjusting item – effect of anti-dilutive shares

          1.42 p                                    
            (15.41 )p       28.83 p                           26.11 p

Adjusting items – goodwill amortisation

          6.10 p       6.77 p                           7.52 p

                          –  exceptional item – impairment of goodwill

          48.08 p                                    

Diluted earnings per ordinary share before goodwill amortisation and exceptional item

  7       38.77 p       35.60 p                           33.63 p

Dividends per ordinary share

  8       22.50 p       20.50 p                           28.708 p

 

  The Accounting Policies and Definitions on pages 107 to 111, together with the Notes on pages 116 to 166 and 168 to 169 form part of these Accounts.

 

 

112    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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Ø   Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

     Notes   

2005

£m

    

2004

£m

    

2003

£m

 
(Loss)/profit for the financial year         (308.1 )    537.9      482.6  

Exchange movement on translation of overseas results and net assets

   26    (100.2 )    (537.6 )    (387.0 )

Translation differences on foreign currency hedging

   26    146.6      475.2      357.6  

Tax on translation differences on foreign currency hedging

   26    (46.4 )    46.1      (28.8 )

Revaluation reserve arising on the purchase of the remaining 50% of the Brighton Power Station

   26, 32    5.8            
Total recognised gains and losses for the financial year         (302.3 )       521.6        424.4  

 

 

Ø   Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders’ Funds

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

         

2005

£m

    

2004

£m

    

2003

£m

 
(Loss)/profit for the financial year         (308.1 )    537.9      482.6  

Dividends

        (412.6 )    (375.1 )    (529.5 )
(Loss)/profit retained         (720.7 )    162.8      (46.9 )

Exchange movement on translation of overseas results and net assets

        (100.2 )    (537.6 )    (387.0 )

Translation differences on foreign currency hedging

        146.6      475.2      357.6  

Tax on translation differences on foreign currency hedging

        (46.4 )    46.1      (28.8 )

Revaluation reserve arising on the purchase of the remaining 50% of the Brighton Power Station

        5.8            

Share capital issued

        21.9      13.1      12.0  

Consideration paid in respect of purchase of own shares held under trust

        (30.7 )    (28.9 )    (36.2 )

Credit in respect of employee share awards

        7.2      4.9      10.0  

Consideration received in respect of sale of own shares held under trust

        7.6      0.4      6.4  
Net movement in shareholders’ funds         (708.9 )    136.0      (112.9 )
Opening shareholders’ funds         4,690.9      4,554.9      4,667.8  
Closing shareholders’ funds         3,982.0      4,690.9      4,554.9  

 

    The Accounting Policies and Definitions on pages 107 to 111, together with the Notes on pages 116 to 166 and 168 to 169 form part of these Accounts.

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    113


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    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Group Cash Flow Statement

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

     Notes         2005
£m
 
 
        2004
£m
 
 
        2003
£m
 
 

Cash inflow from operating activities

   9         1,259.7           1,364.0           1,412.9  

Dividends received from joint ventures and associates

             2.0           0.5           0.9  

Returns on investments and servicing of finance

   10(a)         (116.4 )         (210.0 )         (297.0 )

Taxation

             (99.2 )         (121.8 )         (191.3 )

Free cash flow

             1,046.1           1,032.7           925.5  

Capital expenditure and financial investment

   10(b)         (888.0 )         (831.2 )         (675.1 )

Cash flow before acquisitions and disposals

             158.1           201.5           250.4  

Acquisitions and disposals

   10(c)         (351.1 )         (31.3 )         1,799.0  

Equity dividends paid

             (386.1 )         (394.4 )         (523.4 )

Cash (outflow)/inflow before use of liquid resources and financing

             (579.1 )         (224.2 )         1,526.0  

Management of liquid resources

   10(d), 13         (185.9 )         (354.1 )         (161.1 )

Financing

                                        

– Issue of ordinary share capital

   10(e)         21.9           13.1           12.0  

– Redemption of preferred stock of PacifiCorp

   10(e)         (4.1 )         (4.6 )         (5.1 )

– Maturity of net investment hedging derivatives

   10(e)         140.0                      

– Cancellation of cross-currency swaps

   10(e)         92.0           76.1            

– Repricing of cross-currency swaps

   10(e)                   403.0            

– Net purchase of own shares held under trust

   10(e)         (23.1 )         (28.5 )         (29.8 )

– Increase/(decrease) in debt

   10(e), 13         753.3           464.3           (1,191.4 )
               980.0           923.4           (1,214.3 )

Increase in cash in year

   13         215.0           345.1           150.6  

 

Free cash flow represents cash flow from operating activities after adjusting for dividends received from joint ventures and associates, returns on investments and servicing of finance and taxation.

 

 

Ø   Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to Movement in Net Debt

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

     Note         2005
£m
 
 
        2004
£m
 
 
        2003
£m
 
 

Increase in cash in year

             215.0           345.1           150.6  

Cash (inflow)/outflow from (increase)/decrease in debt

             (753.3 )         (464.3 )         1,191.4  

Cash outflow from movement in liquid resources

             185.9           354.1           161.1  
Change in net debt resulting from cash flows              (352.4 )         234.9           1,503.1  

Net debt disposed

                                 100.0  

Net debt acquired

             (116.1 )                    

Foreign exchange movement

             62.4           388.3           289.9  

Other non-cash movements

             (16.4 )         (26.7 )         (5.6 )
Movement in net debt in year              (422.5 )         596.5           1,887.4  
Net debt at end of previous year              (3,724.5 )         (4,321.0 )         (6,208.4 )
Net debt at end of year    13         (4,147.0 )         (3,724.5 )         (4,321.0 )

 

    The Accounting Policies and Definitions on pages 107 to 111, together with the Notes on pages 116 to 166 and 168 to 169 form part of these Accounts.

 

 

 

114    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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Ø   Group Balance Sheet

 

    as at 31 March 2005

 

     Notes        

2005

£m

        

2004

£m

 

Fixed assets

                           

Intangible assets

   15         845.4          1,855.9  

Tangible assets

   16         9,602.8          8,756.6  

Investments

                           

– Investments in joint ventures:

                           

   Share of gross assets

             85.0          180.8  

   Share of gross liabilities

             (46.5 )        (157.3 )
               38.5          23.5  

– Loans to joint ventures

             10.6          38.8  
               49.1          62.3  

– Investments in associates

             4.0          2.7  

– Other investments

             120.3          129.8  
     17         173.4          194.8  
               10,621.6          10,807.3  

Current assets

                           

Stocks

   18         185.4          185.5  

Debtors

                           

– Gross debtors

             1,856.6          1,576.2  

– Less non-recourse financing

             (65.3 )        (109.5 )
     19         1,791.3          1,466.7  

Short-term bank and other deposits

             1,747.8          1,347.3  
               3,724.5          2,999.5  

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

                           

Loans and other borrowings

   20         (553.4 )        (410.7 )

Other creditors

   21         (2,110.5 )        (1,658.7 )
               (2,663.9 )        (2,069.4 )

Net current assets

             1,060.6          930.1  

Total assets less current liabilities

             11,682.2          11,737.4  

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

                           

Loans and other borrowings (including convertible bonds)

   20         (5,341.4 )        (4,661.1 )

Provisions for liabilities and charges

                           

– Deferred tax

   22         (1,333.5 )        (1,242.2 )

– Other provisions

   23         (399.5 )        (504.5 )
               (1,733.0 )        (1,746.7 )

Deferred income

   24         (570.1 )        (577.8 )

Net assets

   14         4,037.7          4,751.8  

Called up share capital

   25,26         932.7          929.8  

Share premium

   26         2,294.7          2,275.7  

Revaluation reserve

   26         45.5          41.6  

Capital redemption reserve

   26         18.3          18.3  

Merger reserve

   26         406.4          406.4  

Profit and loss account

   26         284.4          1,019.1  

Equity shareholders’ funds

   26         3,982.0          4,690.9  

Minority interests (including non-equity)

   27         55.7          60.9  

Capital employed

             4,037.7          4,751.8  

Net asset value per ordinary share

   14         217.3 p        256.2 p

 

    Approved by the Board on 24 May 2005 and signed on its behalf by

 

LOGO

  

LOGO

Charles Miller Smith

  

David Nish

Chairman

  

Finance Director

 

    The Accounting Policies and Definitions on pages 107 to 111, together with the Notes on pages 116 to 166 and 168 to 169 form part of these Accounts.

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    115


Table of Contents

     Accounts 2004/05

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

1 Segmental profit and loss information

 

    (a) Turnover by segment

 

          Total turnover    Inter-segment turnover    External turnover
     Notes   

2005

£m

  

2004

£m

  

2003

£m

  

2005

£m

  

2004

£m

  

2003

£m

  

2005

£m

  

2004

£m

  

2003

£m

United Kingdom – continuing operations                                                  

UK Division – Integrated Generation and Supply

   (i)    3,711.0    2,804.0    2,180.8    (25.9)    (26.6)    (33.0)    3,685.1    2,777.4    2,147.8

Infrastructure Division – Power Systems

        728.1    704.1    667.3    (348.0)    (345.8)    (353.3)    380.1    358.3    314.0
United Kingdom total – continuing operations                                       4,065.2    3,135.7    2,461.8
United States – continuing operations                                                  

PacifiCorp

        2,284.3    2,321.1    2,502.2    (2.8)    (2.5)    (2.8)    2,281.5    2,318.6    2,499.4

PPM

        511.5    352.9    293.6    (9.4)    (10.1)    (7.7)    502.1    342.8    285.9
United States total – continuing operations                                       2,783.6    2,661.4    2,785.3
Total continuing operations                                       6,848.8    5,797.1    5,247.1
United Kingdom – discontinued operations                                                  

Southern Water

              26.7                   26.7
United Kingdom total – discontinued operations                                             26.7
Total    (ii)                                  6,848.8    5,797.1    5,273.8

 

    (b) Operating profit by segment

 

     Note   

Before

goodwill

amortisation

and

exceptional

item

2005

£m

  

Goodwill

amortisation

2005

£m

  

Exceptional

item –

impairment

of goodwill

(Note 4)

2005

£m

  

2005

£m

  

Before

goodwill

amortisation

2004

£m

  

Goodwill

amortisation

2004

£m

  

2004

£m

  

Before

goodwill

amortisation

2003

£m

  

Goodwill

amortisation

2003

£m

  

2003

£m

United Kingdom – continuing operations

                                                      

UK Division – Integrated Generation and Supply

   (i)    180.5    (4.9)       175.6    101.0    (4.9)    96.1    77.9    (4.9)    73.0

Infrastructure Division – Power Systems

        416.3          416.3    393.6       393.6    367.8       367.8

United Kingdom total – continuing operations

        596.8    (4.9)       591.9    494.6    (4.9)    489.7    445.7    (4.9)    440.8

United States – continuing operations

                                                      

PacifiCorp

        541.7    (112.1)    (927.0)    (497.4)    619.3    (122.5)    496.8    596.7    (133.9)    462.8

PPM

        58.6    (0.5)       58.1    36.7    (0.6)    36.1    28.5    (0.2)    28.3

United States total – continuing operations

        600.3    (112.6)    (927.0)    (439.3)    656.0    (123.1)    532.9    625.2    (134.1)    491.1

Total continuing

    operations

        1,197.1    (117.5)    (927.0)    152.6    1,150.6    (128.0)    1,022.6    1,070.9    (139.0)    931.9

United Kingdom – discontinued operations

                                                      

Southern Water

                             14.0       14.0

United Kingdom total – discontinued operations

                             14.0       14.0
Total         1,197.1    (117.5)    (927.0)    152.6    1,150.6    (128.0)    1,022.6    1,084.9    (139.0)    945.9

 

    (c) Depreciation by segment

 

     Note   

Depreciation

2005

£m

  

Depreciation

2004

£m

  

Depreciation

2003

£m

United Kingdom – continuing operations                    

UK Division – Integrated Generation and Supply

        121.8    88.5    87.3

Infrastructure Division – Power Systems

        111.4    109.1    112.4
United Kingdom total – continuing operations         233.2    197.6    199.7
United States – continuing operations                    

PacifiCorp

        211.7    230.1    233.9

PPM

        13.3    11.0    8.0
United States total – continuing operations         225.0    241.1    241.9
Total continuing operations         458.2    438.7    441.6
United Kingdom – discontinued operations                    

Southern Water

              5.6
United Kingdom total – discontinued operations               5.6
     16    458.2    438.7    447.2
  (i) UK Division – Integrated Generation and Supply completed the acquisition of the Damhead Creek CCGT power plant and associated contracts on 1 June 2004 and completed the purchase of the remaining 50% of the Brighton Power Station CCGT power plant and associated contracts on 28 September 2004. The post acquisition results of the acquired businesses amounted to turnover of £162.2 million and operating profit of £53.6 million. Further details of these acquisitions are contained within Note 32.

 

  (ii) In the segmental analysis turnover is shown by geographical origin. Turnover analysed by geographical destination is not materially different.

 

116    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

2 Operating profit

 

(a) Operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting):    Note   

2005

£m

   

2004

£m

   

2003

£m

 

Depreciation of tangible fixed assets

        458.2     438.7     447.2  

Amortisation of goodwill

        117.5     128.0     139.0  

Exceptional item – impairment of goodwill

   4    927.0          

Amortisation of other intangible fixed assets

        24.4          

Release of grants and customer contributions

        (19.2 )   (19.5 )   (18.6 )

Research and development

        0.2     0.2     0.7  

Hire of plant and equipment – operating leases

        0.1     0.1     0.1  

Hire of other assets – operating leases

        14.6     16.2     14.6  

Operating lease rentals receivable

        (2.1 )   (2.0 )   (2.2 )

 

Operating profit for the years ended 31 March 2005, 31 March 2004 and 31 March 2003 is also stated after (crediting)/charging £(2.9) million, £(2.9) million and £27.8 million respectively in relation to finance leases in the US, which are financed by non-recourse borrowings and qualify for linked presentation under FRS 5. Net earnings comprise gross (earnings)/loss, after provision against the carrying value of the group’s residual interests, of £(33.3) million, £(32.4) million and £3.2 million less finance costs of £30.4 million, £29.5 million and £24.6 million respectively.

 

(b) Auditors’ remuneration    2005
£m
   2004
£m
   2003
£m

Audit services

              

– statutory audit

   1.7    1.5    1.5

– audit-related regulatory reporting

   0.7    0.4    0.6

Further assurance services

   2.5    0.7    0.7

Tax services

              

– compliance services

   1.0    1.6    1.6

– advisory services

   0.4    0.8    3.2

Other services

         0.3
Total UK and US audit and non-audit fees paid to auditors    6.3    5.0    7.9

 

The Audit Committee and the firm of external auditors have safeguards to avoid the possibility that the auditors’ objectivity and independence could be compromised. These safeguards include the adoption by the Committee of a policy regarding pre-approval of audit and permitted non-statutory audit services provided by the external auditors and a policy on the hiring of external audit staff.

 

Where it is deemed that the work to be undertaken is of a nature that is generally considered reasonable to be completed by the auditor of the group for sound commercial and practical reasons, including confidentiality, the conduct of such work will be permissible provided that it has been pre-approved by the Audit Committee. Examples of pre-approved services include the completion of regulatory audits, provision of taxation and regulatory advice, reporting in relation to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the UK Listing Authority requirements and the completion of certain financial due diligence work. All these services are also subject to a pre-defined fee limit. Any work performed in excess of this limit must be approved by the Finance Director and the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

 

Fees and expenses invoiced by the auditors, excluding statutory audit fees, include £2.5 million (2004 £1.5 million, 2003 £2.3 million) payable in the UK.

 

For the year ended 31 March 2005, £3.9 million of fees, excluding statutory audit, were charged to operating profit and £0.7 million were included within the cost of acquisitions. For the years ended 31 March 2004 and 31 March 2003, all fees, excluding statutory audit, were charged to operating profit.

 

Further assurance services principally represents fees associated with due dilligence work and advice regarding the implementation of s404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

 

Fees for Other services for the year ended 31 March 2003 included an amount of £0.3 million which was paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting in the period prior to its disposal by PricewaterhouseCoopers on 2 October 2003.

 

3 Employee information

 

(a) Employee costs    Note    

2005

£m

   

2004

£m

   

2003

£m

 

Wages and salaries

         579.0     525.6     553.1  

Social security costs

         41.1     35.7     36.7  

Pension and other costs

   (i )   101.6     98.1     68.0  

Total employee costs

         721.7     659.4     657.8  

Less: charged as capital expenditure

         (151.8 )   (161.6 )   (155.2 )

Charged to the profit and loss account

         569.9     497.8     502.6  

 

(i) Pension costs above comprise pension costs, company contributions to the PacifiCorp 401(k) plan and costs of other post-retirement and other post-employment benefits. The cost of the group’s pension arrangements for the year ended 31 March 2005 was £74.2 million (2004 £66.7 million, 2003 £41.8 million).

 

 

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    117


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

3 Employee information continued

 

    (b) Employee numbers

 

    The year end and average numbers of employees (full-time and part-time) employed by the group, including executive directors, were:

 

           At 31 March    Annual average
   Note     2005    2004    2003    2005    2004    2003

United Kingdom – continuing operations

                                   

UK Division – Integrated Generation and Supply

         5,667    4,793    4,319    5,227    4,523    4,362

Infrastructure Division – Power Systems

         3,541    3,324    3,215    3,454    3,256    3,238

United Kingdom total – continuing operations

         9,208    8,117    7,534    8,681    7,779    7,600

United States – continuing operations

                                   

PacifiCorp

         6,656    6,510    6,130    6,620    6,339    6,175

PPM

         278    194    161    240    180    128

United States total – continuing operations

         6,934    6,704    6,291    6,860    6,519    6,303

Total continuing operations

         16,142    14,821    13,825    15,541    14,298    13,903

United Kingdom – discontinued operations

                                   

Southern Water

                        2,024

United Kingdom total – discontinued operations

   (i )                  2,024

Total

         16,142    14,821    13,825    15,541    14,298    15,927

 

    The year end and average numbers of full-time equivalent staff employed by the group, including executive directors, were:

 

           At 31 March    Annual average
   Note     2005    2004    2003    2005    2004    2003

United Kingdom

                                   

– continuing operations

         8,739    7,736    7,163    8,378    7,413    7,240

– discontinued operations

   (i )                  1,982

United States

         6,883    6,663    6,265    6,812    6,476    6,268

Total

         15,622    14,399    13,428    15,190    13,889    15,490

 

  (i) The annual average for the year ended 31 March 2003 for Southern Water was calculated for the period prior to disposal on 23 April 2002.

 

(c) Directors’ remuneration

 

Details, for each director, of remuneration, pension entitlements and interests in share options are set out on pages 101 to 105. This information forms part of the Accounts.

 

 

4 Exceptional item

 

In November 2004, the Board began a strategic review of PacifiCorp as a result of its performance and the significant investment it required in the immediate future. In May 2005, the Board concluded that in light of the prospects for PacifiCorp, the scale and timing of the capital investment required and the likely profile of returns, shareholders’ interests were best served by a sale of PacifiCorp and the return of capital to shareholders. As a consequence, the group has undertaken a review of the carrying value of the goodwill allocated to the PacifiCorp reporting segment as at 31 March 2005. The estimated recoverable value has been based on net realisable value, with reference to the price of comparable businesses, recent market transactions and the estimated proceeds from disposal. This has resulted in an exceptional charge, in the year ended 31 March 2005 for the impairment of goodwill of £927 million which is disclosed separately within operating profit as an exceptional item.

 

 

5 Net interest and similar charges

 

Analysis of net interest and similar charges    Notes    

2005

£m

   

2004

£m

   

2003

£m

 

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts

         18.8     13.4     18.6  

Interest on other borrowings

         310.6     310.9     331.0  

Finance leases

         1.8     1.9     2.1  

Total interest payable

         331.2     326.2     351.7  

Interest receivable

         (148.2 )   (97.7 )   (107.1 )

Capitalised interest

   (i )   (11.6 )   (10.5 )   (17.3 )

Net interest charge

         171.4     218.0     227.3  

Unwinding of discount on provisions

         18.6     20.1     26.5  

Foreign exchange (gain)/loss

         (2.1 )       0.5  

Net interest and similar charges

         187.9     238.1     254.3  

Interest cover (times)

   (ii )   6.3     4.9     4.3  
  (i) The tax relief on the capitalised interest was £0.5 million (2004 £0.1 million, 2003 £4.4 million) and gives rise to timing differences on which deferred tax is recognised.

 

  (ii) Interest cover is calculated by dividing profit on ordinary activities before interest (before goodwill amortisation and exceptional item) by the sum of the net interest charge and the unwinding of discount on provisions.

 

 

 

 

118    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

6 Tax on (loss)/profit on ordinary activities

 

    

2005

£m

   

2004

£m

   

2003

£m

 

Current tax:

                  

UK Corporation tax

   184.5     145.9     124.4  

Adjustments in respect of prior years

   (40.7 )   25.8     (44.9 )

Total UK Corporation tax for year

   143.8     171.7     79.5  

Foreign tax

   7.7     36.2     78.9  

Adjustments in respect of prior years

   5.9     (33.9 )    

Total Foreign tax for year

   13.6     2.3     78.9  

Total current tax for year

   157.4     174.0     158.4  

Deferred tax:

                  

Origination and reversal of timing differences

   119.1     77.3     50.6  

Adjustments in respect of prior years

   (2.4 )   (2.9 )    

Total deferred tax for year

   116.7     74.4     50.6  

Total tax on (loss)/profit on ordinary activities

   274.1     248.4     209.0  

Effective rate of tax before goodwill amortisation and exceptional item

   27.0 %   27.0 %   25.0 %

The current tax charge on (loss)/profit on ordinary activities for the year varied from the standard rate of UK Corporation tax as follows:

 

 

     2005
£m
    2004 £m     2003 £m  

Corporation tax at 30%

   (8.8 )   237.6     209.0  

Effect of tax rate applied to overseas earnings

   26.0     (4.1 )   (0.7 )

Goodwill amortisation

   35.2     38.4     41.7  

Adjustments in respect of prior years

   (37.2 )   (11.0 )   (44.9 )

Permanent difference on exceptional item

   278.1          

Other permanent differences

   (19.2 )   (12.5 )   3.9  

Tax charge (current and deferred)

   274.1     248.4     209.0  

Origination and reversal of timing differences – deferred tax charge

   (116.7 )   (74.4 )   (50.6 )

Current tax charge for year

   157.4     174.0     158.4  

7 (Loss)/earnings per ordinary share

 

(a) (Loss)/earnings per ordinary share have been calculated for all years by dividing the (loss)/profit for the financial year by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the financial year, based on the following information:

 

 

  

     2005     2004     2003  

Basic (loss)/earnings per share

                  

(Loss)/profit for the financial year (£ million)

   (308.1 )   537.9     482.6  

Weighted average share capital (number of shares, million)

   1,830.8     1,829.5     1,843.9  

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share

                  

(Loss)/profit for the financial year (£ million)

   (308.1 )   545.0     482.6  

Weighted average share capital (number of shares, million)

   1,830.8     1,890.2     1,848.4  

The difference between the (loss)/profit for the financial year for the purposes of the basic and the diluted earnings per share calculations is analysed as follows:

 

                  
    

2005

£m

   

2004

£m

   

2003

£m

 

Basic (loss)/earnings per share – (loss)/profit for the financial year

   (308.1 )   537.9     482.6  

Interest on convertible bonds

       7.1      

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share – (loss)/profit for the financial year

   (308.1 )   545.0     482.6  

The difference between the weighted average share capital for the purposes of the basic and the diluted (loss)/earnings per share calculations is analysed as follows:

 

  

     2005     2004     2003  

Number of shares (million)

                  

Basic (loss)/earnings per share – weighted average share capital

   1,830.8     1,829.5     1,843.9  

Outstanding share options and shares held in trust for the group’s employee share schemes

       4.9     4.5  

Convertible bonds

       55.8      

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share – weighted average share capital

   1,830.8     1,890.2     1,848.4  

 

There is no dilution of the basic loss per share for the year ended 31 March 2005 as the potentially dilutive shares would decrease the loss per share.

 

 

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    119


Table of Contents

Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

7 (Loss)/earnings per ordinary share continued

 

(b) The calculation of (loss)/earnings per ordinary share, on a basis which excludes goodwill amortisation and exceptional item, is based on the following information:

 

Adjusted basic earnings per share   

Continuing
operations
and Total
2005

£m

   

Continuing
operations
and Total
2004

£m

  

Continuing
operations
2003

£m

  

Discontinued
operations
2003

£m

  

Total
2003

£m

(Loss)/profit for the financial year

   (308.1 )   537.9    475.0    7.6    482.6

Adjusting items – goodwill amortization

   117.5     128.0    139.0       139.0

  – exceptional item – impairment of goodwill

   927.0             

Adjusted basic earnings

   736.4     665.9    614.0    7.6    621.6

 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share   

Continuing
operations
and Total
2005

£m

   

Continuing
operations
and Total
2004

£m

  

Continuing
operations

2003

£m

  

Discontinued
operations

2003

£m

  

Total

2003

£m

(Loss)/profit for the financial year

   (308.1 )   537.9    475.0    7.6    482.6

Interest on convertible bonds

   11.0     7.1         

Adjusting items – goodwill amortization

   117.5     128.0    139.0       139.0

  – exceptional item – impairment of goodwill

   927.0             

Adjusted diluted earnings

   747.4     673.0    614.0    7.6    621.6

 

The difference between the weighted average share capital for the purposes of the adjusted basic and the adjusted diluted earnings per share calculations is analysed as follows:

 

     2005    2004    2003

Number of shares (million)

              

Adjusted basic earnings per share – weighted average share capital

   1,830.8    1,829.5    1,843.9

Outstanding share options and shares held in trust for the group’s employee share schemes

   6.2    4.9    4.5

Convertible bonds

   91.0    55.8   

Adjusted diluted earnings per share – weighted average share capital

   1,928.0    1,890.2    1,848.4

 

ScottishPower assesses the performance of the group by adjusting earnings per share, calculated in accordance with FRS 14, to exclude items it considers to be non-recurring or non-operational in nature and believes that the exclusion of such items provides a better comparison of business performance. Consequently, an adjusted earnings per share figure is presented for all years.

 

Where potentially dilutive shares would dilute the adjusted basic earnings per share, such dilutive shares have been used in the calculation of the adjusted diluted earnings per share as this is considered to provide a better comparison of business performance. If such potentially dilutive shares were not used in the calculation of the adjusted diluted earnings per share, the adjusted dilutive earnings per share would be the same as the adjusted basic earnings per share.

 

The group’s net interest and similar charges have been allocated between continuing and discontinued operations on the basis of external and internal borrowings of the respective operations. The group’s tax charge has been allocated between continuing and discontinued operations based on the profit before tax of the respective operations.

 

 

8 Dividends

 

     2005
pence per
ordinary
share
   2004
pence per
ordinary
share
   2003
pence per
ordinary
share
  

2005

£m

  

2004

£m

  

2003

£m

First interim dividend paid

   4.95    4.75    7.177    91.1    87.5    132.5

Second interim dividend paid

   4.95    4.75    7.177    91.0    87.4    132.7

Third interim dividend paid

   4.95    4.75    7.177    91.1    87.3    132.1

Final dividend

   7.65    6.25    7.177    139.4    112.9    132.2

Total dividends

   22.50    20.50    28.708    412.6    375.1    529.5

 

 

9 Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities

 

    

2005

£m

   

2004

£m

   

2003

£m

 

Operating profit

   152.6     1,022.6     945.9  

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

   1,527.1     566.7     586.2  

(Profit)/loss on sale of tangible fixed assets

   (0.7 )   (0.4 )   2.7  

Amortisation of share scheme costs

   7.2     4.9     10.0  

Release of deferred income

   (19.2 )   (19.5 )   (18.6 )

Movements in provisions for liabilities and charges

   (202.1 )   (87.6 )   (77.5 )

Increase in stocks

   (1.9 )   (51.0 )   (1.9 )

Increase in debtors

   (394.6 )   (38.7 )   (169.4 )

Increase/(decrease) in creditors

   191.3     (33.0 )   135.5  

Net cash inflow from operating activities

   1,259.7     1,364.0     1,412.9  

 

 

 

120    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

10 Analysis of cash flows

 

     Note   

2005

£m

        

2004

£m

        

2003

£m

 

(a) Returns on investments and servicing of finance

                                 

Interest received

        152.5          87.6          112.0  

Interest paid

        (264.6 )        (293.0 )        (404.2 )

Dividends paid to minority interests

        (4.3 )        (4.6 )        (4.8 )

Net cash outflow for returns on investments and servicing of finance

        (116.4 )        (210.0 )        (297.0 )

(b) Capital expenditure and financial investment

                                 

Purchase of tangible fixed assets

        (939.8 )        (892.2 )        (735.9 )

Deferred income received

        51.3          48.2          69.5  

Deferred income repaid

        (37.3 )                  

Sale of tangible fixed assets

        23.0          12.2          10.4  

Sale/(purchase) of fixed asset investments

        14.8          0.6          (19.1 )

Net cash outflow for capital expenditure and financial investment

        (888.0 )        (831.2 )        (675.1 )

(c) Acquisitions and disposals

                                 

Purchase of Maple Ridge and Colorado Green joint ventures

   12    (18.3 )        (24.6 )         

Purchase of businesses and subsidiary undertakings

   12    (325.4 )                 (101.3 )

Sale of businesses and subsidiary undertakings

   12    (7.4 )        (6.7 )        1,900.3  

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from acquisitions and disposals

        (351.1 )        (31.3 )        1,799.0  

(d) Management of liquid resources*

                                 

Cash outflow in relation to short-term deposits and other short-term investments

        (185.9 )        (354.1 )        (161.1 )

Net cash outflow for management of liquid resources

        (185.9 )        (354.1 )        (161.1 )

(e) Financing

                                 

Issue of ordinary share capital

        21.9          13.1          12.0  

Redemption of preferred stock of PacifiCorp

        (4.1 )        (4.6 )        (5.1 )

Maturity of net investment hedging derivatives

        140.0                    

Cancellation of cross-currency swaps

        92.0          76.1           

Repricing of cross-currency swaps

                 403.0           

Net purchase of own shares held under trust

        (23.1 )        (28.5 )        (29.8 )
          226.7          459.1          (22.9 )

Debt due within one year:

                                 

– net (repayment)/drawdown of uncommitted facilities

        (108.0 )        98.7          (203.6 )

– repayment of committed bank loan

                          (100.0 )

– net commercial paper issued/(redeemed)

        184.0          64.9          (288.9 )

– medium-term notes/private placements

        (69.6 )        (29.3 )        (86.4 )

– redemption of loan notes

                 (2.5 )        (2.2 )

– European Investment Bank loans

                          (129.2 )

– mortgages

        (86.9 )        (83.0 )        (5.9 )

– 5.875% euro-US dollar bond 2003

                          (183.5 )

– other

        3.8          (6.1 )        18.3  
     

Debt due after one year:

                                 

– medium-term notes/private placements

                 2.1          (127.3 )

– mortgages

        164.9          216.0          (83.0 )

– convertible bonds

                 409.9           

– 4.910% US dollar bond 2010

        284.5                    

– 5.375% US dollar bond 2015

        319.0                    

– 5.810% US dollar bond 2025

        180.1                    

– secured pollution control revenue bonds

                 68.3           

– unsecured pollution control revenue bonds

                 (68.4 )        2.1  

– preferred securities

                 (205.1 )        0.3  

– repayment of bank loan acquired

        (116.1 )                  

– other

        (1.9 )        (1.2 )        (2.1 )
     

Finance leases:

                                 

– finance leases

        (0.5 )                  

Increase/(decrease) in debt

        753.3          464.3          (1,191.4 )

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing

        980.0          923.4          (1,214.3 )

 

 

* Liquid resources include term deposits of less than one year, commercial paper and other short-term investments.

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    121


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

11 Effect of acquisitions and disposals on cash flows

                   

Acquisitions
2005

£m

   

Acquisition
2003

£m

   

Disposal
2003

£m

 

Cash inflow from operating activities

                  34.2     1.0     16.0  

Returns on investments and servicing of finance

                  (15.5 )       (6.6 )

Taxation

                  (0.2 )        

Capital expenditure and financial investment

                  (4.4 )   (1.4 )   (9.2 )

Financing

                          4.5  
Increase/(decrease) in cash                   14.1     (0.4 )   4.7  

 

The analysis of cash flows of the acquisitions for the year ended 31 March 2005 relate to the post-acquisition cash flows of Damhead Creek, the remaining 50% of Brighton Power Station and Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation.

  

 

The analysis of cash flows of the acquisition for the year ended 31 March 2003 related to the post-acquisition cash flows of the Katy gas storage facility. The effect of the disposal on cash flows for the year ended 31 March 2003 related to the disposal of Southern Water.

 

 

  

12 Analysis of cash flows in respect of acquisitions and disposals  
    

Acquisitions
2005

£m

   

Disposals
2005

£m

   

Acquisition
2004

£m

   

Disposals
2004

£m

   

Acquisition
2003

£m

   

Disposals
2003

£m

 

Cash consideration for joint ventures including expenses

   (18.3 )       (24.6 )            

Cash consideration for businesses and subsidiary undertakings including expenses

   (352.2 )               (101.3 )   1,139.4  

Cash settlement of inter-company loan

                       756.4  

Cash acquired/bank overdraft disposed

   26.8                     6.2  

Deferred consideration in respect of prior year disposals

                       10.5  

Expenses and other costs paid in respect of prior year disposals

       (7.4 )       (6.7 )       (12.2 )
     (343.7 )   (7.4 )   (24.6 )   (6.7 )   (101.3 )   1,900.3  

 

For the year ended 31 March 2005, the cash flows in respect of acquisitions of businesses and subsidiary undertakings represents the purchase of Damhead Creek, the remaining 50% of Brighton Power Station and Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation. The cash flows in respect of acquisitions of joint ventures principally represents PPM’s investment in the Maple Ridge joint venture. The cash flows in respect of disposals represent expenses and other costs related to prior year disposals.

 

For the year ended 31 March 2004, the cash flows in respect of the acquisition of joint ventures represented PPM’s investment in the Colorado Green joint venture. The cash flows in respect of disposals principally represented expenses and other costs related to the disposal of and withdrawal from Appliance Retailing.

 

For the year ended 31 March 2003, the cash flows in respect of the acquisition represented the purchase of the Katy gas storage facility. The cash flows in respect of disposals principally represented the proceeds from the sale of Southern Water.

   

  

  

 

 

 

122    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

13  Analysis of net debt

 

2003/04   

At

1 April

2003

£m

         Cash flow
£m
         Exchange
£m
    Other
non-cash
changes
£m
        

At

31 March
2004

£m

 

Cash at bank

   430.1          346.6          (17.8 )            758.9  

Overdrafts

   (21.1 )        (1.5 )        2.5              (20.1 )
                345.1                              

Debt due after 1 year

   (4,759.6 )        (421.6 )        364.0     171.1          (4,646.1 )

Debt due within 1 year

   (187.4 )        (42.7 )        37.3     (197.8 )        (390.6 )

Finance leases

   (17.5 )                 2.5              (15.0 )
                (464.3 )                            

Other deposits

   234.5          354.1          (0.2 )            588.4  

Total

   (4,321.0 )        234.9          388.3     (26.7 )        (3,724.5 )

 

‘Other non-cash changes’ to net debt represents the movement in debt of £197.8 million due after one year to due within one year, the share of debt in joint arrangements of £6.4 million, amortisation of finance costs of £6.1 million and finance costs of £14.2 million representing the effects of the RPI on bonds carrying an RPI coupon.

 

2004/05   

At

1 April
2004

£m

         Cash flow
£m
         Acquisitions
(excluding
cash &
overdrafts)
£m
         Exchange
£m
         Other
non-cash
changes
£m
        

At

31 March
2005

£m

 

Cash at bank

   758.9          216.4                   (1.8 )                 973.5  

Overdrafts

   (20.1 )        (1.4 )                 1.0                   (20.5 )
                215.0                                              

Debt due after 1 year

   (4,646.1 )        (830.5 )        (116.1 )        54.3          211.0          (5,327.4 )

Debt due within 1 year

   (390.6 )        76.7                   8.4          (227.4 )        (532.9 )

Finance leases

   (15.0 )        0.5                   0.5                   (14.0 )
                (753.3 )                                            

Other deposits

   588.4          185.9                                     774.3  

Total

   (3,724.5 )        (352.4 )        (116.1 )        62.4          (16.4 )        (4,147.0 )

 

‘Other non-cash changes’ to net debt represents the movement in debt of £227.9 million due after one year to due within one year, amortisation of finance costs of £7.1 million and finance costs of £9.3 million representing the effects of the RPI on bonds carrying an RPI coupon.

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    123


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

14 Segmental balance sheet information

 

(a) Net assets by segment    Notes    

2005

£m

   

2004

£m

 

United Kingdom

                  

UK Division – Integrated Generation and Supply

   (i )   1,734.3     1,022.5  

Infrastructure Division – Power Systems

         2,479.8     2,337.4  

United Kingdom total

         4,214.1     3,359.9  

United States

                  

PacifiCorp

         5,071.3     5,935.8  

PPM

         469.3     439.0  

United States total

         5,540.6     6,374.8  

Total

         9,754.7     9,734.7  

Unallocated net liabilities

                  

Net debt

         (4,147.0 )   (3,724.5 )

Deferred tax

         (1,333.5 )   (1,242.2 )

Corporate tax

         (338.9 )   (237.7 )

Proposed dividend

         (139.4 )   (112.9 )

Fixed asset investments

         173.4     194.8  

Other

   (ii )   68.4     139.6  

Total unallocated net liabilities

         (5,717.0 )   (4,982.9 )

Total

         4,037.7     4,751.8  
Net asset value per ordinary share has been calculated based on net assets (after adjusting for minority interests) and the number of shares in issue (after adjusting for the effect of shares held in trust) at the end of the respective financial years:   
           2005     2004  

Net assets (as adjusted) (£ million)

         3,982.0     4,690.9  

Number of ordinary shares in issue at year end (as adjusted) (number of shares, million)

         1,832.3     1,830.6  
(b) Capital expenditure by segment    Note    

2005

£m

   

2004

£m

 

United Kingdom

                  

UK Division – Integrated Generation and Supply

   (iii )   155.0     93.4  

Infrastructure Division – Power Systems

   (iii )   291.8     287.2  

United Kingdom total

         446.8     380.6  

United States

                  

PacifiCorp

   (iii )   506.1     464.6  

PPM

         59.8     103.8  

United States total

         565.9     568.4  

Total

         1,012.7     949.0  
(c) Total assets by segment    Notes    

2005

£m

   

2004

£m

 

United Kingdom

                  

UK Division – Integrated Generation and Supply

   (i )   2,556.5     1,742.6  

Infrastructure Division – Power Systems

         3,165.8     2,976.0  

United Kingdom total

         5,722.3     4,718.6  

United States

                  

PacifiCorp

         5,856.3     6,718.7  

PPM

         667.0     556.2  

United States total

         6,523.3     7,274.9  

Total

         12,245.6     11,993.5  

Unallocated total assets

   (iv )   2,100.5     1,813.3  

Total

         14,346.1     13,806.8  

 

 

 

124    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

14 Segmental balance sheet information continued

 

(i) UK Division – Integrated Generation and Supply completed the acquisition of the Damhead Creek CCGT power plant and associated contracts on 1 June 2004 and completed the purchase of the remaining 50% of the Brighton Power Station CCGT power plant and associated contracts on 28 September 2004. Further details of these acquisitions are contained within Note 32.

 

(ii) Other unallocated net liabilities principally includes interest and amounts relating to gains arising on retranslation of forward contracts and cross-currency swaps used to hedge overseas net investments.

 

(iii) Capital expenditure by business segment is stated gross of capital grants and customer contributions and excludes acquisitions. Capital expenditure net of contributions amounted to £961.4 million (2004 £900.8 million). Capital grants and customer contributions receivable during the year of £51.3 million (2004 £48.2 million) comprised UK Division – Integrated Generation and Supply £0.5 million (2004 £0.1 million), Infrastructure Division – Power Systems £25.1 million (2004 £27.6 million) and PacifiCorp £25.7 million (2004 £20.5 million).

 

(iv) Unallocated total assets includes investments, interest receivable, bank deposits and amounts relating to gains arising on retranslation of forward contracts and cross-currency swaps used to hedge overseas net investments.

 

15 Intangible fixed assets

 

Year ended 31 March 2004         Goodwill
£m
    Other
£m
  

Total

£m

 

Cost:

                      

At 1 April 2003

        2,704.2        2,704.2  

Exchange

        (364.5 )      (364.5 )

At 31 March 2004

        2,339.7        2,339.7  

Amortisation:

                      

At 1 April 2003

        423.6        423.6  

Amortisation for the year

        128.0        128.0  

Exchange

        (67.8 )      (67.8 )

At 31 March 2004

        483.8        483.8  

Net book value:

                      

At 31 March 2004

        1,855.9        1,855.9  

At 31 March 2003

        2,280.6        2,280.6  
Year ended 31 March 2005    Notes    Goodwill
£m
    Other
£m
   Total £m  

Cost:

                      

At 1 April 2004

        2,339.7        2,339.7  

Acquisitions

   32        104.6    104.6  

Exchange

        (61.7 )      (61.7 )

At 31 March 2005

        2,278.0     104.6    2,382.6  

Amortisation:

                      

At 1 April 2004

        483.8        483.8  

Amortisation for the year

        117.5     24.4    141.9  

Impairment

   4    927.0        927.0  

Exchange

        (15.5 )      (15.5 )

At 31 March 2005

        1,512.8     24.4    1,537.2  

Net book value:

                      

At 31 March 2005

        765.2     80.2    845.4  

At 31 March 2004

        1,855.9        1,855.9  

 

Goodwill capitalised is being amortised over its estimated useful economic life of 20 years.

 

Other intangible fixed assets represent in-the-money gas contracts acquired as part of the Damhead Creek and Brighton Power Station acquisitions and are being amortised over the life of the respective contracts.

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    125


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

16 Tangible fixed assets

 

Year ended 31 March 2004    Note     

Land and

buildings

£m

    

Plant and

machinery

£m

    

Vehicles and

equipment
£m

    

Total

£m

 

Cost or valuation:

                                  

At 1 April 2003

          632.7      9,750.8      1,166.5      11,550.0  

Reclassification

          (21.3 )    2.8      18.5       

Additions

   (i )    16.0      677.2      255.8      949.0  

Disposals

          (7.2 )    (15.6 )    (30.1 )    (52.9 )

Exchange

          (24.8 )    (772.5 )    (89.7 )    (887.0 )

At 31 March 2004

          595.4      9,642.7      1,321.0      11,559.1  

Depreciation:

                                  

At 1 April 2003

          177.3      1,819.4      524.6      2,521.3  

Reclassification

          (14.7 )    (1.0 )    15.7       

Charge for the year

          20.1      245.6      173.0      438.7  

Disposals

          (1.0 )    (15.6 )    (24.5 )    (41.1 )

Exchange

               (82.1 )    (34.3 )    (116.4 )

At 31 March 2004

          181.7      1,966.3      654.5      2,802.5  

Net book value:

                                  

At 31 March 2004

          413.7      7,676.4      666.5      8,756.6  

At 31 March 2003

          455.4      7,931.4      641.9      9,028.7  
Year ended 31 March 2005    Note     

Land and

buildings

£m

    

Plant and

machinery

£m

    

Vehicles and

equipment

£m

    

Total

£m

 

Cost or valuation:

                                  

At 1 April 2004

          595.4      9,642.7      1,321.0      11,559.1  

Additions

          23.8      872.2      116.7      1,012.7  

Acquisitions

   32      13.1      439.1           452.2  

Disposals

          (3.0 )    (92.7 )    (62.4 )    (158.1 )

Exchange

          (4.5 )    (139.8 )    (21.3 )    (165.6 )

At 31 March 2005

          624.8      10,721.5      1,354.0      12,700.3  

Depreciation:

                                  

At 1 April 2004

          181.7      1,966.3      654.5      2,802.5  

Charge for the year

          18.3      299.9      140.0      458.2  

Disposals

          (2.0 )    (79.8 )    (54.0 )    (135.8 )

Exchange

          (0.6 )    (18.6 )    (8.2 )    (27.4 )

At 31 March 2005

          197.4      2,167.8      732.3      3,097.5  

Net book value:

                                  

At 31 March 2005

          427.4      8,553.7      621.7      9,602.8  

At 31 March 2004

          413.7      7,676.4      666.5      8,756.6  
Historical cost analysis                        

2005

£m

    

2004

£m

 

Cost

                        12,646.3      11,505.1  

Depreciation based on cost

                        (3,083.2 )    (2,790.1 )

Net book value based on cost

                        9,563.1      8,715.0  
Included in the cost or valuation of tangible fixed assets above are:                  Notes     

2005

£m

    

2004

£m

 

Assets in the course of construction

                        779.7      637.8  

Other assets not subject to depreciation

                 (iii )    135.0      118.4  

Capitalised interest

                 (iv )    56.8      46.2  

 

 

 

126    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

16 Tangible fixed assets continued

 

(i) Additions in the prior year of £949.0 million included £24.9 million relating to an increase in the provision for mine reclamation costs.

 

(ii) The Manweb distribution operational assets were revalued by the directors on 30 September 1997 on a market value basis. The valuation of the Manweb distribution assets has not been and will not be updated, as permitted under the transitional provisions of FRS 15 ‘Tangible fixed assets’. The net book value of tangible fixed assets included at valuation at 31 March 2005 was £545.7 million (2004 £563.9 million).

 

(iii) Other assets not subject to depreciation are land. Land and buildings held by the group are predominantly freehold.

 

(iv) Interest on the funding attributable to major capital projects was capitalised during the year at a rate of 6% (2004 nil) in the UK and 6% (2004 6%) in the US.

 

(v) The historical cost of fully depreciated tangible fixed assets still in use was £553.1 million (2004 £375.6 million).

 

(vi) Capitalised computer software costs developed for internal use include employee, interest and other external direct costs of materials and services which are directly attributable to the development of computer software. Cumulative computer software costs capitalised are £601.3 million (2004 £560.8 million). The depreciation charge was £69.2 million (2004 £61.2 million, 2003 £79.6 million).

 

(vii) The net book value of land and buildings under finance leases at 31 March 2005 was £14.4 million (2004 £15.0 million). The charge for depreciation against these assets during the year was £0.6 million (2004 £0.7 million, 2003 £0.1 million). This principally represents office buildings.

 

(viii) The cost or valuation of assets held for use in operating leases at 31 March 2005 was £8.7 million (2004 £8.7 million). The accumulated depreciation charged against the assets at 31 March 2005 was £0.8 million (2004 £0.6 million).

 

17 Fixed asset investments

          Joint ventures    

Associated

undertakings

    Other        
          Shares     Loans     Shares     investments     Total  
     Note    £m     £m     £m     £m     £m  

Cost or valuation:

                                   

At 31 March 2003

        0.1     40.2     2.8     150.2     193.3  

Additions

        24.6     1.1         2.2     27.9  

Share of retained profit

        0.5         0.2         0.7  

Disposals and other

            (2.5 )   (0.3 )   (1.6 )   (4.4 )

Exchange

        (1.7 )           (21.0 )   (22.7 )

At 31 March 2004

        23.5     38.8     2.7     129.8     194.8  

Additions

        18.3     1.5         4.9     24.7  

Share of retained (loss)/profit

        (0.4 )   (1.8 )   2.2          

Disposals and other

        (2.3 )   (8.8 )   (0.9 )   (11.2 )   (23.2 )

Transfer of joint venture to subsidiary

   32        (19.1 )           (19.1 )

Exchange

        (0.6 )           (3.2 )   (3.8 )

At 31 March 2005

        38.5     10.6     4.0     120.3     173.4  

 

The principal subsidiary undertakings, joint ventures and associated undertakings are listed on page 169.

Details of listed investments, included above, are given below:

     £m

Balance Sheet value at 31 March 2005

   48.8

Market value at 31 March 2005

   46.9

 

18 Stocks

 

    

2005

£m

  

2004

£m

Raw materials and consumables

   110.8    91.7

Fuel stocks

   71.1    88.2

Work in progress

   3.5    5.6
     185.4    185.5

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    127


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

19 Debtors

 

     Notes         

2005

£m

         

2004

£m

 

(a) Amounts falling due within one year:

                             

Trade debtors

   (i )        521.5           407.5  

Amounts receivable under finance leases – US

   (ii ), (iii)        14.6           28.3  

Less non-recourse financing

              (7.4 )         (16.1 )
                7.2           12.2  

Amounts receivable under finance leases – UK

   (iii )        0.1           0.1  

Prepayments and accrued income

   (iv )        689.5           538.2  

Other debtors

   (v )        473.5           390.9  
                1,691.8           1,348.9  

(b) Amounts falling due after more than one year:

                             

Amounts receivable under finance leases – US

   (ii ), (iii)        134.9           171.9  

Less non-recourse financing

              (57.9 )         (93.4 )
                77.0           78.5  

Amounts receivable under finance leases – UK

   (iii )        3.8           4.0  

Other debtors

              18.7           35.3  
                1,791.3           1,466.7  

 

  (i) Trade debtors are stated net of provisions for doubtful debts of £60.6 million (2004 £57.9 million).

 

  (ii) The group’s finance lease assets in the US which are financed by non-recourse borrowing qualify for linked presentation under FRS 5. The provider of the finance has agreed in writing in the finance documentation that it will seek repayment of the finance, as to both principal and interest, only to the extent that sufficient funds are generated by the specific assets it has financed and that it will not seek recourse in any other form. The directors confirm that the group has no obligation to support any losses arising under these leases nor is there any intention to do so.

 

  (iii) Amounts receivable under finance leases falling due after more than one year at 31 March 2005 of £138.7 million (2004 £175.9 million) are due as follows: within 1-2 years, £15.4 million (2004 £21.4 million); within 2-3 years, £21.6 million (2004 £28.6 million); within 3-4 years, £21.0 million (2004 £23.9 million); within 4-5 years, £10.7 million (2004 £18.1 million) and after 5 years, £70.0 million (2004 £83.9 million). Amounts received under finance leases during the year were £44.0 million (2004 £43.2 million).

 

  (iv) Prepayments and accrued income comprise prepayments of £62.6 million (2004 £48.5 million) and accrued income of £626.9 million (2004 £489.7 million).

 

  (v) Included within other debtors falling due within one year is an amount of £80.3 million (2004 £201.1 million) relating to the value of net investment cross-currency swaps and £39.9 million (2004 £59.3 million) relating to net investment forward contracts as disclosed in Note 20(b).

 

 

 

128    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

20 Loans and other borrowings

 

Details of the group’s objectives, policies and strategy with regard to financial instruments and risk management are contained within the Financial Review on pages 36 to 72. The analyses of financial instruments in this Note, other than currency disclosures, do not include short-term debtors and creditors as permitted by FRS 13.

 

(a) Analysis by instrument    Notes      Weighted
average
interest rate
2005
   Weighted
average
interest rate
2004
  

2005

£m

  

2004

£m

Unsecured debt of UK businesses

                          

Bank overdraft

                   0.1

Uncommitted bank loans

          4.2%    3.8%    7.2    108.0

Medium-term notes/private placements

   (i )    5.8%    5.4%    963.6    1,023.4

Loan notes

   (ii )    4.8%    3.7%    1.1    1.2

European Investment Bank loans

   (iii )    5.9%    5.9%    199.2    199.2

4.000% US dollar convertible bonds

   (iv )    4.4%    4.4%    365.4    374.7

5.250% deutschmark bond 2008

          6.8%    6.8%    246.1    246.0

6.625% euro-sterling bond 2010

          6.7%    6.7%    198.8    198.6

4.910% US dollar bond 2010

   (v )    5.0%       289.9   

Variable rate Australian dollar bond 2011

          5.4%    4.4%    235.1    234.7

5.375% US dollar bond 2015

   (v )    5.1%       325.1   

8.375% euro-sterling bond 2017

          8.5%    8.5%    198.0    197.8

6.750% euro-sterling bond 2023

          6.8%    6.8%    247.3    247.3

5.810% US dollar bond 2025

   (v )    5.9%       183.5   

Unsecured debt of US businesses

                          

Bank overdraft

                20.5    20.0

Commercial paper

   (vi )    2.9%    1.1%    248.0    68.0

Pollution control revenue bonds

   (vii )    2.5%    1.8%    178.7    183.7

Finance leases

   (viii )    11.9%    11.9%    14.0    15.0

Other borrowings

          2.9%    1.1%    9.8    11.3

Unsecured debt

                    3,931.3    3,129.0

Secured debt of US businesses

                          

First mortgage and collateral bonds

   (ix )    7.0%    7.2%    1,636.5    1,601.8

Pollution control revenue bonds

   (vii )    3.3%    2.6%    209.7    215.6

Other secured borrowings

   (x )    6.9%    6.9%    117.3    125.4

Secured debt

                    1,963.5    1,942.8
                      5,894.8    5,071.8

Loans and other borrowings are repayable as follows:

                          

Within one year, or on demand

                    553.4    410.7

After more than one year

                    5,341.4    4,661.1
                      5,894.8    5,071.8

 

  (i) Medium-term notes/private placements

 

Scottish Power plc and Scottish Power UK plc have an established joint US$7.0 billion (2004 US$7.0 billion) euro-medium-term note programme. Scottish Power plc has not yet issued under the programme. Paper is issued in a range of currencies and swapped back into sterling. As at 31 March 2005, maturities range from 1 to 35 years.

 

  (ii) Loan notes

 

All loan notes are redeemable at the holders’ discretion. The ultimate maturity date for loan notes currently outstanding is 2006.

 

  (iii) European Investment Bank (“EIB”) loans

 

These loans incorporate agreements with various interest rates and maturity dates. The maturity dates of these arrangements range from 2009 to 2011.

 

  (iv) US dollar Convertible bonds

 

Scottish Power Finance (Jersey) Limited (“the Issuer”) has issued US$700 million 4.00% step-up perpetual subordinated convertible bonds guaranteed by Scottish Power plc. The bonds are convertible into redeemable preference shares of the Issuer which will be exchangeable immediately on issuance for ordinary shares in Scottish Power plc. The Exchange Price was initially set at £4.60 but will be subject to change on the occurence of certain events set out in the Offering Circular, including payment of dividends greater than amounts set out in the bond agreement, capital restructuring and change of control. The exchange rate to be used to convert US dollar denominated preference shares into sterling is 1.6776. Conversion of the bonds into shares is at the option of the bondholders. During the period up to 3 July 2011, they can opt to convert the bonds into preference shares of the Issuer which are immediately exchangeable into ordinary shares of Scottish Power plc. If the bonds remain outstanding after 10 July 2011, they will bear interest at a rate of 4.00% per annum above the London Inter Bank Offer Rate for three month US dollar deposits. The bonds are perpetual, so there is no fixed redemption date. There are, however, occasions where redemption may occur. The Issuer may redeem the bonds: i) if, after 10 July 2009, for the preceeding 30 dealing days the average of the middle market quotations of an ordinary share has been at least 130% of the average Exchange Price; ii) if, at any time, conversion rights have been exercised and/or purchases effected in respect of 85% or more in principal amount of the bonds; or iii) at any time after 10 July 2011, provided all of the outstanding bonds are redeemed. Under ii) and iii), the redemption amount will be principal value plus accrued, unpaid interest. Under i), the redemption will be by way of the issue of shares. The bondholders may require redemption if an offer is made to the shareholders of Scottish Power plc to buy their shares in the company. The redemption amount will be principal value plus accrued, unpaid interest.

 

  (v) US dollar $4.0 billion US shelf registration

 

In March 2005 Scottish Power plc established a US$4.0 billion US shelf registration for the issuance of debt and other securities. An inaugural issue of $1.5 billion of bonds was made during the month. These bonds were split into three maturities of 5, 10 and 20 years, with respective notional values being $550 million, $600 million and $350 million.

 

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    129


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

20 Loans and other borrowings continued

 

  (vi) Commercial paper

 

Scottish Power UK plc has an established US$2.0 billion (2004 US$2.0 billion) euro-commercial paper programme. Paper was issued in a range of currencies and swapped back into sterling. No issues have been made under the programme since April 2002. PacifiCorp has a US$1.5 billion (2004 US$1.5 billion) domestic commercial paper programme. Amounts borrowed under the commercial paper programmes are repayable in less than one year.

 

  (vii) Pollution control revenue bonds

 

These are bonds issued by qualified tax exempt entities to finance, or refinance, the cost of certain pollution control, solid waste disposal and sewage facilities. PacifiCorp has entered into agreements with the issuers pursuant to which PacifiCorp received the proceeds of the issuance and agreed to make payments sufficient to pay principal of, interest on, and certain additional expenses. The interest on the bonds is not subject to federal income taxation for most bondholders. In some cases, PacifiCorp has issued first mortgage and collateral bonds as collateral for repayment.

 

  (viii) Finance leases

 

These are facility leases that are accounted for as capital leases, maturity dates range from 2014 to 2022.

 

  (ix) First mortgage and collateral bonds

 

First mortgage and collateral bonds of PacifiCorp may be issued in amounts limited by its Electric operation’s property, earnings and other provisions of the mortgage indenture. Approximately US$13.1 billion of the eligible assets (based on original costs) of PacifiCorp is subject to the lien of the mortgage.

 

  (x) Other secured borrowings

 

Included within other secured borrowings is ScottishPower’s share of debt in a joint arrangement for the Klamath co-generation plant. The borrowings are the subject of a guarantee, for US$60.0 million, provided by PacifiCorp Holdings Inc. in respect of second lien revenue bonds.

 

     At 31 March 2005      At 31 March 2004  
(b) Fair value of financial instruments    Book
amount
£m
     Fair
value
£m
     Book
amount
£m
     Fair
value
£m
 

Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt

   547.1      547.1      411.1      411.1  

Long-term debt

   5,376.3      5,818.4      4,686.2      5,166.9  

Cross-currency swaps

   (28.6 )    (44.9 )    (25.5 )    (43.2 )

Total debt

   5,894.8      6,320.6      5,071.8      5,534.8  

Interest rate swaps

   (4.1 )    (31.7 )    (6.4 )    16.1  

Interest rate swaptions

   2.6      1.5      2.6      2.4  

Forward contracts

   (46.4 )    (81.0 )    (1.9 )    (70.0 )

Net investment forward contracts

   (39.9 )    (28.1 )    (59.3 )    (47.4 )

Net investment cross-currency swaps

   (80.3 )    (76.5 )    (201.1 )    (177.6 )

Energy hedge contracts

        (31.8 )         5.1  

Energy trading contracts

   (5.7 )    (5.7 )    (0.6 )    (0.6 )

Total financial instruments

   5,721.0      6,067.3      4,805.1      5,262.8  

 

The assumptions used to estimate fair values of financial instruments are summarised below:

 

  (i) For short-term borrowings (uncommitted borrowing, commercial paper and short-term borrowings under the committed facilities), the book value approximates to fair value because of their short maturities.

 

  (ii) The fair values of all quoted euro bonds are based on their closing clean market price converted at the spot rate of exchange as appropriate.

 

  (iii) The fair values of the EIB loans have been calculated by discounting their future cash flows at market rates adjusted to reflect the redemption adjustments allowed under each agreement.

 

  (iv) The fair values of unquoted debt have been calculated by discounting the estimated cash flows for each instrument at the appropriate market discount rate in the currency of issue in effect at the balance sheet date.

 

  (v) The fair values of the sterling interest rate swaps and sterling forward rate agreements have been estimated by calculating the present value of estimated cash flows.

 

  (vi) The fair values of the sterling interest rate swaptions are estimated using the sterling yield curve and implied volatilities as at 31 March.

 

  (vii) The fair values of the cross-currency swaps have been estimated by adding the present values of the two sides of each swap. The present value of each side of the swap is calculated by discounting the estimated future cash flows for that side, using the appropriate market discount rates for that currency in effect at the balance sheet date.

 

  (viii) The fair values of the forward contracts are estimated using market forward exchange rates on 31 March.

 

  (ix) The fair values of electricity and gas forwards and futures are estimated using market forward commodity price curves as at 31 March.

 

  (x) The fair values of weather derivatives have been estimated assuming for water related derivatives a normal water year in several water basins, and for temperature related derivatives a normal daily high temperature of certain cities in the US.

 

 

 

 

130    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

20  Loans and other borrowings continued

 

 

(c) Maturity analysis of financial liabilities   

2005

£m

  

2004

£m

Repayments fall due as follows:

         

Within one year, or on demand

   553.4    410.7

Between one and two years

   213.9    278.2

Between two and three years

   90.1    227.6

Between three and four years

   611.7    91.5

Between four and five years

   1,047.0    616.6

More than five years

   3,378.7    3,447.2
     5,894.8    5,071.8

 

Finance leases are included within each of the repayment categories listed above as follows; within one year or on demand £nil (2004 £nil), between one and two years £0.2 million (2004 £0.1 million), between two and three years £0.3 million (2004 £0.3 million), between three and four years £0.3 million (2004 £0.3 million), between four and five years £0.5 million (2004 £0.3 million) and in more than five years £12.7 million (2004 £14.0 million).

 

The minimum future finance lease payments in relation to the above are as follows; within one year or on demand £1.7 million (2004 £1.8 million), between one and two years £1.8 million (2004 £1.9 million), between two and three years £1.9 million (2004 £2.0 million), between three and four years £1.9 million (2004 £2.0 million), between four and five years £2.0 million (2004 £2.0 million) and in more than five years £22.7 million (2004 £26.4 million). These payments include interest charges allocated to future years of £18.0 million (2004 £21.1 million).

 

 

Liabilities:   

2006

£m

  

2007

£m

  

2008

£m

  

2009

£m

   

2010

£m

    Thereafter
£m
   

Total

£m

    Fair Value*
£m
 

Fixed rate (GBP)

      100.0    25.0    55.0     246.9     841.0     1,267.9     1,420.7  

Average interest rate (GBP)

      6.5%    6.7%    5.5%     6.6%     6.7%     6.6%        

Fixed rate (USD) – UK group

                655.3     558.0     1,213.3     1,248.4  

Average interest rate (USD) – UK group

                4.4%     5.4%     4.9%        

Fixed rate (USD) – US group

   144.4    113.9    65.1    216.8     75.0     1,216.0     1,831.2     2,033.5  

Average interest rate (USD) – US group

   7.4%    7.6%    7.7%    6.1%     7.7%     6.8%     6.9%        

Fixed rate (CZK)

   45.9                      45.9     45.9  

Average interest rate (CZK)

   6.9%                      6.9%        

Fixed rate (EUR)

            292.9             292.9     312.0  

Average interest rate (EUR)

            5.2%             5.2%        

Index-linked (GBP)

                    201.4     201.4     223.7  

Average interest rate (GBP)

                    3.49 x RPI     3.49 x RPI        

Variable rate (GBP)

   8.3          30.0     57.0         95.3     95.3  

Average interest rate (GBP)

   2m LIBOR          6m LIBOR     3m LIBOR         4m LIBOR        

Variable rate (USD) – UK group

   52.9          18.5             71.4     71.4  

Average interest rate (USD) – UK group

   3m LIBOR          3m LIBOR             3m LIBOR        

Variable rate (USD) – US group

   278.3                  286.6     564.9     564.9  

Average interest rate (USD) – US group

   1m LIBOR                  BMA     BMA        

Variable rate (USD) – US group

                    38.5     38.5     38.5  

Average interest rate (USD) – US group

                    MCBY     MCBY        

Variable rate (AUD)

                    263.5     263.5     273.3  

Average interest rate (AUD)

                    3m BBSW     3m BBSW        

Variable rate (EUR)

            6.2     13.7         19.9     20.6  

Average interest rate (EUR)

            3m LIBOR     6m LIBOR         5m LIBOR        

Variable rate (JPY)

   17.3                      17.3     17.3  

Average interest rate (JPY)

   6m LIBOR                      6m LIBOR        

Total debt

                                    5,923.4     6,365.5  

Cross-currency swaps

   6.3          (7.7 )   (0.9 )   (26.3 )   (28.6 )   (44.9 )
                                      5,894.8     6,320.6  

 

The disclosures represent the interest profile and currency profile of financial liabilities before the impact of derivative hedging instruments.

 

The average variable rates above, LIBOR, exclude margins. LIBOR is the London Inter Bank Offer Rate.

 

 

GBP – Pounds Sterling, USD – American Dollars, CAD – Canadian Dollars, CZK – Czech Koruna, DKK – Danish Krone, EUR – Euros, JPY – Japanese Yen, AUD – Australian Dollars. BMA is a weekly high grade market index comprised of 7-day tax exempt variable rate demand notes produced by municipal market data. MCBY is the Moody’s Corporate Bond Yield. It is derived from the pricing data of 100 corporate bonds in the US market, each with current outstandings of over $100 million and maturities of 30 years. BBSW is the Australian Bank Bill Rate.

 

    

Reference to ‘m’ in ‘m LIBOR’ and ‘m BBSW’ represents months.  

*  Fair value represents the fair value of the total debt excluding the fair value of related cross-currency swaps, details of which are set out in Note 20(g).

    

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    131


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

20 Loans and other borrowings continued

 

             At 31 March 2005    At 31 March 2004
(d) Interest rate analysis of financial liabilities           

GBP

£m

  

USD

£m

   Total
£m
  

GBP

£m

  

USD

£m

  

Total

£m

Fixed rate borrowings

           1,285.4    2,995.1    4,280.5    1,331.0    2,181.1    3,512.1
Floating rate borrowings            1,010.9    603.4    1,614.3    1,125.3    434.4    1,559.7
             2,296.3    3,598.5    5,894.8    2,456.3    2,615.5    5,071.8
   

Weighted average interest

rate at which borrowings

are fixed

  

Weighted average

period for which interest

rate is fixed

    At 31 March 2005    At 31 March 2004    At 31 March 2005    At 31 March 2004
    GBP
%
  USD
%
   GBP
%
   USD
%
   GBP
Years
   USD
Years
   GBP
Years
   USD
Years

Fixed rate borrowings

  6.7   6.1    6.8    6.6    10    10    10    9

 

All amounts in the analysis above take into account the effect of interest rate swaps and currency swaps used to convert underlying debt into sterling. This does not include currency swaps used as part of the hedging of the US net investment. Floating rate borrowings bear interest at rates based on LIBOR, certificate of deposit rates, interbank borrowing rates, prime rates or other short-term market rates. The average interest rates on short-term borrowings as at 31 March 2005 were as follows: GBP 4.7%, USD 2.9% (2004 4.1% and 1.2% respectively).

 

Based on the floating rate debt of £1,614.3 million at 31 March 2005 (2004 £1,559.7 million), a 100 basis point change in interest rates would result in a £16.1 million change in (loss)/profit before tax for the year (2004 £15.6 million).

 

Debt in the table above is reported by currency. In the past it has been reported split by the location of issue, which has been the same as the currency split. The UK operations issued $700 million worth of convertible bonds in the prior year and $1.5 billion of bonds have been issued under ScottishPower plc’s $4 billion shelf registration in the current year. Neither were swapped into sterling.

 

           At 31 March 2005    At 31 March 2004

(e) Financial assets

   Note     UK
£m
   US
£m
   Total
£m
   UK
£m
   US
£m
   Total
£m

Fixed rate financial assets

   (i )   3.9    84.2    88.1    7.1    90.7    97.8

Floating rate financial assets

   (i )   1,524.0    234.4    1,758.4    1,274.5    108.6    1,383.1
           1,527.9    318.6    1,846.5    1,281.6    199.3    1,480.9

 

(i)    All financial assets in the UK are denominated in pounds sterling and those in the US are denominated in US dollars.

 

Included within US fixed rate financial assets at 31 March 2005 are amounts receivable under finance leases of £149.5 million (2004 £200.2 million) less non-recourse finance of £65.3 million (2004 £109.5 million). The floating rate financial assets of the group’s UK and US operations are principally cash deposits of which £2.3 million in the UK and £nil in the US (2004 £2.2 million and £nil respectively) are subject to either a legal assignment or a charge in favour of a third party.

 

     Weighted average interest rate
at which financial assets are fixed
  

Weighted average period for

which interest rate is fixed

     At 31 March 2005    At 31 March 2004    At 31 March 2005    At 31 March 2004
    

UK

%

  

US
%

  

UK

%

  

US

%

   UK
Years
   US
Years
  

UK

Years

  

US

Years

Fixed rate financial assets

   10.0    10.0    8.4    10.0    8    4    6    5

 

All amounts in the analysis above take into account the effect of interest rate swaps and currency swaps. Floating rate investments pay interest at rates based on LIBOR, certificate of deposit rates, prime rates or other short-term market rates. The average interest rates on short-term financial assets as at 31 March 2005 were as follows: UK operations 4.8%, US operations 2.0% (2004 3.9% and 1.0% respectively).

 

Based on the floating rate financial assets of £1,758.4 million at 31 March 2005 (2004 £1,383.1 million), a 100 basis point change in interest rates would result in a £17.6 million change in (loss)/profit before tax for the year (2004 £13.8 million). Based on the floating rate short-term bank and other deposits of £1,747.8 million at 31 March 2005 (2004 £1,347.3 million), a 100 basis point change in interest rates would result in a £17.5 million change in (loss)/profit before tax for the year (2004 £13.5 million).

 

The fair values of the financial assets are not materially different from their book values.

 

The group also has certain equity investments which have been excluded from the disclosures above because they have no maturity date. As at 31 March 2005, the book value of these investments was £48.8 million (2004 £57.2 million) and the fair value was £46.9 million (2004 £55.2 million).

 

(f) Borrowing facilities

 

The group has the following undrawn committed borrowing facilities at 31 March 2005 in respect of which all conditions precedent have been met. Of the facilities shown £529.1 million ($1,000 million) (2004 £544.1 million ($1,000 million)) relate to UK operations. The remaining £423.3 million ($800 million) (2004 £435.3 million ($800 million)) relate to US operations. All facilities are floating rate facilities.

                                  

At 31 March
2005

£m

  

At 31 March
2004

£m

Expiring within one year

                                    476.1

Expiring between two and five years

                                 952.4    503.3

 

Commitment fees on the above facilities were as follows: UK operations £1.8 million (2004 £1.2 million); US operations £0.6 million (2004 £0.6 million).

 

 

 

132    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

20 Loans and other borrowings continued

 

(g) Maturity analysis of derivatives   

2006

£m

  

2007

£m

  

2008

£m

  

2009

£m

  

2010

£m

   Thereafter
£m
  

Total

£m

  

    Fair Value*

£m

 

Interest rate swaps

                                         

Fixed to variable (GBP)

   111.2    638.0    390.4    185.2    300.0    499.9    2,124.7    (26.1 )

Average pay rate

   6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR       

Average receive rate

   5.0%    5.2%    5.4%    5.4%    6.7%    6.7%    5.8%       

Fixed to index-linked (GBP)

                  100.0    100.0    17.9  

Average pay rate

                  3.35 x RPI    3.35 x RPI       

Average receive rate

                  6.2%    6.2%       

Variable to fixed (GBP)

   25.0    50.0          50.0       125.0    5.5  

Average pay rate

   6.6%    5.5%          6.3%       6.0%       

Average receive rate

   6m LIBOR    3m LIBOR          3m LIBOR       4m LIBOR       

Variable to variable (GBP)

            30.0    7.0       37.0    (0.4 )

Average pay rate

            6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR       6m LIBOR       

Average receive rate

            12m LIBOR    12m LIBOR       12m LIBOR       

Variable to fixed (USD)

   350.5    423.6    291.2       264.7    185.3    1,515.3    (28.6 )

Average pay rate

   3.4%    2.4%    3.2%       4.1%    4.4%    3.3%       

Average receive rate

   6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR       6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR       

Swaptions

                                         

Notional amount (GBP)

                  100.0    100.0    1.5  

Average pay rate

                  4.3%    4.3%       

Average receive rate

                  6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR       

Cross-currency swaps

                                         

Received fixed USD pay variable GBP

                  51.4    51.4    (2.0 )

Average pay rate (GBP)

                  6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR       

Average receive rate (USD)

                  4.6%    4.6%       

Received variable USD pay fixed GBP

   33.1          21.2          54.3    9.4  

Average pay rate (GBP)

   6.7%          4.9%          6.0%       

Average receive rate (USD)

   3m LIBOR          3m LIBOR          3m LIBOR       

Received variable USD pay variable GBP

   33.3                   33.3    6.8  

Average pay rate (GBP)

   6m LIBOR                   6m LIBOR       

Average receive rate (USD)

   3m LIBOR                   3m LIBOR       

Receive variable AUD pay variable GBP

                  237.8    237.8    (29.9 )

Average pay rate (GBP)

                  6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR       

Average receive rate (AUD)

                  3m BBSW    3m BBSW       

Receive fixed CZK pay variable GBP

   34.3                   34.3    (12.6 )

Average pay rate (GBP)

   6m LIBOR                   6m LIBOR       

Average receive rate (CZK)

   6.9%                   6.9%       

Receive fixed EUR pay fixed GBP

            246.6          246.6    (14.6 )

Average pay rate (GBP)

            6.7%          6.7%       

Average receive rate (EUR)

            5.3%          5.3%       

Receive fixed EUR pay variable GBP

            36.8          36.8    (4.7 )

Average pay rate (GBP)

            6m LIBOR          6m LIBOR       

Average receive rate (EUR)

            5.0%          5.0%       

Receive variable EUR pay variable GBP

            5.8    12.9       18.7    (1.8 )

Average pay rate (GBP)

            6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR       6m LIBOR       

Average receive rate (EUR)

            3m LIBOR    6m LIBOR       5m LIBOR       

Receive variable JPY pay variable GBP

   21.9                   21.9    4.5  

Average pay rate (GBP)

   6m LIBOR                   6m LIBOR       

Average receive rate (JPY)

   6m LIBOR                   6m LIBOR       

Receive variable GBP pay variable USD

   116.7    418.0    713.3    624.6    52.8    271.1    2,196.5    (76.5 )

Average pay rate (USD)

   6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR       

Average receive rate (GBP)

   6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR    6m LIBOR       

Forward contracts

                                         

Buy GBP, sell USD

   984.3    1,350.9    157.7             2,492.9    (165.2 )

Buy USD, sell GBP

   727.6    305.3    153.5             1,186.4    55.9  

Buy CAD, sell USD

   39.8                   39.8    (0.5 )

Buy GBP, sell EUR

   1.9                   1.9     

Buy EUR, sell GBP

   45.0    4.5    12.6             62.1    0.4  

Buy GBP, sell DKK

   1.6                   1.6     

Buy DKK, sell GBP

   27.7                   27.7    0.3  
                                   10,746.0    (260.7 )

 

The abbreviations contained in the table are defined in Note 20(c). The above table includes derivatives relating to the hedging of earnings and the net assets of the US business, hedging interest rate risk and foreign exchange risk on debt issues and hedging foreign exchange risk on a small number of business transactions.

 

  * Derivatives which have a positive fair value are shown in the table above as bracketed, while derivatives with a negative fair value are shown without brackets to follow the convention in Note 20(b) that financial liabilities are shown without brackets.

 

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    133


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

20 Loans and other borrowings continued

 

    (h) Hedges

 

Gains and losses on instruments used for hedging are not recognised until the exposure that is being hedged is itself recognised. Unrecognised gains and losses on instruments used for hedging, and the movements therein, are as follows:

 

     Note     Gains
£m
     Losses
£m
     Total net
gains/losses
£m

Unrecognised gains and (losses) on hedges at 1 April 2003

         181.4      (135.2 )    46.2

Transfer from gains to losses

   (i )            

Transfer from losses to gains

   (i )            

(Gains) and losses arising in previous years that were recognised in 2003/04

         (32.4 )    40.6      8.2

Gains and (losses) arising before 1 April 2003 that were not recognised in 2003/04

         149.0      (94.6 )    54.4

Gains and (losses) arising in 2003/04 that were not recognised in 2003/04

         32.0      (18.0 )    14.0

Unrecognised gains and (losses) on hedges at 31 March 2004

         181.0      (112.6 )    68.4

Gains and (losses) expected to be recognised in 2004/05

         56.6      (34.3 )    22.3

Gains and (losses) expected to be recognised in 2005/06 or later

         124.4      (78.3 )    46.1

 

(i)    Figures in the table above are calculated by reference to the 31 March 2004 fair value of the derivative concerned.

     Note     Gains
£m
     Losses
£m
     Total net
gains/losses
£m
 

Unrecognised gains and (losses) on hedges at 1 April 2004

         181.0      (112.6 )    68.4  

Transfer from gains to losses

   (ii )              

Transfer from losses to gains

   (ii )   (28.2 )    28.2       

(Gains) and losses arising in previous years that were recognised in 2004/05

         (22.2 )    10.4      (11.8 )

Gains and (losses) arising before 1 April 2004 that were not recognised in 2004/05

         130.6      (74.0 )    56.6  

Gains and (losses) arising in 2004/05 that were not recognised in 2004/05

         32.5      39.9      72.4  

Unrecognised gains and (losses) on hedges at 31 March 2005

         163.1      (34.1 )    129.0  

Gains and (losses) expected to be recognised in 2005/06

         26.6      (6.2 )    20.4  

Gains and (losses) expected to be recognised in 2006/07 or later

         136.5      (27.9 )    108.6  

(ii)    Figures in the table above are calculated by reference to the 31 March 2005 fair value of the derivative concerned.

 

The analysis above excludes any gains and losses in respect of the net investment cross-currency swaps and net investment forward contracts and losses of £17.6 million relating to certain other forward contracts as gains and losses arising on these contracts would be recognised in the statement of total recognised gains and losses.

 

(i)    Fair value of financial assets and liabilities held for trading

              

2005

£m

   

2004

£m

 

Net realised and unrealised gains included in profit and loss account

             10.5     4.3  

Fair value of financial assets held for trading at 31 March

             33.1     15.6  

Fair value of financial liabilities held for trading at 31 March

             (27.4 )   (15.0 )

In the UK and US a limited amount of proprietary trading within the limits and guidelines of the risk management framework is undertaken. The transactions included in the table above consist of forward purchase and sale contracts of electricity and forward purchase and sale contracts of gas and gas futures contracts. These contracts are marked to market value using externally derived market prices and any gain or loss arising is recognised in the profit and loss account. This is not in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 4 to the Companies Act 1985 which requires that these contracts be stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value or that, if revalued, any revaluation difference be taken to revaluation reserve. However, the directors consider that compliance with these requirements would lead to the Accounts failing to give a true and fair view of the results of the group since the marketability of energy trading contracts enables decisions to be made continually on whether to hold or sell them. Accordingly, the measurement of profit in any period is properly made by reference to market values. The effect of the departure on the Accounts is to increase the profit for the year by £17.5 million (2004 £4.6 million) and increase the group’s net assets by £33.1 million (2004 £15.6 million).

 

(j)    Currency exposures

 

As explained in the Financial Review on pages 36 to 72 the group uses forward contracts, cross-currency interest rate swaps and borrowings in foreign currencies to mitigate the currency exposures arising from its net investments overseas. Gains and losses arising on net investments overseas and the forward contracts, cross-currency interest rate swaps and foreign currency borrowings used to hedge the currency exposures are recognised in the statement of total recognised gains and losses.

Other than the transactions referred to above, the group did not hold material net monetary assets or liabilities in currencies other than functional currency at 31 March 2005 or 31 March 2004.

 

 

 

 

134    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

21 Other creditors

 

    

2005

£m

  

2004

£m

Amounts falling due within one year:

         

Trade creditors

   134.5    131.3

Corporate tax

   338.9    237.7

Other taxes and social security

   45.0    54.4

Payments received on account

   48.6    34.5

Capital creditors and accruals

   149.7    87.8

Other creditors

   267.4    241.5

Accrued expenses

   987.0    758.6

Proposed dividend

   139.4    112.9
     2,110.5    1,658.7

 

22 Provisions for liabilities and charges – Deferred tax

 

Deferred tax provided in the Accounts is as follows:

 

    

2005

£m

  

2004

£m

 

Accelerated capital allowances

   1,219.5    1,161.0  

Other timing differences

   114.0    81.2  
     1,333.5    1,242.2  
     Notes    £m  

Deferred tax provided at 1 April 2002

        1,691.2  

Charge to profit and loss account

        50.6  

Disposal of Southern Water

   33    (361.0 )

Exchange

        (80.5 )

Other movements

        1.6  

Deferred tax provided at 1 April 2003

        1,301.9  

Charge to profit and loss account

        74.4  

Exchange

        (134.6 )

Other movements

        0.5  

Deferred tax provided at 1 April 2004

        1,242.2  

Charge to profit and loss account

        116.7  

Acquisitions

   32    (4.4 )

Exchange

        (22.9 )

Other movements

        1.9  

Deferred tax provided at 31 March 2005

        1,333.5  

 

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    135


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

23 Provisions for liabilities and charges – Other provisions

 

2002/03

   At
1 April
2002

£m
   Disposal
of Southern
Water
(Note 33)

£m
 
 
 
 

 
   New
provisions

£m
   Unwinding
of
discount

£m
   Utilised
during
year

£m
 
 
 

 
   Exchange
£m
 
 
   At
31 March
2003

£m

Reorganisation and restructuring

   62.6    (2.5 )    4.7       (32.3 )    (3.0 )    29.5

Environmental and health

   98.2    (3.1 )       9.5    (10.9 )    (8.5 )    85.2

Decommissioning costs

   86.6         0.5    4.8    (0.6 )    (8.0 )    83.3

Onerous contracts

   185.3            8.4    (32.4 )         161.3

Pensions, post-retirement and post-employment benefits

   162.7         52.0       (47.4 )    (17.0 )    150.3

Mine reclamation costs

   84.9            3.8    (8.1 )    (8.3 )    72.3

Disposal of and withdrawal from Appliance Retailing

   7.3               (2.1 )         5.2

Other

   21.4         11.4       (13.4 )    (0.9 )    18.5
     709.0    (5.6 )    68.6    26.5    (147.2 )    (45.7 )    605.6

 

2003/04

   At
1 April
2003

£m
   New
provisions
£m
   Unwinding
of
discount
£m
   Utilised
during
year
£m
 
 
 
 
   Exchange
£m
 
 
   At
31 March
2004

£m

Reorganisation and restructuring

   29.5    0.8       (26.1 )    (1.0 )    3.2

Environmental and health

   85.2    0.1    4.1    (18.5 )    (10.4 )    60.5

Decommissioning costs

   83.3    9.2    4.9    (2.3 )    (10.8 )    84.3

Onerous contracts

   161.3       7.7    (48.5 )         120.5

Pensions, post-retirement and post-employment benefits

   150.3    84.8       (65.5 )    (22.2 )    147.4

Mine reclamation costs

   72.3    39.5    3.4    (22.9 )    (12.7 )    79.6

Disposal of and withdrawal from Appliance Retailing

   5.2          (3.4 )         1.8

Other

   18.5    1.9       (11.9 )    (1.3 )    7.2
     605.6    136.3    20.1    (199.1 )    (58.4 )    504.5

 

2004/05

   Notes      At
1 April
2004
£m
   Acquisitions
(Note 32)
£m
   New
provisions
£m
   Released
to profit
and loss
£m
 
 
 
 
   Unwinding
of
discount
£m
   Utilised
during
year
£m
 
 
 
 
   Exchange
£m
 
 
   At
31 March
2005

£m

Environmental and health

   (a )    60.5          (30.8 )    0.8    (12.8 )    (0.1 )    17.6

Decommissioning costs

   (b )    84.3    3.5    7.4         5.8    (7.0 )    (2.2 )    91.8

Onerous contracts

   (c )    120.5    83.5            8.7    (148.1 )         64.6

Pensions, post-retirement and post-employment benefits

   (d )    147.4       87.2            (86.8 )    (3.6 )    144.2

Mine reclamation costs

   (e )    79.6       5.1         3.3    (10.9 )    (2.5 )    74.6

Other

   (f  )    12.2       8.0            (13.4 )    (0.1 )    6.7
            504.5    87.0    107.7    (30.8 )    18.6    (279.0 )    (8.5 )    399.5

 

  (a) The environmental and health provisions principally comprise the costs of notified environmental remediation work and constructive obligations in respect of potential environmental remediation costs identified by an external due diligence review in the US. The majority of these costs are expected to be incurred in the period up to March 2012. Included within the ‘Unwinding of discount’ of £0.8 million (2004 £4.1 million, 2003 £9.5 million) is £nil (2004 £1.7 million, 2003 £3.9 million) relating to a change in the discount rate. Following the completion of a detailed environmental exposure study, £30.8 million ($56.1 million) of the environmental and health provision has been released to the profit and loss account.

 

  (b) The provision for decommissioning costs is the discounted future estimated costs of decommissioning the group’s power plants, principally in the US, but also in the UK. The decommissioning of these plants is expected to occur over the period between 2006 and 2049.

 

  (c) The provision for onerous contracts comprises the costs of contracted energy purchases. The costs provided are expected to be incurred in the period up to 31 March 2007 as follows: less than 1 year £64.2 million, between 1 and 2 years £0.4 million.

 

  (d) Details of the group’s pensions, post-retirement and post-employment benefits are disclosed in Notes 28 and 34.

 

  (e) The provision for mine reclamation costs comprises the discounted future estimated costs of reclaiming the group’s mines in the US. The costs are expected to be incurred in the period up to 2031.

 

  (f) The Other category comprises various provisions which are not individually sufficiently material to warrant separate disclosure. The provisions disclosed separately at 31 March 2004 for reorganisation and restructuring and disposal of and withdrawal from Appliance Retailing have been combined within the Other category with effect from 1 April 2004.

 

 

 

 

136    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

24 Deferred income

 

    

At

1 April
2003

£m

  

Receivable
during
year

£m

  

Released to
profit

and loss
account

£m

    

Exchange

£m

    

At

31 March
2004

£m

Grants and customer contributions

   558.9    48.2    (19.5 )    (9.8 )    577.8

 

    

At

1 April
2004

£m

  

Receivable
during
year

£m

  

Released to
profit

and loss
account

£m

    

Disposals/
Other

£m

    

Exchange

£m

    

At

31 March
2005

£m

Grants and customer contributions

   577.8    51.3    (19.2 )    (37.3 )    (2.5 )    570.1

 

25 Share capital

 

     Note     

2005

£m

  

2004

£m

Authorised:

                

3,000,000,000 (2004 3,000,000,000) ordinary shares of 50p each

          1,500.0    1,500.0

One Special Share of £1

   (a )      
            1,500.0    1,500.0

Allotted, called up and fully paid:

                

1,865,343,685 (2004 1,859,538,923) ordinary shares of 50p each

          932.7    929.8

One Special Share of £1

   (a )      
            932.7    929.8

 

(a) Special Share

 

The ‘Special Share’ was redeemed at par on 5 May 2004. The Special Share, which could be held only by one of the Secretaries of State or any other person acting on behalf of HM Government, did not carry rights to vote at the general or separate meetings but entitled the holder to attend and speak at such meetings. Written consent of the Special Shareholder was required before certain provisions of the company’s Articles of Association or certain rights attaching to the Special Share were varied. This share conferred no rights to participate in the capital or profits of the company, except that in a winding up the Special Shareholder was entitled to repayment in priority to the other shareholders.

 

(b) Employee share schemes

 

The group has six types of share based plans for employees. Options have been granted and awards made to eligible employees to acquire ordinary shares or ADSs in Scottish Power plc in accordance with the rules of each plan.

 

The ScottishPower Sharesave Schemes are savings related and under normal circumstances share options are exercisable on completion of a three or five year save-as-you-earn contract as appropriate.

 

The Executive Share Option Scheme applied to executive directors and certain senior managers. However, this Scheme was replaced with the Long Term Incentive Plan but options already granted were not affected.

 

The PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan (“PSIP”) relates to options over ScottishPower ADSs which vest over two or three years, as appropriate.

 

Awards granted under the Long Term Incentive Plan will vest only if the Remuneration Committee is satisfied that certain performance measures related to the sustained underlying financial performance of the group and improvements in customer service standards are achieved over a period of three financial years commencing with the financial year preceding the date an award is made. The number of shares which become exercisable is dependent on the company’s Total Shareholder Return Performance compared to a group of international energy companies.

 

Options granted under the Executive Share Option Plan 2001 (“ExSOP”) to executive directors and certain senior managers in the UK are subject to the performance criterion that the percentage increase in the company’s annualised earnings per share, excluding goodwill amortisation and exceptional items, be at least 3% (adjusted for any increase in the RPI). Options granted to US participants under the ExSOP, with the exception of the 2002 conditional award and awards to Judi Johansen since her appointment to the Board of ScottishPower, are not subject to any performance criteria. The 2002 conditional award is subject to the same performance criterion as awards to UK participants.

 

The Employee Share Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) allows eligible employees to make contributions from pre-tax salary to buy shares in ScottishPower which are held in trust (Partnership Shares). These shares are matched by the company (Matching Shares) and are also held in trust. At the launch of the ESOP, Free Shares were offered to employees.

 

The K Plan Employee Savings Plan is a 401(k) based qualified retirement plan designed to provide income during employees’ retirement. The K Plus Employee Stock Ownership Plan provides for matching contributions by PacifiCorp based on employees’ contributions, plus additional discretionary employer contributions made to all eligible employees.

 

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    137


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

25 Share capital continued

 

    (i) Summary of movements in share options in ScottishPower shares

 

    

ScottishPower

Sharesave

Schemes
(number of

shares 000s)

   

Weighted

average

exercise

price

(pence)

  

Southern Water
Sharesave
Scheme###
(number of

shares 000s)

    Weighted
average
exercise
price
(pence)
   Executive
Share Option
Schemes#
(number of
shares 000s)
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
(pence)
  

PacifiCorp

Stock
Incentive Plan##
(number of
shares 000s)

    Weighted
average
exercise
price
(pence)
   Total
(number of
shares 000s)
 

Outstanding at 1 April 2002

   11,757     396.7    83     159.1    2,397     479.9    15,868     563.6    30,105  

Granted

   3,316     323.0           7,327     388.0           10,643  

Exercised

   (1,992 )   309.3    (68 )   159.4    (16 )   298.8           (2,076 )

Lapsed

   (5,640 )   409.3    (15 )   157.4    (252 )   411.1    (2,255 )   539.0    (8,162 )

Outstanding at 1 April 2003

   7,441     377.7           9,456     411.5    13,613     500.8    30,510  

Granted

   2,758     301.0           5,892     352.8           8,650  

Exercised

   (17 )   326.8           (102 )   320.3    (590 )   347.5    (709 )

Lapsed

   (2,794 )   392.3           (34 )   369.5    (1,327 )   469.9    (4,155 )

Outstanding at 1 April 2004

   7,388     343.6           15,212     376.5    11,696     430.4    34,296  

Granted

   2,143     312.0           5,911     384.4           8,054  

Exercised

   (298 )   382.6           (1,808 )   369.5    (3,001 )   345.3    (5,107 )

Lapsed

   (1,599 )   383.4           (364 )   337.8    (161 )   441.8    (2,124 )

Outstanding at
31 March 2005

   7,634     324.9           18,951     382.3    8,534     443.3    35,119  

Exercisable at 1 April 2002

   861     401.2           266     402.1    11,093     601.1    12,220  

Exercisable at 1 April 2003

   176     409.0           811     462.3    11,081     516.8    12,068  

Exercisable at 1 April 2004

   76     382.9           1,439     435.6    10,852     436.6    12,367  

Exercisable at 1 April 2005

   3     344.1           4,100     428.8    8,534     443.3    12,637  

 

  # The Executive Share Option figures are a combination of the options outstanding under the Executive Share Option Scheme and the ExSOP. The last remaining options granted under the Executive Share Option Scheme either expired or were exercised during the year.

 

  ## PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan are options over ScottishPower ADSs; for the purpose of the table above, ADSs have been converted to ScottishPower shares as follows: one ScottishPower ADS equals four ScottishPower ordinary shares. Eligibility for participation in the ExSOP was extended during the year ended 31 March 2003 to executive directors and certain senior managers in the US. Consequently no further options will be granted under the PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan in the future.

 

  ### The number of Southern Water Sharesave Scheme shares exercisable at 1 April 2002 is not included in the above table.

 

    (ii) Analysis of share options outstanding at 31 March 2005

 

    

Date of

grant

  

Number of

participants

  

Number of

options

outstanding

(000s)

  

Option

price

(pence)

   Normal exercisable date  

ScottishPower Sharesave Scheme

   9 June 2000    389    271    453.0    6 months to March 2006  
     8 June 2001    621    849    386.0    6 months to March 2007  
     7 June 2002    1,468    2,138    323.0    6 months to March 2006 or 2008  
     6 June 2003    1,611    2,359    301.0    6 months to March 2007 or 2009  
     24 June 2004    1,659    2,017    312.0    6 months to March 2008 or 2010  

Executive Share Option Plan 2001

                          

UK#:

   21 August 2001    157    2,311    483.0    21 August 2004 to 21 August 2011  

UK##:

   2 May 2002    130    3,351    406.0    2 May 2005 to 2 May 2012  

US standard*:

   2 May 2002    132    1,392    311.5    2 May 2003 to 2 May 2012 **

US conditional*##:

   2 May 2002    87    1,049    311.5    2 May 2005 to 2 May 2012  

UK##:

   10 May 2003    135    2,731    376.3    10 May 2006 to 10 May 2013  

US*:

   10 May 2003    148    2,280    322.8    10 May 2004 to 10 May 2013 **

UK##:

   27 May 2004    124    2,835    389.3    27 May 2007 to 27 May 2014  

US*:

   27 May 2004    172    2,793    379.9    27 May 2005 to 27 May 2014 **

US*##:

   27 May 2004    1    209    379.9    27 May 2007 to 27 May 2014  

PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan

   3 June 1997    45    653    450.5    29 November 1999 to 3 June 2007  
     12 August 1997    13    131    484.7    29 November 1999 to 12 August 2007  
     10 February 1998    66    1,148    547.4    29 November 1999 to 10 February 2008  
     13 May 1998    4,455    1,029    529.0    29 November 1999 to 13 May 2008  
     9 February 1999    75    1,981    433.3    9 February 2000 to 9 February 2009 **
     11 May 1999    4,670    1,077    392.1    11 May 2000 to 11 May 2009 ***
     16 February 2000    35    614    356.3    16 February 2001 to 16 February 2010 **
     24 March 2000    4    1,343    420.0    24 March 2001 to 24 March 2010 ****
     24 April 2001    32    558    339.9    24 April 2002 to 24 April 2011 **
  * Options granted under the Executive Share Option Plan 2001 to US based participants and options granted under the PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan are over ScottishPower ADSs. For the purpose of the table above, such options have been converted to ScottishPower ordinary shares as follows: one ScottishPower ADS equals four ScottishPower ordinary shares. The US$ ADS option exercise price was converted so that it may be represented in terms of ScottishPower ordinary shares. The price was further converted at the closing exchange rate on 31 March 2005 to be quoted in pence in the table above. Eligibility for participation in the Executive Share Option Plan 2001 was extended during the year ended 31 March 2003 to executive directors and certain senior managers in the US. Consequently, no further options will be granted under the PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan in the future.

 

  ** Options become exercisable in the following proportions: one third on the first anniversary of grant, a further one third on the second anniversary of grant, and the final one third on the third anniversary of grant.

 

  *** Options became exercisable in the following proportions: 50% on 11 May 2000 and the remaining 50% on 11 May 2001.

 

  **** Options became exercisable in the following proportions: one quarter after 1 September 2001, one quarter after 1 September 2002 and the remaining one half after 1 September 2003.

 

  # Performance condition applied which has now been met.

 

  ## Performance condition applied which as yet is untested.

 

 

 

138    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

25 Share capital continued

 

Where reference is made to PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan, this is to identify the scheme under which the options over ScottishPower ADSs have been granted. For the PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan, the date of grant refers to the date the original PacifiCorp Common Stock options were granted. These options were exchanged for options over ScottishPower ADSs following the acquisition on 29 November 1999.

 

    (iii) Range of exercise prices and remaining contractual life of share options at 31 March 2005

 

     Options outstanding    Options exercisable
     Number
outstanding
   Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life
(months)
   Weighted
average
exercise
price
(pence)
   Number
exercisable
   Weighted
average
exercise
price
(pence)

Range of exercise prices

                        

Between 300.5p and 350.0p

   11,793    60    315.1    1,417    325.5

Between 350.5p and 400.0p

   11,108    92    381.7    1,950    378.8

Between 400.5p and 450.0p

   6,675    70    416.9    3,998    424.2

Between 450.5p and 500.0p

   3,366    61    474.4    3,095    476.2

Between 500.5p and 550.0p

   2,177    36    538.7    2,177    538.7

Total

   35,119    71    384.6    12,637    438.6

 

    (iv) Shares in the company held under trust during the year are as follows:

 

2003/04    Notes      Dividends
waived
   Shares
held at
1 April
2003
(000s)
   Shares
acquired
during year
(000s)
   Shares
transferred
during year
(000s)
     Shares
held at
31 March
2004
(000s)
  

Nominal
value at
31 March
2004

£m

  

Market
value at
31 March
2004

£m

Long Term Incentive Plan

   (a )    no    3,470    664    (155 )    3,979    2.0    15.2

ScottishPower Sharesave Schemes

   (b )    yes    6,259       (16 )    6,243    3.1    23.8

Executive Share Option Plan 2001

   (c )    yes    9,747    5,901    (102 )    15,546    7.8    59.2

PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan

   (d )    no    106       (47 )    59       0.2

Employee Share Ownership Plan

   (e )    no    3,001    1,404    (590 )    3,815    1.9    14.5
                 22,583    7,969    (910 )    29,642    14.8    112.9
2004/05    Notes      Dividends
waived
   Shares
held at
1 April
2004
(000s)
   Shares
acquired
during year
(000s)
   Shares
transferred
during year
(000s)
     Shares
held at
31 March
2005
(000s)
  

Nominal
value at
31 March
2005

£m

  

Market
value at

31 March
2005

£m

Long Term Incentive Plan

   (a )    no    3,979    976    (896 )    4,059    2.0    16.6

ScottishPower Sharesave Schemes

   (b )    yes    6,243       (298 )    5,945    3.0    24.3

Executive Share Option Plan 2001

   (c )    yes    15,546    5,530    (1,949 )    19,127    9.6    78.2

PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan

   (d )    no    59       (34 )    25       0.1

Employee Share Ownership Plan

   (e )    no    3,815    1,181    (1,060 )    3,936    2.0    16.1
                 29,642    7,687    (4,237 )    33,092    16.6    135.3

 

  (a) Shares of the company are held under trust as part of the Long Term Incentive Plan for executive directors and other senior managers (see Remuneration Report of the Directors on pages 95 to 105 for details of the Plan).

 

  (b) Shares of the company are held in two Qualifying Employee Share Ownership Trusts as part of the Scottish Power plc Sharesave Scheme and the Scottish Power UK plc Sharesave Scheme. Holders of Sharesave options will be transferred shares by one of the Trusts upon the exercise of the options. Details of options granted under these schemes are disclosed above.

 

  (c) Shares of the company are held under trust as part of the Executive Share Option Plan 2001 for executive directors and other senior managers (see Remuneration Report of the Directors on pages 95 to 105 for details of the plan).

 

  (d) Options granted under the PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan are over ScottishPower ADSs; for the purposes of the table above, ADS options have been converted to ScottishPower ordinary share options as follows: one ScottishPower ADS option equals four ScottishPower ordinary share options.

 

  (e) Shares of the company are held in the Employee Share Ownership Plan Trust on behalf of employees of the ScottishPower group. Shares appropriated under the Free Element and the Matching Element are subject to forfeiture for a period of three years from the date of appropriation. Shares appropriated under the Partnership Element of the Employee Share Ownership Plan are not subject to forfeiture.

 

  (f) The company’s practice has been to purchase shares in the market through an employee benefit trust to satisfy options and awards granted under the Executive Share Option Plan 2001 and the Long Term Incentive Plan. New shares have been issued in relation to the Employee Share Ownership Plan, the Executive Share Option Scheme, the Sharesave schemes (including the Qualifying Employee Share Trusts associated with the Sharesave Schemes) and the PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan in the last ten years. In the ten year period to 31 March 2005, new shares issued to satisfy discretionary options and awards represented 0.4% of the issued share capital. New shares issued to satisfy options and awards under all share plans represented 3.5% of the issued share capital, leaving available dilution headroom of 6.5%.

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    139


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

25 Share capital continued

 

    (v) Purchases of equity securities made by the Issuer during the year are as follows

 

Period   

Total number
of shares
purchased

(000s)

  

Average
price paid
per share

(pence)

  

Total number

of shares
purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans
or programmes

(000s)

  

Maximum
number or

shares that may
yet be purchased
under the plans

or programmes

(000s)

1 June 2004 to 30 June 2004

   6,506    394.0      

Total

   6,506    394.0      

 

No share purchases were made in any month other than those shown above. The above purchases were made pursuant to the Long Term Incentive Plan and the Executive Share Option Plan 2001. The company’s policy is to purchase in the market only the number of shares required to satisfy options and awards granted under the LTIP and the ExSOP. Shares were allotted in the year pursuant to the Employee Share Ownership Plan, the PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan and the Executive Share Option scheme, but share allotments are not included in the above table.

 

The company obtained authority from shareholders at its 2004 AGM to make market purchases of up to 185,999,745 ordinary shares during the period of approximately 12 months after the AGM. As shareholders were advised, the directors keep the option of buying back ordinary shares under review as part of their commitment to managing the company’s capital effectively, but had no intention of exercising this authority at the time they sought it; nor have they done so during the period to 31 March 2005.

 

26 Analysis of movements in shareholders’ funds

 

     Notes      Number of
shares
000s
   Share
capital
£m
   Share
premium
£m
  

Revaluation
reserve

£m

    

Capital
redemption
reserve

£m

   Merger
reserve
£m
  

Profit
and loss
account

£m

    

Total

£m

 

At 1 April 2002

          1,852,647    926.3    2,254.1    45.5      18.3    406.4    1,017.2      4,667.8  

Retained loss for the year

                              (46.9 )    (46.9 )

Share capital issued

                                                    

    – Executive share option scheme

          15       0.1                    0.1  

    – ESOP

          3,271    1.7    10.2                    11.9  

Consideration paid in respect of purchase of own shares held under trust

                              (36.2 )    (36.2 )

Credit in respect of employee share awards

                              10.0      10.0  

Consideration received in respect of sale of own shares held under trust

                              6.4      6.4  

Revaluation surplus realised

                   (2.0 )          2.0       

Exchange movement on translation of overseas results and net assets

   (b )                        (387.0 )    (387.0 )

Translation differences on foreign currency hedging

   (b )                        357.6      357.6  

Tax on translation differences on foreign currency hedging

                              (28.8 )    (28.8 )

At 1 April 2003

          1,855,933    928.0    2,264.4    43.5      18.3    406.4    894.3      4,554.9  

Retained profit for the year

                              162.8      162.8  

Share capital issued

                                                    

    – ESOP

          3,044    1.5    9.6                    11.1  

    – PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan

          562    0.3    1.7                    2.0  

Consideration paid in respect of purchase of own shares held under trust

                              (28.9 )    (28.9 )

Credit in respect of employee share awards

                              4.9      4.9  

Consideration received in respect of sale of own shares held under trust

                              0.4      0.4  

Revaluation surplus realised

                   (1.9 )          1.9       

Exchange movement on translation of overseas results and net assets

   (b )                        (537.6 )    (537.6 )

Translation differences on foreign currency hedging

   (b )                        475.2      475.2  

Tax on translation differences on foreign currency hedging

   (c )                        46.1      46.1  

At 1 April 2004

          1,859,539    929.8    2,275.7    41.6      18.3    406.4    1,019.1      4,690.9  

Retained loss for the year

                              (720.7 )    (720.7 )

Share capital issued

                                                    

    – ESOP

          2,776    1.4    9.8                    11.2  

    – PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan

          3,029    1.5    9.2                    10.7  

Consideration paid in respect of purchase of own shares held under trust

                              (30.7 )    (30.7 )

Credit in respect of employee share awards

                              7.2      7.2  

Consideration received in respect of sale of own shares held under trust

                              7.6      7.6  

Revaluation surplus realised

                   (1.9 )          1.9       

Revaluation reserve arising on the purchase of the remaining 50% of the Brighton Power Station

   32               5.8                 5.8  

Exchange movement on translation of overseas results and net assets

   (b )                        (100.2 )    (100.2 )

Translation differences on foreign currency hedging

   (b )                        146.6      146.6  

Tax on translation differences on foreign currency hedging

   (c )                        (46.4 )    (46.4 )

Balance at 31 March 2005

          1,865,344    932.7    2,294.7    45.5      18.3    406.4    284.4      3,982.0  

 

  (a) Cumulative goodwill written off to the profit and loss account reserve as at 31 March 2005 was £572.3 million (2004 £572.3 million, 2003 £572.3 million).

 

  (b) The pre-tax cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments at 31 March 2005 amount to £448.9 million (2004 £402.5 million, 2003 £464.9 million).

 

  (c) The £(46.4) million (2004 £46.1 million) represents £(46.4) million (2004 £(1.9) million) for tax charged on derivative movements and £nil (2004 £48.0 million) arising as a result of the application of the transitional rules contained in the Finance Act 2002, Schedule 26.

 

 

 

140    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

27 Minority interests

     Equity
2005
£m
    

Non-equity
2005

£m

     Total
2005
£m
     Equity
2004
£m
    

Non-equity
2004

£m

     Total
2004
£m
 

At 1 April

   3.4      57.5      60.9      2.0      71.9      73.9  

Redemption of preferred stock of PacifiCorp

        (4.1 )    (4.1 )         (4.6 )    (4.6 )

Profit and loss account

   1.3      3.4      4.7      1.7      4.1      5.8  

Dividends paid to minority interests

   (1.5 )    (2.8 )    (4.3 )    (0.3 )    (4.3 )    (4.6 )

Exchange

        (1.5 )    (1.5 )         (9.6 )    (9.6 )

At 31 March

   3.2      52.5      55.7      3.4      57.5      60.9  

 

Non-equity minority interests include 100% of the preferred stock and preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption of PacifiCorp. Of the total preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption at 31 March 2005, £2.0 million is due to be redeemed within 1 year, £2.0 million is due to be redeemed within the following year with the remaining £23.8 million being redeemable after 2 years. Of the total preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption at 31 March 2004, £2.0 million was due to be redeemed within 1 year, £2.0 million was due to be redeemed in each of the next 2 years and the remaining £26.5 million was redeemable after 3 years.

 

The fair value of preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption is £29.6 million (2004 £36.9 million). The fair value of other preferred stock is not materially different from its book value.

 

The weighted average rate of return on preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption is 7.5% (2004 7.5%) and on other preferred stock is 5.1% (2004 5.1%).

 

Preferred stockholders have first preference in the event of a liquidation of PacifiCorp and first rights to dividends. The holders of these shares only have rights against the PacifiCorp group of companies.

 

 

28 Pensions and other post-retirement benefits

 

At 31 March 2005, ScottishPower had six statutorily approved defined benefit pension schemes and one unapproved scheme. Details of the principal defined benefit schemes are set out below, with information on other pension arrangements given in Note 28(f).

                   

Pension charge

for the year

2004          

£m          

       

(Provision)/
prepayment

as at 31 March

 
Pension fund   

Scheme

type

   Funded or
unfunded
   2005
£m
      2003
£m
   2005
£m
     2004
£m
 

ScottishPower

   Defined benefit    funded    14.7    13.2    7.0    (2.0 )    (2.0 )

Manweb

   Defined benefit    funded    8.9      8.8    5.2    20.7      (2.9 )

Final Salary LifePlan

   Defined benefit    funded    5.6      3.7    3.1          

PacifiCorp(i), (ii)

   Defined benefit    funded    38.3    38.4    25.6    (87.9 )    (87.3 )

 

  (i) The PacifiCorp figures include the unfunded Supplementary Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”). The SERP accounts for less than 5% of the PacifiCorp liabilities.

 

  (ii) The PacifiCorp figures for 2005 include a £nil (2004 £3.1 million) contribution to the PacifiCorp/International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (“IBEW”) Local Union 57 Retirement Trust Fund.

 

The components of the pension charge are as follows:

     2005    2004
Pension fund    Regular
Cost
£m
   Interest
cost on
provision
£m
  

Variation
(credit)/
cost

£m

     Net
pension
charge
£m
  

Regular
cost

£m

   Interest
cost on
provision
£m
  

Variation
(credit)/
cost

£m

     Net
pension
charge
£m

ScottishPower

   18.7    0.1    (4.1 )    14.7    18.5    0.1    (5.4 )    13.2

Manweb

   5.6    0.2    3.1      8.9    5.5       3.3      8.8

Final Salary LifePlan

   5.6            5.6    3.7            3.7

PacifiCorp

   14.0    5.4    18.9      38.3    14.0    4.8    19.6      38.4

 

The provision as at the year end can be reconciled as follows:

Pension fund   

Provision
at 1 April
2004

£m

     Employer
contribution
£m
   Pension
charge
£m
     Exchange
£m
  

(Provision)/
prepayment
at 31 March
2005

£m

    

Provision
at 1 April
2003

£m

     Employer
contribution
£m
   Pension
charge
£m
     Exchange
£m
  

Provision
at 31 March
2004

£m

 

ScottishPower

   (2.0 )    14.7    (14.7 )       (2.0 )    (2.0 )    13.2    (13.2 )       (2.0 )

Manweb(i)

   (2.9 )    32.5    (8.9 )       20.7           5.9    (8.8 )       (2.9 )

Final Salary LifePlan

        5.6    (5.6 )                 3.7    (3.7 )        

PacifiCorp(ii)

   (87.3 )    35.9    (38.3 )    1.8    (87.9 )    (83.6 )    23.0    (38.4 )    11.7    (87.3 )

 

  (i) The employer made a special contribution of £26.8 million to the Manweb scheme in March 2005.

 

  (ii) The employer contribution rate to the PacifiCorp Scheme increased from 11.2% of pensionable salaries in 2003/04 to 15.7% of pensionable salaries in 2004/05.

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    141


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

28 Pensions and other post-retirement benefits continued

 

The individual scheme funding details based on the latest formal actuarial valuations (or later formal review) are as follows:

 

                               Principal actuarial assumptions  
Pension fund   

Actuarial

valuation

   

Valuation

carried

out by

  

Value

of assets
based on
valuation
£m

  

Market
value of
assets

£m

   Valuation
method
adopted
  

Average
investment
rate of

return

    Average
salary
increases
    Average
pension
increases
    Value
of fund
assets/
accrued
benefits
 

ScottishPower  

   30 September 2003 (i)   Mercer HR Consulting    1,466.1    1,466.1    Projected unit    6.0 %   4.1 %   2.6 %   105 %

Manweb  

   30 September 2003 (ii)   Mercer HR Consulting    508.7    508.7    Projected unit    6.0 %   4.1 %   2.6 %   93 %

Final Salary LifePlan

   31 March 2002     Mercer HR Consulting    4.8    4.8    Projected unit    6.0 %   4.3 %   2.8 %   94 %

PacifiCorp  

   1 January 2004     Hewitt Associates    391.1    391.1    Projected unit    8.75%/6.25 %(iii)   4.0 %       67 %

(i)      The most recent formal actuarial scheme valuation was carried out as at 31 March 2003 for ScottishPower.

 

(ii)      The most recent formal actuarial scheme valuation was carried out as at 31 March 2004 for Manweb. The results were subject to discussion

          between the trustees and company and were finally agreed in March 2005, shortly before the financial year end. For the purposes of

          expensing for the period ended 31 March 2005, the group adopted the valuation results shown above, which were requested by the

          company for a review as at 30 September 2003.

 

(iii)      8.75% represents the expected return on assets and 6.25% represents the liability discount rate.

 

(a) Group pension arrangements

 

Following a review of the group’s UK pension arrangements, the ScottishPower Pension Scheme and Manweb Pension Scheme were closed to new members from 31 December 1998.

 

The group introduced two new group pension plans for new UK employees effective from 1 January 1999. The new plans were a defined benefit plan (Final Salary LifePlan) which is open to continuous contract employees aged between 16 and 60, and a defined contribution plan (Money Purchase LifePlan) which was subsequently closed to new entrants with effect from 31 August 2003 and has now been wound up with all assets and liabilities transferred to the Final Salary LifePlan.

 

The result of these changes in the UK pension arrangements is that the age profile of the two closed defined benefit schemes is expected to rise over time, due to the lack of new entrants. This will in turn result in increasing service costs for these two schemes due to the method of actuarial valuation used (the projected unit method). However, the same method is also used for the Final Salary LifePlan, which is open to new members and whose age profile is not expected to rise significantly in the short-to medium-term. Overall, the group believes that the projected unit method is appropriate when adopted across all schemes (closed and open), and in aggregate provides a reasonable basis for assessing the group’s pension costs.

 

Further details of the US arrangements are given in Note 28(e).

 

Each of the pension schemes are invested in an appropriately diversified range of equities, bonds, property and private markets. The broad proportions of each asset class in which the schemes aim to be invested are as follows, however it is important to note that this may vary from time to time as markets change and as cash may be held for strategic reasons.

      

    

         

         

         

     

 

  

    

     

 

   

 

     Equities
%
   Bonds
%
   Property
%
   Private
markets
%
   Total
%

ScottishPower

   64    28    8       100

Manweb

   60    40          100

Final Salary LifePlan

   100             100

PacifiCorp (pension)

   55    35       10    100

PacifiCorp (healthcare)

   63    35       2    100

 

In broad terms, the investment strategies adopted by the schemes aim to ensure that sufficient assets are available to meet scheme liabilities as they fall due. The ScottishPower and Manweb schemes’ investment strategies reflect the large and growing proportion of their liabilities which relate to pensions in payment, and therefore include a growing bond element. A significant equity element is still retained, however, to provide potential for long-term outperformance relative to bonds and therefore to reduce the group’s contribution requirements. For the Final Salary LifePlan, the strategy remains 100% equities due to its young membership with on average over 20 years’ duration until retirement: with such a long-term until liabilities fall due, the group and trustees have agreed that a fully equity-oriented strategy remains appropriate.

 

US arrangements are managed and invested in accordance with all applicable requirements, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) revenue code (the ERISA is the US legislation which regulates pension institutions in a number of areas). PacifiCorp employs an investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximise the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status, and corporate financial condition. The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of equity and fixed income investments. Equity investments are diversified across US and non-US stocks, as well as growth, value, small and large capitalisation. Fixed income investments are diversified across US and non-US bonds. Other assets such as private equity are used judiciously to enhance long-term returns while improving portfolio diversification. PacifiCorp primarily minimises the risk of large losses through diversification but also monitors and manages other aspects of risk through quarterly investment portfolio reviews, annual liability measurements and periodic asset/liability studies.

 

(b)ScottishPower

 

Scottish Power UK plc operates a funded pension scheme of the company providing defined retirement and death benefits based on final pensionable salary. This scheme was open prior to 1 January 1999 to employees of ScottishPower. Members are required to contribute to the Scheme at a rate of 5% of pensionable salary. Scottish Power UK plc meets the balance of cost of providing benefits, and company contributions paid are based on the results of the formal actuarial valuation of the Scheme and are agreed by Scottish Power UK plc and the Scheme Trustees.

 

The assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the company in a trustee administered fund. Included in the Scheme assets are 112,150 ScottishPower shares (£458,694, based on market value as at 31 March 2005), purchased only as part of a pooled strategy to match the relative weightings in the UK Stock Exchange index.

 

The pension charge for the year is based on the advice of the Scheme’s independent qualified actuary and is calculated using assumptions that were applied to a formal review of the Scheme at 30 September 2003.

 

The amount included in the balance sheet represents the difference between the accumulated excess of the actual contributions paid to the Scheme and the pension accounting charge. The net pension charge is derived from a regular cost of 21.1% of salaries, offset by a variation credit of 6.1% of salaries. The variation credit is calculated as the assessed surplus, as adjusted for the balance sheet amount, spread as a fixed percentage of pensionable salaries over 13 years. Employer augmentations and assimilation costs, payable in addition to normal company contributions, have been offset against the variation cost.

 

Following the formal actuarial valuation of the Scheme as at 31 March 2003, employer contributions of 15% of pensionable salaries were reinstated from that date.

 

 

 

 

142    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

28 Pensions and other post-retirement benefits continued

 

(c) Manweb

 

Prior to 1 January 1999, most of the Manweb employees were entitled to join the Manweb Group of the Electricity Supply Pension Scheme, which provides pension and other related benefits based on final pensionable salary to employees throughout the Electricity Supply Industry in England & Wales. The ongoing contributions to the Scheme are based on the results of the formal actuarial valuation of the Scheme and the advice of the Scheme Actuary.

 

The assets are held in a separate trustee administered fund. The Scheme assets no longer include any ScottishPower shares. For funding and expensing purposes the Scheme assets are taken at market value plus a smoothing adjustment appropriate at the valuation date.

 

The pension charge for the year is based on advice from an independent qualified actuary and is calculated using assumptions that were applied to a formal review of the Scheme as at 30 September 2003.

 

The net pension charge is derived from a regular cost of 13.9% of salaries, increased by a variation cost of 8.1% of salaries. The variation cost is calculated as the assessed deficit at the valuation date, spread as a fixed percentage of pensionable salaries over 13 years.

 

The actual contributions payable by participating employers during the year ranged between 8.1% and 14.1% for different sections of membership (but tending towards the higher rates), or other rates for particular groups or as required by a business transfer agreement. The rates of contributions payable have been reviewed following the results of the formal actuarial valuation of the Scheme as at 31 March 2004. The contributions payable have been increased, principally by a lump sum paid in March 2005 of £26.8 million, and lump sums payable annually of £13.4 million in March 2006 and 2007 with the aim of repairing this deficit over 13 years. At the next and subsequent actuarial valuations the company and the trustees will assess the funding position of the scheme and review the level of deficit repair that is appropriate going forward.

 

(d) Final Salary LifePlan

 

The group operates a funded pension scheme providing defined retirement and death benefits based on final pensionable salary for eligible UK employees of the group. The assets of the LifePlan are held in a separate trustee administered fund. The pension charge for the year, of 11.4% of pensionable salaries, is based on the advice of the LifePlan’s independent qualified actuary, representing the assessed balance of cost of the accruing benefits after allowing for members’ contributions of 5% of pensionable salaries. The same actuarial assumptions have been adopted for both funding and expensing purposes.

 

The actual contributions payable by participating employers during the year were 11.4% of pensionable salaries, except where required by a business transfer agreement. The employer contribution will increase to 15% with effect from 1 April 2005.

 

(e) PacifiCorp

 

PacifiCorp operates pension plans covering substantially all its employees. Benefits are based on the employee’s years of service and final pensionable salary, adjusted to reflect estimated social security benefits. Pension costs are funded annually by no more than the maximum amount of pension expense which can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. The PacifiCorp pensions figures in these Accounts include the unfunded SERP. The SERP accounts for less than 5% of the PacifiCorp liabilities. PacifiCorp meets the entire cost of accruing benefits under PacifiCorp plans. The assets for the funded Plan are held in a separate fund. For funding and expensing purposes, the Plan assets are valued at market levels, and liabilities costed on financial assumptions in line with market return expectations.

 

The pension charge for the year is based on the advice of the Plan’s independent qualified actuary and is assessed on the results of the formal actuarial valuation carried out as at 1 January 2004. The discount rate is lower at the valuation date than at the previous valuation date (1 January 2003) used for the 2003/04 figures. This has led to a higher regular cost for the year ended 31 March 2005.

 

The net pension charge is derived from a regular cost of 6.3% of salaries, an interest cost of 2.4% of salaries, and a variation cost of 8.4% of salaries. The variation cost is calculated as the assessed deficit, as adjusted for the balance sheet amount, spread as a fixed percentage of pensionable salaries over 11 years.

 

The actual contributions payable by participating employers during the year were 15.7% of pensionable earnings. The employer’s planned contributions for 2005/06 are 16.1% of pensionable earnings.

 

PacifiCorp also provides other post-retirement benefits to certain employees. The group has provided £47.4 million as at 31 March 2005 (2004 £48.6 million) for these benefits. The related charge for the year was £13.9 million (2004 £17.0 million). Further details of these benefits are disclosed in Note 34.

 

(f) Additional pension arrangements

 

Until 31 August 2003 the group operated an approved defined contribution pension scheme (Money Purchase LifePlan) for eligible employees. Contributions were paid by the member and employer at fixed rates. The benefits secured at retirement or death reflect each employee’s accumulated fund and the cost of purchasing benefits at that time. The assets and liabilities of the Scheme have been transferred into the Final Salary LifePlan. The pension charge for the year represents the defined employer contribution and amounted to £nil (2004 £nil).

 

The group also operates pension arrangements for senior executives, namely the ScottishPower Executive Top-Up Plan (for benefits which are held within UK Inland Revenue limits) and the Unfunded Unapproved Retirement Benefit Scheme (“UURBS”) for benefits beyond these limits. The UURBS has no invested assets and the group has provided £17.4 million as at 31 March 2005 (2004 £11.3 million) for the benefit promises which will ultimately be paid by the group. The pension charge for the year was £6.4 million (2004 £2.1 million) offset by employer contributions of £0.3 million (2004 £0.3 million).

 

Further details of the group’s pensions arrangements, as required under US GAAP, are disclosed in Note 34.

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    143


Table of Contents

     Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø    Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

     for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

28 Pensions and other post-retirement benefits continued

 

(g) Financial Reporting Standard (“FRS”) 17 ‘Retirement benefits’

 

The pension figures shown above comply with the current pension accounting standard, Statement of Standard Accounting Practice (“SSAP”) 24. However, under the transitional arrangements of FRS 17, the group is required to disclose the following information about its pension and other post-retirement benefit schemes and the figures that would have been shown under FRS 17 in the balance sheet as at 31 March 2005, 2004 and 2003.

 

The major assumptions used by the actuary for both the pensions and other post-retirement benefits arrangements were:

 

       UK
arrangements
at 31 March
2005
     UK
arrangements
at 31 March
2004
     UK
arrangements
at 31 March
2003
    

US
arrangements

at 31 March
2005

     US
arrangements
at 31 March
2004
     US  
arrangements  
at 31 March  
2003  
 

Rate of increase in salaries

     4.4% p.a.      4.3% p.a.      3.9% p.a.      4.0% p.a.      4.0% p.a.      4.0% p.a.  

Rate of increase in deferred pensions

     2.9% p.a.      2.8% p.a.      2.4% p.a.      n/a      n/a      n/a  

Rate of increase in pensions in payment

     2.9% p.a.      2.8% p.a.      2.4% p.a.      n/a      n/a      n/a  

Discount rate

     5.4% p.a.      5.5% p.a.      5.4% p.a.      5.75% p.a.      6.0% p.a.      6.5% p.a.  

Inflation assumption

     2.9% p.a.      2.8% p.a.      2.4% p.a.      3.0% p.a.      3.0% p.a.      3.0% p.a.  

 

Pensions

 

The group operates defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes as described earlier in this Note. Formal actuarial valuations were carried out as described earlier and updated to 31 March 2005 by a qualified independent actuary. Figures are shown separately for the UK and US arrangements.

 

The assets in the schemes and the expected long-term rates of return were as follows:

 

  

 

      

UK pension
arrangements
Value at

31 March 2005

£m

    

UK pension
arrangements
Value at

31 March 2004

£m

    

UK pension
arrangements
Value at

31 March 2003
£m

    

US pension
arrangements
Value at

31 March 2005

£m

    

US pension
arrangements
Value at

31 March 2004

£m

    

US pension
arrangements
Value at

31 March 2003
£m

 

Equities

     1,426.0      1,345.2      1,241.4      232.7      221.9      204.2  

Bonds

     666.6      592.3      363.4      144.5      137.9      139.3  

Property

     123.3      130.7      147.2                 

Cash

     34.9      17.1      21.3           0.3       

Private markets

                    41.2      41.9      50.0  

Total market value of assets

     2,250.8      2,085.3      1,773.3      418.4      402.0      393.5  

Present value of schemes’ past service liabilities

     (2,461.2 )    (2,257.3 )    (2,102.6 )    (710.3 )    (692.1 )    (738.2 )

Deficit of schemes’ past service liabilities over assets

     (210.4 )    (172.0 )    (329.3 )    (291.9 )    (290.1 )    (344.7 )

Resulting balance sheet liability

     (210.4 )    (172.0 )    (329.3 )    (291.9 )    (290.1 )    (344.7 )

Related deferred tax asset

     63.1      51.6      98.8      110.9      110.2      131.0  

Net pension liability

     (147.3 )    (120.4 )    (230.5 )    (181.0 )    (179.9 )    (213.7 )

The UK pension arrangements net pension liability comprises assets (net of deferred tax) of £nil (2004 £0.5 million, 2003 £nil) and liabilities (net of deferred tax) of £147.3 million (2004 £120.9 million, 2003 £230.5 million).

  

     UK pension
arrangements
Long-term rates
of return expected
at 31 March 2005
   UK pension
arrangements
Long-term rates
of return expected
at 31 March 2004
   UK pension
arrangements
Long-term rates
of return expected
at 31 March 2003
   US pension
arrangements
Long-term rates
of return expected
at 31 March 2005
   US pension
arrangements
Long-term rates
of return expected
at 31 March 2004
   US pension
arrangements
Long-term rates
of return expected
at 31 March 2003

Equities

   7.3% p.a.    7.45% p.a.    7.2% p.a.    9.25% p.a.    9.25% p.a.    9.25% p.a.

Bonds

   4.7% p.a.    4.80% p.a.    4.5% p.a.    6.5% p.a.    6.5% p.a.    6.5% p.a.

Property

   6.3% p.a.    6.45% p.a.    6.2% p.a.    n/a    n/a    n/a

Cash

   4.45% p.a.    3.70% p.a.    3.45% p.a.    n/a    4.0% p.a.    n/a

Private markets

   n/a    n/a    n/a    14.0% p.a.    14.0% p.a.    14.0% p.a.

 

For the UK pension arrangements, the long-term rates of return have been derived as follows:

Equities: the long-term UK Government fixed interest stock yield, plus 3% p.a.

Bonds: an appropriate weighted average of long-term UK Government and UK corporate bond yields reflecting the actual split of holdings.

Property: the long-term equities rate of return less 1% p.a.

Cash: the current UK base rate of interest.

 

In all cases, for FRS17 reporting purposes the long-term rates of return have been reduced by 0.3% p.a. (2004 0.3% p.a., 2003 0.3% p.a.) to reflect scheme expenses to arrive at the figures shown above.

 

For the US pension and other post-retirement healthcare arrangements, the long-term rates of return have been derived as follows:

 

Equities: An expected real return of 6.25% plus 3% long-term inflation.

 

Bonds: An expected real return of 3.50% plus 3% long-term inflation.

 

Private markets: An expected real return of 11% plus 3% long-term inflation.

 

These return assumptions are based on both historical performance and independent advisors’ forward-looking views of the financial markets.

 

 

 

144    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

28 Pensions and other post-retirement benefits continued

Analysis of the amount charged to operating
profit
   Note     

UK pension
arrangements

Year to

31 March 2005

£m

    

US pension
arrangements

Year to

31 March 2005

£m

    

UK pension
arrangements

Year to

31 March 2004

£m

    

US pension
arrangements

Year to

31 March 2004

£m

    

UK pension
arrangements

Year to

31 March 2003

£m

    

US pension
arrangements

Year to

31 March 2003

£m

 

Current service cost

          35.5      14.9      28.5      15.8      31.2      13.9  

Special termination benefits

                                   (2.5 )

Past service costs

               1.3                      

Total operating profit charge

   (i )    35.5      16.2      28.5      15.8      31.2      11.4  
Analysis of amount credited/(charged) to other
finance income
   Note     

UK pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2005
£m

    

US pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2005
£m

    

UK pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2004
£m

    

US pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2004
£m

    

UK pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2003
£m

    

US pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2003
£m

 

Expected return on pension scheme assets

          135.2      35.4      113.1      30.7      168.4      46.5  

Interest on pension liabilities

          (127.0 )    (39.6 )    (112.3 )    (43.0 )    (120.6 )    (49.6 )

Net return on assets/(interest cost)

   (i )    8.2      (4.2 )    0.8      (12.3 )    47.8      (3.1 )

 

(i) The amounts above are stated before capitalisation.

Analysis of amount recognised in statement of total
recognised gains and losses (“STRGL”)
  

UK pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2005
£m

    

US pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2005
£m

    

UK pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2004
£m

    

US pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2004
£m

    

UK pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2003
£m

    

US pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2003
£m

 

Actual return less expected return on assets

   74.4      0.2      280.6      73.1      (647.2 )    (96.5 )

Experience gains and losses on liabilities

   (28.7 )    (5.2 )    (17.6 )    (16.7 )    68.4      6.0  

Changes in assumptions

   (110.3 )    (19.4 )    (101.3 )    (46.2 )    (76.4 )    (106.1 )

Actuarial (loss)/gain recognised in STRGL

   (64.6 )    (24.4 )    161.7      10.2      (655.2 )    (196.6 )

Adjustment due to surplus cap

                       84.2       

Net (loss)/gain recognised

   (64.6 )    (24.4 )    161.7      10.2      (571.0 )    (196.6 )
Movement in (deficit)/surplus in pension schemes during
the year
  

UK pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2005
£m

    

US pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2005
£m

    

UK pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2004
£m

    

US pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2004
£m

    

UK pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2003
£m

    

US pension
arrangements
Year to

31 March 2003
£m

 

(Deficit)/surplus in pension schemes at beginning of year

   (172.0 )    (290.1 )    (329.3 )    (344.7 )    261.1      (178.2 )

Movement in year:

                                         

Current service cost

   (35.5 )    (14.9 )    (28.5 )    (15.8 )    (31.2 )    (13.9 )

Past service cost

        (1.3 )                    

Gain on settlement/curtailment/
special termination

                       39.4      2.5  

Contributions

   53.5      35.9      23.3      23.0      8.8      21.5  

Net return on assets/(interest cost)

   8.2      (4.2 )    0.8      (12.3 )    47.8      (3.1 )

Actuarial (loss)/gain

   (64.6 )    (24.4 )    161.7      10.2      (655.2 )    (196.6 )

Exchange

        7.1           49.5           23.1  

Deficit in pension schemes at end of year

   (210.4 )    (291.9 )    (172.0 )    (290.1 )    (329.3 )    (344.7 )

 

Other post-retirement benefits

 

PacifiCorp provides post-retirement healthcare and life insurance benefits as described in Note 34(e). Actuarial valuations were carried out as at 31 March 2005 by a qualified independent actuary. The major assumptions used by the actuary are described in Note 34(e).

 

The assets in the scheme and the expected long-term rates of return were as follows:

 

  

 

    

Value at

31 March 2005

£m

    

Value at

31 March 2004

£m

    

Value at

31 March 2003

£m

 

Equities

   98.6      98.4      88.6  

Bonds

   57.2      55.5      52.4  

Private markets

   3.2      3.2      3.7  

Total market value of assets

   159.0      157.1      144.7  

Present value of schemes’ liabilities

   (292.2 )    (312.1 )    (341.4 )

Deficit in the schemes

   (133.2 )    (155.0 )    (196.7 )

Related deferred tax asset

   50.6      58.9      74.7  

Net other post-retirement benefits liability

   (82.6 )    (96.1 )    (122.0 )
     Long-term rates
of return expected
at 31 March 2005
     Long-term rates
of return expected
at 31 March 2004
    

Long-term rates

of return expected
at 31 March 2003

 

Equities

   9.25% p.a.      9.25% p.a.      9.25% p.a.  

Bonds

   6.5% p.a.      6.5% p.a.      6.5% p.a.  

Private markets

   14.0% p.a.      14.0% p.a.      14.0% p.a.  

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    145


Table of Contents

Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

28 Pensions and other post-retirement benefits continued

 

Analysis of the amount charged to operating profit    Note    

Other post-

retirement

benefits

Year to

31 March 2005

£m

   

Other post-

retirement

benefits

Year to

31 March 2004

£m

   

Other post-

retirement

benefits

Year to

31 March 2003

£m

 

Current service cost

         4.9     4.6     3.6  

Adjustment to special termination benefits

                 (0.6 )

Past service cost

         12.6          

Total operating profit charge

   (i )   17.5     4.6     3.0  
Analysis of amount charged to other finance income    Note    

Other post-

retirement
benefits

Year to

31 March 2005

£m

   

Other post-

retirement
benefits

Year to

31 March 2004

£m

   

Other post-
retirement
benefits

Year to

31 March 2003

£m

 

Expected return on other post-retirement benefits scheme’s assets

         12.8     11.0     14.9  

Interest on other post-retirement benefits scheme’s liabilities

         (16.6 )   (20.1 )   (22.1 )

Net interest cost

   (i )   (3.8 )   (9.1 )   (7.2 )

(i)The amounts above are stated before capitalisation.

                        
Analysis of amount recognised in statement of total recognised gains and losses (“STRGL”)         

Other post-
retirement

benefits

Year to

31 March 2005

£m

   

Other post-
retirement
benefits

Year to

31 March 2004

£m

   

Other post-
retirement
benefits

Year to

31 March 2003
£m

 

Actual return less expected return on assets

         (3.0 )   26.3     (31.0 )

Experience gains and losses on liabilities

         36.4     5.3     (2.9 )

Changes in assumptions

         (7.7 )   (19.0 )   (39.1 )

Actuarial gain/(loss) recognised in STRGL

         25.7     12.6     (73.0 )
Movement in deficit during the year         

Other post-
retirement

benefits

Year to

31 March 2005

£m

   

Other post-

retirement
benefits

Year to

31 March 2004

£m

   

Other post-

retirement
benefits

Year to

31 March 2003

£m

 

Deficit in schemes at beginning of year

         (155.0 )   (196.7 )   (146.4 )

Movement in year:

                        

Current service cost

         (4.9 )   (4.6 )   (3.6 )

Adjustment to special termination benefits

                 0.6  

Past service cost

         (12.6 )        

Contributions

         13.9     15.2     16.0  

Net interest cost

         (3.8 )   (9.1 )   (7.2 )

Actuarial gain/(loss)

         25.7     12.6     (73.0 )

Exchange

         3.5     27.6     16.9  

Deficit in schemes at end of year

         (133.2 )   (155.0 )   (196.7 )

 

     Year to 31 March 2005     Year to 31 March 2004     Year to 31 March 2003  
History of experience gains and losses    UK
pension
schemes
£m
    US
pension
schemes
£m
    Other
post-
retirement
benefits
£m
    UK
pension
schemes
£m
    US
pension
schemes
£m
    Other
post-
retirement
benefits
£m
    UK
pension
schemes
£m
    US
pension
schemes
£m
    Other
post-
retirement
benefits
£m
 

Difference between actual and expected return on scheme assets:

                                                      

Amount

   74.4     0.2     (3.0 )   280.6     73.1     26.3     (647.2 )   (96.5 )   (31.0 )

Percentage of scheme’s assets

   3 %       (2 )%   13 %   18 %   17 %   (36 )%   (24 )%   (21 )%

Experience gains and losses on scheme liabilities:

                                                      

Amount

   (28.7 )   (5.2 )   36.4     (17.6 )   (16.7 )   5.3     68.4     6.0     (2.9 )

Percentage of scheme’s liabilities

   (1 )%   (1 )%   12 %   (1 )%   (2 )%   2 %   3 %   1 %   (1 )%

Total amount recognised in statement of total recognised gains and losses:

                                                      

Amount

   (64.6 )   (24.4 )   25.7     161.7     10.2     12.6     (571.0 )   (196.6 )   (73.0 )

Percentage of scheme’s liabilities

   (3 )%   (3 )%   9 %   7 %   1 %   4 %   (27 )%   (27 )%   (21 )%

 

 

 

146    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

28 Pensions and other post-retirement benefits continued

 

 

Summary

 

If the above FRS 17 pensions and other post-retirement benefits assets and liabilities (net of deferred tax) were recognised in the balance sheet as at 31 March 2005 and 31 March 2004, the group’s net assets and profit and loss reserve would be as follows:

 

    

At 31 March
2005

£m

   

At 31 March
2004

£m

 

Net assets

   4,037.7     4,751.8  

Reversal of SSAP 24 net pensions/other post-retirement benefits liability (net of deferred tax)

   82.8     95.6  

Reversal of capitalisation of SSAP 24 costs of pensions/other post-retirement benefits (net of deferred tax)

   (24.0 )   (22.9 )

Net assets excluding effect of FRS 17

   4,096.5     4,824.5  

Capitalisation of FRS 17 costs of pensions/other post-retirement benefits (net of deferred tax)

   10.9     12.5  

Net assets excluding FRS 17 pensions/other post-retirement benefits assets and liabilities (net of deferred tax)

   4,107.4     4,837.0  

FRS 17 pensions assets (net of deferred tax)

       0.5  

FRS 17 pensions/other post-retirement benefits liabilities (net of deferred tax)

   (410.9 )   (396.9 )

Net assets including FRS 17 pensions/other post-retirement benefits liabilities (net of deferred tax)

   3,696.5     4,440.6  

Profit and loss reserve

   284.4     1,019.1  

Reversal of SSAP 24 net pensions/other post-retirement benefits liability (net of deferred tax)

   82.8     95.6  

Reversal of capitalisation of SSAP 24 costs of pensions/other post-retirement benefits (net of deferred tax)

   (24.0 )   (22.9 )

Profit and loss reserve excluding effect of FRS 17

   343.2     1,091.8  

Capitalisation of FRS 17 costs of pensions/other post-retirement benefits (net of deferred tax)

   10.9     12.5  

Profit and loss reserve excluding FRS 17 pensions/other post-retirement benefits assets and liabilities (net of deferred tax)

   354.1     1,104.3  

FRS 17 pensions/other post-retirement benefits assets and liabilities (net of deferred tax)

   (410.9 )   (396.4 )

Profit and loss reserve including FRS 17 pensions/other post-retirement benefits assets and liabilities (net of deferred tax)

   (56.8 )   707.9  

 

29 Contingent liabilities

 

Thus flotation

 

In November 1999, the group floated a minority stake in its internet and telecommunications business, Thus plc. This gave rise to a contingent liability to corporation tax on chargeable gains, estimated at amounts up to £570 million. On 19 March 2002, the group demerged its residual holding in Thus Group plc (the new holding company of Thus plc). The charge referred to above could still arise, in certain circumstances, before 19 March 2007. Members of the ScottishPower group have agreed to indemnify Thus Group plc for any such liability, except in circumstances arising without the consent of the ScottishPower group.

 

Legal proceedings

 

In May 2004, PacifiCorp was served with a complaint filed in the US District Court for the District of Oregon by the Klamath Tribes of Oregon and certain of the Klamath Tribes’ members. The claim generally alleges that PacifiCorp and its predecessors affected the Klamath Tribes’ federal treaty rights to fish for salmon in the headwaters of the Klamath River in southern Oregon by building dams that blocked the passage of salmon upstream to the headwaters beginning in 1911. The claim seeks in excess of $1.0 billion in damages. In February 2005, PacifiCorp filed a motion for summary judgement seeking dismissal of the Klamath Tribes’ claims as untimely under the applicable statute of limitations. On 14 April 2005, the magistrate judge issued an opinion recommending that PacifiCorp’s motion for summary judgement be granted and the case be dismissed as untimely. The Klamath Tribes filed their objections on 2 May 2005. PacifiCorp filed its response on 11 May 2005. Any final order will be capable of appeal by the affected party.

 

The group’s businesses are parties to various other legal claims, actions and complaints, certain of which may involve material amounts. Although the group is unable to predict with certainty whether or not it will ultimately be successful in these legal proceedings or, if not, what the impact might be, the directors currently believe that disposition of these matters will not have a materially adverse effect on the group’s consolidated Accounts.

 

30 Financial commitments

 

(a) Analysis of annual commitments under operating leases   

2005

£m

  

2004

£m

Leases of land and buildings expiring:

         

Within one year

   0.1    0.7

Between one and two years

   1.9    1.3

Between two and three years

   0.6    1.0

Between three and four years

   1.0    0.6

Between four and five years

   0.3    0.3

More than five years

   5.5    3.4
     9.4    7.3

 

The leasing arrangements principally comprise leases of land and office buildings.

Other operating leases expiring:          

Within one year

   1.3    1.0

Between one and two years

   1.5    2.4

Between two and three years

   1.4    1.5
     4.2    4.9

 

The other operating lease principally comprise leases of vehicles and office equipment.

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    147


Table of Contents

Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

30 Financial commitments continued

 

(b) Capital commitments   

2005

£m

  

2004

£m

Contracted but not provided

   444.1    105.8

 

(c) Energy purchase commitments

 

(i)    UK energy purchase commitments

 

In the UK, ScottishPower manages its energy resource requirements by integrating long-term firm, short-term and spot market purchases with its own generating resources to manage volume and price volatility and maximise value across the energy value chain. As part of its UK energy resource portfolio, ScottishPower is committed under long-term purchase contracts to purchases of £1,570.3 million, £868.2 million, £590.2 million, £423.3 million and £304.8 million for the years 2006 to 2010 respectively and £1,435.0 million thereafter.

 

(ii)    PacifiCorp energy purchase commitments

 

Purchased electricity contracts

 

As part of its energy resource portfolio, PacifiCorp acquires a portion of its electricity through long-term purchases and/or exchange agreements which require minimum or fixed payments of £401.3 million, £268.3 million, £163.7 million, £126.9 million and £128.4 million for the years 2006 to 2010 respectively, and £1,126.1 million thereafter.

 

Included in the minimum fixed annual payments for purchased electricity above are commitments to purchase electricity from several hydroelectric projects under long-term arrangements with public utility districts. These purchases are made on a ‘cost-of-service’ basis for a stated percentage of project output and for a like percentage of project operating expenses and debt service. PacifiCorp is required to pay its portion of operating costs and its portion of the debt service, whether or not any power is produced. At 31 March 2005, PacifiCorp’s share of long-term arrangements with public utility districts was as follows:

 

Generating facility    Year contract
expires
   Percentage
of output
   Capacity
(kW)
   Annual
costs*
£m

Wanapum

   2009    18.7%    194,106    3.0

Priest Rapids

   2005    13.9%    132,844    2.2

Rocky Reach

   2011    5.3%    68,211    1.8

Wells

   2018    6.9%    57,960    1.1

Total

             453,121    8.1

*The annual costs include debt service costs of £4.2 million. PacifiCorp’s minimum debt service obligation for the years 2006 to 2010 are £4.7 million, £5.0 million, £5.2 million, £5.8 million and £4.2 million respectively and £9.1 million thereafter.

 

PacifiCorp has a 4.0% entitlement to the generation of the Intermountain Power Project, located in central Utah through a power purchase agreement. PacifiCorp and the City of Los Angeles have agreed that the City of Los Angeles will purchase capacity and energy from PacifiCorp’s 4.0% entitlement of the Intermountain Power Project at a price equivalent to 4.0% of the expenses and debt service of the Intermountain Power Project.

 

Fuel contracts

 

PacifiCorp has ‘take or pay’ coal and natural gas contracts that require minimum payments of £168.6 million, £178.7 million, £179.7 million, £96.9 million and £90.3 million for the years 2006 to 2010 respectively and £396.1 million thereafter.

 

(iii)    PPM energy purchase commitments

 

At 31 March 2005, PPM had purchase commitments of £862.2 million, £176.3 million, £52.9 million, £46.1 million and £41.4 million for the years 2006 to 2010 respectively and £145.8 million thereafter. PPM’s contractual commitments primarily consist of electricity and gas purchases made to optimise returns from generation resources and commercial activities.

 

31 Related party transactions

 

(a) Trading transactions and balances arising in the normal course of business

 

Type of related party   

Sales/(purchases) to/(from)
other group companies during

the year

     Amounts due
from/(to) other
group companies
as at 31 March
 
  

2004

£m

    

2004

£m

     2003
£m
     2005
£m
     2004
£m
 

Sales by related parties

                                  

Joint ventures(i)

   113.6      120.8      81.8      2.4      15.6  

Purchases by related parties

                                  

Joint ventures(i)

   (86.9 )    (61.1 )    (37.3 )         (8.1 )

Joint arrangements

   (42.3 )    (32.9 )    (24.8 )    (5.5 )    (2.0 )

Southern Water(ii)

             (2.7 )          

During the year ended 31 March 2005, ScottishPower made management and similar charges to joint ventures of £0.5 million (2004 £0.4 million, 2003 £0.1 million).

 

During the year ended 31 March 2005, ScottishPower Energy Retail Limited acquired customers from N.E.S.T. Makers Limited for £2.1 million (2004 £2.8 million, 2003 £nil).

 

(i)    On 28 September 2004, the group purchased the remaining 50% of Brighton Power Station; as a result it ceased to be a joint venture from this date. The sales and purchases for 2005 include those transactions between ScottishPower and Brighton Power Station for the period from 1 April 2004 to 27 September 2004.

 

(ii)    On 23 April 2002, the group disposed of Southern Water; as a result it ceased to be a subsidiary from this date. The sales and purchases for 2003 represent those transactions between ScottishPower and Southern Water for the period from 24 April 2002 to 31 March 2003.

  

  

        

       

 

 

 

148    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

31 Related party transactions continued

 

(b) Funding transactions and balances arising in the normal course of business

 

 
    

Interest payable

to other group
companies during

the year

    

Amounts due

to other group
companies as

at 31 March

 
Type of related party    2005
£m
     2004
£m
     2005
£m
     2004
£m
 

Joint ventures

   (0.6 )    (2.0 )    (10.6 )    (38.8 )

32 Acquisitions

 

(a) Damhead Creek acquisition

 

On 1 June 2004 the group completed the acquisition of Damhead Creek Limited from its creditor banks for a cash consideration, including expenses, of £319.8 million. The acquisition method of accounting has been adopted. The purchase included the Damhead Creek CCGT, all trading assets and the transfer of employees. The details of the transaction and fair value adjustments arising from the change in ownership are shown below:

 

 

    

 

Fair value of Damhead Creek consideration    Notes   

Book
values
at 1 June
2004

£m

     Revaluation
£m
    

Fair values
at 1 June
2004

£m

 

Intangible fixed assets

   15         46.5      46.5  

Tangible fixed assets

   16    265.4      50.1      315.5  

Current assets

                         

– Deferred tax

   22    14.1           14.1  

– Other current assets

        15.5           15.5  

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

                         

– Other creditors

        (19.7 )         (19.7 )

Provisions for liabilities and charges

                         

– Other provisions

   23    (2.6 )    (49.5 )    (52.1 )

Net assets

        272.7      47.1      319.8  

Cash consideration

                      313.5  

Expenses paid

                      6.3  

Purchase consideration

                      319.8  

(i)    An intangible fixed asset of £46.5 million has been recognised to reflect an in-the-money gas contract acquired on the transaction. This

       asset has been limited to an amount that does not create or increase negative goodwill.

 

(ii)    A revaluation of £50.1 million has been made to the book value of Damhead Creek’s tangible fixed assets to record them at their

       depreciated replacement cost.

 

(iii)   A revaluation of £(49.5) million has been made to the book value of Damhead Creek’s other provisions to reflect the value of an onerous

       electricity contract.

 

The results of Damhead Creek for the year to 31 December 2003 and for the pre-acquisition period from 1 January 2004 to 31 May 2004 are shown below:

      

 

      

 

     

 

 

 

     Period from
1 January 2004
to 31 May 2004
£m
    

Year to

31 December
2003

£m

 

Turnover

   88.9      153.9  

Operating (loss)/profit

   (3.9 )    9.7  

Interest

   (20.7 )    (27.3 )

Loss on ordinary activities before taxation

   (24.6 )    (17.6 )

Taxation

   14.1      (1.5 )

Loss for the financial period

   (10.5 )    (19.1 )

Dividends

         

Loss attributable to shareholders

   (10.5 )    (19.1 )

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    149


Table of Contents

Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

32 Acquisitions continued

 

(b) Brighton Power Station acquisition

 

On 28 September 2004 the group completed the acquisition of the remaining 50% of the share capital of South Coast Power Limited
and Shoreham Operations Company Limited (together “Brighton Power Station”) for a cash consideration, including expenses, of
£26.5 million. The acquisition method of accounting has been adopted. The details of the transaction and fair value adjustments
arising from the change in ownership are shown below:

 

 

Fair value of Brighton Power Station consideration

  

Notes

  

Book values
at 28 September

2004

£m

    

Revaluation

£m

    

Fair values

at 28 September

2004

£m

 
           
           

Intangible fixed assets

   15         58.1      58.1  

Tangible fixed assets

   16    140.5      (12.7 )    127.8  

Cash

        26.8           26.8  

Other current assets

        22.9           22.9  

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

                         

    – Other creditors

        (22.2 )    (2.6 )    (24.8 )

Creditors: amounts falling due after one year

                         

    – Loans and other borrowings

        (116.1 )         (116.1 )

Provisions for liabilities and charges

                         

    – Deferred tax

   22    (9.6 )    2.9      (6.7 )

    – Other provisions

   23    (0.8 )    (34.1 )    (34.9 )

Net assets

        41.5      11.6      53.1  

Cash consideration

                         

    – Share capital

                      4.5  

    – Loans (including accrued interest)

                      21.5  

Expenses paid

                      0.5  

Purchase consideration

                      26.5  

Previous carrying value of Brighton Power Station as a joint venture

                         

    – Loans

   17                  19.1  

    – Accrued interest

                      1.7  
                        20.8  

Revaluation reserve

                      5.8  

Total

                      53.1  

(i)        An intangible fixed asset of £58.1 million has been recognised to reflect an in-the-money gas contract acquired on the transaction. This asset has been limited to an amount that does not create or increase negative goodwill.

 

(ii)        A revaluation of £(12.7) million has been made to the book value of Brighton Power Station’s tangible fixed assets to record them at their depreciated replacement cost.

 

(iii)       A revaluation of £(2.6) million has been made to the book value of Brighton Power Station’s other creditors to reflect the value of out-the-money interest rate swaps.

 

(iv)      A revaluation of £2.9 million has been made to the book value of Brighton Power Station’s deferred tax provision to reflect the deferred tax effect of the fair value adjustments.

 

(v)       A revaluation of £(34.1) million has been made to the book value of Brighton Power Station’s other provisions to reflect onerous short-term electricity and gas contracts.

 

(vi)      The purchase consideration comprises £4.5 million for the remaining 50% of the share capital, £21.5 million in respect of the vendor’s loans to Brighton Power Station and £0.5 million of expenses.

 

(vii)      The previous carrying value of Brighton Power Station as a joint venture included £0.7 million of accumulated losses.

 

(viii)     A revaluation reserve is created as a result of the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest as a fair value exercise is required to be performed as a result of the investment in the joint venture becoming a 100% subsidiary. The group previously held a 50% interest in Brighton Power Station and the revaluation reserve represents 50% of the fair value adjustments of £11.6 million.

 

(ix)      In addition to the group’s purchase consideration of £26.5 million for the purchase of the remaining 50% of Brighton Power Station, the group recognised net debt of £89.3 million (being loans and other borrowings of £116.1 million less cash of £26.8 million as shown in the table above). The group had previously effectively recognised 50% of this net debt while Brighton Power Station was a joint venture.

       

       

      

     

      

     

    

     

      

 

 

 

150    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

32 Acquisitions continued

 

    (b) Brighton Power Station acquisition continued

 

The results of Brighton Power Station for the year to 31 March 2004 and for the pre-acquisition period from 1 April 2004 to 27 September 2004 are shown below:

 

     Period from
1 April 2004 to
27 September 2004
     Year to
31 March
2004
 

Turnover

   102.5      120.9  

Operating (loss)/profit

   (0.4 )    10.3  

Interest

   (4.9 )    (9.2 )

(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before taxation

   (5.3 )    1.1  

Taxation

        (0.4 )

(Loss)/profit for the financial period/year

   (5.3 )    0.7  

Dividends

        (0.3 )

(Loss)/profit attributable to shareholders

   (5.3 )    0.4  

 

(c) Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation acquisition

 

On 29 December 2004 the group completed the acquisition of Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation for a cash consideration of £5.9 million. The acquisition method of accounting has been adopted. The fair value of the assets acquired was £5.9 million comprising tangible fixed assets of £8.9 million with an associated deferred tax provision of £3.0 million.

 

33 Southern Water disposal

 

On 23 April 2002, the group completed the sale of Aspen 4 Limited (the holding company of Southern Water plc) to First Aqua Limited for a total consideration, before expenses, of £2.05 billion including repayment and acquisition of intra-group non-trading indebtedness and assumption by First Aqua Limited of Southern Water’s non-trading debt due to third parties. The net assets disposed of were as follows:

 

     Notes      £m  

Tangible fixed assets

   (i )    2,474.7  

Fixed asset investments

          1.9  

Current assets

          193.1  

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

             

– Loans and other borrowings:

             

– Inter-company loan

          (756.4 )

– Bank overdraft

          (6.2 )

– Other creditors

          (291.2 )

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

             

– Loans and other borrowings

          (100.0 )

Provisions for liabilities and charges

             

– Deferred tax

   22      (361.0 )

– Other provisions

   23      (5.6 )

Deferred income

          (37.4 )

Book value of Southern Water net assets disposed

          1,111.9  

Gain on disposal

   (i )     

Net disposal proceeds

          1,111.9  

Satisfied by:

             

Cash received for net assets

   (ii )    1,187.3  

Cash expenses

          (47.9 )

Net disposal cash proceeds

          1,139.4  

Accrued expenses

          (27.5 )

Net disposal proceeds

          1,111.9  

 

(i) In the year ended 31 March 2002, an exceptional impairment provision of £449.3 million was made to reduce the carrying value of Southern Water’s net assets to their recoverable amount. In addition, a further exceptional charge of £738.2 million was recognised representing the impairment of goodwill on the acquisition of Southern Water previously written off to reserves. As a consequence of these charges to profits in the year ended 31 March 2002, there was no further gain or loss required to be recognised for the year ended 31 March 2003 on completion of the sale.

 

(ii) Analysis of total consideration before expenses    £m

Cash received for net assets

   1,187.3

Cash received on repayment to ScottishPower of inter-company loan

   756.4

Cash consideration before expenses

   1,943.7

Debt due to third parties assumed by First Aqua Limited (including premium of £6.3 million)

   106.3

Total consideration before expenses

   2,050.0

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    151


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

34 Summary of differences between UK and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’)

 

The consolidated Accounts of the group are prepared in accordance with UK GAAP which differs in certain significant respects from US GAAP. The effect of the US GAAP adjustments to (loss)/profit for the financial year and equity shareholders’ funds are set out in the tables below.

 

          Year ended 31 March  
          2005     2004     2003  
(a) Reconciliation of (loss)/profit for the financial year to US GAAP:    Notes    £m     £m     £m  

(Loss)/profit for the financial year under UK GAAP

        (308.1 )   537.9     482.6  

US GAAP adjustments:

                       

Amortisation of goodwill

   (i)    117.5     128.0     139.0  

Impairment of goodwill

   (i)    (454.0 )        

US regulatory net assets

   (ii)    (41.8 )   (81.2 )   (121.6 )

Pensions

   (iii)    10.7     (0.1 )   20.1  

Depreciation on revaluation uplift

   (iv)    1.9     1.9     2.0  

Decommissioning, environmental and mine reclamation

   (v)    (45.1 )   (13.0 )   (38.3 )

PacifiCorp Transition Plan costs

   (vi)    (8.3 )   (29.0 )   (19.1 )

Business combinations

   (i)            (31.6 )

FAS 133

   (vii)    326.5     153.3     205.5  

Other

   (xi)    (30.6 )   (10.3 )   (10.8 )
          (431.3 )   687.5     627.8  

Deferred tax effect of US GAAP adjustments

   (viii)    (63.4 )   54.7     20.4  

(Loss)/profit for the financial year under US GAAP before cumulative adjustment for FAS 143 in 2004 (2003 C15 and C16)

        (494.7 )   742.2     648.2  

Cumulative adjustment for FAS 143 in 2004 (2003 C15 and C16)

   (v), (vii)        (0.6 )   141.1  

(Loss)/profit for the financial year under US GAAP

        (494.7 )   741.6     789.3  

(Loss)/earnings per share under US GAAP

   (x)    (27.02 )p   40.54 p   42.81 p

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share under US GAAP

   (x)    (27.02 )p   39.19 p   42.70 p

 

            31 March
2005
     31 March
2004
 
(b) Effect on equity shareholders’ funds of differences between UK GAAP and US GAAP:    Notes      £m      £m  

Equity shareholders’ funds under UK GAAP

          3,982.0      4,690.9  

US GAAP adjustments:

                    

Goodwill

   (i )    572.3      572.3  

Business combinations

   (i )    (191.0 )    (196.1 )

Amortisation of goodwill

   (i )    258.7      150.0  

Impairment of goodwill

   (i )    (454.0 )     

US regulatory net assets

   (ii )    545.8      724.7  

Pensions

   (iii )    (58.8 )    (18.9 )

Dividends

   (ix )    139.4      112.9  

Revaluation

   (iv )    (59.8 )    (54.0 )

Depreciation on revaluation uplift

   (iv )    14.3      12.4  

Decommissioning, environmental and mine reclamation

   (v )    (60.2 )    (14.9 )

PacifiCorp Transition Plan costs

   (vi )    13.5      22.2  

FAS 133

   (vii )    403.7      2.2  

Other

   (xi )    (11.2 )    (12.9 )

Deferred tax:

                    

Effect of US GAAP adjustments

   (viii )    (300.5 )    (275.0 )

Effect of differences in methodology

   (viii )         14.5  

Equity shareholders’ funds under US GAAP

          4,794.2      5,730.3  

 

(i) Goodwill and business combinations

 

Goodwill

 

Under UK GAAP, goodwill arising from the purchase of operating entities before 31 March 1998 has been written off directly to reserves. Additionally, UK GAAP requires that on subsequent disposal of these entities any goodwill previously taken directly to reserves is then charged in the profit and loss account against the profit or loss on disposal. Goodwill arising on acquisitions after 31 March 1998 is capitalised and amortised through the profit and loss account over its useful economic life.

 

The goodwill adjustment is made to recognise goodwill previously written off to reserves under UK GAAP as an intangible asset under US GAAP.

 

Under US GAAP, following the introduction of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 142 ‘Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets’ (“FAS 142”) which was effective for the group from 1 April 2002, goodwill arising from the purchase of operating entities should be held as an indefinite lived intangible asset in the balance sheet and is no longer amortised. Instead goodwill is subject to an impairment test performed at least annually. The adjustment ‘Amortisation of goodwill’ for the years ended 31 March 2005, 31 March 2004 and 31 March 2003 represents the reversal of amortisation of goodwill charged under UK GAAP.

 

In light of the conclusions of the strategic review detailed in Note 4, the group determined that a trigger event had occurred under FAS 144 ‘Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets’ (“FAS 144”) and FAS 142 and, accordingly, a review of the carrying value of the long-lived assets and goodwill allocated to the PacifiCorp reporting unit under US GAAP has been performed. A two-step impairment test is required under both FAS 144 and FAS 142. Under FAS 144 undiscounted cash flows for the long lived assets of PacifiCorp exceeded their carrying value and accordingly no impairment was triggered. Under FAS 142 the carrying value of the net assets of PacifiCorp (including goodwill) under US GAAP was determined to be in excess of its fair value, and accordingly the group has carried out an analysis to determine the implied fair value of goodwill. Fair value was determined under US GAAP primarily using discounted cash flows and with reference to the price of comparable businesses, recent market transactions and estimated proceeds from disposal. As a result, a goodwill impairment charge of £1,381.0 million has been recorded in the PacifiCorp segment under US GAAP reflecting the amount by which the carrying value of the goodwill exceeded its implied fair value. The impairment charge under US GAAP is £454.0 million higher than the charge under UK GAAP principally due to the higher carrying value of the net assets of PacifiCorp under US GAAP compared to UK GAAP. This is as a result of the recognition under US GAAP of regulatory assets, the impact of FAS 133 ‘Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities’ and lower cumulative amortisation of goodwill under US GAAP.

 

 

 

152    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

34 Summary of differences between UK and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’) continued

 

The following table provides an analysis of goodwill included in the balance sheet under US GAAP for the years ended 31 March 2005 and 31 March 2004.

 

            2005      2004  
     Note      £m      £m  

Net book value of goodwill capitalised under US GAAP:

                    

At 1 April

          2,382.1      2,677.6  

Impairment

          (1,381.0 )     

Exchange

          (49.9 )    (295.5 )

As at 31 March

   (i )    951.2      2,382.1  

(i)    The net book value of goodwill capitalised under US GAAP is analysed by business segment in the table below:

                    
            31 March
2005
     31 March
2004
 
     Notes      £m      £m  

UK Division – Integrated Generation and Supply

          562.9      562.9  

PacifiCorp

   (i )    377.9      1,808.5  

PPM

   (ii )    10.4      10.7  

United States total

          388.3      1,819.2  

Total

          951.2      2,382.1  

 

  (i) Year-on-year movements on the net book value of goodwill capitalised for PacifiCorp of £1,430.6 million represents impairment of goodwill of £1,381.0 million and foreign exchange movements of £49.6 million.

 

  (ii) Year-on-year movements on the net book value of goodwill capitalised for PPM of £0.3 million relate solely to foreign exchange.

 

Business combinations

 

In addition to re-instating the goodwill calculated under UK GAAP as described above, goodwill must also be recalculated in accordance with US GAAP. This is required due to differences between UK GAAP and US GAAP in the determination of acquisition price and valuation of assets and liabilities at the acquisition date. The adjustment referred to as Business combinations reflects principally the impact of recalculating the goodwill arising on the acquisitions of Manweb and PacifiCorp under US GAAP. The Business combinations adjustment of £31.6 million (£22.1 million net of tax) reflected in the reconciliation of profit to US GAAP for the year ended 31 March 2003 represented the difference between UK GAAP and US GAAP in accounting for accruals recognised under UK GAAP when PacifiCorp was acquired.

 

In cases where traded equity securities are exchanged as consideration, UK GAAP requires the fair value of consideration to be determined at the date the transaction is completed, while US GAAP requires the fair value of such consideration to be determined at the date the acquisition is announced.

 

   (ii) US regulatory net assets

 

FAS 71 ‘Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation’ (“FAS 71”) establishes US GAAP for utilities in the US whose regulators have the power to approve and/or regulate rates that may be charged to customers. FAS 71 provides that regulatory assets may be capitalised if it is probable that future revenue in an amount at least equal to the capitalised costs will result from the inclusion of that cost in allowable costs for ratemaking purposes. Due to the different regulatory environment, no equivalent GAAP applies in the UK.

 

Under UK GAAP, the group’s policy is to recognise regulatory assets established in accordance with FAS 71 only where they comprise rights or other access to future economic benefits which have arisen as a result of past transactions or events which have created an obligation to transfer economic benefits to a third party. Measurement of the past transaction or event and hence the regulatory asset, is determined in accordance with UK GAAP.

 

The impact of the application of different accounting policies is that US regulatory net assets amounting to £545.8 million (2004 £724.7 million) are not recognised under UK GAAP, including deferred taxes, certain FAS 133 regulatory balances and certain pension regulatory balances. In addition, US regulatory net assets of £13.5 million (2004 £22.2 million) relating to the PacifiCorp Transition Plan costs are discussed in note (vi) below.

 

(Loss)/profits under US GAAP have been charged by £41.8 million in 2005 (2004 £81.2 million, 2003 £121.6 million).

 

An analysis of total US regulatory assets and liabilities under US GAAP is noted below:

 

     31 March
2005
     31 March
2004
 
     £m      £m  

Regulatory assets

             

Deferred taxes

   264.5      282.4  

Minimum pension liability

   148.5      123.1  

Unamortised debt expense

   18.3      22.1  

Transition plan

   13.5      22.2  

Demand-side resource costs

   13.5      21.8  

FAS 133

   89.9      229.7  

Other

   56.7      91.5  

Total

   604.9      792.8  

Regulatory liabilities

             

Deferred taxes

   (23.5 )    (19.7 )

Other

   (37.6 )    (54.0 )

Total

   (61.1 )    (73.7 )

Total regulatory net assets

   543.8      719.1  

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    153


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

34 Summary of differences between UK and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’) continued

 

(iii) Pension costs

 

The fundamental differences between UK GAAP (as represented by SSAP 24) and US GAAP are as follows:

 

  (a) Under UK GAAP, the annual pension charge is determined so that it is a substantially level percentage of the current and expected future payroll. Under US GAAP, the aim is to accrue the cost of providing pension benefits in the year in which the employee provides the related service in accordance with FAS 87 ‘Employers’ Accounting for Pensions’ (“FAS 87”), which requires re-adjustment of the significant actuarial assumptions annually to reflect current market and economic conditions.

 

  (b) Under UK GAAP, pension liabilities are usually discounted using an interest rate that represents the expected long-term return on plan assets. Under US GAAP, pension liabilities are discounted using the current rates at which the pension liability could be settled.

 

  (c) Under UK GAAP, variations from plan can be aggregated and amortised over the remaining employee service lives. Under US GAAP, variations from plan must be amortised separately over remaining service lives.

 

  (d) Under UK GAAP, alternative bases can be used to value plan assets. Under US GAAP, plan assets should be valued at market or at market related values and where the fair/market value of the plan assets is less than the accumulated benefit obligation a minimum pension liability is then recognised as a charge to other comprehensive income under the provisions of FAS 87 unless and to the extent that FAS 71 can be applied in which case a pension regulatory asset is recognised.

 

(iv) Revaluation

 

The revaluation of assets is not permitted under US GAAP. The reconciliation therefore adjusts assets to historical cost and the depreciation charge has been adjusted accordingly.

 

(v) Decommissioning, environmental and mine reclamation

 

Under UK GAAP, future decommissioning and mine reclamation costs are provided for on a discounted basis with a corresponding increase to the cost of the asset. This increased cost is depreciated over the useful life of the asset. Under US GAAP, legal obligations associated with decommissioning and mine reclamation costs are accounted for on a similar basis in accordance with FAS 143 ‘Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations’ (“FAS 143”). Details of the cumulative adjustment arising on the implementation of FAS 143 are given in Note 34(g). For other decommissioning and mine reclamation costs, regulated industries rateably accrue these costs and include them within US regulatory net assets, as the costs are recovered in depreciation rates. Under UK GAAP, provision is required to be made for both legal and constructive environmental obligations as at the balance sheet date. Under US GAAP, provision is made for legal obligations.

 

(vi) PacifiCorp Transition Plan costs

 

Under UK GAAP, PacifiCorp Transition Plan costs were recognised as an expense in the profit and loss account at the date of the announcement of the Plan. Costs were provided for in accordance with FRS 12 ‘Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets’.

 

Under US GAAP, PacifiCorp Transition Plan costs are accounted for as regulatory assets and are being amortised through the income statement. Costs have been accounted for in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force No. 94-3 ‘Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)’ and FAS 88 ‘Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits’.

 

(vii) FAS 133 – derivative instruments and hedging activities

 

Under UK GAAP derivatives designated as used for non-trading purposes are accounted for on a consistent basis with the asset, liability or position being hedged. Under US GAAP, the group applies FAS 133 ‘Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities’, as amended by FAS 138 ‘Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities’ (“FAS 138”) and FAS 149 ‘Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities’ (“FAS 149”) and guidance issued by the Derivative Implementation Group. The adjustments in the reconciliations of (loss)/profit and equity shareholders’ funds to US GAAP described as ‘FAS 133’ comprise FAS 133 and subsequent revising standards, FAS 138 and FAS 149, together with guidance issued by the Derivatives Implementation Group. Effective from 1 April 2002, the group adopted revised FAS 133 guidance issued by the Derivatives Implementation Group under Revised Issue C15 ‘Normal Purchases and Normal Sales Exception for Option-Type Contracts and Forward Contracts in Electricity’ and Issue C16 ‘Applying the Normal Purchases and Normal Sales Exception to Contracts that Combine a Forward Contract and a Purchased Option Contract’. This new guidance had the effect of including an increased number of the group’s contracts within the scope of FAS 133. The cumulative adjustment to profit under US GAAP for the year ended 31 March 2003 as a result of adopting Revised Issue C15 and Issue C16 was an increase to profit of £228.6 million (£141.1 million, net of tax). FAS 133 requires recognition of all derivatives, as defined in the standard, on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives, or any portion thereof, that are not an effective hedge, are adjusted to fair value through income. If a derivative qualifies as an effective hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are either offset against the change in fair value of the hedged asset, liability, or firm commitment recognised in income, or are recognised in accumulated other comprehensive income until the hedged items are recognised in earnings. The effects of changes in fair value of certain derivative instruments entered into to hedge future retail resource requirements in the group’s US regulated business are subject to regulation and therefore are deferred pursuant to FAS 71. The FAS 133 adjustment included within equity shareholders’ funds at 31 March 2005 of £403.7 million includes a net liability of £89.9 million which is subject to regulation and is therefore offset by a US regulatory asset of £89.9 million.

 

Under US GAAP the gas contracts acquired as a result of the purchase of Damhead Creek and Brighton Power Station are valued in accordance with FAS 133 and the value of the contracts is not limited to an amount that would not create or increase any negative goodwill as under UK GAAP. The mark-to-market value of these contracts of £92.7 million and £86.0 million respectively, is included within the FAS 133 adjustment in the reconciliation of equity shareholders’ funds at 31 March 2005.

 

Contracts that qualify as normal purchases and normal sales are excluded from the requirements of FAS 133. The realised gains and losses on these contracts are reflected in the income statement at the contract settlement date.

 

(viii) Deferred tax

 

Under UK GAAP, FRS 19 ‘Deferred tax’, requires full provision for deferred tax at future enacted rates. Provision is only made in respect of assets revalued for accounting purposes where a commitment exists to sell the asset at the balance sheet date.

 

Under US GAAP, full provision for deferred tax is required to the extent that accounting profit differs from taxable profit due to temporary timing differences. Provision is made based on enacted tax law.

 

The item ‘Effect of US GAAP adjustments’ reflects the additional impact of making full provision for deferred tax in respect of adjustments made in restating the balance sheet to US GAAP.

 

The item ‘Effect of differences in methodology’ reflects the impact of making full provision for deferred tax under US GAAP compared to UK GAAP.

 

Under UK GAAP for the year ended 31 March 2004, the group recognised a £48.0 million tax credit through reserves as tax on translation differences on foreign currency hedging as a result of the application of the transitional rules contained in the Finance Act 2002, Schedule 26. Under US GAAP, this £48.0 million tax credit has been recognised within the income statement as required by FAS 109 ‘Accounting for Income Taxes’.

 

(ix) Dividends

 

Under UK GAAP, final ordinary dividends are recognised in the financial year in respect of which they are proposed by the Board of Directors. Under US GAAP, such dividends are not recognised until they are formally declared by the Board of Directors.

 

 

 

 

154    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

34 Summary of differences between UK and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’) continued

 

(x) (Loss)/earnings per share

 

(Loss)/earnings per ordinary share have been calculated by dividing the (loss)/profit for the financial year under US GAAP by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the financial year, based on the following information:

 

     2005     2004     2003  

Basic (loss)/earnings per share

                  

(Loss)/profit for the financial year under US GAAP (£ million)

   (494.7 )   741.6     789.3  

Basic weighted average share capital (number of shares, millions)

   1,830.8     1,829.5     1,843.9  

(Loss)/earnings per share under US GAAP – continuing operations

   (27.02 )p   40.57 p   35.76 p

Loss per share under US GAAP – discontinued operations

           (0.60 )p

(Loss)/earnings per share under US GAAP before cumulative adjustment for FAS 143 in 2004 (2003 C15 and C16)

   (27.02 )p   40.57 p   35.16 p

(Loss)/earnings per share under US GAAP – cumulative adjustment for FAS 143 in 2004 (2003 C15 and C16)

       (0.03 )p   7.65 p

(Loss)/earnings per share under US GAAP

   (27.02 )p   40.54 p   42.81 p

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share

                  

(Loss)/profit for the financial year under US GAAP (£ million)

   (494.7 )   740.7     789.3  

Diluted weighted average share capital (number of shares, millions)

   1,830.8     1,890.2     1,848.4  

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share under US GAAP – continuing operations

   (27.02 )p   39.22 p   35.67 p

Diluted loss per share under US GAAP – discontinued operations

           (0.60 )p

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share under US GAAP before cumulative adjustment for FAS 143 in 2004 (2003 C15 and C16)

   (27.02 )p   39.22 p   35.07 p

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share under US GAAP – cumulative adjustment for FAS 143 in 2004 (2003 C15 and C16)

       (0.03 )p   7.63 p

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share under US GAAP

   (27.02 )p   39.19 p   42.70 p

 

The difference between the basic earnings and the diluted earnings under US GAAP for the year ended 31 March 2004 is attributable to the interest charged on the convertible bonds of £7.1 million and the mark-to-market gain on the convertible bonds of £8.0 million. The loss per share for March 2003 for discontinued operations has been calculated based on US GAAP earnings which are net of £3.0 million of interest and similar charges and a tax credit of £4.6 million. The group’s charge for interest and similar charges has been allocated between continuing and discontinued operations on the basis of external and internal borrowings of the respective operations.

 

As permitted under UK GAAP, (loss)/earnings per share have been presented including and excluding the impact of goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item to provide an additional measure of underlying performance. UK GAAP permits the presentation of more than one measure of earnings per share provided that all such measures are clearly explained and given equal prominence on the face of the profit and loss account. In accordance with US GAAP, (loss)/earnings per share have been presented above based on US GAAP (loss)/earnings, without adjustments for the impact of UK GAAP goodwill amortisation and the exceptional item. Such additional measures of underlying performance are not permitted under US GAAP.

 

(xi) Other

 

Other differences between UK and US GAAP are not individually material and relate to post-retirement benefits other than pensions, capitalisation of finance costs, investment tax credits, available-for-sale securities, stock option compensation expense and the gas and short-term electricity contracts acquired as a result of the purchase of Damhead Creek and Brighton Power Station.

 

UK GAAP permits the use of long-term discount rates in determining the provision for post-retirement benefits other than pensions. US GAAP requires the use of current market rates.

 

Under UK GAAP, only interest on debt funding may be capitalised during the period of construction. Under US GAAP, as applied by regulated electricity utilities, both the cost of debt and the cost of equity applicable to domestic utility properties are capitalised during the period of construction.

 

Under US GAAP, investment tax credits for PacifiCorp are deferred and amortised to income over periods prescribed by PacifiCorp’s various regulatory jurisdictions.

 

Under US GAAP the gas and short-term electricity contracts acquired as a result of the purchase of Damhead Creek and Brighton Power Station, which do not qualify for the normal purchase, normal sale exception, are valued in accordance with FAS 133 and the mark-to-market value of these contracts is included within the FAS 133 adjustment in the UK/US GAAP reconciliation. Under UK GAAP an intangible asset has been recognised to reflect the in-the-money gas contracts and a provision recognised to reflect the onerous short-term electricity and gas contracts acquired. The reversal of the amortisation of the intangible asset and the unwinding of the provision booked under UK GAAP has been reflected through the ‘Other’ line of the UK/US GAAP reconciliation.

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

UK GAAP permits fixed asset investments to be valued at cost less provision for any impairment in value. US GAAP requires that such investments, insofar as they are available-for-sale securities, are marked to market with movements in market value being included in other comprehensive income.

 

The book value and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities were as follows:

 

          At 31 March 2005       
     Book value    Gross
unrealised
gains
   Gross
unrealised
losses
     Estimated
fair value
     £m    £m    £m      £m

Money market account

   1.0            1.0

Mutual fund account

   14.3       (0.5 )    13.8

Debt securities

   10.8    0.1    (1.9 )    9.0

Equity securities

   22.7    4.7    (4.3 )    23.1

Total

   48.8    4.8    (6.7 )    46.9

 

          At 31 March 2004       
     Book value    Gross
unrealised
gains
   Gross
unrealised
losses
 
 
 
   Estimated
fair value
     £m    £m    £m      £m

Money market account

   1.3            1.3

Mutual fund account

   14.2       (0.2 )    14.0

Debt securities

   10.1    0.3    (1.7 )    8.7

Equity securities

   32.5    4.4    (5.7 )    31.2

Total

   58.1    4.7    (7.6 )    55.2

 

The quoted market price of securities at 31 March is used to estimate the securities’ fair value.

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    155


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

34 Summary of differences between UK and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’) continued

 

The book value and estimated fair value of debt securities by contractual maturities at 31 March 2005 and 2004 are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or pre-pay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

     At 31 March 2005    At 31 March 2004
     Book value    Estimated
fair value
   Book value    Estimated
fair value
     £m    £m    £m    £m

Debt securities

                   

Due within one year

   0.3    0.2      

Due between one and five years

   2.5    2.1    1.9    1.6

Due between five and ten years

   4.1    3.4    4.9    4.3

Due after ten years

   3.9    3.3    3.3    2.8

Money market account

   1.0    1.0    1.3    1.3

Mutual fund account

   14.3    13.8    14.2    14.0

Equity securities

   22.7    23.1    32.5    31.2

Total

   48.8    46.9    58.1    55.2

 

Proceeds, gross gains and gross losses from realised sales of available-for-sale securities using the specific identification method were as follows:

 

     Year ended 31 March  
     2005      2004      2003  
     £m      £m      £m  

Proceeds

   18.9      35.9      56.3  

Gross gains

   2.2      2.4      1.1  

Gross losses

   (0.8 )    (1.2 )    (3.7 )

Net gains/(losses)

   1.4      1.2      (2.6 )

 

   Stock-based compensation

 

Under US GAAP, the group applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, ‘Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees’ (“APB 25”), and related interpretations in accounting for its plans and a compensation expense has been recognised accordingly for its share option schemes. As the group applies APB 25 in accounting for its plans, under FAS 123, ‘Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation’ (“FAS 123”), it has adopted the disclosure only option in relation to its share option schemes. Had the group determined compensation cost based on the fair value at the grant date for its share options under FAS 123, the group’s (loss)/profit for the financial year under US GAAP and (loss)/earnings per share under US GAAP would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts below:

 

     2005     2004     2003  

(Loss)/profit for the financial year under US GAAP (£ million)

   (494.7 )   741.6     789.3  

Reversal of APB 25 stock compensation expense (included within the ‘Other’ adjustment) (£ million)

   3.1     2.8     3.6  

Stock compensation expense calculated under FAS 123 (£ million)

   (5.3 )   (4.6 )   (6.1 )

Pro forma (loss)/profit for the financial year under US GAAP (£ million)

   (496.9 )   739.8     786.8  

Basic (loss)/earnings per share under US GAAP

   (27.02 )p   40.54 p   42.81 p

Pro forma basic (loss)/earnings per share under US GAAP

   (27.14 )p   40.44 p   42.67 p

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share under US GAAP

   (27.02 )p   39.19 p   42.70 p

Pro forma diluted (loss)/earnings per share under US GAAP

   (27.14 )p   39.09 p   42.57 p

 

The weighted average fair value of options granted during the year was £7.0 million (2004 £6.0 million, 2003 £6.3 million). The fair value of options granted during the year ended 31 March 2005 have been estimated using the binomial model and the Monte Carlo option pricing models, as appropriate. The group believes these models more accurately reflect the value of options than using the Black-Scholes option pricing model; however the effect of using these models is not materially different. Previous years’ grants were valued using the Black-Scholes model.

 

     Binomial
model
2005
 
 
 
  Monte Carlo
model

2005
 
 

 
  Black-Scholes
model
 
 
       2004     2003  

Dividend yield

   6.6 %   5.3 %   5.0 %   8.3 %

Risk-free interest rate

   5.0 %   n/a     4.6 %   4.6 %

Volatility

   24.3 %   14.4 %   24.9 %   30.0 %

Expected life of the options (years)

   1 – 5     3     6     6  

 

The weighted average life of the share options outstanding as at 31 March 2005, March 2004 and March 2003 was as follows:

 

     2005
(years)
   2004
(years)
   2003
(years)

ScottishPower Sharesave Schemes

   3    3    3

Executive Share Option Scheme

      1    2

Executive Share Option Plan 2001

   8    8    9

PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan

   4    5    6

 

 

 

 

156    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

34 Summary of differences between UK and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’) continued

 

(xii) Reclassifications

 

The reconciliations of (loss)/profit for the financial year and equity shareholders’ funds at the year end from UK GAAP to US GAAP only include those items which have a net effect on (loss)/profit or equity shareholders’ funds. There are other GAAP differences, not included in the reconciliations, which would affect the classification of assets and liabilities or of income and expenditure. The principal items which would have such an effect are as follows:

 

  (a) under UK GAAP debt issue costs are deducted from the carrying value of the related debt instrument. US GAAP requires such costs to be included as an asset

 

  (b) under UK GAAP customer contributions in respect of fixed assets are generally credited to a separate deferred income account. Under US GAAP such contributions are netted off against the cost of the related fixed assets

 

  (c) under US GAAP, transmission and distribution costs would be included in cost of sales. Under UK GAAP these are included as a separate line item within the income statement

 

  (d) under UK GAAP, the investor’s interest in the turnover and results of a joint venture or associate are disclosed gross. The investor’s share of the interest and taxation are disclosed separately as a component of the group interest and taxation lines. Under US GAAP, the investor’s interest in the net results of joint ventures and associates is disclosed as a single line in the income statement, net of interest and taxation

 

  (e) the group implemented EITF No. 03-11 ‘Reporting Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments that are Subject to FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and Not Held for Trading Purposes’ (“EITF 03-11”) on 1 January 2004. EITF 03-11 addresses whether realised gains and losses should be shown gross or net in the income statement for contracts that are not held for trading purposes but are derivatives subject to FAS 133. This issue led to a reduction in US GAAP reported turnover of £1,407.7 million (2004 £979.8 million, 2003 £660.6 million) with an equivalent reduction in cost of goods sold as a result of the netting approach adopted for contracts within the scope of the Issue. Under UK GAAP these items are shown on a gross basis within the turnover and cost of sales lines of the profit and loss account

 

  (f) under US GAAP, debtors falling due after more than one year would be included in non-current assets. Under UK GAAP these are included within debtors as part of current assets

 

  (g) under US GAAP, preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption issued by a subsidiary is classified as a liability. Under UK GAAP these are included within minority interest on the balance sheet.

 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive (loss)/income

 

Under US GAAP, certain items shown as components of common equity must be more prominently reported in a separate statement as components of comprehensive (loss)/income. The statement of total recognised gains and losses, which is the equivalent UK GAAP primary statement, is set out on page 113.

 

Consolidated statement of cash flows

 

The consolidated statement of cash flows prepared in accordance with FRS 1 (Revised) presents substantially the same information as that required under US GAAP. Under US GAAP, however, there are certain differences from UK GAAP with regard to the classification of items within the cash flow statement and with regard to the definition of cash and cash equivalents.

 

Under UK GAAP, cash flows are presented separately for operating activities, dividends received from joint ventures and associates, returns on investments and servicing of finance, taxation, capital expenditure and financial investment, acquisitions and disposals, equity dividends paid, management of liquid resources, and financing. Under US GAAP, only three categories of cash flow activity are reported: operating activities, investing activities and financing activities. Cash flows from dividends received from joint ventures, returns on investments and servicing of finance and taxation would be included as operating activities under US GAAP. Equity dividends paid would be included under financing activities under US GAAP.

 

Under US GAAP, cash and cash equivalents are not offset by bank overdrafts repayable within 24 hours from the date of the advance, as is the case under UK GAAP and instead such bank overdrafts are classified within financing activities.

 

The consolidated cash flow statement prepared in conformity with UK GAAP is set out on page 114. In this statement an additional measure, free cash flow, is included which is not an accepted measure under US GAAP. This measure represents cash flow from operations after adjusting for dividends received from joint ventures and associates, returns on investments and servicing of finance and taxation. UK investors regard free cash flow as the money available to management annually to be allocated among a number of options including capital expenditure, payments of dividends and the financing of acquisitions.

 

The consolidated statement of cash flows under US GAAP is set out below:

 

            2005      2004      2003  
     Note      £m      £m      £m  

Cash inflow from operating activities

          1,259.7      1,364.0      1,412.9  

Dividends received from joint ventures and associates

          2.0      0.5      0.9  

Returns on investments and servicing of finance

          (116.4 )    (210.0 )    (297.0 )

Taxation

          (99.2 )    (121.8 )    (191.3 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

          1,046.1      1,032.7      925.5  

Capital expenditure and financial investment

          (888.0 )    (831.2 )    (675.1 )

Acquisitions and disposals

          (351.1 )    (31.3 )    1,792.8  

Net cash (used)/provided in investing activities

          (1,239.1 )    (862.5 )    1,117.7  

Financing

   (i )    980.0      923.4      (1,214.3 )

Movement in bank overdrafts

          1.4      1.5      (4.9 )

Equity dividends paid

          (386.1 )    (394.4 )    (523.4 )

Net cash provided/(required) by financing activities

          595.3      530.5      (1,742.6 )

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

          402.3      700.7      300.6  

Exchange movement on cash and cash equivalents

          (1.8 )    (18.0 )    (16.8 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of financial year

          1,347.3      664.6      380.8  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of financial year

          1,747.8      1,347.3      664.6  

 

All liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition are considered to be cash equivalents.

 

  (i) In 2005, cash flows from financing include £140.0 million for the maturity of net investment hedging derivatives and £92.0 million for the cancellation of cross-currency swaps (2004 £403.0 million for the repricing of cross-currency swaps and £76.1 million for the cancellation of cross-currency swaps).

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    157


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

34 Summary of differences between UK and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’) continued

 

Non-cash investing or financing activities   

2005

£m

   

2004

£m

   

2003

£m

 

Movement in share of debt in joint arrangements

       6.4      

Amortisation of finance costs

   7.1     6.1     1.6  

Finance costs*

   9.3     14.2     4.0  

Debt acquired on acquisition of Brighton Power Station

   116.1          
     132.5     26.7     5.6  

 

*  These finance costs represent the effects of the RPI on bonds carrying an RPI coupon.

 

    

Additional information required under US GAAP

 

 

(a) Infrastructure accounting

The group’s accounting policy in respect of Southern Water’s infrastructure assets and related maintenance and renewals expenditure, prior to the disposal of Southern Water, was not generally accepted under US GAAP which required historical cost depreciation accounting for these assets. The difference between the infrastructure renewals depreciation charge and depreciation accounting under US GAAP was not material to profit and equity shareholders’ funds. This difference no longer exists following the disposal of Southern Water in April 2002.

 

 

    

(b) Doubtful debts

 

The group estimates its provision for doubtful debts relating to trade debtors by a combination of two methods. Specific amounts are evaluated where information is available that a customer may be unable to meet its financial obligations. In these circumstances, assessment is made based on available information to record a specific provision against the amount receivable from that customer to adjust the carrying value of the debtor to the amount expected to be collected. In addition, a provision for doubtful debts within the portfolio of other debtors is made using historical experience and ageing analysis to estimate the provision required to reduce the carrying value of trade debtors to their estimated recoverable amounts. This process involves the use of assumptions and estimates which may differ from actual experience. The group provided £46.6 million, £26.8 million and £36.8 million for doubtful debts in 2004/05, 2003/04 and 2002/03 respectively. Write-offs against the provision for doubtful debts for uncollectable amounts were £43.9 million, £45.6 million and £61.2 million in 2004/05, 2003/04 and 2002/03 respectively.

 

       

 

(c) Deferred tax

 

The additional components of the estimated net deferred tax liability that would be recognised under US GAAP are as follows:

 

 

          

2005

£m

   

2004

£m

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

                  

Excess of book value over taxation value of fixed assets

         75.1     152.0  

Other temporary differences

         235.8     139.5  
           310.9     291.5  

Deferred tax assets:

                  

Other temporary differences

         (10.4 )   (31.0 )

Net deferred tax liability

         300.5     260.5  

Analysed as follows:

                  

Current

             5.6  

Non-current

         300.5     254.9  
           300.5     260.5  

 

The deferred tax balance in respect of leveraged leases at the year end is £71.0 million (2004 £81.8 million).

 

 

(d) Pensions

 

At 31 March 2005, ScottishPower had six statutorily approved defined benefit pension schemes, one statutorily approved defined contribution scheme and one unapproved scheme. Further details of the arrangements are given in Note 28.

 

 

  

Benefits under the UK defined benefit plans reflect each employee’s basic earnings, years of service and age at retirement. Funding of the defined benefit plans is based upon actuarially determined contributions, with members paying contributions at fixed rates and the employers meeting the balance of cost as determined by the scheme actuaries.

 

   

Reconciliations of the beginning and ending balances of the projected pension benefit obligation and the funded status of these plans for the years ending 31 March 2005, 31 March 2004 and 31 March 2003 are as follows:   
Change in projected benefit obligation   

2005

£m

   

2004

£m

   

2003

£m

 

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year

   2,926.4     2,831.0     3,112.2  

Service cost (excluding plan participants’ contributions)

   52.2     45.0     52.6  

Interest cost

   165.7     154.8     168.6  

Plan amendments

   0.5          

Special termination benefits

           (2.5 )(i)

Plan participants’ contributions

   8.9     8.1     8.1  

Actuarial loss

   189.9     172.6     69.7  

Benefits paid

   (154.6 )   (179.2 )   (191.5 )

Settlements(ii)

   (0.1 )   (0.3 )   (317.9 )

Exchange

   (19.7 )   (105.6 )   (68.3 )

Projected benefit obligation at end of year

   3,169.2     2,926.4     2,831.0  

 

  (i) The period to commence the enhanced early retirement benefits under the Workforce Transition Retirement Program (“WTRP”) ended on 31 December 2002. A credit adjustment of £2.5 million for prior special termination benefits was necessary to reflect the impact of those participants who did not commence their WTRP benefits by 31 December 2002 because they revoked their earlier election.

 

  (ii) Assets and liabilities were transferred in 2004 to the PacifiCorp/IBEW Local Union 57 Retirement Trust Fund and in 2003 in relation to the sale of Southern Water.

 

 

 

158    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

34 Summary of differences between UK and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’) continued

 

Change in plans’ assets    2005
£m
    

2004

£m

    

2003

£m

 

Fair value of plans’ assets at beginning of year

   2,484.2      2,204.2      3,204.6  

Actual return on plans’ assets

   266.8      469.1      (509.8 )

Employer contributions

   89.4      43.2      27.2  

Plan participants’ contributions

   8.9      8.1      8.1  

Benefits paid

   (154.6 )    (179.2 )    (191.5 )

Settlements(i)

   (0.1 )    (0.3 )    (278.5 )

Exchange

   (12.7 )    (60.9 )    (55.9 )
Fair value of plans’ assets at end of year    2,681.9      2,484.2      2,204.2  

 

(i)  Assets and liabilities were transferred in 2004 to the PacifiCorp/IBEW Local Union 57 Retirement Trust Fund and in 2003 in relation to the sale of Southern Water.

 

   

Reconciliation of funded status of the plans to prepaid benefit cost   

2005

£m

    

2004

£m

    

2003

£m

 

Funded status of the plans

   (487.3 )    (442.2 )    (626.8 )

Unrecognised net actuarial loss

   729.7      655.5      852.4  

Unrecognised prior service cost

   (0.2 )    (0.9 )    (1.3 )

Unrecognised transition obligation asset

             (0.9 )

Prepaid benefit cost

   242.2      212.4      223.4  

Amounts recognised in balance sheet

(UK arrangements)

  

2005

£m

     2004
£m
     2003
£m
 

Prepaid benefit cost(i)

   191.5      188.4       

Accrued benefit liability

   (112.1 )    (96.2 )    (252.1 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   164.6      136.3      507.9  

Total recognised

   244.0      228.5      255.8  

 

(i)  £nil where scheme has accrued benefit liability or where asset value is below accumulated benefit obligation.

  

Amounts recognised in balance sheet

(US arrangements)

  

2005

£m

    

2004

£m

    

2003

£m

 

Accrued benefit liability

   (202.8 )    (196.2 )    (241.9 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   68.3      71.6      67.1  

US regulatory assets(i)

   148.5      123.1      148.4  

Intangible assets

   0.4            

Exchange

   (16.2 )    (14.6 )    (6.0 )

Total recognised

   (1.8 )    (16.1 )    (32.4 )

 

(i)  For the US pension arrangements the fair value of the plan assets was less than the accumulated benefit obligation. Under FAS 87 a minimum pension liability is then recognised. This liability was recorded as a non-cash increase of £148.5 million (2004 £123.1 million) to regulatory assets and £68.3 million (2004 £71.6 million) to accumulated other comprehensive loss. Accounting orders were received from the regulatory commissions in Utah, Oregon and Wyoming to classify most of this charge as a regulatory asset instead of a charge to other comprehensive income. The group also filed for similar treatment with the regulatory commission in Washington during the year ended 31 March 2004. This increase to regulatory assets will be adjusted in future periods as the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and the accumulated benefit obligation changes.

 

The value of plan assets relative to the accumulated benefit obligation at the year end were as follows:

 

    

Value of

plan assets
at 31 March 2005

£m

  

Value of

plan assets
at 31 March 2004

£m

  

Accumulated
benefit obligation
at 31 March 2005

£m

  

Accumulated
benefit obligation
at 31 March 2004

£m

ScottishPower

   1,645.3    1,538.9    1,579.6    1,535.2

Manweb

   581.8    529.2    675.0    612.4

Final Salary LifePlan

   26.6    16.0    26.8    12.7

PacifiCorp

   426.7    398.9    629.5    595.0

 

The value of plan assets relative to the projected benefit obligation at the year end were as follows:

 

    

Value of

plan assets
at 31 March 2005
£m

  

Value of

plan assets
at 31 March 2004

£m

   Projected
benefit obligation
at 31 March 2005
£m
  

Projected

benefit obligation
at 31 March 2004
£m

ScottishPower

   1,645.3    1,538.9    1,682.1    1,587.5

Manweb

   581.8    529.2    724.0    641.8

Final Salary LifePlan

   26.6    16.0    36.0    15.3

PacifiCorp

   426.7    398.9    708.0    669.1

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    159


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

34 Summary of differences between UK and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’) continued

 

    The components of pension benefit costs for the years ended 31 March 2005, 2004 and 2003 were as follows:

 

    

31 March
2005

£m

    

31 March
2004

£m

   

31 March
2003

£m

 

Service cost

   52.2      48.1 (i)   55.7 (i)

Curtailment/settlement cost

            26.3 (ii)

Interest cost

   165.7      154.8     168.6  

Expected return on plans’ assets

   (180.0 )    (165.3 )   (232.2 )

Amortisation of experience losses/(gains)

   21.2      26.3     0.1  

Amortisation of prior service cost

   (0.2 )    (0.2 )    

Amortisation of transition obligation asset

        (0.9 )   (0.7 )

Net periodic benefit cost

   58.9      62.8     17.8  

 

(i)  Includes the contribution of £nil (2004 £3.1 million, 2003 £3.1 million) to the PacifiCorp/IBEW Local Union 57 Retirement Trust Fund.

 

(ii) Sale of Southern Water, and consequent removal of pre-paid benefit cost in relation to this scheme.

 

 

 

The group expects to contribute £42.8 million to the UK pension schemes and £37.1 million ($70.1 million) to the PacifiCorp pension scheme in the year ending 31 March 2006.

 

  

The actuarial assumptions adopted in arriving at the above figures are as follows:

 

 

UK arrangements – assumptions at:

   31 March
2005
 
*
   31 March
2004
 
**
  31 March
2003
 
***

Expected return on plans’ assets

   6.75% p.a.      6.75% p.a.     6.8% p.a.  

Discount rate

   5.4% p.a.      5.5% p.a.     5.4% p.a.  

Rate of earnings increase

   4.4% p.a.      4.3% p.a.     3.9% p.a.  

Pension increases

   2.9% p.a.      2.8% p.a.     2.4% p.a.  

US arrangements – assumptions at:

   31 March
2005
 
*
   31 March
2004
 
**
  31 March
2003
 
***

Expected return on plans’ assets

   8.75% p.a.      8.75% p.a.     8.75% p.a.  

Discount rate

   5.75% p.a.      6.25% p.a.     6.75% p.a.  

Rate of earnings increase

   4.0% p.a.      4.0% p.a.     4.0% p.a.  

Inflation rates

   3.0% p.a.      3.0% p.a.     3.0% p.a.  

 

The expected return on plans’ assets has been derived by consideration of the plans’ actual investments, as discussed in Note 28(h).

 

 

*     Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at 31 March 2005.

 

       

**    Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for year ended 31 March 2005 and benefit obligations at 31 March 2004.

 

      

***   Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for year ended 31 March 2004 and benefit obligations at 31 March 2003.

 

     

For the US arrangements the measurement dates for the years ended 31 March 2005, 2004 and 2003 are 31 December 2004, 2003 and 2002 respectively. The measurement dates for the UK arrangements are as at each respective year end.   

(e) Other post-retirement benefits

 

 

PacifiCorp provides healthcare and life insurance benefits through various plans for eligible retirees. The cost of other post-retirement benefits is accrued over the active service period of employees. The transition obligation represents the unrecognised prior service cost and is being amortised over a period of 20 years. PacifiCorp funds other post-retirement benefit expense through a combination of funding vehicles. Over the period from 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005, PacifiCorp made contributions totalling £14.2 million in respect of these arrangements. These funds are invested in common stocks, bonds and US government obligations.

 

     

The net periodic other post-retirement benefit cost and significant assumptions are summarised as follows:

 

 

     2005
£m
     2004
£m
     2003
£m
 

Service cost

   4.6      4.4      3.6  

Interest cost

   16.8      20.2      22.1  

Expected return on plan assets

   (14.3 )    (15.7 )    (18.5 )

Amortisation of experience losses

   3.4      3.9      1.3  

Net periodic other post-retirement benefit cost

   10.5      12.8      8.5  

 

The change in the accumulated other post-retirement benefit obligation, change in plan assets and funded status are as follows:

 

 

Change in accumulated other post-retirement benefit obligation    2005
£m
     2004
£m
     2003
£m
 

Accumulated other post-retirement benefit obligation at beginning of year

   302.1      330.4      331.3  

Service cost

   4.6      4.4      3.6  

Interest cost

   16.8      20.2      22.1  

Plan participants’ contributions

   3.9      4.0      3.9  

Special termination benefit gain

             (0.6 )(i)

Plan amendment

   0.4      0.4       

Actuarial (gain)/loss

   (18.6 )    12.7      26.4  

Benefits paid

   (21.7 )    (22.3 )    (21.8 )

Exchange

   (8.0 )    (47.7 )    (34.5 )

Accumulated other post-retirement benefit obligation at end of year

   279.5      302.1      330.4  

 

(i)  The period to commence the enhanced early retirement benefits under the WTRP ended on 31 December 2002. A credit adjustment of £0.6 million for special termination benefits was necessary to reflect the impact of those participants who did not commence their WTRP benefits by 31 December 2002 because they revoked their earlier election.

    

 

 

 

160    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

34 Summary of differences between UK and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’) continued

 

Change in plan assets   

2005

£m

   

2004

£m

   

2003

£m

 

Plan assets at fair value at beginning of year

   142.3     137.9     184.9  

Actual return on plan assets

   15.5     30.0     (13.8 )

Company contributions

   15.9     14.0     3.0  

Plan participants’ contributions

   3.9     4.0     3.9  

Benefits paid

   (21.7 )   (22.3 )   (21.8 )

Exchange

   (4.3 )   (21.3 )   (18.3 )

Plan assets at fair value at end of year

   151.6     142.3     137.9  
Reconciliation of accrued other post-retirement costs and total amount recognised   

2005

£m

   

2004

£m

   

2003

£m

 

Funded status of plan

   (127.9 )   (159.8 )   (192.5 )

PacifiCorp unrecognised net loss

   88.3     115.5     140.2  

PacifiCorp unrecognised prior service cost

   0.7     0.3      

Final contribution made after measurement date but before 31 March 2005

   13.2     13.8     13.3  

Accrued other post-retirement benefit cost

   (25.7 )   (30.2 )   (39.0 )

 

For other post-retirement benefits the group expects to contribute £15.8 million ($29.9 million) in the year ending 31 March 2006.

 

The actuarial assumptions adopted in arriving at the above figures are as follows:

US arrangements – assumptions at:    31 March
2005*
   31 March
2004**
   31 March
2003***

Expected return on plans’ assets

   8.75% p.a.    8.75% p.a.    8.75% p.a.

Discount rate

   5.75% p.a.    6.25% p.a.    6.75% p.a.

Initial healthcare cost trend – under 65

   7.5% p.a.    8.5% p.a.    9.5% p.a.

Initial healthcare cost trend – over 65

   9.5% p.a.    10.5% p.a.    11.5% p.a.

Initial healthcare cost trend rate

   5.0% p.a.    5.0% p.a.    5.0% p.a.

Year that rate reaches ultimate – under 65

   2007    2007    2007

Year that rate reaches ultimate – over 65

   2009    2009    2009

 

The expected return on plans’ assets has been derived by consideration of the plans’ actual investments, as discussed in Note 28(h).

 

  * Assumptions used to determine other post-retirement benefit obligations at 31 March 2005.

 

  ** Assumptions used to determine net periodic other post-retirement benefit cost for year ended 31 March 2005 and benefit obligations at 31 March 2004.

 

  *** Assumptions used to determine net periodic other post-retirement benefit cost for year ended 31 March 2004 and benefit obligations at 31 March 2003.

 

The measurement dates for the years ended 31 March 2005, 2004 and 2003 are 31 December 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

The healthcare cost trend rate assumption has a significant effect on the amounts reported. Increasing the assumed healthcare cost trend rate by one percentage point would have increased the accumulated other post-retirement benefit obligation (the “APBO”) as at 31 March 2005 by £16.7 million (2004 £17.4 million, 2003 £16.4 million) and the annual net periodic other post-retirement benefit costs by £1.4 million (2004 £1.5 million, 2003 £1.4 million). Decreasing the assumed healthcare cost trend rate by one percentage point would have reduced the APBO as at 31 March 2005 by £14.4 million (2004 £14.7 million, 2003 £14.3 million), and the annual net periodic other post-retirement benefit costs by £1.2 million (2004 £1.3 million, 2003 £1.2 million).

 

   Employee savings and stock ownership plan

 

PacifiCorp has an employee savings and stock ownership plan that qualifies as a tax-deferred arrangement under Section 401(a), 401(k), and 401(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Participating US employees may defer up to 25% of their compensation, subject to certain regulatory limitations. This limit was raised to 50% in February 2004. Employees can select a variety of investment options including ScottishPower American Depository Shares (formerly PacifiCorp shares). PacifiCorp matches 50% of employee contributions on amounts deferred up to 6% of total compensation with that portion vesting over the initial five years of an employee’s participation in the Plan. Thereafter, PacifiCorp contributions vest immediately. PacifiCorp’s matching contribution is allocated based on the employee’s investment selections. PacifiCorp’s additional contribution is allocated based on the employee’s investment selections or to the money market fund if the employee has made no selections. PacifiCorp makes an additional contribution equal to a percentage of the employee’s eligible earnings. These contributions are immediately vested. Employer contributions to the savings plan were £10.7 million for the year ended 31 March 2005 (2004 £10.5 million, 2003 £10.0 million).

 

   (f) Southern Water disposal

 

On 23 April 2002, the group completed the sale of Aspen 4 Limited (the holding company of Southern Water plc) to First Aqua Limited. A summary of the net assets disposed of calculated under US GAAP are detailed in the table below:

 

     £m  

Tangible fixed assets

   2,474.7  

Fixed asset investments

   1.9  

Current assets

   193.1  

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

   (1,053.8 )

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

      

Loans and other borrowings

   (100.0 )

Provisions for liabilities and charges

   (366.6 )

Deferred income

   (37.4 )

Net assets

   1,111.9  

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

34 Summary of differences between UK and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’) continued

 

(g) Asset retirement obligations and accrued environmental costs

 

(i) Asset retirement obligations

 

In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FAS 143 which became effective for the group on 1 April 2003. The group recorded asset retirement obligations for generation plants, landfills and coal mines which qualified as legal obligations under FAS 143. Under the requirements of the statement the group estimates its asset retirement obligations liabilities based upon detailed engineering calculations of the amount and timing of the future cash spending for a third party to perform the required work. Spending estimates are escalated for inflation and then discounted at the appropriate rate. The group then records an asset retirement obligations asset associated with the liability. The asset is depreciated over its expected life and the liability is accreted to the projected spending date. Changes in estimates could occur due to plan revisions, changes in estimated costs and changes in timing of the performance of reclamation activities. In addition, under US regulatory accounting requirements the group records removal costs as part of depreciation expense. Therefore, as a consequence of adopting FAS 143, the net difference between the previously recorded amounts that qualify as asset retirement obligations for regulatory purposes and the fair value amounts determined under FAS 143 have been recognised as a non-cash cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. The cumulative adjustment to US GAAP profits for the year ended 31 March 2004 was £(0.6) million (net of tax). Similarly, the group’s US business recovers asset retirement costs through the rate making process and records a regulatory asset or liability on the balance sheet to account for the difference between asset retirement costs as currently approved in rates and costs under FAS 143. As at 31 March 2005 a regulatory asset of £4.0 million (2004 £2.1 million) had been recorded for this purpose.

 

The following table details the movements on the group’s asset retirement obligation liability during the year.

 

    

Year to
31 March
2005

£m

   

Year to
31 March
2004

£m

 

Asset retirement obligation at beginning of year

   121.2     132.3  

New liabilities

   4.9     11.4  

Obligations utilised

   (2.2 )   (10.8 )

Accretion expense

   6.5     5.4  

Exchange

   (3.1 )   (17.1 )

Asset retirement obligation at end of year

   127.3     121.2  

 

The current portion of the asset retirement obligation as at 31 March 2005 was £9.4 million.

 

The group had trust fund assets of £48.9 million at 31 March 2005 (2004 £47.6 million), relating to mine reclamation, including joint owner’s portions.

 

(ii) Accrued environmental costs

 

Estimates of environmental liabilities are principally based on reports prepared by external consultants. The ultimate cost of environmental disturbance is uncertain and there may be variances from these cost estimates, which could affect future results. Environmental liabilities are generally recorded on an undiscounted basis. These liabilities are recorded in the UK GAAP balance sheet within ‘Provisions for liabilities and charges – other provisions’ and the US GAAP liability as at 31 March 2005 was £15.8 million (2004 £20.3 million).

 

(h) Leveraged leases

 

The pre-tax income from leveraged leases during the year was £2.9 million (2004 £2.9 million), the tax charge on the pre-tax income was £0.8 million (2004 £0.9 million) and the investment tax credit recognised in the income statement was £0.2 million (2004 £0.8 million).

 

(i) Commitments and contingencies

 

(i) Environmental issues

 

UK businesses

 

The group’s UK businesses are subject to numerous regulatory requirements with respect to the protection of the environment, including environmental laws which regulate the construction, operation and decommissioning of power stations, pursuant to legislation implementing environmental directives adopted by the EU and protocols agreed under the auspices of international bodies such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. The group believes that it has taken and continues to take measures to comply with applicable laws and regulations for the protection of the environment. Applicable regulations and requirements pertaining to the environment change frequently, however, with the result that continued compliance may require material investments, or that the group’s costs and results of operation are less favourable than anticipated.

 

PacifiCorp

 

PacifiCorp is subject to numerous environmental laws including: the Federal Clean Air Act, as enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency and various state agencies; the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments; the Endangered Species Act of 1973, particularly as it relates to certain potentially endangered species of fish; the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, relating to environmental cleanups; along with the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 and Clean Water Act relating to water quality. These laws could potentially impact future operations. For those contingencies identified at 31 March 2005, principally Clean Air matters, which are the subject of discussions with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and state regulatory authorities, future costs relating to these matters may be significant and consist primarily of capital expenditures. However, PacifiCorp expects these costs will be included within rates and, therefore, are not expected to have a material impact on the group’s results and financial position.

 

(ii) Hydroelectric relicensing

 

PacifiCorp

 

Approximately 99% of the installed capacity of PacifiCorp’s hydroelectric portfolio is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission through 18 individual licences. Several of PacifiCorp’s hydroelectric projects are at some stage of relicensing under the Federal Power Act. Hydroelectric relicensing and the related environmental compliance requirements are subject to uncertainties. PacifiCorp expects that future costs relating to these matters may be significant and consist primarily of additional relicensing costs, operations and maintenance expense and capital expenditures. PacifiCorp expects future costs relating to these matters may be significant and consist primarily of additional environmental requirements. The group has accumulated approximately £13.8 million in costs for ongoing hydroelectric relicensing and it is expected that these and other future costs will be included in rates, and as such, will not have a material adverse impact on the group’s results and financial position under US GAAP.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

34 Summary of differences between UK and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’) continued

 

(j) Mine reclamation

 

PacifiCorp

 

All of PacifiCorp’s mining operations are subject to reclamation and closure requirements. Compliance with these requirements could result in higher expenditures for both capital improvements and operating costs.

 

(k) Regulation

 

PacifiCorp

 

The Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) of the FASB concluded in 1997 that FAS 71 should be discontinued when detailed legislation or regulatory orders regarding competition are issued. Additionally, the EITF concluded that regulatory assets and liabilities applicable to businesses being deregulated should be written-off unless their recovery is provided through future regulated cash flows. PacifiCorp continuously evaluates the appropriateness of applying FAS 71 to each of its jurisdictions. At 31 March 2005, the group concluded that FAS 71 was appropriate. However, if efforts to deregulate progress, the group may in the future be required to discontinue its application of FAS 71 to all or a portion of its business. Based on the group’s US regulatory net asset balance under US GAAP at 31 March 2005, if the group stopped applying FAS 71 to its remaining regulated US operations, it would have recorded an after tax loss of £337.2 million under US GAAP in relation to this balance.

 

(l) Guarantees

 

In accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 45 ‘Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others: an Interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57 and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34’ (“FIN 45”), the group is required to disclose certain guarantees as defined in FIN 45. These guarantees principally relate to the group’s disposal of its former operations and are typical of these types of transactions. Furthermore, disclosure is required under FIN 45 of guarantees even where the likelihood that a liability will crystallise is remote. FIN 45 also requires recognition of liabilities under US GAAP of the fair value of certain guarantees issued or modified after 31 December 2002. No such guarantees have been identified. The disclosures required to be made under FIN 45 are detailed below:

 

At 31 March 2005, the group had entered into a number of transactions involving the sale of parts of its business and the purchase of certain businesses and assets in accordance with overall group strategy. These transactions include the disposal of Southern Water, the demerger of Thus plc, the sale and disposal of the group’s Appliance Retailing business and the disposal of other non-core activities.

 

It is standard practice in such transactions to obtain or grant contractual assurances, including in the form of warranties and indemnities. In conducting merger, disposal or acquisition transactions the group takes significant steps to quantify and mitigate risk at the outset of any transaction and as the transaction progresses. Steps include carrying out, or granting the facility for the conduct of, a thorough due diligence exercise to ascertain any likely liabilities and, where the group is the vendor, the use of caps and threshold levels for liability, inserting time limits on claim periods and detailed disclosure.

 

Under certain of the business disposals, indemnities under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 (“the Regulations”) are still outstanding. These indemnities relate to potential liabilities with respect to former employees of the group in relation to their period of employment in the group. Typically there is no maximum limit on claims under these indemnities.

 

Recourse via tax warranties and indemnities remains outstanding on the same basis as stated above and in relation to the disposal of ScottishPower Telecommunications (Services) Limited, a former subsidiary of Thus plc. These expire on 30 October 2005. The maximum financial exposure under these arrangements is £7.5 million. No claims have been intimated in relation to this arrangement and the directors consider it extremely unlikely that there will be any material financial exposure to the group under this arrangement.

 

On 23 April 2002, the group sold Aspen 4 Limited, the owner of the Southern Water group of companies. In such transactions it is standard practice for the vendor to give assurances, in the form of warranties and indemnities to the purchaser. In relation to this transaction the warranty liability period commenced on 23 April 2002 and ends on 23 April 2007 for environmental warranties and on 23 April 2009 for tax warranties. The warranty liability period for all other warranties expired on 23 April 2004. The sale and purchase agreement contains a number of limitations to and exclusions of liability and maximum financial exposure for breach of the warranties (apart from tax warranties) is capped at £900.0 million. For the tax warranties the maximum exposure is approximately £1,950.0 million. There are also minimum threshold claim levels to be reached before a potential claim arises at all and thereafter as to whether it can be made. The directors consider it extremely unlikely that there will be any material financial exposure to the group under these arrangements as a detailed due diligence exercise was carried out pre-disposal and detailed disclosures were made to the purchaser so as to make them aware of all relevant information concerning the business and, consequentially, to reduce the likelihood of claims being made against the group.

 

On 8 October 2001, certain business and assets of the group’s former Appliance Retailing business were sold and the remainder of the business was closed. In such transactions it is standard practice for the vendor to give assurances in the form of certain warranties and indemnities to the purchaser. In relation to this transaction the warranty liability period commenced on 8 October 2001 and ended on 8 October 2003 with the exception of taxation and pensions warranties which end in October 2007. The stated limit for all warranty claims was £75.0 million. Under the transaction a number of properties were assigned to the purchaser. The purchaser became insolvent in August 2003. By operation of law and through the putting in place of standard agreements at the time of the sale, the liability for rent and certain other items due under some of these lease arrangements have reverted to the group. The maximum liability to the group for rental payments in the event of insolvency of the purchaser was estimated at approximately £9.0 million per annum. Steps have been and are still being taken to mitigate the liability that arises from this, including surrendering leases to landlords and putting in place new tenants to take over the liability. It is thus extremely unlikely that the group will ultimately become liable to this extent.

 

On 3 August 2000, the group agreed to sell Powercor Australia Ltd. In such transactions it is standard practice for the vendor to give certain warranties and indemnities to the purchaser. The group agreed to indemnify the purchaser for any breaches of representations relating to tax warranties or tax claims as defined therein until August 2005. The indemnity is limited by a AUD$15.0 million basket, with the group liable for the excess over this amount only and an overall cap of AUD$300.0 million. No claims have been intimated in relation to the above noted arrangements and the directors consider it extremely unlikely that there will be any material financial exposure to the group under these arrangements.

 

To the extent that claims based upon the arrangements below are limited by applicable statutes, the limitation periods generally vary from three to six years, depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the claim.

 

In connection with the sale of PacifiCorp’s Montana service territory, PacifiCorp entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Flathead Electric Cooperative (“Flathead”) dated 9 October 1998. Under the agreement, PacifiCorp indemnified Flathead for losses, if any, occurring after the closing date and arising as a result of certain breaches of warranty or covenants. The indemnification has a cap of $10.1 million until October 2008 and a cap of $5.1 million thereafter (less expended costs to date). Two indemnity claims relating to environmental issues have been tendered, but remediation costs for this claim, if any, are not expected to create a material financial exposure for the group.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

34 Summary of differences between UK and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’) continued

 

On 15 October 2001, the group sold its synthetic fuels operation. In such transactions it is standard practice for the vendor to give certain warranties and indemnities to the purchaser. The group agreed to indemnify the purchaser from losses suffered as a result of fraud or breach of representation or warranty, within 30 days of the expiration of the applicable statutory period of limitations. The established basket and cap do not apply to the surviving representations and warranties. The group also agreed to indemnify the purchaser for tax liabilities up to the closing date; this indemnity also expires within 30 days of the expiration of the statutory period of limitations. No claims have been intimated in relation to the above noted arrangements and the directors consider it extremely unlikely that there will be any material financial exposure to the group under these arrangements.

 

PacifiCorp and its subsidiaries have made certain commitments related to the decommissioning or reclamation of certain jointly-owned facilities and mine sites. The decommissioning guarantees require such companies to pay a proportionate share of the decommissioning costs based upon percentage of ownership. The mine reclamation obligations require such companies to pay the mining entity a proportionate share of the mine’s reclamation costs based on the amount of coal purchased by PacifiCorp and its subsidiaries. In the event of default by any of the other joint participants, such companies are potentially obliged to absorb, directly or by paying additional sums to the project entity, a share, or all, of the defaulting party’s liability. The group has recorded its estimated share of the decommissioning and reclamation obligations.

 

ScottishPower Energy Retail Limited (“SPERL”) has entered into an agreement with Lloyds TSB in relation to energy marketing and services. This agreement contains indemnities in relation to transfer of staff by operation of the Regulations from SPERL to Lloyds TSB. The maximum liability is limited to £5.0 million. No claims have been intimated.

 

Under certain cash collateral agreements, Automated Power Exchange (UK) Limited, UK Power Exchange and Elexon can draw down and use cash collateral in event of default situations including upon a change in credit rating. The maximum financial exposure under these arrangements is £13.4 million.

 

Under the group’s arrangements carried out in accordance with the standard terms and conditions of the International Swap Dealers Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) Master Agreement there is a provision that the group will indemnify the counterparty for certain withholding taxes incurred under relevant tax laws. A liability under this indemnification will only arise on the occurrence of certain changes to tax laws in the jurisdiction of a relevant counterparty. The directors are not aware of any such contemplated changes.

 

(m) Consolidation of Variable-Interest Entities

 

In December 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No.46 ‘Consolidation of Variable-Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No.51’ (“FIN 46R”) which became effective for the group on 1 April 2004. FIN 46R requires existing unconsolidated variable-interest entities (“VIEs”) to be consolidated by their primary beneficiaries if the entities do not effectively disperse risks among parties involved. The adoption of FIN 46R did not have a material impact on the group’s results and financial position under US GAAP. The group continues to evaluate the impact of FIN 46R as implementation guidance evolves. If subsequent guidance or interpretation is different from management’s current understanding, it is possible that the group’s identification of VIEs and primary beneficiaries could change.

 

VIEs required to be consolidated

PacifiCorp holds an undivided interest in 50.0% of the 474 MW Hermiston plant, procures 100.0% of the fuel input and subsequently acquires 100.0% of the generated electricity. Since PacifiCorp owns only 50.0% of the plant, it is required to purchase 50.0% of the generated electricity from the joint owner (in which PacifiCorp holds no equity interest) through a long-term purchase power agreement. As a result, PacifiCorp holds a variable-interest in the joint owner of the remaining 50.0% of the plant and is the primary beneficiary. However, upon adoption of FIN 46R PacifiCorp was unable to obtain the information necessary to consolidate the entity as the entity did not agree to supply the information due to the lack of a contractual obligation to do so. PacifiCorp continues to request from the entity the information necessary to perform the consolidation; however, no information has yet been provided by the entity. Electricity purchased from the joint owner was £18.4 million (2004 £19.9 million, 2003 £22.0 million). The entity is operated by the equity owners and PacifiCorp has no risk of loss in relation to the entity in the event of a disaster.

 

Significant variable-interests in VIEs not required to be consolidated

 

PacifiCorp is a party to certain operating and coal purchase agreements with Trapper Mining, Inc. that create a variable interest under the provisions of FIN 46R. Trapper Mining, Inc. owns and operates the Trapper mine near Craig, Colorado, and produces 100.0% of its output for the benefit of the Craig Power Plant. PacifiCorp has a 21.4% equity interest in Trapper Mining, Inc. and also holds a 19.3% undivided interest in the Craig Power Plant. Since each equity investor in Trapper Mining, Inc. also holds a similar interest in the Craig Power Plant, and since none of the joint owners have more than a 50.0% interest in the Craig Power Plant or Trapper Mining, Inc. none of the joint owners are required to consolidate Trapper Mining, Inc.

 

(n) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

The group uses derivative instruments in the normal course of business, to offset fluctuations in earnings, cash flows and equity associated with movements in exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices.

 

FAS 133 ‘Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities’, as amended by FAS 138, was adopted by the group with effect from 1 April 2001. In April 2003, the FASB issued FAS 149, which amends and clarifies financial reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. This statement was effective for contracts entered into or modified after 30 June 2003. In applying this statement, the group began marking-to-market certain transactions that were entered into after 30 June 2003 that, prior to the implementation of FAS 149, would have qualified for the normal purchase and normal sales exemption under FAS 133.

 

FAS 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities. FAS 133 requires that an entity recognises all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. FAS 133 prescribes requirements for designation and documentation of hedging relationships and ongoing assessments of effectiveness in order to qualify for hedge accounting.

 

Hedge effectiveness is assessed consistently with the method and risk management strategy documented for each hedging relationship. On at least a quarterly basis, the group assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship retrospectively and prospectively to ensure that hedge accounting was appropriate for the prior period and continues to be appropriate for future periods. The group applies the short cut method of assessing effectiveness when possible. The group considers hedge accounting to be appropriate if the assessment of hedge effectiveness indicates that the change in fair value of the designated hedging instrument is 80% to 125% effective at offsetting the change in fair value arising on the hedged risk of the hedged item or transaction.

 

The effect of changes in fair value of certain derivative instruments entered into to hedge PacifiCorp’s future retail resource requirements are subject to regulation in the US and therefore are deferred pursuant to FAS 71. PacifiCorp requested and received deferred accounting orders for the effects of FAS 133 as it relates to the change in value of certain long-term wholesale electricity contracts not meeting the definition of normal purchases and normal sales contracts.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

34 Summary of differences between UK and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’) continued

 

Categories of derivatives

 

Derivatives are classified into four categories: fair value hedges, cash flow hedges, overseas net investment hedges and trading.

 

If a derivative instrument qualifies as a fair value hedge the change in the fair value of the derivative and the change in the fair value of hedged risk arising on the hedged item is recorded in earnings. The corresponding change is recorded against the book values of the derivative and hedged item on the balance sheet.

 

If a derivative instrument qualifies as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the hedging instrument’s gain or loss is reported in shareholders’ funds under US GAAP (as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income) and is recognised in earnings in the period during which the transaction being hedged affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the derivative’s fair value change is recorded in earnings.

 

For derivative instruments designated as a hedge of the foreign currency risk in an overseas net investment, gains or losses due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates are recorded in the cumulative translation adjustment within shareholders’ funds under US GAAP (as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income).

 

If a derivative instrument does not qualify as either a net investment hedge or a cash flow hedge under the applicable guidance, the change in the fair value of the derivative is immediately recognised in earnings or as an adjustment to the FAS 71 regulatory asset as appropriate.

 

Derivative instruments are not generally held by the company for speculative trading purposes. To the extent such instruments are held they are measured at fair value with gains or losses recorded in earnings. The net fair value of trading derivatives at 31 March 2005 was £(0.1) million.

 

Certain contracts that meet the definition of a derivative under FAS 133 may qualify as a normal purchase, normal sale exception and be excluded from the scope of FAS 133. Specific criteria must be met in order for a contract that would otherwise be regarded as a derivative to qualify as a normal purchase or a normal sale. The group has evaluated all commodity contracts to determine if they meet the definition of a derivative and qualify as a normal purchase or a normal sale.

 

The group also evaluates contracts for “embedded” derivatives, and considers whether any embedded derivatives have to be separated from the underlying host contract and accounted for separately in accordance with FAS 133 requirements. Where embedded derivatives have terms that are not clearly and closely related to the terms of the host contract in which they are included, they are accounted for separately from the host contract as derivatives, with changes in the fair value recorded in earnings, to the extent that the hybrid instrument is not already accounted for at fair value.

 

Discontinued hedge accounting

 

When hedge accounting is discontinued due to the group’s determination that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective fair value hedge, the group will continue to carry the derivative on the balance sheet at its fair value. The related hedged asset or liability will cease to be adjusted for changes in fair value relating to the previously hedged risk.

 

When the group discontinues hedge accounting in a cash flow hedge because it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur in the expected period, the gain or loss on the derivative remains in accumulated other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings.

 

However, if it is probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur by the end of the originally specified time period or within an additional two-month period of time thereafter, the gains and losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income will be recognised in earnings.

 

Where a derivative instrument ceases to meet the criteria for hedge accounting, any subsequent gains and losses are recognised in earnings.

 

Fair value hedges

 

The group seeks to maintain a desired level of floating rate debt, and uses interest rate and cross-currency swaps to manage interest rate and foreign currency risk arising from long-term debt obligations denominated in sterling and foreign currencies. The group does not exclude any component of derivative gains and losses from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The ineffective portion of fair value hedges as at 31 March 2005 resulted in a gain of £2.8 million recorded for the year ended 31 March 2005.

 

Cash flow hedges

 

A desired level of fixed rate debt is maintained through the use of interest rate and cross-currency swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts are used to fix the exchange rate on future contracted purchases of assets. These transactions are accounted for as cash flow hedges. The group does not exclude any component of derivative gains and losses from the assessment of ineffectiveness. The amount of ineffectiveness for cash flow hedges recorded for the year ended 31 March 2005 was £nil. Net realised losses on cash flow hedges totalling £5.5 million were transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income into income during the year to match the underlying hedged items recognised in the income statement. The group estimates that losses of £4.4 million on cash flow hedges in place at the year end will be transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income into income during 2005/06.

 

Net investment hedges

 

The group uses foreign currency forwards and cross-currency swaps to protect the value of its investments in operations denominated in foreign currencies. The group excludes the spot-forward difference from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. In the year ended 31 March 2005 the group recorded a £85.4 million translation adjustment gain related to net investment hedges.

 

(o) Recent US accounting pronouncements

 

In May 2004, the FASB released FASB Staff Position No. 106-2, ‘Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003’ (“FASB SP No. 106-2”). FASB SP No. 106-2 provides guidance on the accounting for the effects of the Medicare Act. The Medicare Act introduced a prescription drug benefit under Medicare, as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health plans which include prescription drug benefits. Employers that sponsor post-retirement healthcare plans that offer prescription drug benefits must determine if their prescription drug benefits are actuarially equivalent to the drug benefit provided under Medicare Part D as of the date of enactment of the Medicare Act to be entitled to receive the subsidy. Employers are required to disclose the effect of the federal subsidy afforded by the Medicare Act if its prescription drug benefits are determined to be actuarially equivalent to the Medicare Part D benefit. FASB SP No. 106-2 was effective for the first interim period or annual period beginning after 15 June 2004. Adopting FASB SP No. 106-2 did not have a material impact on the group’s results and financial position under US GAAP. In January 2005, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released final regulations for implementing the Medicare Act. These regulations provide guidance for making a determination of whether the benefits under a plan will meet the definition of actuarial equivalence. As this was subsequent to PacifiCorp’s measurement date, these regulations had no impact on the year ended 31 March 2005. The group does not expect these regulations to have a material impact on the group’s results and financial position under US GAAP during the year ending 31 March 2006.

 

In June 2004, EITF issued EITF No. 03-1, ‘The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments’ (“EITF No. 03-1”). Application guidance in EITF No. 03-1 should be used to determine whether an investment is considered impaired, whether an impairment is other than temporary, and the measurement of any such impairment. The guidance also includes accounting and disclosure considerations. In September 2004, the FASB issued FASB EITF No. 03-1-1, ‘Effective date of paragraphs 10-20 of EITF No. 03-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments’ (“FASB EITF No. 03-1-1”). FASB EITF No. 03-1-1 delayed the previously required effective date of 1 July 2004 for the group regarding the measurement and recognition guidance contained in the applicable paragraphs. The delay of the effective date is likely to be superseded with the final issuance of a FASB Staff Position on other-than-temporary impairments of investments. The adoption of the measurement and recognition guidance of EITF No. 03-1, if implemented in its present form, is not anticipated to have a material impact on the group’s results and financial position under US GAAP.

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    165


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Group Accounts continued

 

    for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

34 Summary of differences between UK and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (‘GAAP’) continued

 

(o) Recent US accounting pronouncements continued

 

In November 2004, the FASB issued FAS 151, ‘Inventory Costs’ (“FAS 151”). FAS 151 requires that abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material (spoilage) be included as current-period charges, eliminating the option for capitalisation. This statement is effective for inventory costs incurred after 1 April 2006. This statement is not expected to have a material impact on the group’s results and financial position under US GAAP.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued FAS 153, ‘Exchanges of Non-monetary Assets’ (“FAS 153”), which amends APB Opinion No. 29, ‘Accounting for Non-monetary Transactions’ (“APB No. 29”). FAS 153 eliminates the exception from fair value measurement for non-monetary exchanges of similar productive assets in APB No. 29 and replaces it with an exception for exchanges that do not have commercial substance. This statement specifies that a non-monetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. This statement is effective for any exchanges of non-monetary assets that occur after 1 April 2006. This statement is not expected to have a material impact on the group’s results and financial position under US GAAP.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued FAS 123R, ‘Share-Based Payment’ (“FAS 123R”), a revision of the originally issued FAS 123 ‘Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation’. FAS 123R establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. In March 2005, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 107 (“SAB 107”), which provides additional guidance in applying the provisions of FAS 123R. FAS 123R requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognised in the financial statements using the fair value method. The intrinsic value method of accounting established by APB No. 25 ‘Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation’ will no longer be allowed. SAB 107 describes the SEC staff’s expectations in determining the assumptions that underlie the fair value estimates and discusses the interaction of FAS 123R with other existing SEC guidance. In April 2005, the effective date of FAS 123R was deferred until the beginning of the financial year that begins after 15 June 2005, however early adoption is encouraged. A modified prospective application is required for new awards and to awards modified, repurchased or cancelled after the required effective date. The provisions of SAB 107 will be applied upon adoption of FAS 123R. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material impact on the group’s results and financial position under US GAAP.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 109-1, ‘Application of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, to the Tax Deduction on Qualified Production Activities Provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004’ (“FASB SP No. 109-1”). This tax deduction will be treated as a “special deduction” as described in FAS 109, ‘Accounting for Income Taxes’. As such, the special deduction has no effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities existing at the enactment date. Rather, the impact of this deduction will be reported in the period in which the deduction could be claimed on a separate return basis in accordance with the group’s accounting policy. FASB SP No. 109-1 became effective upon issuance. The impact of the deduction to the group will depend on the application of forthcoming guidance from the Internal Revenue Service and therefore the group continues to evaluate the effect that FASB SP No. 109-1 will have on its results and financial position under US GAAP.

 

In March 2005, the FASB issued FIN 47, ‘Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations’ (“FIN 47”). FIN 47 clarifies that the term “conditional asset retirement obligation” as used in FAS 143, refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. The obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional even though uncertainty exists about the timing and/or method of settlement. FIN 47 clarifies that an entity is required to recognise a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation when incurred if the liability’s fair value can be reasonably estimated. FIN 47 is effective at the end of the financial year ending after 15 December 2005. The group is currently evaluating the impact of adopting FIN 47 on its results and financial position under US GAAP.

 

35 Subsequent events

 

On 24 May 2005, the group announced that agreement had been reached to sell PacifiCorp to MidAmerican for a total consideration of $9.4 billion resulting in net proceeds of $5.0 billion after allowing for net debt and estimated costs. The price is payable on completion of the sale, which is subject to regulatory and shareholder approval, and is anticipated to take 12 to 18 months. It is not anticipated that there will be any material tax consequences arising from the disposal. It is proposed to return approximately $4.5 billion of the net proceeds to shareholders following completion of the sale.

 

 

 

166    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents
Ø   Company Balance Sheet

 

    as at 31 March 2005

 

     Notes   

2005

£m

    

2004

£m

 

Fixed assets

                  

Investments

   36    4,013.9      4,013.9  

Current assets

                  

Debtors

   37    2,477.9      408.9  

Short-term bank and other deposits

        0.1      1.0  
          2,478.0      409.9  

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

                  

Loans and other borrowings

   38    (1,619.5 )    (491.4 )

Other creditors

   39    (152.6 )    (145.5 )
          (1,772.1 )    (636.9 )

Net current assets/(liabilities)

        705.9      (227.0 )

Total assets less current liabilities

        4,719.8      3,786.9  

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

                  

Loans and other borrowings

   38    (798.5 )     

Net assets

        3,921.3      3,786.9  

Called up share capital

   40    932.7      929.8  

Share premium

   40    2,294.7      2,275.7  

Capital redemption reserve

   40    18.3      18.3  

Profit and loss account

   40    675.6      563.1  

Equity shareholders’ funds

   40    3,921.3      3,786.9  

 

Approved by the Board on 24 May 2005 and signed on its behalf by

 

LOGO

  

LOGO

Charles Miller Smith

  

David Nish

Chairman

  

Finance Director

 

The Accounting Policies and Definitions on pages 107 to 111, together with the Notes on pages 116 to 166 and 168 to 169 form part of these Accounts.

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    167


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Notes to the Company Balance Sheet

 

    as at 31 March 2005

 

36 Fixed asset investments

 

          Subsidiary
undertakings
Shares
£m

Cost or valuation:

         

At 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2005

        4,013.9

37 Debtors

         
    

2005

£m

   2004
£m

Amounts falling due within one year:

         

Loans to subsidiary undertakings

   2,471.8    408.4

Interest due from subsidiary undertakings

   4.8   

Corporate tax debtor

   1.1   

Other debtors

   0.2    0.5
     2,477.9    408.9

38 Loans and other borrowings

 

         
     2005
£m
  

2004

£m

Loans and other borrowings are repayable as follows:

         

Within one year, or on demand

   1,619.5    491.4

After more than one year

   798.5   
     2,418.0    491.4

 

Loans from subsidiary undertakings of £1,619.5 million (2004 £491.4 million) are due within one year.

 

The US dollar bonds of £798.5 million (2004 £nil) are repayable as follows: due between four and five years £289.9 million (2004 £nil) and in more than five years £508.6 million (2004 £nil).

 

39 Other creditors

 

    

2005

£m

  

2004

£m

Amounts falling due within one year:

         

Interest due to subsidiary undertakings

   8.3    4.0

Corporate tax

      24.7

Accrued expenses

   4.9    3.9

Proposed dividend

   139.4    112.9
     152.6    145.5

 

40 Analysis of movements in shareholders’ funds

 

    

Number

of shares

000s

   Share
capital
£m
   Share
premium
£m
  

Capital
redemption
reserve

£m

   Profit
and loss
account
£m
    

Total

£m

 

At 1 April 2004

   1,859,539    929.8    2,275.7    18.3    563.1      3,786.9  

Retained profit for the year

               126.2      126.2  

Share capital issued

                                 

      – ESOP

   2,776    1.4    9.8            11.2  

      – PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan

   3,029    1.5    9.2            10.7  

Consideration paid in respect of purchase of own shares held under trust

               (26.7 )    (26.7 )

Credit in respect of employee share awards

               5.5      5.5  

Consideration received in respect of sale of own shares held under trust

               7.5      7.5  

At 31 March 2005

   1,865,344    932.7    2,294.7    18.3    675.6      3,921.3  

 

41 Profit and loss account

 

As permitted by Section 230 of the Companies Act 1985, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account. The company’s profit and loss account was approved by the Board on 24 May 2005. The profit for the financial year per the Accounts of the company was £538.8 million (2004 £171.3 million). The retained profit for the year of £126.2 million is stated after dividends of £412.6 million.

 

42 Contingent liabilities

 

In consideration of Scottish Power UK plc agreeing to subscribe for preference shares in SP Finance, the company has unconditionally and irrevocably agreed to indemnify and hold harmless Scottish Power UK plc against any liability or loss incurred as a direct result of Scottish Power UK plc being or having been a member of SP Finance.

 

The company has unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed the due payment of all sums expressed to be payable by Scottish Power Finance (Jersey) Limited under its US$700 million 4.00% step-up perpetual subordinated convertible bond issue. The bond guarantee constitutes direct and unsecured obligations of the company. In the event of a winding-up of the company, the claims of the bondholders to payment under the bond guarantee will be subordinated in right of payment to the claims of all senior creditors of the company and senior to the claims of holders of ordinary shares.

 

 

 

168    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents
Ø   Principal Subsidiary Undertakings and Other Investments

 

Subsidiary undertakings   

Class of share

capital

    Proportion
of shares
held
   Activity

Core Utility Solutions Limited

   ‘A’ Ordinary shares £1 *   100%   

Multi-utility design and construction service

CRE Energy Limited (Northern Ireland)

   Ordinary shares £1     100%   

Wind-powered electricity generation

PacifiCorp (USA)

   Common stock     100%    Regional electricity company

PacifiCorp Financial Services, Inc. (USA)

   Common stock     100%    Finance company

PacifiCorp Group Holdings Company (USA)

   Common stock     100%    Investment holding

PacifiCorp Holdings, Inc. (USA)

   Common stock     100%    US holding company

PacifiCorp UK Limited**

   Voting shares $1     100%    Finance company

PPM Energy, Inc. (USA)

   Common stock     100%    Wholesale power marketer, developer of wind-power projects and provider of natural gas storage/hub services

Scottish Power (DCL) Limited

   Ordinary shares £1     100%    Electricity generation

ScottishPower Energy Management Limited

   Ordinary shares £1     100%    Wholesale energy management company engaged in purchase and sale of electricity, gas and coal

ScottishPower Energy Management (Agency) Limited

   Ordinary shares £1     100%    Agent for energy management activity of ScottishPower Energy Management Limited and Scottish Power UK plc

ScottishPower Energy Retail Limited

   Ordinary shares £1     100%    Supply of electricity and gas to domestic and business customers

ScottishPower Generation Limited

   Ordinary shares £1     100%    Electricity generation

ScottishPower Insurance Limited (Isle of Man)

   Ordinary shares £1     100%    Insurance

ScottishPower Investments Limited

   Ordinary shares £1     100%    Holding company

ScottishPower NA 1 Limited#

   Ordinary shares £1     100%    Holding company

ScottishPower NA 2 Limited#

   Ordinary shares £1     100%    Holding company

Scottish Power Finance (Jersey) Limited (Jersey)#

   Ordinary shares of no par value     100%    Finance company

Scottish Power Finance (US), Inc. (USA)##

   Common Stock     100%    Finance company

Scottish Power (SCPL) Limited

   ‘A’ and ‘B’ Ordinary shares £1     100%    Electricity generation

Scottish Power (SOCL) Limited

   ‘A’ and ‘B’ Ordinary shares £1     100%    Management services

Scottish Power UK Holdings Limited#

   Ordinary shares 50p     100%    Holding company

Scottish Power UK plc

   Ordinary shares 50p     100%    Holding company

SP Dataserve Limited

   Ordinary shares £1     100%    Data collection, data aggregation, meter operation and revenue protection

SP Distribution Limited

   Ordinary shares £1     100%    Ownership and operation of distribution network within the ScottishPower area

SP Finance#

   Ordinary shares £0.01     100%    Finance company

SP Finance 2 Limited#

   Ordinary shares £1     100%    Holding company

SP Manweb plc

   Ordinary shares 50p     100%    Ownership and operation of distribution network within the Mersey and North Wales area

SP Power Systems Limited

   Ordinary shares £1     100%    Provision of asset management services

SP Transmission Limited

   Ordinary shares £1     100%    Ownership and operation of transmission network within the ScottishPower area

Fixed asset investments

Joint ventures

               

CeltPower Limited

   ‘B’ Ordinary shares £1 *   100%    Wind-powered electricity generation

Colorado Wind Ventures LLC (USA)###

   Not applicable     50%    Wind-powered electricity generation

N.E.S.T. Makers Limited

   ‘B’ Ordinary shares £1 *   100%    Energy efficiency agent for the ‘fuel poor’/benefit market

ScotAsh Limited

   ‘B’ Ordinary shares £1 *   100%    Sales of ash and ash-related cementitious products

Scottish Electricity Settlements Limited

   Ordinary shares £1     50%    Scottish electricity settlements

Associated undertaking

               

Wind Resources Limited

   ‘B’ Ordinary shares £1 ***   100%    Wind-powered electricity generation

 

  Notes

 

  * Represents 50% of the total issued share capital.

 

  ** 100% of the following classes of shares in PacifiCorp UK Limited are also indirectly held: ‘A’ Non-Voting Shares of $3,189.26 each; ‘B’ Non-Voting Shares of $3,446.41 each; ‘C’ Non-Voting Shares of $4,874.18 each; ‘D’ Non-Voting Shares of $2,924.90 each; ‘E’ Non-Voting Shares of $4,874.18 each; ‘F’ Non-Voting Shares of $3,883.54 each.

 

  *** Represents 45% of the total issued share capital.

 

  # The investment in this company is a direct holding of Scottish Power plc.

 

  ## Scottish Power Finance (US), Inc. is a 100% owned finance subsidiary of Scottish Power plc who will fully and unconditionally guarantee any securities issued by Scottish Power Finance (US), Inc.

 

  ### Colorado Wind Ventures LLC elected to be treated as a partnership and therefore has no defined class of share capital.

 

The directors consider that to give full particulars of all undertakings would lead to a statement of excessive length. The information above includes the undertakings whose results or financial position, in the opinion of the directors, principally affect the results or financial position of the group.

 

All companies are incorporated in Great Britain, unless otherwise stated.

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    169


Table of Contents

    Accounts 2004/05

 

 

Ø   Independent Auditors’ Report

 

    to the members of Scottish Power plc

 

We have audited the Accounts which comprise the Accounting Policies and Definitions, the Group Profit and Loss Account, the Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses, the Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders’ Funds, the Group Cash Flow Statement, the Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to Movement in Net Debt, the Group Balance Sheet, the Statement of Principal Subsidiary Undertakings and Other Investments, the Company Balance Sheet and the related notes. We have also audited the disclosures required by Part 3 of Schedule 7A to the Companies Act 1985 contained in the Remuneration Report of the Directors (‘the auditable part’).

 

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors

 

The directors’ responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report & Accounts in accordance with applicable United Kingdom law and accounting standards are set out in the statement of directors’ responsibilities. The directors are also responsible for preparing the Remuneration Report of the Directors.

 

Our responsibility is to audit the Accounts and the auditable part of the Remuneration Report of the Directors in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and United Kingdom Auditing Standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board. This report, including the opinion, has been prepared for and only for the company’s members as a body in accordance with Section 235 of the Companies Act 1985 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving this opinion, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

 

We report to you our opinion as to whether the Accounts give a true and fair view and whether the Accounts and the auditable part of the Remuneration Report of the Directors have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985. We also report to you if, in our opinion, the Report of the Directors is not consistent with the Accounts, if the company has not kept proper accounting records, if we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit, or if information specified by law regarding directors’ remuneration and transactions is not disclosed.

 

We read the other information contained in the Annual Report & Accounts and consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the Accounts. The other information comprises only the Chairman’s Statement, the Chief Executive’s Review, the Business Review, the Financial Review, the Risk Factors, the Corporate Governance statement, and the unaudited part of the Remuneration

 

Report of the Directors.

 

We review whether the corporate governance statement reflects the company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the 2003 FRC Combined Code specified for our review by the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority, and we report if it does not. We are not required to consider whether the board’s statements on internal control cover all risks and controls, or to form an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s or group’s corporate governance procedures or its risk and control procedures.

 

Basis of audit opinion

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Auditing Standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the Accounts and the auditable part of the Remuneration Report of the Directors. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the directors in the preparation of the Accounts, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the group’s circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed.

 

We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the Accounts and the auditable part of the Remuneration Report of the Directors are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the Accounts.

 

Opinion

 

In our opinion:

 

Ø     the Accounts give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and the group at 31 March 2005 and of the loss and cash flows of the group for the year then ended;

 

Ø     the Accounts have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985; and

 

Ø     those parts of the Remuneration Report of the Directors required by Part 3 of Schedule 7A to the Companies Act 1985 have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985.

 

LOGO

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors

Glasgow

24 May 2005

 

 

 

170    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents
Ø   Five Year Summary

 

            Years ended 31 March  
            2005     2005     2004     2003     2002     2001  
     Notes      $m     £m     £m     £m     £m     £m  

UK GAAP Information

Profit and Loss Account Information:

                                           

Turnover

                                           

– continuing operations

          12,945     6,849     5,797     5,247     5,523     5,410  

– discontinued operations

                      27     791     939  

Total turnover

          12,945     6,849     5,797     5,274     6,314     6,349  

Operating profit

                                           

– continuing operations

          289     153     1,023     932     636     569  

– discontinued operations

                      14     141     153  

Total operating profit

          289     153     1,023     946     777     722  

Operating profit (as adjusted)

   (a )                                     

– continuing operations

          2,262     1,197     1,151     1,071     801     815  

– discontinued operations

                      14     143     155  

Total operating profit (as adjusted)

          2,262     1,197     1,151     1,085     944     970  

(Loss)/profit before taxation

                                           

– continuing operations

          (55 )   (29 )   792     686     276     264  

– discontinued operations

                      11     (1,215 )   116  

Total (loss)/profit before taxation

          (55 )   (29 )   792     697     (939 )   380  

Profit before taxation (as adjusted)

   (a )                                     

– continuing operations

          1,918     1,015     920     825     460     509  

– discontinued operations

                      11     107     119  

Total profit before taxation (as adjusted)

          1,918     1,015     920     836     567     628  

(Loss)/profit for financial year

                                           

– continuing operations

          (582 )   (308 )   538     475     214     151  

– discontinued operations

                      8     (1,201 )   157  

Total (loss)/profit for financial year

          (582 )   (308 )   538     483     (987 )   308  

Cash dividends

          (781 )   (413 )   (375 )   (530 )   (503 )   (477 )

Dividend in specie on demerger of Thus

                          (437 )    

Balance Sheet Information:

                                           

Total assets

          27,114     14,346     13,806     13,858     16,244     16,910  

Capital expenditure (net)

   (b )    1,816     961     901     717     1,229     1,095  

Long-term liabilities

          14,447     7,644     6,985     7,244     8,314     7,788  

Net debt

          7,838     4,147     3,725     4,321     6,208     5,285  

Equity shareholders’ funds

          7,526     3,982     4,691     4,555     4,668     5,833  

Net assets

          7,632     4,038     4,752     4,629     4,755     6,119  

Basic weighted average share capital (number of shares, million)

          1,831     1,831     1,830     1,844     1,838     1,830  

Diluted weighted average share capital (number of shares, million)

          1,928     1,928     1,890     1,848     1,840     1,837  

Ratios and statistics:

                                           

(Loss)/earnings per ordinary share

                                           

– continuing operations

          $(0.3181 )   (16.83 )p   29.40 p   25.76 p   11.65 p   8.26 p

– discontinued operations

                      0.41 p   (65.36 )p   8.54 p

Total (loss)/earnings per ordinary share

          $(0.3181 )   (16.83 )p   29.40 p   26.17 p   (53.71 )p   16.80 p

Earnings per ordinary share (as adjusted)

   (d )                                     

– continuing operations

          $0.7602     40.22 p   36.40 p   33.30 p   21.04 p   19.19 p

– discontinued operations

                      0.41 p   5.08 p   8.67 p

Total earnings per ordinary share (as adjusted)

          $0.7602     40.22 p   36.40 p   33.71 p   26.12 p   27.86 p

Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary share

          $(0.3181 )   (16.83 )p   28.83 p   26.11 p   (53.64 )p   16.74 p

(Loss)/earnings per ScottishPower ADS

   (c )    $(1.27 )   £(0.67 )   £1.18     £1.05     £(2.15 )   £0.67  

Earnings per ScottishPower ADS (as adjusted)

   (c),(d )    $3.04     £1.61     £1.46     £1.35     £1.04     £1.11  

Diluted (loss)/earnings per ScottishPower ADS

   (c )    $(1.27 )   £(0.67 )   £1.15     £1.04     £(2.15 )   £0.67  

Cash dividends per ScottishPower ordinary share

          $0.4253     22.50 p   20.50 p   28.708 p   27.34 p   26.04 p

Cash dividends per ScottishPower ADS

   (c )    $1.65     £0.90     £0.82     £1.15     £1.09     £1.04  

Dividend cover (as adjusted)

   (d )    1.79 x   1.79 x   1.78 x   1.17 x   0.95 x   1.07 x

Interest cover (as adjusted)

   (d )    6.3 x   6.3 x   4.9 x   4.3 x   2.5 x   3.0 x

Gearing

   (e )    104%     104%     79%     95%     133%     91%  

US GAAP Information

                                           

Total turnover

          10,283     5,441     4,817     4,613     5,365     5,537  

(Loss)/profit for the financial year

          (936 )   (495 )   742     789     (887 )   387  

(Loss)/earnings per ordinary share

   (f )    $(0.5107 )   (27.02 )p   40.54 p   42.81 p   (48.26 )p   21.13 p

Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary share

          $(0.5107 )   (27.02 )p   39.19 p   42.70 p   (48.26 )p   21.05 p

(Loss)/earnings per ScottishPower ADS

   (c),(f )    $(2.04 )   £(1.08 )   £1.62     £1.71     £(1.93 )   £0.85  

Diluted (loss)/earnings per ScottishPower ADS

   (c )    $(2.04 )   £(1.08 )   £1.57     £1.71     £(1.93 )   £0.84  

Total assets

          28,528     15,094     15,079     15,259     17,818     18,646  

Equity shareholders’ funds under US GAAP

          9,061     4,794     5,730     5,480     5,850     7,463  

 

  (a) Operating profit (as adjusted) and Profit before taxation (as adjusted) exclude the effect of exceptional items and goodwill amortisation as applicable.

 

  (b) Capital expenditure is stated net of capital grants and customer contributions.

 

  (c) (Loss)/earnings and Cash dividends per ScottishPower ADS have been calculated based on a ratio of four ScottishPower ordinary shares to one ScottishPower ADS. Cash dividends per ScottishPower ADS are shown based on the actual amounts in US dollars.

 

  (d) The adjusted figures for Earnings per ordinary share, Earnings per ScottishPower ADS, Dividend cover and Interest cover exclude the effects of exceptional items and goodwill amortisation as applicable.

 

  (e) Gearing is calculated by dividing Net debt by Equity shareholders’ funds.

 

  (f) As permitted under UK GAAP, (loss)/earnings per share have been presented including and excluding the impact of the exceptional items and goodwill amortisation to provide an additional measure of underlying performance. In accordance with US GAAP, (loss)/earnings per share have been presented based on US GAAP earnings, without adjustments for the impact of UK GAAP exceptional items and goodwill amortisation. Such additional measures of underlying performance are not permitted under US GAAP.

 

  (g) Amounts for the financial year ended 31 March 2005 have been translated, solely for the convenience of the reader, at $1.89 to £1.00, the closing exchange rate on 31 March 2005.

 

 

 

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   Accounts 2004/05

 

Ø   Glossary of Financial Terms and US Equivalents

 

UK Financial Terms used in Annual Report & Accounts

     US equivalent or definition

Accounts

     Financial statements

Associates

     Equity investees

Capital allowances

     Tax depreciation

Capital redemption reserve

     Other additional capital

Creditors

     Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

     Current liabilities

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

     Long-term liabilities

Employee share schemes

     Employee stock benefit plans

Employee costs

     Payroll costs

Finance lease

     Capital lease

Financial year

     Fiscal year

Fixed asset investments

     Non-current investments

Freehold

     Ownership with absolute rights in perpetuity

Gearing

     Leverage

Investment in associates and joint ventures

     Securities of equity investees

Loans to associates and joint ventures

     Indebtedness of equity investees not current

Net asset value

     Book value

Operating profit

     Net operating income

Other debtors

     Other current assets

Own work capitalised

    

Costs of group’s employees engaged in the construction

of plant and equipment for internal use

Profit

     Income

Profit and loss account (statement)

     Income statement

Profit and loss account (in the balance sheet)

     Retained earnings

Profit/(loss) for financial year

     Net income/(loss)

Profit on sale of fixed assets

     Gain on disposal of non-current assets

Provision for doubtful debts

     Allowance for bad and doubtful accounts receivable

Provisions

     Long-term liabilities other than debt and specific accounts payable

Recognised gains and losses (statement)

     Comprehensive income

Reserves

     Shareholders’ equity other than paid-up capital

Share premium account

     Additional paid-in capital or paid-in surplus (not distributable)

Shareholders’ funds

     Shareholders’ equity

Stocks

     Inventories

Tangible fixed assets

     Property, plant and equipment

Trade debtors

     Accounts receivable (net)

Turnover

     Revenues

 

 

 

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IFRS Financial Information

 

   

Ø  IFRS Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 March 2005 173

 

Ø  Reconciliation of the Group Profit and Loss Account under UK GAAP to the Group Income Statement under IFRS for the year ended 31 March 2005 179

 

Ø  Reconciliation of the Group Balance Sheet under UK GAAP to IFRS as at 1 April 2004 180

 

Ø  Reconciliation of the Group Balance Sheet under UK GAAP to IFRS as at 31 March 2005 181

 

Ø  Notes to Income Statement Reclassifications 182

 

  

Ø  Notes to Balance Sheet Reclassifications 182

 

Ø  Notes to IFRS Remeasurements 183

 

Ø  Group Cash Flow Statement under IFRS for the year ended 31 March 2005 184

 

Ø  Independent Auditors’ Report 185

 

Ø  Summary of Cumulative Results under IFRS for the three months ended 30 June 2004, the six months ended 30 September 2004 and the nine months ended 31 December 2004 186

 

Ø  Summary of IAS 39 Accounting Policies for the year ending 31 March 2006 187

 

Ø  Glossary of Financial Terms and IFRS Equivalents 191

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

 

IFRS Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

     S.   Grants and contributions
     T.   Pensions and other post-retirement benefits
     U.   Share-based payment
     V.   Environmental liabilities

The principal accounting policies applied in preparing the group’s consolidated IFRS financial information for the year ended 31 March 2005 are set out below. These are arranged to broadly follow the captions as they appear in the Group Income Statement and Group Balance Sheet. The principal accounting policies comprise the following:

    

 

A. Basis of accounting

The group’s consolidated reconciliation of UK GAAP to IFRS for the year ended 31 March 2005 has been prepared to describe the changes that will arise on transition from 1 April 2004. As such, it does not comprise a full set of financial statements that have been prepared to present fairly the results and financial position of the group in accordance with IFRS. The group’s IFRS accounting policies as they are applied for the year ended 31 March 2005 have been adopted on the basis of all IFRS issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and which have either been endorsed by the European Union (“EU”) or where there is a reasonable expectation of endorsement by the EU by the time the group prepares its first annual Accounts in accordance with IFRS for the year ending 31 March 2006. In particular, this assumes that the EU will adopt revised IAS 19 (2004) ‘Employee Benefits’ issued by the IASB in December 2004 and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”) 4 ‘Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease’. It also assumes that the EU will not adopt IFRIC 3 ‘Emission Rights’ in its current form.

A.   Basis of accounting     
B.   Basis of consolidation     
C.   Goodwill     
D.   Foreign currencies     
E.   Use of estimates     
F.   Revenue     
G.   Operating profit     
H.   Taxation     
I.   Intangible assets (excluding goodwill)     
J.   Tangible fixed assets     
K.   Borrowing costs     
L.   Impairment of tangible and intangible assets     
    (excluding goodwill)     
M.   Mine reclamation and closure costs     
N.   Decommissioning costs     
O.   Leased assets     
P.   Financial instruments     
Q.   Inventories     
R.   US regulatory assets     

 

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IFRS Financial Information

 

 

Due to the continuing work of the IASB, further standards, amendments and interpretations could be applicable for the group’s Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2006 as practice is continuing to evolve. Consequently, the group’s accounting policies may change prior to the publication of those Accounts.

The group’s date of transition to IFRS was 1 April 2004. On transition to IFRS, the group has taken advantage of the following exemptions to assist groups with the transition process contained within IFRS 1 ‘First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards’:

Ø Business combinations: The group has elected not to restate business combinations accounted for prior to 1 April 2004, the group’s date of transition to IFRS. Acquisitions after this date, namely Damhead Creek and Brighton Power Station, have been restated to comply with IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’;

Ø Revaluation as deemed cost: Manweb distribution assets, which were last revalued in 1997, have been deemed to be recorded at cost;

Ø Employee benefits: The cumulative actuarial losses relating to pensions and other post-retirement benefits at the date of transition to IFRS have been recognised in retained earnings;

Ø Financial instruments: The group has elected not to prepare comparative information in accordance with IAS 32 ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation’ and IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’. These standards will be applied with effect from 1 April 2005; and

Ø Share-based payment: The group has applied IFRS 2 ‘Share-based Payment’ to equity instruments granted after 7 November 2002.

The group has elected not to take advantage of the IFRS 1 exemption to reset the translation reserve to zero at the date of transition to IFRS.

As permitted by IFRS 1, the standards relating to financial instruments, IAS 32 and IAS 39 are to be applied with effect from 1 April 2005. Therefore, the impact of these standards has not been included in the IFRS financial information set out on pages 179 to 184. The group has continued to use its previous UK GAAP accounting policies, as amended by IAS 21 ‘The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates’ for financial instruments, as set out in accounting policy ‘P. Financial instruments’ below, in preparing the IFRS financial information for the year ended 31 March 2005.

 

B. Basis of consolidation

 

The group’s consolidated IFRS financial information for the year ended 31 March 2005 incorporates the financial information of the company and its subsidiaries to 31 March. Subsidiaries are those entities over which the group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies, generally accompanying a shareholding that confers more than half of

  

the voting rights. For commercial reasons certain subsidiaries have a different year end. The consolidated IFRS financial information includes the financial information of these subsidiaries as adjusted for material transactions in the period between the year ends and 31 March.

On acquisition, the assets and liabilities of a subsidiary are measured at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The cost of an acquisition is measured at the fair value of any assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange, plus costs directly attributable to the acquisition. Any excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recognised as goodwill. The interest of minority shareholders is stated at the minority’s proportion of the fair values of the assets and liabilities recognised. In accordance with the exemption permitted by IFRS 1, business combinations accounted for prior to the group’s date of transition to IFRS have not been restated to comply with IFRS 3.

The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the income statement from the effective date of acquisition or up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate.

The consolidated IFRS financial information includes the group’s share of the post-tax results and net assets under IFRS of associates and jointly controlled entities using the equity method of accounting. Associates are all entities over which the group has significant influence, but not control, generally accompanying a shareholding that confers between 20% to 50% of the voting rights. Jointly controlled entities are those entities over which the group has joint control with one or more other parties and over which there has to be unanimous consent by all parties to the strategic, financial and operating decisions.

 

C. Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of the purchase consideration over the group’s share of the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of an acquired subsidiary, associate, jointly controlled entity or business at the date of acquisition.

Goodwill is recognised as an asset and reviewed for impairment at least annually and whenever there is an indicator of impairment. Goodwill is carried at cost less amortisation charged prior to the group’s transition to IFRS on 1 April 2004 less accumulated impairment losses. Any impairment is recognised in the period in which it is identified.

On disposal of a subsidiary, associate, jointly controlled entity or business, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal.

Goodwill arising on acquisitions after 31 March 1998 but prior to the group’s date of transition to IFRS has been retained as an asset at the previous UK GAAP amounts as at that date. As required by IFRS 1, this goodwill was reviewed for impairment as at the date of transition to IFRS.

 

 

 

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Goodwill arising on acquisitions prior to 1 April 1998 was written off against reserves under UK GAAP. It has not been reinstated as an asset on transition to IFRS as permitted by IFRS 1 and will not be included in determining any subsequent profit or loss on disposal. Further details of goodwill written off to reserves are set out in Note 26 to the Accounts.

 

D. Foreign currencies

 

Items included in the IFRS financial information for each of the group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (functional currency). The group’s consolidated IFRS financial information is presented in sterling, which is the group’s presentational currency.

The results and cash flows of overseas subsidiaries are translated to sterling at the average rate of exchange for each quarter of the financial year. The net assets of such subsidiaries and the goodwill arising on their acquisition are translated to sterling at the closing rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date.

Exchange differences which relate to the translation of overseas subsidiaries and to foreign currency borrowings and derivatives to the extent that they are effective net investment hedges are taken directly to the group’s translation reserve and are included in the statement of recognised income and expense. Such translation differences are recognised as income or as expense in the period in which the operation is disposed.

Cumulative translation differences in respect of the period prior to the group’s date of transition to IFRS have been transferred to the translation reserve, as required by IAS 21. These amounts will be included in the determination of any future gain or loss on disposal of the related operations.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and translated at the closing rate of exchange.

 

E. Use of estimates

 

The preparation of accounts in accordance with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Accounts and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results can differ from those estimates.

 

F. Revenue

 

Revenue comprises the sales value of energy and other services supplied to customers during the year and excludes Value Added Tax and intra-group sales. Revenue from the sale of energy is the value of units supplied during the year and includes an estimate of the value of units supplied to customers between the date of their last meter reading and the year end, based on external data supplied by the electricity and gas market settlement processes.

 

G. Operating profit

 

The group’s share of the post-tax results of associates and jointly controlled entities is included within operating profit as the operations are closely related to those of the parent and other subsidiaries.

 

H. Taxation

 

The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using the tax rates that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on the difference between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheet and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profits, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period in which the liability is settled or the asset is realised, on a non-discounted basis, and is charged in the income statement, except where it relates to items charged or credited to equity via the statement of recognised income and expense, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity and is shown in the statement of recognised income and expense.

 

I. Intangible assets (excluding goodwill)

 

I1. Hydroelectric relicensing costs

 

Costs relating to the relicensing of the group’s hydroelectric plants are capitalised and amortised, generally on a straight-line basis, over the period of the licence.

 

I2. Computer software costs

 

The costs of acquired computer software costs are capitalised on the basis of the costs incurred to acquire and bring to use the specific software and are amortised over their operational lives. Costs directly associated with the development of computer software programs that will probably generate economic benefits over a period in excess of one year are capitalised and amortised over their estimated operational lives. Costs include employee costs relating to software development and an appropriate proportion of directly attributable overheads.

 

I3. Emission allowances

 

The group recognises liabilities in respect of its obligations to deliver emission allowances to the extent that the allowances to be delivered exceed those previously acquired by the group, either by allocation from the government or a similar body or through purchase. Any liabilities recognised are measured based on the current estimates of the amounts that will be

 

 

 

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IFRS Financial Information

 

 

             

required to satisfy the net obligation.

This accounting policy is consistent with the group’s accounting policy previously applied under UK and US GAAP. It does not reflect the accounting rules contained within IFRIC 3 as it is highly unlikely that the EU will endorse this IFRIC.

 

J. Tangible fixed assets

 

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost (or ‘deemed cost’ as determined in accordance with the transitional provisions contained within IFRS 1) and are generally depreciated on the straight-line method to their residual values over their estimated operational lives. Tangible fixed assets include capitalised employee, interest and other costs that are directly attributable to construction of fixed assets. Reviews are undertaken annually of the estimated remaining lives and residual values of tangible fixed assets. Residual values are assessed based on prices prevailing at each balance sheet date. Land is not depreciated, except in the case of mines, as set out in accounting policy ‘M. Mine reclamation and closure costs’ below. The main depreciation periods used by the group are as set out below.

       

M. Mine reclamation and closure costs

 

Provision is made for mine reclamation and closure costs when an obligation arises out of events prior to the balance sheet date. The amount recognised is the present value of the estimated future expenditure determined in accordance with local conditions and requirements. A corresponding tangible fixed asset is also created of an amount equal to the provision. This asset, together with the cost of the mine, is subsequently depreciated on a unit of production basis. The unwinding of the discount is included within finance costs.

 

N. Decommissioning costs

 

Provision is made, on a discounted basis, for the estimated decommissioning costs at the end of the producing lives of the group’s power stations. Capitalised decommissioning costs are depreciated over the useful lives of the related assets. The unwinding of the discount is included within finance costs.

 

O. Leased assets

 

O1. The group as lessee

 

Assets leased under finance leases where substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the group, are capitalised and depreciated over the shorter of the lease periods and the estimated operational lives of the assets. The corresponding liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and reduction of the lease obligations so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance charges are charged directly against income, unless they are directly attributable to qualifying assets, in which case they are capitalised in accordance with the group’s accounting policy on ‘Borrowing costs’. Rentals payable under operating leases, where a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessors, are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the leases.

 

O2. The group as lessor

 

Rentals receivable under finance leases where substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the lessee are allocated to accounting periods to give a constant periodic rate of return on the net investment in the lease in each period. The amounts due from lessees under finance leases are recorded in the balance sheet as a receivable at the amount of the net investment in the lease after making provisions for impairment of rentals receivable.

 

P. Financial instruments (UK GAAP policies, as amended by IAS 21, applied in the preparation of the consolidated IFRS financial information for the year ended 31 March 2005 – See ‘A. Basis of accounting’ above)

 

The accounting policies below, which have been applied in preparing the IFRS financial information for the year ended 31 March 2005,

    Years        

Coal, oil-fired, gas and other generating stations

  22 – 45        

Hydro plant and machinery

  20 – 100        

Other buildings

  40        

Transmission and distribution plant

  20 – 75        

Towers, lines and underground cables

  40 – 60        

Vehicles, miscellaneous equipment and fittings

  3 – 40        

 

Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed during the period in which they are incurred.

 

K. Borrowing costs

 

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of major qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use, are added to the cost of those assets, until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use. All other borrowing costs are recognised in the income statement in the period in which they are incurred.

 

L. Impairment of tangible and intangible assets (excluding goodwill)

 

At each balance sheet date, the group reviews its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets may have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit to which the asset belongs.

       

 

 

 

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are those policies applied by the group under UK GAAP for the year then ended as amended for IAS 21. The group will adopt revised accounting policies for financial instruments prospectively from 1 April 2005, when it implements IAS 32 and IAS 39.

 

P1. Debt instruments

 

All borrowings are stated at the fair value of the consideration received after deduction of issue costs. The issue costs and interest payable on bonds are charged to the income statement at a constant rate over the life of the bond. Premiums or discounts arising on the early repayment of borrowings are recognised in the income statement as incurred or received.

Convertible bonds are presented as a single carrying amount within Non-current liabilities. Conversion is not anticipated and the finance cost is calculated on the assumption that the bonds will never be converted.

 

P2. Interest rate swaps/Forward rate agreements

 

These are used to manage debt interest rate exposures. Amounts payable or receivable in respect of these agreements are recognised as adjustments to interest expense over the period of the contracts. Where associated debt is not retired in conjunction with the termination of an interest swap, gains and losses are deferred and are amortised to interest expense over the remaining life of the associated debt to the extent that such debt remains outstanding.

 

P3. Interest rate caps/Swaptions/Options

 

Premiums received and payable on these contracts are amortised over the period of the contracts and are disclosed as interest income and expense. The accounting for interest rate caps and swaptions is otherwise in accordance with interest rate swaps detailed above.

 

P4. Cross-currency interest rate swaps

 

These are used both to hedge foreign exchange and interest rate exposures arising on foreign currency debt and to hedge overseas net investment in foreign operations. Where used to hedge debt issues, swaps currently showing a gain are included within Non-current assets or Current assets as appropriate and swaps currently showing a loss are included within Non-current liabilities or Current liabilities. The debt is recorded at the closing rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date and the accounting is otherwise in accordance with interest rate swaps detailed above. Where used to hedge overseas net investment, spot gains or losses are recorded on the balance sheet and in the statement of recognised income and expense, with interest recorded in the income statement.

 

P5. Forward contracts

 

The group enters into forward contracts for the purchase and/or sale of foreign currencies in order to manage its exposure to fluctuations in currency

 

rates and to hedge overseas net investment. Unrealised gains and losses on contracts hedging forecast transactions are not accounted for until the maturity of the contract. Foreign currency debtors and creditors are translated at the closing rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Spot gains or losses on hedges of the overseas net investments are recorded on the balance sheet and in the statement of recognised income and expense with the interest rate differential reflected in the income statement.

 

P6. Hydroelectric and temperature hedges

 

These instruments are used to hedge fluctuations in weather and temperature in the US. On a periodic basis, the group estimates and records a gain or loss in the income statement corresponding to the total expected future cash flows from these contracts.

 

P7. Commodity contracts

 

Where there is no physical delivery associated with commodity contracts, they are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet and movements are reflected through the income statement. Gas and electricity future contracts are undertaken for hedging and proprietary trading purposes. Where the instrument is a hedge, the fair values are initially reflected on the balance sheet and subsequently reflected through the income statement to match the recognition of the hedged item. Where the instrument is for proprietary trading, the fair values are reflected through the income statement.

 

Q. Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of average cost and net realisable value.

 

R. US regulatory assets

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 71 ‘Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation’ (“FAS 71”) establishes US GAAP for utilities in the US whose regulators have the power to approve and/or regulate rates that may be charged to customers. FAS 71 provides that regulatory assets may be capitalised if it is probable that future revenue in an amount at least equal to the capitalised costs will result from the inclusion of that cost in allowable costs for ratemaking purposes. Due to the different regulatory environment, no equivalent IFRS exists.

 

S. Grants and contributions

 

Capital grants and customer contributions in respect of additions to fixed assets are treated as deferred income within Non-current liabilities and released to the income statement over the estimated operational lives of the related assets.

 

T. Pensions and other post-retirement benefits

 

The group provides pensions through defined benefit schemes. The cost of providing benefits is determined using the projected

 

 

 

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IFRS Financial Information

 

 

   

unit credit method, with actuarial valuations being carried out at each balance sheet date. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full, directly in retained earnings, in the period in which they occur and are shown in the statement of recognised income and expense. The current service cost element of the pension charge is deducted in arriving at operating profit. The expected return on pension scheme assets and interest on pension scheme liabilities are included within finance income and finance costs. The retirement benefits obligation recognised in the balance sheet represents the net deficit in the group’s defined pension schemes together with the net deficit in the group’s other post-retirement benefit arrangements, principally healthcare benefits, which are accounted for on a similar basis to the group’s defined benefit pension schemes.

 

U. Share-based payments

 

IFRS 2 has been applied to all grants of equity instruments after 7 November 2002 in accordance with the transitional provisions of the standard. The group issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain employees under the terms of the group’s various employee share and share option schemes. Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair value at the date of grant. The fair value determined at the grant date of equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on an estimate of the shares that will ultimately vest.

 

Fair value is measured by use of a Monte Carlo simulation method in respect of the group’s Long Term Incentive Plan and the binomial method for the group’s other share schemes. The expected lives used in the models have been adjusted for estimates of the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

Own shares held under trust for the group’s employee share schemes are deducted in arriving at shareholders’ equity. Purchases and sales of own shares are disclosed as changes in shareholders’ equity.

 

V. Environmental liabilities

 

Provision for environmental liabilities is made when expenditure on remedial work is probable and the group is obliged, either legally or constructively through its environmental policies, to undertake such work. Where the amount is expected to be incurred over the long-term, the amount recognised is the present value of the estimated future expenditure and the unwinding of the discount is included within finance costs.

 

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Ø   Reconciliation of the Group Profit and Loss Account under UK GAAP to the Group Income Statement under IFRS for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

                           IFRS remeasurements           
     UK
GAAP
         IFRS
reclassifications
        

Dividends

IAS 10

       Income
taxes
IAS 12
         Property,
plant and
equipment
IAS 16
         Leases
IAS 17/
IFRIC
4
         Employee
benefits
IAS 19
         Impairment
IAS 36
       Share-
based
payment
IFRS 2
       Business
combinations
IFRS 3
         Goodwill
IFRS 3
       IFRS  
     £m          £m          £m        £m          £m          £m          £m          £m        £m        £m          £m        £m  

Revenue

   6,848.8          (2.9 )                                                                                 6,845.9  

Cost of sales

   (4,567.2 )                                          7.2                                 (10.0 )               (4,570.0 )

Gross profit

   2,281.6          (2.9 )                                 7.2                                 (10.0 )               2,275.9  

Transmission and distribution costs

   (606.2 )                                 1.3          0.1                                                 (604.8 )

Administrative expenses before goodwill amortisation and exceptional item

   (511.3 )                                 0.4                   14.3                 0.4                        (496.2 )

Goodwill amortisation

   (117.5 )                                                                                   117.5         

Exceptional item – impairment of goodwill

   (927.0 )                                                            5.0                               (922.0 )

Administrative expenses

   (1,555.8 )                                 0.4                   14.3          5.0        0.4                 117.5        (1,418.2 )

Other operating income

   33.0                                                                                            33.0  

Operating profit before associates and jointly controlled entities

   152.6          (2.9 )                        1.7          7.3          14.3          5.0        0.4        (10.0 )        117.5        285.9  

Share of profit of associates

   3.8          (1.6 )                                                                                 2.2  

Share of profit/(loss) of jointly controlled entities

   2.2          (4.4 )                                                                                 (2.2 )

Operating profit before goodwill amortisation and exceptional item

   1,203.1          (8.9 )                        1.7          7.3          14.3                 0.4        (10.0 )               1,207.9  

Goodwill amortisation

   (117.5 )                                                                                   117.5         

Exceptional item – impairment of goodwill

   (927.0 )                                                            5.0                               (922.0 )

Operating profit

   158.6          (8.9 )                        1.7          7.3          14.3          5.0        0.4        (10.0 )        117.5        285.9  

Finance income

   150.2          33.3                                   9.4          142.7                                        335.6  

Finance costs

   (338.1 )        (26.2 )                                 (16.7 )        (142.1 )                                      (523.1 )

Net finance costs

   (187.9 )        7.1                                   (7.3 )        0.6                                        (187.5 )

Profit on ordinary activities before goodwill amortisation, exceptional item and taxation

   1,015.2          (1.8 )                        1.7                   14.9                 0.4        (10.0 )               1,020.4  

Goodwill amortisation

   (117.5 )                                                                                   117.5         

Exceptional item – impairment of goodwill

   (927.0 )                                                            5.0                               (922.0 )

(Loss)/profit before taxation

   (29.3 )        (1.8 )                        1.7                   14.9          5.0        0.4        (10.0 )        117.5        98.4  

Income tax expense

   (274.1 )        1.8                 (16.3 )        (0.5 )        4.1          (5.1 )                      3.0                 (287.1 )

Loss after taxation

   (303.4 )                        (16.3 )        1.2          4.1          9.8          5.0        0.4        (7.0 )        117.5        (188.7 )

Minority interests

                                                                                                                       

– equity

   (1.3 )                                                                                          (1.3 )

– non-equity

   (3.4 )                                                                                          (3.4 )

Loss for the financial year

   (308.1 )                        (16.3 )        1.2          4.1          9.8          5.0        0.4        (7.0 )        117.5        (193.4 )

Dividends

   (412.6 )                 26.5                                                                          (386.1 )

Transferred from reserves

   (720.7 )                 26.5        (16.3 )        1.2          4.1          9.8          5.0        0.4        (7.0 )        117.5        (579.5 )

Loss per ordinary share

   (16.83 )p                                                                                                              (10.56 )p

Adjusting items

                                                                                                                       

– goodwill amortisation

   6.42p                                                                                                                 

– exceptional item – impairment of goodwill

   50.63p                                                                                                                50.36p  

Earnings per ordinary share before goodwill amortisation and exceptional item

   40.22p                                                                                                                39.80p  

Diluted loss per ordinary share

   (16.83 )p                                                                                                              (10.56 )p

Adjusting item – effect of anti-dilutive shares

   1.42p                                                                                                                1.10p  
     (15.41 )p                                                                                                              (9.46 )p

Adjusting items

                                                                                                                       

– goodwill amortisation

   6.10p                                                                                                                 

– exceptional item – impairment of goodwill

   48.08p                                                                                                                47.82p  

Diluted earnings per ordinary share before goodwill amortisation and exceptional item

   38.77p                                                                                                                38.36p  

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    179


Table of Contents

IFRS Financial Information

 

Ø   Reconciliation of the Group Balance Sheet under UK GAAP to IFRS as at 1 April 2004

 

                 IFRS remeasurements        
    

UK
GAAP

£m

    IFRS
reclassifications
   

Dividends
IAS 10

£m

  

Income
taxes
IAS 12

£m

  

Leases
IAS 17/
IFRIC 4

£m

    Employee
benefits
IAS 19
   

IFRS

£m

 
       £m             £m    

Non-current assets

                                        

Intangible assets

                                        

– goodwill

   1,855.9                       1,855.9  

– other intangible assets

       306.5                   306.5  

Property, plant and equipment

   8,756.6     (306.5 )         54.7     (13.2 )   8,491.6  

Investments accounted for using the equity method

   65.0                       65.0  

Other investments

   129.8                       129.8  

Trade and other receivables

       78.0                   78.0  

Finance lease receivables

       82.5           93.2         175.7  

Non-current assets

   10,807.3     160.5           147.9     (13.2 )   11,102.5  

Current assets

                                        

Inventories

   185.5                       185.5  

Trade and other receivables

   1,466.7     (129.7 )                 1,337.0  

Finance lease receivables

       12.3           13.9         26.2  

Cash and cash equivalents

   1,347.3                       1,347.3  

Current assets

   2,999.5     (117.4 )         13.9         2,896.0  

Total assets

   13,806.8     43.1           161.8     (13.2 )   13,998.5  

Current liabilities

                                        

Loans and other borrowings

   (410.7 )   (0.4 )                 (411.1 )

Obligations under finance leases

                 (18.9 )       (18.9 )

Trade and other payables

   (1,658.7 )   248.9     112.9               (1,296.9 )

Current tax liabilities

       (237.7 )                 (237.7 )

Short-term provisions

       (84.7 )                 (84.7 )

Current liabilities

   (2,069.4 )   (73.9 )   112.9       (18.9 )       (2,049.3 )

Non-current liabilities

                                        

Loans and other borrowings (including convertible bonds)

   (4,661.1 )   (10.1 )                 (4,671.2 )

Obligations under finance leases

       (15.0 )         (166.2 )       (181.2 )

Trade and other payables

       (17.6 )                 (17.6 )

Retirement benefit obligations

       (152.1 )             (465.0 )   (617.1 )

Deferred tax liabilities

   (1,242.2 )          25.4    19.2     167.0     (1,030.6 )

Long-term provisions

   (504.5 )   225.6                   (278.9 )

Deferred income

   (577.8 )                     (577.8 )

Non-current liabilities

   (6,985.6 )   30.8        25.4    (147.0 )   (298.0 )   (7,374.4 )

Total liabilities

   (9,055.0 )   (43.1 )   112.9    25.4    (165.9 )   (298.0 )   (9,423.7 )

Net assets

   4,751.8         112.9    25.4    (4.1 )   (311.2 )   4,574.8  

Equity

                                        

Share capital

   929.8                       929.8  

Share premium

   2,275.7                       2,275.7  

Revaluation reserve

   41.6     (41.6 )                  

Capital redemption reserve

   18.3                       18.3  

Merger reserve

   406.4                       406.4  

Translation reserve

       484.6                   484.6  

Retained earnings

   1,019.1     (443.0 )   112.9    25.4    (4.1 )   (311.2 )   399.1  

Equity attributable to equity holders of Scottish Power plc

   4,690.9         112.9    25.4    (4.1 )   (311.2 )   4,513.9  

Minority interests

                                        

– equity

   3.4                       3.4  

– non-equity

   57.5                       57.5  

Total equity

   4,751.8         112.9    25.4    (4.1 )   (311.2 )   4,574.8  

Net asset value per ordinary share

   256.2p                                 246.6p  

 

 

 

180    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents
Ø   Reconciliation of the Group Balance Sheet under UK GAAP to IFRS as at 31 March 2005

 

                IFRS remeasurements        
   

UK GAAP

£m

   

IFRS

reclassifications

   

Dividends

IAS 10

£m

 

Income

taxes

IAS 12

£m

   

Property,

plant and

equipment
IAS 16

£m

   

Leases

IAS 17/

IFRIC 4

£m

   

Employee

benefits

IAS 19

£m

   

Impairment
IAS 36

£m

 

Business
combinations

IFRS 3

£m

   

Goodwill

IFRS 3

£m

   

IFRS

£m

 
    £m                    

Non-current assets

                                                             

Intangible assets

                                                             

– goodwill

  765.2                           5.0       114.9     885.1  

– other intangible assets

  80.2     301.1                         28.2         409.5  

Property, plant and equipment

  9,602.8     (301.1 )         1.7     48.9     (17.4 )             9,334.9  

Investments accounted for using the equity method

  53.1                                     53.1  

Other investments

  120.3                                     120.3  

Trade and other receivables

      56.2                                 56.2  

Finance lease receivables

      80.8               77.6                   158.4  

Non-current assets

  10,621.6     137.0           1.7     126.5     (17.4 )   5.0   28.2     114.9     11,017.5  

Current assets

                                                             

Inventories

  185.4                                     185.4  

Trade and other receivables

  1,791.3     (115.8 )                               1,675.5  

Finance lease receivables

      7.3               10.0                   17.3  

Cash and cash equivalents

  1,747.8                                     1,747.8  

Current assets

  3,724.5     (108.5 )             10.0                   3,626.0  

Total assets

  14,346.1     28.5           1.7     136.5     (17.4 )   5.0   28.2     114.9     14,643.5  

Current liabilities

                                                             

Loans and other borrowings

  (553.4 )   6.3                                 (547.1 )

Obligations under finance leases

                    (14.5 )                 (14.5 )

Trade and other payables

  (2,110.5 )   338.2     139.4                             (1,632.9 )

Current tax liabilities

      (338.9 )                               (338.9 )

Short-term provisions

      (80.1 )                               (80.1 )

Current liabilities

  (2,663.9 )   (74.5 )   139.4           (14.5 )                 (2,613.5 )

Non-current liabilities

                                                             

Loans and other borrowings (including convertible bonds)

  (5,341.4 )   (20.8 )                               (5,362.2 )

Obligations under finance leases

      (14.0 )             (144.8 )                 (158.8 )

Trade and other payables

      (2.7 )                               (2.7 )

Retirement benefit obligations

      (133.8 )                 (501.7 )             (635.5 )

Deferred tax liabilities

  (1,333.5 )         7.0     (0.5 )   22.9     177.9       (35.2 )       (1,161.4 )

Long-term provisions

  (399.5 )   217.3                                 (182.2 )

Deferred income

  (570.1 )                                   (570.1 )

Non-current liabilities

  (7,644.5 )   46.0       7.0     (0.5 )   (121.9 )   (323.8 )     (35.2 )       (8,072.9 )

Total liabilities

  (10,308.4 )   (28.5 )   139.4   7.0     (0.5 )   (136.4 )   (323.8 )     (35.2 )       (10,686.4 )

Net assets

  4,037.7         139.4   7.0     1.2     0.1     (341.2 )   5.0   (7.0 )   114.9     3,957.1  

Equity

                                                             

Share capital

  932.7                                     932.7  

Share premium

  2,294.7                                     2,294.7  

Revaluation reserve

  45.5     (39.7 )                               5.8  

Capital redemption reserve

  18.3                                     18.3  

Merger reserve

  406.4                                     406.4  

Translation reserve

      484.6       (2.1 )       0.1     4.6           (2.6 )   484.6  

Retained earnings

  284.4     (444.9 )   139.4   9.1     1.2         (345.8 )   5.0   (7.0 )   117.5     (241.1 )

Equity attributable to equity holders of Scottish Power plc

  3,982.0         139.4   7.0     1.2     0.1     (341.2 )   5.0   (7.0 )   114.9     3,901.4  

Minority interests

                                                             

– equity

  3.2                                     3.2  

– non-equity

  52.5                                     52.5  

Total equity

  4,037.7         139.4   7.0     1.2     0.1     (341.2 )   5.0   (7.0 )   114.9     3,957.1  

Net asset value per ordinary share

  217.3 p                                                     212.9 p

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    181


Table of Contents

   IFRS Financial Information

 

 

Ø   Notes to Income Statement Reclassifications

 

Certain income statement items, previously reported under UK GAAP, have been reclassified to comply with the format of the group’s Accounts as presented under IFRS. The reclassifications below do not have any effect on the group’s previously reported net income.

 

(i) IAS 28/31 – Associates/jointly controlled entities

The group’s share of the operating profit, interest and tax of associates and jointly controlled entities has been combined and disclosed on one line as share of profits of associates and jointly controlled entities in accordance with IAS 28 and IAS 31.

 

(ii) IAS 17 – Leases

Net income in relation to finance leases in the US of £2.9 million has been reclassified from revenue to finance income (£33.3 million) and finance costs (£30.4 million) in accordance with IAS 17. Under UK GAAP, these are accounted for on a net cash investment basis and qualify for linked presentation under FRS 5 ‘Reporting the Substance of Transactions’.

 

 

Ø   Notes to Balance Sheet Reclassifications

 

Certain balances, previously reported under UK GAAP, have been reclassified to comply with the format of the group’s Accounts as presented under IFRS. None of these reclassifications have any effect on the group’s previously reported net assets or shareholders’ funds.

 

(i) IAS 1 – Presentation of financial statements

Trade and other receivables falling due after more than one year of £18.7 million (2004 £35.3 million), previously reported as part of Current assets, have been reclassified and included within Non-current assets.

 

Finance lease receivables falling due after more than one year of £80.8 million (2004 £82.5 million), previously reported as part of Current assets, have been reclassified and included within Non-current assets.

 

Finance lease receivables due within one year of £7.3 million (2004 £12.3 million), previously included within Trade and other receivables, have been shown separately on the face of the balance sheet.

 

Provisions for liabilities and charges due within one year of £80.1 million (2004 £84.7 million), previously presented within Non-current liabilities, have been reclassified and shown within Current liabilities.

 

Obligations under finance leases of £14.0 million (2004 £15.0 million), previously presented within Loans and other borrowings, have been shown separately on the face of the balance sheet.

 

(ii) IAS 12 – Income taxes

Current corporate tax balances of £338.9 million (2004 £237.7 million), previously included within Trade and other payables falling due within one year, have been shown separately on the face of the balance sheet.

 

(iii) IAS 19 – Employee benefits

Pensions and other post-retirement benefits of £133.8 million (2004 £152.1 million), previously included within Provisions for liabilities and charges, Trade and other payables and Trade and other receivables, have been shown separately on the face of the balance sheet. Although this separate presentation is not required by IAS 19, this presentation has been adopted in view of the significance of these balances as accounted for under IAS 19.

 

(iv) IAS 21 – The effects of changes in foreign exchange rates

Cumulative exchange gains and losses of £484.6 million (2004 £484.6 million), net of related hedging gains and losses and taxation, are required by IAS 21 to be shown as a separate reserve on the face of the balance sheet. These were previously included within retained earnings.

 

Under IAS 21, all financial instruments are required to be separately measured and presented at the closing balance sheet rate whereas UK GAAP permitted the use of the exchange rate specified in the contract. As a result, foreign currency debt is translated at the closing exchange rate and the group’s related derivatives have been separately presented on the balance sheet rather than disclosing the net hedge position that exists under UK GAAP. Derivatives currently showing a gain of £37.5 million (2004 £42.7 million) and £11.6 million (2004 £0.4 million) have been included within Non-current and Current trade and other receivables respectively. Those derivatives currently showing a loss of £2.7 million (2004 £17.6 million) and £17.9 million (2004 £nil) have been reclassified from Loans and other borrowings and included within Non-current and Current trade and other payables respectively.

 

(v) IAS 38 – Intangible assets

Certain Non-current assets, being capitalised software of £238.6 million (2004 £260.9 million) and hydroelectric relicensing costs of £62.5 million (2004 £45.6 million), previously included within tangible assets have been reclassified as Intangible assets as required by IAS 38.

 

(vi) IFRS 1 – First-time adoption of IFRS

The revaluation reserve of £39.7 million (2004 £41.6 million), previously recognised in respect of the revaluation of the group’s Manweb distribution assets has been reclassified to retained earnings. IFRS permits previously revalued tangible assets to be recognised at deemed cost at the date of the group’s transition to IFRS. The group has applied this exemption in preparing its balance sheet in accordance with IFRS.

 

The group has elected not to take advantage of the IFRS 1 exemption to reset the translation reserve to zero at the date of the transition.

 

 

 

182    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents
Ø   Notes to IFRS Remeasurements

 

The IFRS remeasurements do not include any adjustments for IAS 32 and IAS 39 which are being applied by the group prospectively from 1 April 2005 in accordance with the exemptions set out in IFRS 1.

 

(i) IAS 10 – Events after the balance sheet date

 

Dividends in respect of the group’s ordinary shares declared after the balance sheet date are not accrued in the balance sheet as required by IAS 10.

 

Previously, under UK GAAP, such dividends were accrued in the balance sheet.

 

(ii) IAS 12 – Income taxes

 

Under UK GAAP, deferred tax is provided based on timing differences, whilst IFRS has a wider scope and requires deferred tax to be provided on all temporary differences.

 

In accordance with the requirements of IFRS, additional deferred tax has been provided on the temporary difference arising on acquisitions where the assets and liabilities acquired at fair value differ to their tax base.

 

(iii) IAS 16 – Property, plant and equipment

 

The group calculates its depreciation charge in respect of property, plant and equipment based on cost less estimated residual values at current prices as required by IAS 16.

 

Previously, under UK GAAP, the group calculated its depreciation charge for property, plant and equipment based on cost or revalued amounts less estimated residual values at prices prevailing at the time of the initial recognition of the asset or subsequent revaluation.

 

(iv) IAS 17/IFRIC 4 – Leases

 

The group has finance leases where it acts as a lessor and funds these through non-recourse debt. Under UK GAAP, these are accounted for on a net cash investment basis and qualify for linked presentation whereby the non-recourse debt is offset against the receivable in accordance with FRS 5. Under IFRS, such leases are required to be accounted for as a receivable at an amount equal to the net investment in the lease and, unlike FRS 5, there is no concept of linked presentation in relation to non-recourse debt. The effect of this adjustment is to present separately a finance lease receivable of £86.5 million (2004 £106.3 million) and £88.5 million (2004 £109.4 million) of non-recourse debt. Income from finance leases increased by £4.9 million, net of a tax credit of £3.7 million for the year ended 31 March 2005.

 

IFRIC 4 contains specific guidance on the identification of lease arrangements. The arrangements have been assessed against the criteria contained in IAS 17 to determine whether the leases should be categorised as operating or financing. As a consequence, new finance lease arrangements have been recognised on the balance sheet, resulting in the recognition of additional Property, plant and equipment of £48.9 million (2004 £54.7 million) and additional obligations under finance leases of £70.8 million (2004 £75.7 million). Profit before tax reduced by £1.2 million for the year ended 31 March 2005.

 

(v) IAS 19 – Employee benefits

 

Pensions and other post-retirement benefits have been accounted for in accordance with IAS 19. The group’s accounting policy for pensions and other post-retirement benefits requires separate recognition of the operating and financing costs of defined benefit pension schemes and other post-retirement benefit arrangements in the income statement. IAS 19 permits a number of options for the recognition of actuarial gains and losses relating to defined benefit pension schemes and other post-retirement benefits. The group’s accounting policy is to recognise any actuarial gains and losses in full immediately in the statement of recognised income and expense. Accordingly, the pension scheme deficits and the obligations relating to other post-retirement benefits are included as liabilities in the balance sheet.

 

Previously, under UK GAAP, the group’s policy was to recognise a charge for its defined benefit pension schemes and other post-retirement benefits in arriving at operating profit. This cost comprised the regular cost of providing pensions and other post-retirement benefits and a charge or credit relating to the amortisation of actuarial gains and losses over the average remaining service lives of the employees covered by the relevant arrangements. The difference between the cumulative charge for pensions and other post-retirement benefits and the cumulative contributions paid in respect of those arrangements was previously recognised as an asset or liability in the balance sheet.

 

(vi) IAS 36 – Impairment

 

The goodwill associated with PacifiCorp has been reviewed for impairment under both UK GAAP and IFRS, as required where there is an indicator of impairment. This resulted in a charge for impairment under IFRS which is £5.0 million lower compared to the charge under UK GAAP, as a result of the lower net assets of PacifiCorp under IFRS.

 

(vii) IFRS 2 – Share-based payment

 

The group’s employee share and share option schemes have been accounted for in accordance with IFRS 2. This requires that a charge be recognised, using a fair value model, for all of the group’s share and share option schemes.

 

Previously under UK GAAP, the group accounted for the cost for certain of its share and share option schemes based on an intrinsic value model.

 

(viii) IFRS 3 – Business combinations

 

Under UK GAAP, goodwill is required to be amortised over its estimated useful economic life. On transition to IFRS, the balance of goodwill recognised under UK GAAP at that date is “frozen” and no future amortisation is charged.

 

Under IFRS 3, the fair values attributed to deferred tax and intangible assets on acquisitions differ from those under UK GAAP.

 

 

 

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IFRS Financial Information

 

Ø   Group Cash Flow Statement under IFRS for the year ended 31 March 2005

 

The consolidated statement of cash flows prepared in accordance with FRS 1 ‘Cash flow statements’ presents substantially the same information as that required under IFRS. Under IFRS, however, there are certain differences from UK GAAP with regard to the classification of items within the cash flow statement and with regard to the definition of cash and cash equivalents.

 

Under UK GAAP, cash flows are presented separately for operating activities, dividends received from joint ventures and associates, returns on investments and servicing of finance, taxation, capital expenditure and financial investment, acquisitions and disposals, equity dividends paid, management of liquid resources and financing. Under IFRS, only three categories of cash flow activity are reported: operating activities, investing activities and financing activities.

 

Under IFRS, items which under UK GAAP would be included within management of liquid resources fall within the definition of cash and cash equivalents.

 

The requirements of IAS 38 state that certain non-current assets, namely capitalised software and hydroelectric relicensing costs, previously included within tangible assets, are reclassified as intangible assets. This has resulted in £54.6 million being reclassified from the purchase of property, plant and equipment to the purchase of intangible assets. A further £1.2 million has been reclassified from the purchase of property, plant and equipment to the proceeds from the sale of intangible assets.

 

IFRIC 4 contains guidance on the identification of lease arrangements. The group’s arrangements have been assessed against the criteria contained in IAS 17 to determine, firstly, whether any arrangements qualify for lease accounting and, secondly, whether the leases should be categorised as operating or finance leases. The identification of additional finance leases has resulted in £11.7 million being reclassified from cash generated from operations to interest paid (£8.8 million) and proceeds from borrowings (£2.9 million).

 

The consolidated cash flow statement prepared in conformity with UK GAAP is set out on page 114 together with Notes on pages 120 to 123.

 

The consolidated statement of cash flows under IFRS is set out below:

 

    

2005

£m

 

Operating activities

      

Cash generated from operations

   1,271.5  

Dividends received from jointly controlled entities

   2.0  

Interest paid

   (273.4 )

Interest received

   152.5  

Income taxes paid

   (99.3 )

Net cash from operating activities

   1,053.3  

Investing activities

      

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

   (885.2 )

Deferred income received

   51.3  

Deferred income paid

   (37.3 )

Purchase of intangible assets

   (53.4 )

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

   21.8  

Purchase of fixed asset investments

   14.8  

Purchase of subsidiaries

   (343.6 )

Sale of business and subsidiaries

   (7.5 )

Net cash used in investing activities

   (1,239.1 )

Financing activities

      

Issue of share capital

   21.9  

Redemption of preferred stock of PacifiCorp

   (4.1 )

Dividends paid to company’s equity holders

   (386.1 )

Dividends paid to minority interests

   (4.3 )

Maturity of net investment hedging derivatives

   140.0  

Cancellation of cross-currency swaps

   92.0  

Repricing of cross-currency swaps

    

Net purchase of own shares held under trust

   (23.1 )

Proceeds from borrowings

   750.4  

Net cash from financing activities

   586.7  

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

   400.9  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of financial year

   1,327.2  

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

   400.9  

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

   (0.8 )

Cash and cash equivalents at end of financial year

   1,727.3  

 

 

 

184    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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Ø  Independent Auditors’ Report

   

 

Special Purpose Audit Report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to Scottish Power plc on its International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Financial Information

We have audited the accompanying consolidated Reconciliation of the Group Balance Sheet under UK GAAP to IFRS of Scottish Power plc (‘the Company’) and its subsidiaries (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Group’) as at 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2005, the related consolidated Reconciliation of the Group Profit and Loss Account under UK GAAP to the Group Income Statement under IFRS and consolidated Group Cash Flow Statement under IFRS for the year ended 31 March 2005, and the related notes including the IFRS Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 March 2005 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the IFRS financial information’).

The IFRS financial information as at 1 April 2004 and for the year ended 31 March 2005 has been prepared by the Group as part of its transition to IFRS and as described in Note A ‘Basis of accounting’ set out in the IFRS Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 March 2005, to establish the financial position, and results of operations of the Group to provide the comparative financial information expected to be included in the first complete set of consolidated IFRS financial statements of the Group for the year ending 31 March 2006.

 

Respective responsibilities of Directors and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the IFRS financial information which has been prepared as part of the Group’s transition to IFRS.

Our responsibilities, as independent auditors, are established in the United Kingdom by the Auditing Practices Board, our profession’s ethical guidance and the terms of our engagement. Under the terms of engagement we are required to report to you our opinion as to whether the IFRS financial information has been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with Note A ‘Basis of accounting’ and the accounting policies set out in the IFRS Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 March 2005.

This report, including the opinion, has been prepared for, and only for, the Group for the purposes of assisting with the Group’s transition to IFRS and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving this opinion, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

We read the other information included with the IFRS financial information and consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the IFRS financial information. The other information comprises only the sections headed ‘Overview of IFRS Reconciliations’ and ‘IFRS Summary of Impact’ in the Financial Review.

 

Basis of audit opinion

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Auditing Standards issued by the UK Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the IFRS financial information. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the directors in the preparation of the IFRS financial information, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Group’s circumstances and adequately disclosed.

We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order

 

 

to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the IFRS financial information is free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the IFRS financial information.

 

Emphasis of matter

 

Without qualifying our opinion, we draw your attention to the fact that the IFRS financial information may require adjustment before its inclusion as comparative information in the Group’s first set of consolidated IFRS financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2006. This is because Standards currently in issue and adopted by the EU are subject to interpretation issued from time to time by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) and further Standards may be issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) that will be adopted for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2005.

IFRS is currently being applied in the United Kingdom and in a large number of other countries simultaneously for the first time. Additionally, due to a number of new and revised Standards included within the body of Standards that comprise IFRS, there is not yet a significant body of established practice on which to draw in forming opinions regarding interpretation and application. Accordingly, practice is continuing to evolve. At this preliminary stage, therefore, the full financial effect of reporting under IFRS as it will be applied and reported on in the Group’s first consolidated IFRS financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2006 may be subject to change.

Moreover, we draw attention to the fact that, under IFRS, only a complete set of financial statements comprising a balance sheet, income statement, statement of changes in equity, and cash flow statement, together with comparative financial information and explanatory notes, can provide a fair presentation of the Group’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with IFRS.

 

Opinion

 

In our opinion, the accompanying IFRS financial information comprising of the consolidated Reconciliation of the Group Balance Sheet under UK GAAP to IFRS as at 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2005 and the related consolidated Reconciliation of the Group Profit and Loss Account under UK GAAP to the Group Income Statement under IFRS and consolidated Group Cash Flow Statement under IFRS for the year ended 31 March 2005, has been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with Note A ‘Basis of accounting’ and the accounting policies set out in the IFRS Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 March 2005, which describe how IFRS have been applied under IFRS 1, including the assumptions made by the directors of the Company about the standards and interpretations expected to be effective, and the policies expected to be adopted, when they prepare the first complete set of consolidated IFRS financial statements of the Group for the year ending 31 March 2006.

 

LOGO

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chartered Accountants

Glasgow

24 May 2005

 

 

 

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IFRS Financial Information

 

Ø   Summary of Cumulative Results under IFRS for the three months ended 30 June 2004,

  the six months ended 30 September 2004 and the nine months ended 31 December 2004

 

     Note     

Three months
ended 30
June 2004

£m

    Six months
ended 30
September 2004
£m
    Nine months
ended 31
December 2004
£m
 

Operating profit

                         

UK GAAP

   (i )    220.3     472.8     775.2  

Goodwill

          30.0     59.8     88.8  

UK GAAP operating profit before goodwill amortisation

          250.3     532.6     864.0  

IFRS reclassifications

          (2.4 )   (4.6 )   (5.6 )

Property, plant and equipment

          0.4     0.8     1.2  

Leases

          1.8     3.7     5.5  

Employee benefits

          6.0     11.6     19.7  

Share-based payment

          0.5     1.7     2.2  

Business combinations

          (0.4 )   (2.4 )   (1.4 )

IFRS

          256.2     543.4     885.6  

Profit before taxation

                         

UK GAAP

          170.4     381.9     634.2  

Goodwill

          30.0     59.8     88.8  

UK GAAP profit before goodwill amortisation and taxation

          200.4     441.7     723.0  

IFRS reclassifications

          (0.2 )   (0.4 )   (0.7 )

Property, plant and equipment

          0.4     0.8     1.2  

Leases

          1.0     (0.3 )   0.5  

Employee benefits

          6.1     12.8     19.1  

Share-based payment

          0.5     1.7     2.2  

Business combinations

          (0.6 )   (2.4 )   (1.2 )

IFRS

          207.6     453.9     744.1  

Basic earnings per share

                         

UK GAAP earnings per ordinary share

          6.29 p   14.20 p   23.73 p

UK GAAP earnings per ordinary share before goodwill amortisation

          7.93 p   17.47 p   28.58 p

IFRS earnings per ordinary share

          8.10 p   17.60 p   28.77 p

 

    (i) Operating profit represents UK GAAP operating profit plus the group’s share of the profit of associates and jointly controlled entities.

 

 

 

186    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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Ø  Summary of IAS 39 Accounting Policies for the year ending 31 March 2006

 

1. Implementation of IAS 39 and IAS 32

 

The group has applied IAS 32 and the full version of IAS 39 in the financial year ending 31 March 2006. The EU adopted a regulation in November 2004 endorsing IAS 39 with the exception of certain provisions relating to (i) the use of the full fair value option for liabilities and (ii) hedge accounting. Applying the full version of the standard as opposed to the EU-endorsed standard has no impact on the group’s financial statements. In accordance with the transitional arrangements set out in IFRS 1, the group has not restated the prior year’s comparative figures to show the effect of IAS 39 and IAS 32. For the year ended 31 March 2005, financial instruments continue to be accounted for in accordance with the group’s previous policies for financial instruments under UK GAAP, as amended by IAS 21, as set out under the heading ‘P. Financial instruments (UK GAAP policies, as amended by IAS 21, applied in the preparation of the consolidated IFRS financial information for the year ended 31 March 2005)’.

IAS 39 requires that all financial assets be measured at fair value in the balance sheet with changes in fair value reported through the income statement. Exceptions apply to assets classified as loans and receivables and held-to-maturity investments, which are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method and also to equity investments in instruments whose fair value can not be reliably measured, which are measured at cost.

With respect to financial liabilities, IAS 39 prescribes measurement at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Exceptions apply to financial liabilities that arise when a transfer of a financial asset does not qualify for derecognition or is accounted for using the continuing involvement approach.

Derivative instruments, and commodity contracts that fall within the scope of IAS 39, are carried at fair value with special rules applying to all financial instruments which form part of a hedging relationship.

IAS 32 prescribes certain disclosures on the use and impact of financial instruments designed to help the users of accounts understand the significance of the financial instruments to an entity’s financial position, performance and cash flows, as well as factors that affect amounts, timing and risks associated with future cash flows.

 

2. Financial instruments

 

Financial liability and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all of its liabilities.

 

 

2.1. Investments

 

The group income statement includes the group’s share of the profit after tax of associates and jointly controlled entities. The group balance sheet includes the investment in associates and jointly controlled entities at the group’s share of their net assets.

Other investments include investments where the group holds less than 20% of an entity’s equity and does not exercise significant influence over the operating policies and strategic decisions of this entity. Such investments are initially measured at cost, including transaction costs. They are classified as either held for trading or available-for-sale and are measured at subsequent reporting dates at fair value. The gains and losses from changes in fair value of the available-for-sale equity investments are recognised directly in equity until the instrument is disposed of or determined to be impaired, at which point those cumulative gains and losses are included in the income statement for the period. Investments in equity instruments which do not have a quoted market price and whose value cannot be reliably measured are held at cost.

 

2.2 Debt instruments

 

The group measures all debt instruments, whether financial assets or financial liabilities, initially at fair value. This is taken to be the fair value of the consideration paid or received. In cases where part of the consideration is for something other than the instrument itself, the group estimates the fair value of the instruments using a valuation technique whose inputs are made of observable market data, or based on the value of similar instruments traded at that time in observable markets.

Transaction costs (any such costs incremental to and directly attributable to the acquisition, issue or disposal of the financial instruments) are accounted for based on the classification of the instrument by the group. For financial instruments carried at amortised cost, transaction costs are included in the calculation of the effective interest rate and are, in effect, amortised through the income statement over the life of the asset. If the instrument is an available-for-sale financial asset, and hence carried at fair value, transaction costs are included in the initial measurement of the asset, but are transferred to equity upon subsequent remeasurement of the asset to fair value. The costs are then amortised through the income statement if the asset provides for the receipt of fixed or determinable payments, or are otherwise retained in equity until the asset is sold or expires.

The subsequent measurement of financial instruments follows their classification by the group. Available-for-sale financial assets are remeasured at fair value with gains and losses recorded in equity. Other financial instruments, including loans and receivables and held-to-maturity

 

 

 

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IFRS Financial Information

   

investments are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Financial liabilities, which arise on a transfer of a financial asset which does not qualify for derecognition, are accounted for using the continuous involvement approach (an approach which dictates measurement of a financial liability in such a way that the net amount of this financial liability and the related financial asset is equal to the amortised cost of the rights and obligations retained if the asset is measured at amortised cost, or the fair value of the rights and obligations retained if the asset is measured at fair value).

 

2.3 Commodity contracts

 

Where possible, the group takes the own use exemption permitted by IAS 39 for commodity contracts entered into and held for the purpose of the group’s own purchase, sale or usage requirements. Commodity contracts which do not qualify for own use exemption, including those non-physical contracts entered into for the purpose of trading, have to be dealt with as a derivative and are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet with changes in fair value reflected through the income statement. Certain non-own use commodity contracts are treated as derivatives that qualify as hedging instruments, for which special rules apply. Details on the accounting policies for hedging are disclosed in a separate section within this note.

 

2.4 Treasury derivatives

 

The group uses a number of derivatives to manage exposure to interest rate and currency fluctuations and the related value of net investments in foreign operations. When designated as hedges in highly effective hedging portfolios, such instruments are accounted for in accordance with the methods described within the hedging section of this note. Additionally, amounts payable/receivable under interest rate hedges are accounted for as adjustments to finance cost/income for the period. Any other derivative instruments, which are used for the purpose of economic hedging but have not been designated in hedging relationships in accordance with IAS 39, are held at fair value with changes from remeasurement recorded through the income statement.

Instruments designated in hedging portfolios include interest rate swaps, callable swaps, swaptions, forward currency contracts and cross-currency interest rate swaps. The latter swaps allow the designation of one instrument to hedge more than one risk where fixed for floating cross-currency swaps are used.

 

3. Hedging activities

 

In order to manage the impact of financial risks to the group and report results consistent with the operational strategies, the Board has endorsed the use of derivative financial instruments

 

as hedging tools. These instruments include fixed and floating swaps (interest rate, cross currency and commodity agreements), swaptions, financial options, forward rate agreements, financial and commodity forward contracts, commodity futures, commodity options, weather derivatives and other complex derivatives. Such physical and financially settled instruments are held by the group to match offsetting physical positions and are not held for financial trading purposes. Exceptions exist in the group’s non-regulated divisions, PPM and UK Division, where a limited and controlled number of transactions and derivatives may be held for proprietary trading purposes.

The group utilises derivative instruments to manage its exposure to the variability of future cash flows caused by risks associated with recognised assets or liabilities or transactions that are highly probable of occurring (cash flow hedging). In addition, the group utilises hedging strategies with respect to the exposure to changes in fair value of recognised assets and liabilities or unrecognised firm commitments (fair value hedging). Finally, hedging of net investments in foreign operations is undertaken with respect to the group’s US businesses (PacifiCorp and PPM).

Using regression analysis, the group designates derivatives as hedging instruments when it is expected that there will be high inverse correlation between the changes in fair value of the instrument and the changes in fair value of the hedged item. Such correlation needs to be within the limits of 80% to 125% for hedge accounting to be permitted. This assessment is carried out on a monthly basis to establish whether the assumptions and application criteria for hedge accounting going forward continue to be supported. The group will discontinue hedge accounting where the hedging relationship correlation is outside these parameters. Cash flow hedge accounting is applied to future transactions, which are expected to be, and continue to remain, highly probable of occurring.

When certain conditions are met, the group applies the following accounting rules prescribed by IAS 39 for hedging activities:

 

3.1 Cash flow hedges

 

The portion of gain or loss of the hedging instrument that was determined to be an effective hedge is recognised directly in equity and forms part of the cash flow hedge reserve. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the hedging instruments is recognised in the income statement. If the cash flow hedge of a highly probable forecast future transaction results in the recognition of an asset or liability, then, at the time the asset or liability is recognised, the associated gains or losses on the derivative that had previously been recognised in

 

 

 

188    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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equity are recycled from the hedge reserve to the income statement. For hedges that do not result in recognition of an asset or a liability, amounts deferred in equity are recognised in the income statement in the same period in which the hedged item affects the profit or loss.

 

3.2 Fair value hedges

 

The gain or loss from remeasuring the hedging instrument at fair value is recognised directly in the income statement. The gain or loss on the hedged item for the designated risk, adjusts the carrying amount of the hedged item (when the item would otherwise have been measured at amortised cost) and is also recognised in the income statement. The group starts amortisation of any such adjustments to the carrying value of the hedged item when the hedge relationship ceases.

 

3.3 Net investment hedges of foreign operations

 

The group hedges its net investments in its US divisions, PacifiCorp and PPM. The designated risk relates to the foreign currency exposure of the divisions’ net assets. The portion of the gain or loss of the hedging instrument that was determined to be an effective hedge is recognised directly in equity and forms part of the translation reserve. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the hedging instruments is recognised in the income statement. On disposal of the foreign investment, the gains or losses that had previously been recognised in equity, relating to the group’s net investment in the operation and to the effective portion of the hedging instrument, are recognised in the income statement as part of the overall gain or loss on disposal.

The group discontinues prospectively hedge accounting when the hedge instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, when the hedge relationship no longer qualifies for hedge accounting or when the designation is revoked. In the case of cash flow hedging, any gain or loss that has been recognised in equity until that time remains separately recognised in equity until the forecast transaction occurs. If the transaction is no longer expected to occur, related cumulative gains and losses which have been previously deferred in equity are recognised in the income statement.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognised in the income statement as they arise.

 

3.4 Other

 

Embedded derivatives in other financial instruments or other host contracts are treated as separate derivatives when their risks and characteristics are not closely related to those of the host contracts and the host contracts are not measured at fair value through the income statement. Unrealised gains or losses

 

on remeasurement of embedded derivatives are reported in the income statement.

In addition to hedging activities the group undertakes limited proprietary trading activities as part of energy management within predetermined risk limits. Those include establishing open positions in the electricity, natural gas and coal markets to take advantage of price movements. Contracts entered into for proprietary trading purposes are measured at fair value, with movements in fair value recognised in the income statement.

 

4. Valuation of financial instruments

 

The group’s valuation policy for derivative and other financial instruments utilise as much as possible quoted prices in an active trading market.

Futures, swaps and forward agreements are valued against the appropriate market-based curves. Forward price curves are developed using market prices from independent sources for liquid commodities, markets and products and modelled for illiquid commodities, markets and products.

Single-variable options are valued against market price and volatility curves. Dual-variable options are valued against market price, volatility and correlation curves between two variables. Volatility curves are developed for open positions in both liquid and illiquid markets. They are developed from actively traded options (implied volatility), where markets exist, or using historical forward volatilities and other relevant market data. Correlation curves are developed using historical spot and forward correlations and other relevant market data.

Structured transactions are disaggregated into their traded core components, and each component is valued against the appropriate market-based curves. For transactions where a market price for the point of delivery is not actively quoted, if possible, the transaction is valued at the most appropriate point of delivery where a market price exists with appropriate adjustments for the actual point of delivery, including if applicable currency adjustments.

Assets owned (long position) are valued against the quoted bid price. If assets are owed (short position) they are marked to the quoted offer price. Where valuation is based on the mid-market price, liquidity adjustments are made to the fair value to bring it in accordance with the profile of net exposure. The value of long volatility positions is marked against the bid volatility curve. For short volatility positions, the offer volatility curve is used. Other adjustments include discounting and credit adjustments, where those have not already been captured in the mark to market process.

In the absence of quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities, it is sometimes necessary to apply valuation techniques where contracts are marked to approved models.

 

 

 

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IFRS Financial Information

 

 

Models are used for developing both the forward curves and the valuation metrics of the instruments themselves where the instruments are complex combinations of standard or non-standard products. All models are subject to rigorous testing prior to being approved for valuation and subsequent continuous testing and approval procedures designed to ensure the validity and accuracy of the model assumptions and inputs.

 

5. Compound instruments

 

The group accounts for compound financial instruments that contain both a liability and an equity component by separating these components and assigning individual values to each of them. The group treats its convertible bonds as a US dollar liability with the foreign exchange and equity component of the convertible bond separately identified and measured at fair value through the income statement. The dollar denominated liability of the convertible bond continues to form part of the hedging relationship of the group’s US net investment on consolidation.

 

6. Offsetting of derivative assets and liabilities

 

The group offsets a financial asset and a financial liability and reports the net amount only when the group has a legally enforceable right to set off the amounts and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

    

 

 

 

190    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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Ø   Glossary of Financial Terms and IFRS Equivalents

 

UK financial terms used in Annual Report & Accounts

   IFRS equivalent or definition

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

   Current liabilities

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

   Non-current liabilities

Debtors

   Trade and other receivables

Deferred tax

   Deferred tax liabilities

Fixed asset investments

   Non-current investments

Joint ventures

   Jointly controlled entities

Other creditors

   Trade and other payables

Profit and loss account (statement)

   Income statement

Profit and loss account (in the balance sheet)

   Retained earnings

Shareholders’ funds

   Shareholders’ equity

Short-term bank and other deposits

   Cash and cash equivalents

Stocks

   Inventories

Tangible fixed assets

   Property, plant and equipment

Turnover

   Revenue

 

 

 

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Investor Information

 

 

1    Ø    Investor Information
2    Ø    Financial Calendar
3    Ø    Shareholder Services

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                

1 Investor Information

 

Nature of Trading Market

 

The principal trading market for the ordinary shares of ScottishPower is the London Stock Exchange. In addition, American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) (each of which represents four ordinary shares) have been issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary (the “Depositary”) for the company’s ADSs, and are traded on the New York Stock Exchange following listing on 8 September 1997.

Table 52 sets out, for the periods indicated, the highest and lowest middle market quotations for the ordinary shares, as derived from the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange for ordinary shares in 2005 and from Datastream for the prior years, and the range of high and low closing sale prices for ADSs, as reported by Datastream in 2005 and by Bloomberg in the prior years. The prices shown for previous years have been adjusted, where appropriate, for capital issues.

On 31 March 2005, there were 563 registered holders of 304,206 ordinary shares with an address in the US and 57,596 registered holders of 75,910,323 ADSs (equivalent to 303,641,292 ordinary shares). The combined holdings of these shareholders represented 16.29% of the total number of ordinary shares outstanding as at 31 March 2005. UK registered shareholders held 83.21% of the total number of ordinary shares, and all shareholders other than those registered in the UK or the US held 0.50% of the total number of ordinary shares outstanding as at 31 March 2005. As certain of the ordinary shares and ADSs

     

are held by brokers and other nominees, these numbers may not be representative of the actual number of beneficial owners in the US or elsewhere or the number of ordinary shares or ADSs beneficially held by US persons.

 

 

Ø     Table 52

Historical Share Prices

 

     

      

 

         Ordinary shares     American Depositary Shares  
    Period    High  (p)   Low  (p)   High  ($)   Low  ($)
   

2000/01

   561.83     411.62     34.69     25.06  
   

2001/02

   521.84     350.00     30.24     20.10  
   

2002/03

   416.00     298.75     24.28     19.53  
   

2003/04

                        
    First quarter    395.25     360.00     25.76     23.59  
    Second quarter    374.75     351.00     24.76     22.93  
    Third quarter    372.75     344.75     27.18     23.59  
    Fourth quarter    380.75     350.75     28.58     26.25  
    2004/05                         
    First quarter    400.25     377.50     29.95     26.95  
    Second quarter    428.00     385.75     31.24     28.47  
    Third quarter    443.25     386.50     32.84     29.21  
    Fourth quarter    446.75     401.50     33.66     30.71  
    October 2004    439.75     421.00     32.38     30.17  
    November 2004    443.25     386.50     32.84     29.21  
    December 2004    403.25     387.75     31.16     29.98  
    January 2005    421.50     407.50     31.77     30.71  
    February 2005    446.75     410.00     33.66     31.60  
    March 2005    416.50     401.50     31.94     30.75  
     

 

Note: The past performance of the ordinary shares/ADSs is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

  

 

 

 

192    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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Ø     Table 53

       Substantial Shareholdings

Analysis of Ordinary Shareholdings at

31 March 2005

 

       As at 19 May 2005, the company had been notified that the following companies were substantial shareholders:

Range of

holdings

   No. of
shareholdings
   No. of shares           

Number

of shares

  Percentage of
issued share capital

1-100

   19,579    719,968        Barclays plc   62,692,142   3.36%

101-200

   158,146    26,267,062        Capital Research and        

201-600

   166,756    52,137,650        Management Company   145,996,200   7.82%

601-1,000

   36,356    28,440,583        Legal & General Investment        

1,001-5,000

   45,527    85,570,714        Management   65,708,533   3.52%

5,001-100,000

   4,058    59,332,919        The substantial shareholders enjoy the same voting rights as all other shareholders.

100,001 and above

   659    1,612,874,789       

Total

   431,081    1,865,343,685       

 

Share Capital and Options

 

As a result of the issue of shares to the Trustee of the Employee Share Ownership Plan and the exercise of options under the PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan and the Executive Share Option Scheme, a total of 5,804,762 ordinary shares of 50p each were issued during the year. Accordingly, the number of ordinary shares in issue was 1,865,343,685 as at 31 March 2005. During the year, options over 2,142,974 ordinary shares were granted to 1,748 employees under the ScottishPower Sharesave Scheme. Options over a total of 5,910,747 ordinary shares were granted under the Executive Share Option Plan 2001. No options were granted under the PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan during the year. No options were granted under the Executive Share Option Scheme, which was replaced in 1996 by the introduction of the Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Awards in respect of 1,267,536 shares were made under the Plan during the year and these awards are subject to the achievement of specified performance criteria. Details are contained in the Remuneration Report.

 

Between 31 March 2005 and 19 May 2005, a further 424,446 ordinary shares have been issued as a result of the allotments in respect of the Employee Share Ownership Plan and the PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan. At the Annual General Meeting of the company last year, shareholders granted authority for the purchase by the company of up to 185,999,745 of its own ordinary shares. The directors have not exercised this authority.

 

Redemption of Special Share

 

On 5 May 2004, the Secretary of State for Scotland redeemed the special rights non-voting redeemable preference share of £1 in the capital of the company (the “Special Share”) at par in accordance with the company’s articles of association (the “Articles”). The Special Share was issued at the time of privatisation and entitled the holder to certain special rights under the Articles. The Articles were amended to reflect the redemption at the 2004 Annual General Meeting.

      

 

Control of Company

 

As far as is known to the company, it is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation or by any foreign government.

As at 19 May 2005, no person known to the company, other than the substantial shareholders shown above, owned more than 5% of any class of the group’s voting securities.

As at 19 May 2005, the total amount of voting securities owned by directors and executive officers of ScottishPower as a group is shown in Table 54 below.

 

Ø     Table 54

Voting Securities

 

      

Title of class

identity of group

  Amount
owned
  Percentage of class
      

Ordinary shares

       
      

Directors and officers (18 persons)

  2,334,319   0.13%
                
      

Full details of the directors’ interests in ScottishPower shares are shown in Tables 50 and 51 in the Remuneration Report. None of the officers had a beneficial interest in 1% or more of the issued share capital.

In addition, as at 19 May 2005, the directors and officers of the company, as a group, held options to purchase 5,290,958 ordinary shares, all of which were issued pursuant to the Executive Share Option Plan 2001, ScottishPower’s Sharesave Scheme or the PacifiCorp Stock Incentive Plan.

The company does not know of any arrangements the operation of which might result in a change in control of the group.

 

Exchange Rates

 

The group publishes its consolidated Accounts in pounds sterling. In this document, references to “pounds sterling”, “pounds”, “pence” or “p” are to UK currency and references to “US dollars”, “US$” or “$” are to US currency. Solely for the convenience of the reader, this report contains translations of certain pounds sterling amounts into US dollars at specified rates, or, if not so specified, at the Noon Buying Rate sourced from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“Noon Buying Rate”) on 31 March 2005 of £1.00 = $1.89. On 19 May 2005,

 

 

 

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the Noon Buying Rate was $1.84 to £1.00. No representation is made that the pound sterling amounts have been, could have been or could be converted into US dollars at the rates indicated or at any other rates.

Table 55 sets out, for the periods indicated, certain information concerning the Noon Buying Rate for US dollars per £1.00.

 

Ø     Table 55

Historical Exchange Rates

       

A dividend of 7.65 pence per share on the ordinary shares will be paid on 28 June 2005 to shareholders on the register on 3 June 2005. This makes total dividends for the year of 22.50 pence per share. A dividend of $0.5582 per ADS will also be paid on 28 June 2005 to ADS holders of record on 3 June 2005. This makes total dividends for the year of $1.6516 per ADS.

With effect from the financial year commencing 1 April 2003, ScottishPower has targeted dividend cover, based on full year earnings excluding goodwill amortisation and exceptional items, in the range 1.5 – 2.0 times and ideally towards the middle of that range. ScottishPower has aimed to grow dividends broadly in line with earnings thereafter. Following the sale of PacifiCorp and the return of capital to shareholders we expect to continue this dividend policy.

To implement this policy, in the absence of unforeseen circumstances, ScottishPower intends to pay an identical dividend for each of the first three quarters of each year, with the dividend for the fourth quarter representing the balance of the total dividend for each year. In respect of each of the quarters ending 30 June 2005, 30 September 2005 and 31 December 2005, ScottishPower aims to declare a dividend of 5.20 pence per share.

Table 56 sets out the dividends paid on ordinary shares and ADSs in respect of the past five financial years, excluding any associated UK tax credit in respect of such dividends. A person resident in the UK for tax purposes who receives a dividend from the company is generally entitled to a tax credit, currently at a rate of 1/9th of the dividend (“associated UK tax credit”). For further information, see “Taxation of Dividends”.

 

Memorandum and Articles of Association

 

The company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, and amendments, along with a summary, will be filed with the company’s report to the US Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 20-F.

       
Period    High    Low    Average1    Year end        

2000/01

   $1.61    $1.40    $1.52    $1.42        

2001/02

   $1.48    $1.37    $1.43    $1.42        

2002/03

   $1.65    $1.43    $1.55    $1.58        

2003/04

   $1.90    $1.55    $1.69    $1.84        

2004/05

   $1.95    $1.75    $1.85    $1.89        
Period    High    Low    Average
during
month
            

October 2004

   $1.8404    $1.7790    $1.8077             

November 2004

   $1.9073    $1.8323    $1.8607             

December 2004

   $1.9482    $1.9125    $1.9286             

January 2005

   $1.9058    $1.8647    $1.8797             

February 2005

   $1.9249    $1.8570    $1.8871             

March 2005

   $1.9292    $1.8657    $1.9043             

 

Note:

1        The averag.e of the Noon Buying Rates on the last day of each month during the relevant period.

 

Dividends

 

Although dividends were historically declared and paid and financial reports published semi-annually, following completion of the merger with PacifiCorp, the company moved to quarterly reporting and the quarterly payment of dividends.

       

 

Ø   Table 56

Historical Dividend Payments

 

     Notes    2004/05    2003/04    2002/03    2001/02    2000/01

Pence per ordinary share

   1                         

Quarter (1 April – 30 June)

        4.95p    4.75p    7.177p    6.835p    6.51p

Quarter (1 July – 30 Sept)

        4.95p    4.75p    7.177p    6.835p    6.51p

Quarter (1 Oct – 31 Dec)

        4.95p    4.75p    7.177p    6.835p    6.51p

Quarter (1 Jan – 31 Mar)

        7.65p    6.25p    7.177p    6.835p    6.51p

Total

        22.50p    20.50p    28.708p    27.34p    26.04p

US dollars per ADS

   1,2                         

Quarter (1 April – 30 June)

        $0.3602    $0.3032    $0.4472    $0.3907    $0.3928

Quarter (1 July – 30 Sept)

        $0.3656    $0.3207    $0.4479    $0.3979    $0.3702

Quarter (1 Oct – 31 Dec)

        $0.3676    $0.3473    $0.4708    $0.3863    $0.3805

Quarter (1 Jan – 31 Mar)

        $0.5582    $0.4453    $0.4609    $0.3972    $0.3721

Total

        $1.6516    $1.4165    $1.8268    $1.5721    $1.5156

 

Notes:

 

1 Dividends per share and per ADS are shown net of any associated UK tax credit available to certain holders of ordinary shares and ADSs. See “Taxation of Dividends”. Dividends paid by the Depositary in respect of ADSs are paid in US dollars based on a market rate of exchange that differs from the Noon Buying Rate.

 

2 Calculated based on a ratio of four ordinary shares for one ADS.

 

 

 

194    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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Documents on Display

 

You may read and copy documents referred to in this annual report that have been filed with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms and their copy charges. You may also access our reports to the SEC and some of the other information we file with or submit to the SEC electronically through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders

 

There are currently no UK laws, decrees or regulations that restrict the export or import of capital, including, but not limited to, foreign exchange capital restrictions, or that affect the remittance of dividends or other payments to non-UK resident holders of the company’s securities except as otherwise set forth in “Taxation”.

There are no limitations imposed by UK law or by the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association that restrict the right of non-UK resident or non-UK citizen owners to hold or to vote the ordinary shares.

 

Taxation

 

The following discussion of UK tax and US federal income tax consequences is set forth with respect to US tax considerations in reliance upon the advice of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, special US counsel to the company, and with respect to UK tax considerations in reliance upon the advice of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, the company’s UK lawyers. The discussion is intended only as a summary of the principal US federal income tax and UK tax consequences to investors who hold the ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares. The summary does not discuss special tax rules that may be applicable to certain classes of investors, including banks, insurance companies, tax exempt entities, dealers, traders who elect to mark-to-market, investors with a functional currency other than the US dollar, persons who hold ADSs as part of a hedge, straddle or conversion transaction, or holders of 10% or more of the voting stock of the company. The statements of UK and US tax laws and practices set out below are based on the laws in force and as interpreted by the relevant taxation authorities as of the date of this report. The statements are subject to any changes occurring after that date in UK or US law or practice, in the interpretation thereof by the relevant taxation authorities, or in any double taxation convention between the US and the UK.

On 24 July 2001, the US and the UK signed a new convention between the two countries for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and capital gains (the “New Income Tax Convention”). Instruments of ratification with respect to the New Income Tax Convention

 

were exchanged on 31 March 2003, putting the New Income Tax Convention into force as from that date, subject to certain effective date provisions that result in the delayed implementation of certain provisions.

Distributions by the company since publication of our last annual statement on 25 May 2004 will be governed by the rules of the New Income Tax Convention. The company believes, and the discussion therefore assumes, that it is not a passive foreign investment company for US federal income tax purposes.

Each investor is urged to consult their own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs under the laws of the US, the UK and their constituent jurisdictions and any other jurisdiction where the investor may be subject to tax.

If the obligations contemplated by the Deposit Agreement are performed in accordance with its terms, it is expected that a beneficial owner of ADSs will be treated as the owner of the underlying ordinary shares for the purposes of the New Income Tax Convention and the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”).

For the purposes of this summary, the term “US Holder” means a beneficial owner of the ADSs that is a US citizen or resident, a US domestic corporation or partnership, a trust subject to the control of a US person and the primary supervision of a US court, or an estate, the income of which is subject to US federal income tax regardless of its source.

 

Taxation of Dividends

 

The company is not required to withhold any UK taxes from its dividend payments to US Holders. Therefore the amount of a dividend paid to a US Holder will not be reduced by any UK withholding tax. Under the New Income Tax Convention, US Holders are not entitled to a UK tax credit with respect to dividends paid by the company on or after 1 May 2003 (or 1 May 2004 where a US Holder elected to apply all the provisions of the treaty in force prior to 1 April 2003 for a further twelve month period).

Whether holders of ADSs or ordinary shares who reside in countries other than the US are entitled to a tax credit in respect of dividends on ADSs or ordinary shares depends in general upon the provisions of conventions or agreements, if any, as may exist between such countries and the UK.

A US Holder recognises income when the dividend is actually or constructively received by the holder, in the case of ordinary shares, or by the Depositary, in the case of ADSs. The dividend will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to US corporations in respect of dividends received from other US corporations. New tax legislation signed into law on 28 May 2003, provides for a maximum 15% US tax rate on the dividend income of an individual US holder with respect to dividends paid by a domestic corporation or “qualified foreign corporation” if

 

 

 

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certain holding period requirements are met. A qualified foreign corporation generally includes a foreign corporation if (i) its shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the US or (ii) it is eligible for benefits under a comprehensive US income tax treaty. Clause (i) will apply with respect to ADSs if such ADSs are readily tradable on an established securities market in the US. Under these rules, the company should be treated as a qualified foreign corporation and, therefore, dividends paid to an individual US holder with respect to the ADSs should be taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. The maximum 15% tax rate is effective with respect to dividends included in income during the period beginning on or after 1 January 2003, and ending 31 December 2008. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for US federal income tax purposes, will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of the US Holder’s basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs and thereafter as a capital gain. In determining the amount of the distribution, a US Holder will use the spot currency exchange rate on the date the dividend is included in income. Any difference between that amount and the dollars actually received may constitute a foreign currency gain or loss. However, a US Holder that is an individual is not required to recognise a gain of less than $200 from the exchange of foreign currency in a “personal transaction” as defined in Section 988(e) of the Code.

 

Taxation of Capital Gains

 

In general, for US tax purposes, US Holders of ADSs will be treated as the owners of the underlying ordinary shares that are represented by such ADSs and deposits and withdrawals of ordinary shares by US Holders in exchange for ADSs will not be treated as a sale or other disposition for US federal income tax purposes. Upon a sale or other disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs, US Holders will recognise a gain or loss for US federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the US dollar value of the amount realised and the US Holder’s tax basis (determined in US dollars) in such ordinary shares or ADSs. Generally, such gain or loss will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the US Holder’s holding period for such ordinary shares or ADSs exceeds one year. Any such gain or loss generally will be income from sources within the US for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. Long-term capital gain for an individual US Holder is generally subject to a reduced rate of tax. With respect to sales occurring on or after 6 May 2003, but before 1 January 2009, the long-term capital gain tax rate for an individual US holder is 15%. For sales occurring before 6 May 2003, or after 31 December 2008, the long-term capital gain rate for an individual US holder is 20%.

A US Holder who is not resident or ordinarily resident for UK tax purposes in the UK will not generally be liable for UK tax on capital gains recognised on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, unless the US Holder carries on a

 

trade, profession or vocation in the UK through a branch or agency (or, in the case of a company, a permanent establishment) and the ADSs or ordinary shares are, or have been, used, held or acquired for the purposes of such trade, profession or vocation or such branch or agency (or, in the case of a company, such permanent establishment).

US citizens resident or ordinarily resident in the UK, US corporations resident in the UK by reason of their business being centrally managed or controlled in the UK and US citizens who or US corporations which are trading or carrying on a trade, profession or vocation in the UK through a branch or agency (or, in the case of a company, a permanent establishment) and who or which have used, held or acquired ADSs or ordinary shares for the purposes of such trade, profession or vocation or such branch or agency (or, in the case of a company, such permanent establishment) may be liable for both UK and US tax in respect of a gain on the disposal of the ADSs or ordinary shares, subject to any available exemption or relief. Relief may be available under the New Income Tax Convention to the extent that the US Holder is resident in the US for the purposes of the New Income Tax Convention unless the ADSs or ordinary shares form part of the business property of a permanent establishment that such US Holder has or has had in the UK. Such holders may not be entitled to a tax credit against their US federal income tax liability for the amount of UK capital gains tax or UK corporation tax on chargeable gains, as the case may be, paid in respect of such gain unless the holder appropriately can apply the credit against tax due on income from foreign sources.

US Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to them of a sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares.

 

US Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

In general, information reporting requirements will apply to dividend payments (or other taxable distributions) in respect of ordinary shares or ADSs made within the US to a non-corporate US person. Accordingly, individual US Holders will receive an annual statement showing the amount of taxable dividends (or other reportable distributions) paid to them during the year. “Backup withholding” will apply to such payments (i) if the holder or beneficial owner fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number in the manner required by US law and applicable regulations, (ii) if there has been notification from the Internal Revenue Service of a failure by the holder or beneficial owner to report all interest or dividends required to be shown on its federal income tax returns or, (iii) in certain circumstances, if the holder or beneficial owner fails to comply with applicable certification requirements.

In general, payment of the proceeds from the sale of ordinary shares or ADSs to or through a US office of a broker is subject to both US backup withholding and information

 

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reporting requirements, unless the holder or beneficial owner establishes an exemption. Different rules apply to payments made outside the US through an office outside the US.

 

UK Inheritance Tax

 

An individual who is domiciled in the US for the purposes of the convention between the US and the UK for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to estate and gift taxes (“Estate Tax Convention”) and who is not a national of the UK for the purposes of the Estate Tax Convention will not generally be subject to UK inheritance tax in respect of the ADSs or ordinary shares on the individual’s death or on a gift of the ADSs or ordinary shares during the individual’s lifetime, unless the ADSs or ordinary shares are part of the business property of a permanent establishment of the individual in the UK or pertain to a fixed base in the UK of an individual who performs independent personal services. Special rules apply to ADSs or ordinary shares held in trust. In the exceptional case where the shares are subject both to UK inheritance tax and to US federal gift or estate tax, the Estate Tax Convention generally provides for the tax paid in the UK to be credited against tax paid in the US.

 

UK Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax

 

In practice, no UK stamp duty need be paid on the acquisition or transfer of ADSs provided that any instrument of transfer is executed outside the UK and subsequently remains at all times outside the UK. An agreement to transfer ADSs will not, in practice, give rise to a liability to stamp duty reserve tax.

Subject to certain exceptions, a transfer on sale of ordinary shares, as opposed to ADSs will generally be subject to UK stamp duty at a rate of 0.5% (rounded up, if necessary, to the nearest £5) of the consideration given for the transfer. An agreement to transfer such shares will normally give rise to a charge to UK stamp duty reserve tax at a rate of 0.5% of the consideration payable for the transfer, provided that stamp duty reserve tax will not be payable if stamp duty has been paid. Where such ordinary shares are later transferred to the Depositary’s nominee, further stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax will normally be payable at the rate of 1.5% (rounded up, if necessary, to the nearest £5) of the value of the ordinary shares at the time of the transfer.

A transfer of ordinary shares by the Depositary or its nominee to the relative ADS holder when the ADS holder is not transferring beneficial ownership gives rise to a UK stamp duty liability of £5 per transfer.

 

Taxation of Thus Demerger Dividend in Specie

 

Information pertaining to the tax position of shareholders following the demerger of Thus can be obtained from the Company Secretary at the company’s registered office and from the company’s website: www.scottishpower.com.

   

 

 

 

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2    Financial Calendar          
2005              Annual General Meeting
28 June   

Q4 Dividend payment date – US and UK

(final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2005)

       

 

The Annual General Meeting will be held at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow on Friday 22 July 2005 at 11.00 a.m. Details of the resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting are contained in the Notice of Meeting.

22 July    Annual General Meeting      
10 Aug   

Announcement of results for quarter ending

30 June 2005 – Q1

      Quarterly Results
28 Sept    Q1 Dividend payable        

 

Copies of the quarterly results may be obtained, free of charge, on request from the Company Secretary at the company’s registered office or by e-mailing shareholder.services@scottishpower.com. Quarterly results will also be published on the company’s website: www.scottishpower.com

10 Nov   

Announcement of results for quarter ending

30 September 2005 – Q2

       
Dec    Q2 Dividend payable      

 

2006

          
Feb   

Announcement of results for quarter ending

31 December 2005 – Q3

      Half Year Results
March    Q3 Dividend payable        

 

The company, as permitted by the London Stock Exchange, publishes its half year results in one UK national newspaper. In 2005, it is expected that the half year results will be published in The Telegraph and on the company’s website. Copies of the half year results may be obtained, free of charge, on request from the Company Secretary at the company’s registered office or by e-mailing shareholder.services@scottishpower.com.

May   

Announcement of Preliminary Results for the year

ending 31 March 2006

       
June   

Q4 Dividend payable (final dividend for the year

ending 31 March 2006)

       
              
              

Annual Review

 

The Annual Review 2004/05 is also available on CD, free of charge, from the Company Secretary at the company’s registered office or by e-mailing shareholder.services@scottishpower.com.

              

Press Releases

 

Press releases and up-to-date information on the company can be found on the company’s website.

              

Environmental and Social Impact Report

 

Copies of the ScottishPower Environmental and Social Impact Report may be obtained, free of charge, on request from the Company Secretary at the company’s registered office or by e-mailing shareholder.services@scottishpower.com. This Report, together with fuller information about environmental, marketplace, community and workplace issues, is also published on the company’s website. The 2004/05 Report will be published in October 2005.

 

 

 

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3    Shareholder Services

 

Ordinary Shares

 

Share Registration Enquiries

The Registrar

Lloyds TSB Registrars Scotland

PO Box 28448

Finance House, Orchard Brae

Edinburgh EH4 1WQ

Tel:             +44 (0)870 600 3999

Fax:            +44 (0)870 600 3980

Textphone: +44 (0)870 600 3950

Website: www.shareview.co.uk

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

The Dividend Reinvestment Plan provides ordinary shareholders with the facility to invest cash dividends by purchasing further ScottishPower shares. For further details, please contact Lloyds TSB Registrars on 0870 241 3018.

 

Share Consolidation and ISAs

 

Share consolidation is a facility which allows a number of holdings, and especially family holdings, to be consolidated into one holding. This service is provided free of charge.

Individual Savings Accounts (“ISAs”) are suitable for UK resident private investors who wish to shelter their ScottishPower shares from Income and Capital Gains Tax. Details of the ScottishPower ISA service are available from Lloyds TSB Registrars at the following address. Alternatively, please call the ISA helpline on 0870 242 4244.

 

Lloyds TSB Registrars ISAs

The Causeway

Worthing BN99 6UY

 

Annual Consolidated Tax Vouchers

 

Shareholders whose dividends are mandated for payment direct to their bank or building society accounts normally receive one tax voucher annually in April giving details of the four dividends paid during the tax year, rather than four individual vouchers. These shareholders would not normally receive quarterly notifications of payment. ScottishPower normally pays its dividends on a regular quarterly basis towards the end of March, June, September and December, which practice is expected to continue. The Company also announces its dividend payment dates with its results on a quarterly basis and publishes the dates on its website (www.scottishpower.com).

 

Sharegift

 

The Orr Mackintosh Foundation (registered charity number 1052686) operates a charity share donation scheme for shareholders with small parcels of shares whose value makes it uneconomic to sell them. Details of the scheme may be obtained from Sharegift at www.sharegift.org or by calling 020 7337 0501.

 

Share Dealing

 

A low cost telephone dealing service has been arranged with Stocktrade (a division of Brewin Dolphin Securities Ltd.) which provides a simple way of buying or selling ScottishPower shares. Basic commission is 0.5% up to £10,000, reducing to 0.2% thereafter (subject to a minimum commission of £15). For further information call 0845 601 0979 (or +44 131 240 0414 from outside the UK) and quote reference Low C0070.

 


 

American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”)

 

Exchange and Stock Transfer Enquiries

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Shareholder Relations

PO Box 43013

Providence, RI 02940-3013

Tel:    1 (866) SCOTADR (Toll Free)

          1 (866) 726 8237 (Toll Free)

        +1 (781) 575 2678 (Outside US not Toll Free)

Fax: +1 (781) 575 4082

Website: www.adr.com/shareholder

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

Global Invest Direct

 

Global Invest Direct is the Direct Share Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan for ADS holders which allows existing and first time investors to purchase ADSs without a broker. Global Invest Direct allows investors to make initial and ongoing investments in the company by providing investors with the convenience of investing directly in ScottishPower’s ADSs. For further details, please contact JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as detailed above.

 

Authorised Representative for US Federal Securities Laws

 

The authorised representative for ScottishPower for US federal securities law purposes is:

Puglisi & Associates

850 Library Avenue, Suite 204

PO Box 885

Newark, Delaware 19715

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    199


Table of Contents

Index


Accounting

        Employees        Pensions     

developments

   62        numbers and costs   18,117(3)    accounting policy    60,62,111

policies and definitions

   59 – 62,107 – 111        policies, UK and US   11,19,31    analysis    141 – 147(28), 154
(34b)

Acquisition

   122(11, 12),149 – 151(32)    Environment        costs    58,75

American Depositary Shares

   192,199    accounting policy   111    Political donations and expenditure    93

Annual General Meeting

   198    policy approach   19    Post-retirement benefits     

Audit Committee

   83,90    regulation   27    accounting policy    111

Audit Report

   170    Exceptional item   5, 37 – 41, 118(4)    analysis    145 – 147(28),160 –
161(34e)

Balance sheets

        Executive Team   82,91    Profit and loss account     

company

   167    Financial        company    168(41)

group

   115    commitments   57,147(30)    group    112

Board of Directors

   81    guarantees   163 – 164(34)    Property    20

Borrowings

   129 – 134(20)    review   36 – 72    Provisions for liabilities and
charges
   135(22),136(23)

Business

        Financial instruments        Recognised gains and losses    113

description of

   12 – 20    accounting
policies
  108    Registrar    199

reviews – 2004/05

   44 – 49    analysis   129 – 134(20)    Regulation     

reviews – 2003/04

   51 – 53    Five Year Summary   171    electricity and gas UK    25

strategy

   3,5,12    Fixed assets        electricity US    21

Capital commitments

   148(30b)    intangible   125(15)    employment    31

Capital expenditure

   7,43,124(14)    investments   110, 127 (17), 168
(36)
   environmental UK    29

Capital gains tax

   196    tangible   110,126(16)    environmental US    27

Cash flow

        Glossary        Related party transactions    148(31)

acquisitions and disposals

   122(11,12)    of financial terms   172,191    Remuneration Committee     

analysis

   121(10)    of general terms   201    membership    83

commentary

   43    Going concern   57    report    95

group statement

   114    Goodwill        Research and development    53,117(2)

US GAAP

   157(34)    accounting policy   109    Reserves    140(26),168(40)

Chairman’s Statement

   2    analysis   125(15)    Risk management    73 – 80

Charitable contributions

   19    Grants and
contributions
       Safe harbor    106

Chief Executive’s Review

   4    accounting policy   111    Segmental information    116(1),124(14)

Contingent liabilities

   147(29),168(42)    analysis   137(24)    Share capital    137 – 140(25), 168
(40)

Corporate governance

   84    Health and safety   3,10,31    Share options    137(25b),193

Corporate social responsibility

   10,93    Inheritance tax   197    Share premium    140(26),168(40)

Creditor payment policy and practice

   59    Interest charge (net)        Shareholder services    199

Creditors

   135(21),168(39)    accounting policy   108    Shareholders’ funds     

Currencies, accounting policy

   111    analysis   118(5)    analysis    140(26),168(40)

Debt (net)

        Interest and Taxation        reconciliation    113

analysis

   123(13)    2004/05   42 – 43    Shareholdings, analysis    193

reconciliation to net cash flow

   114    2003/04   51    Southern Water    53,122(11,12),151(33)

Debtors

   128(19),168(37)    Internal control   91    Stocks     

Deferred income

   137(24)    International Financial
Reporting Standards
  64,173    accounting policy    110

Deferred tax

   119(6),135(22)    Investor information   192    analysis    127(18)

Depreciation

        Leased assets,
accounting policy
  110    Subsequent events    166(35)

accounting policy

   110    Litigation   32    Substantial shareholdings    193

by segment

   116(1c)    Loans and other
borrowings
  129 – 134(20)    Taxation     

Directors

        Long Term Incentive
Plan
  97,103    accounting policy    109

executive

   82    MidAmerican   3,5,12,40,100,166(35)    analysis    119(6)

non-executive

   81    Minority interests   141(27)    commentary    42,51

pensions

   98,102    Net asset value per
share
  124(14a)    deferred    119(6),135(22)

remuneration

   95    Net assets by segment   124(14a)    of dividends    195

report

   2 – 106    Nomination Committee   83,89    Thus    12,147(29)

responsibilities for accounts

   106    Off Balance Sheet
Arrangements
  70    Total assets by segment    124(14c)

service contracts

   99    Operating profit        Treasury    53 – 57

share options

   97,102    analysis   117(2)    Turnover     

shareholdings

   96,102    by segment   116(1b)    accounting policy    108

Dividends

        reconciliation to
net operating
       by segment    116(1a)

per ADS

   194    cash flows   120(9)    US GAAP    152 – 166(34)

per ordinary share

   3,11,40,120(8),194    Own shares held
under trust
  110    US regulatory assets    110, 153(34b)

payment dates

   198    PacifiCorp              

Divisions

        Business Reviews   8,13,44,51          

Infrastructure

   9,15    Proposed sale   3,5,12,40          

UK

   9,16    PPM Energy   10,18,48,53          

Earnings and dividends

                       

2004/05

   43                   

2003/04

   51                   

Earnings per ordinary share

   3,11,119(7)                   

 

Figures in brackets refer to Notes to the Group Accounts

 

200    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


Table of Contents

Glossary of Terms

 


 

ADS American Depositary Share (US)

 

APB Accounting Practices Board

 

ASB Accounting Standards Board (UK)

 

The Authority The Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, the UK regulatory body (UK)

 


 

BCF Billion cubic feet

 

BETTA British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements, revised arrangements for a Great Britain-wide electricity market, which took effect from 1 April 2005

 

Billion one thousand million (1,000,000,000)

 

British Isles The United Kingdom and The Republic of Ireland

 


 

Carrying Charges costs, mainly interest but including some transaction costs and professional charges, arising from the deferment of costs for later recovery (US)

 

Churn the turnover of existing customers leaving, and new customers joining, the company’s customer list

 

Combined Code guidelines setting out corporate governance principles for UK listed companies (UK)

CO2 carbon dioxide

 

Company Scottish Power plc

 

Competition Commission the UK regulatory body concerned with competition policy and the abuse of market power (UK)

 


 

Deferred power costs variances from the expected level of power purchase costs and related cost inputs which have been recognised by regulatory authorities as possibly or actually eligible for recovery in rates (US)

 

Distribution the transfer of electricity from the transmission system to customers (US equivalent is Power Distribution)

 

DSM Demand Side Management, encouraging customers to reduce their electricity consumption

 

DTI The Department of Trade and Industry, a UK government department which, among other responsibilities, has a leading role in UK Government oversight of energy policy (UK)

 


 

EA The Environment Agency, the environmental regulator for England & Wales (UK)

 

EBITDA earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, goodwill amortisation and deferred income released to the profit and loss account

 

EC European Commission, the administrative arm of the European Union institutions

 

EIB European Investment Bank

 

EITF The Emerging Issues Task Force of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (US)

 

EPA The Environmental Protection Agency (US)

 

EPS Earnings per share

 

ESOP Employee Share Ownership Plan (UK)

 

ETS Emissions Trading Scheme, an EU mechanism for the trading of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions

 

EU European Union, the body of 25 states bound by treaty to cooperate in aspects of the management of their affairs

 

Executive Team a standing committee of the Board which assists the Chief Executive and, in particular, oversees much of the group’s risk management activities

 

ExSOP Executive Share Option Scheme open to the company’s executive directors and senior managers

 


 

Fair value the amount for which an asset could be exchanged, or a liability settled, between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm’s length transaction

 

FAS Financial Accounting Standard (US)

 

FASB Financial Accounting Standards Board (US)

 

FERC The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the US federal energy regulator (US)

 

FFO Funds from operations

 

FRS Financial Reporting Standard (UK)

 

401(k) a tax-beneficial savings plan available to US-domiciled employees (US)

 

FPA The Federal Power Act (US)

 


 

GAAP Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, these vary between the UK (“UK GAAP”) and US (“US GAAP”)

 

Gas natural gas

 

GERC The Group Energy Risk Committee

 

GIC Group Investment Committee

 

Giga (G) one thousand million (1,000,000,000) units

 

Great Britain (GB) England, Scotland and Wales

 

Group Scottish Power plc and its consolidated subsidiaries

 

Guaranteed Standards standards of performance agreed between the company and Ofgem for transmission, distribution and supply (UK)

 


 

Hedging undertaking transactions to guard against the risk of loss

 

Home area the geographical area in which a company was previously the sole licensed supplier of residential customers (UK)

 

HR Human resources

 

Hub services a generic term describing various fee-based transactions carried out by a gas storage operator, for example, parking and loaning gas to meet balancing needs or “wheeling” gas from one pipeline to another at the storage location

 

Hydroelectric the generic description for generating plants making use of the movement of water as their energy source

 


 

IAS International Accounting Standard

 

IASB International Accounting Standards Board

 

ICSA Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (UK)

 

IFRS International Financial Reporting Standard

 

IFRIC International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee

 

Interconnectors the high voltage links connecting the transmission system of Scotland with those of England & Wales and of Northern Ireland (UK)

 

IPUC The Idaho Public Utilities Commission, the regulatory body in Idaho (US)

 

IRP Integrated Resource Plan, a consolidated review of anticipated future requirements used as a context within which to assess individual proposals for new generation or conservation initiatives (US)

 

ISA Individual Savings Account (UK)

 


 

Kilo (k) one thousand (1,000) units

 


 

LBG London Benchmarking Group, a body which manages a standard for the reporting of aspects of corporate social responsibility amongst over 90 leading UK companies (UK)

 

LTA Lost time accidents, accidents at work leading to employees being absent from work

 

LTIP Long Term Incentive Plan

 


 

Mark-to-market the adjustment made to record an asset or a liability at its fair market value

 

Mega (M) one million (1,000,000) units

 

MidAmerican MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, an Iowa corporation

 

MSP the multi-state process through which PacifiCorp and the six states it serves are working to clarify roles and responsibilities concerning the regulation of PacifiCorps’ business activities (US)

 

 

 

ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05    201


Table of Contents

 

 


 

NETA The New Energy Trading Arrangements introduced in March 2001 (UK)

 

NOx oxides of Nitrogen

 


 

Ofgem The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, which provides administrative support to the UK regulatory authority (UK)

 

OPUC The Oregon Public Utility Commission, the regulatory body in Oregon (US)

 


 

PCAMs Power cost adjustment mechanisms, arrangements under which excess or over-collected power costs are passed through or returned to customers (US)

 

plc public limited company (UK)

 

Power production the US term for the generation of electricity

 

PPM Energy PPM Energy, Inc. the group’s competitive energy business active in North America

 

PSCs Public Services Commissions, the individual bodies which regulate utilities in each of the states (US)

 

PSP the Personal Shareholding Policy under which executive directors and key senior managers are expected to build up and retain a shareholding in the company

 

PTCs Production Tax Credits which make renewable generation cost-effective in many US electricity markets (US)

 

PUHCA (1935 Act) the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended (US)

 


 

Rates the US term for Tariffs

 

RECs Renewable Energy Certificates, tradable confirmation that generation output qualifies for recognition as being from renewable sources and therefore attracts incentives in many electricity markets (US)

 

Refurbishment of networks activity designed to replace and modernise network assets without materially increasing their capacity, generally undertaken to improve cost-efficiency, reliability or other aspects of service quality

 

Reinforcement of networks activity designed to increase the capacity of network assets, generally undertaken to cope with increased customer demand

 

Renewables sources of electricity generation which use naturally occurring or self-regenerating inputs, examples include wind and hydroelectric power

 

Retail sales the supply of electricity or gas to end-user consumers

 

 

RFP Requests for Proposals, the formal tendering process through which specific proposals are sought for the provision of new generation or conservation requirements (US)

 

ROCs Renewables Obligation Certificates, tradable confirmation that generation output qualifies for recognition towards a supplier’s obligation to provide a defined proportion of its total electricity supplies from renewable sources (UK)

 

ROE Return on Equity, a US regulatory measure intended to establish the return to shareholders (US)

 

RPI the Retail Price Index, the equivalent of the US Consumer Price Index – CPI (UK)

 


 

Sarbanes-Oxley Act an act of 2002 which regulates various aspects of corporate standards (US)

 

SEC The Securities and Exchange Commission, the US federal regulator of corporate affairs (US)

 

SEE social, environmental and ethical

 

SEPA The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the environmental regulator for Scotland (UK)

 

SERP The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan which provides additional retirement benefits as an incentive to selected US managers and highly compensated employees

 

SFAS Statement of Financial Accounting Standards

 

6 Sigma a business process improvement methodology used to seek out potential productivity and service quality gains

 

SO2 sulphur dioxide

 

SP plc Scottish Power plc

 

SPUK Scottish Power UK plc, the non-trading holding company for most of the group’s UK companies (UK)

 

SSAP Statement of Standard Accounting Practice (UK)

 

Stipulation or stipulation agreement, a term used in the US regulatory context to describe an agreement reached between parties which is then submitted for consideration by the regulatory authority (US)

 


 

Tera (T) indicates a measure of 1012, for example terawatt hours

 

Thermal the generic description for generating plants burning coal, gas, black liquor and the like, or using geothermal energy

 

Transmission the transfer of electricity from power stations to the distribution system

 

Transportation (of gas) transfer of gas from on-shore terminals to consumers through the national pipeline network (UK)

       

TSR Total Shareholder Return, the return provided by capital appreciation and dividend reinvestment over a period

 


 

UITF The Urgent Issues Task Force of the Accounting Standards Board (UK)

 

UK United Kingdom, comprising England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

 

UPSC The Utah Public Service Commission, the regulatory authority in Utah (US)

 

US United States of America

 


 

VaR Value-at-Risk, a statistically-based measure of the potential financial loss on a price exposure position used to provide a consistent measure of risk across the group

 

Volt (V) Unit of electrical potential

 


 

Watt (W) Unit of electrical power, the rate at which electricity is produced or used

 

Watt hour (Wh) Unit of electrical energy, the production or consumption of one Watt for one hour

 

Wholesale sales the supply of bulk electricity or gas to parties other than end-user customers

 

Windfarms groups of wind-driven turbines used to generate electricity

 

WPSC The Wyoming Public Service Commission, the regulatory authority in Wyoming (US)

 

WUTC The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, the regulatory authority in Washington (US)

 


 

Conversion factors

         

Metres

0.91

  1   Yards
1.09
         

Km

1.61

  1   Miles
0.62
         

Litres

3.78

  1   US Gallons
0.26
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   

 

202    ScottishPower Annual Report & Accounts 2004/05


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ScottishPower

Scottish power plc

Registered Office: 1 Atlantic Quay,

Glasgow G2 8sp

Registered in Scotland No: 193794

For press releases and up-to-date information

visit our website www.scottishpower.com