Citicore Energy REIT earns high marks for financial strength
Citicore Energy REIT Corp. (CREIT) secured a high-grade issuer credit rating from Philippine Rating Services Corp. due to its robust financial position amid aggressive expansion of its green asset portfolio.
PhilRatings assigned an issuer credit rating of PRS Aa plus (corp.) to the Philippines’ first renewable energy-focused real estate investment trust and maintained the same rating for its ₱4.5 billion outstanding Asean Green Bonds.
Both ratings carry a stable outlook, suggesting the grades are unlikely to change over the next 12 months.
A PRS Aa rating is the second-highest category on the local credit scale. It indicates that an entity has a “very strong” capacity to meet financial obligations and differs from the highest-rated corporates only by a small degree.
PhilRatings noted that CREIT is well-positioned to capitalize on the Philippines’ shifting energy mix toward renewables, supported by a portfolio of green assets that remains fully occupied.
The credit watch took into account CREIT’s “satisfactory profitability” and what the rater described as healthy liquidity and manageable leverage. The company’s unique business model—operating as a landlord for solar power projects rather than a traditional developer—provides a specialized revenue stream that has appealed to investors seeking lower-risk exposure to the renewable sector.
Oliver Tan, CREIT president and chief executive officer, said the affirmation of the ratings reflects the market's continued confidence in the company’s long-term value creation.
He noted that maintaining the PRS Aa plus grade for both the issuer and the maiden Asean Green Bond serves as a testament to the stability of the REIT’s business model.
The ₱4.5 billion bond issuance in February 2023 was oversubscribed, with proceeds utilized to acquire renewable energy properties. This expansion increased the company’s green land portfolio to approximately 7.1 million square meters, cementing its status as the largest renewable energy landlord in the country.
According to Tan, the platform is anchored on investor trust as the company scales its operations.
He emphasized that as the asset base grows, the company remains committed to meeting its obligations to shareholders and empowering sustainable investments through resilient financial management.