Ormat Technologies, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2007 Results

RENO, Nev., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ormat Technologies, Inc. today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007.

Third Quarter Results

For the third quarter of 2007, the Company reported total revenue of $79.5 million versus $77.8 million for the third quarter of 2006, with an increase of 8.9% in the Electricity Segment and a decrease of 15.8% in the Products Segment. The gross margin in the Electricity Segment was 42.3%, in line with the third quarter of 2006, while the gross margin in the Products Segment was 16.7%, an increase compared to the second quarter of 2007 and a decrease from the third quarter of 2006. Margin pressure in the Products Segment remains, in view of general industry cost increase.

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Net income for the quarter was $15.8 million, or $0.41 per share (basic and diluted), compared to $13.9 million, or $0.39 per share (basic and diluted), in the third quarter of 2006. Net income in the third quarter of 2007 benefited from lower tax expense of $2.0 million compared with the third quarter of 2006. There were 38.1 million basic and 38.3 million diluted weighted average shares used in the computation of earnings per share in the third quarter of 2007 and 35.6 million basic and diluted weighted average shares during the same period of 2006.

Commenting on the results for the quarter, Dita Bronicki, Chief Executive Officer of Ormat, stated, "We had a good quarter in terms of both operational results and progress in the continued growth of our business. We had a record generation level in our California power plants resulting from the proactive actions we took in the first quarter, specifically in our Ormesa complex. We continued to broaden our portfolio with more than 250 MW under construction and development and with new lease agreements that we successfully secured to support future development. In October we raised additional equity through a "Block Trade" and a private placement that will help us to fund our future growth."

"The performance of our Electricity Segment this quarter illustrated our ability to turn opportunities into results. Top and bottom line growth were driven primarily by the increase in the number of megawatt hours we produced over last year. We also benefited from higher rates paid under several power purchase agreements with Southern California Edison."

Electricity Segment revenues for the quarter were $61.4 million versus $56.4 million in the same period a year ago. A majority of the increase in revenues on a year-over-year basis is attributable to an increase in capacity and better performance of our U.S. power plants, as well as higher energy rates in the Ormesa and Heber projects in California.

Products Segment revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 were $18.1 million, as compared with $21.4 million for the same quarter a year ago, a decrease of 15.8%. Unlike the Electricity Segment, revenues in the Products Segment are more difficult to predict because of various factors, including timing of orders and the execution of each contract, and can vary from period to period.

Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was $38.0 million compared to $39.7 million in the same quarter a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA includes consolidated EBITDA and the Company's share in operating income and depreciation and amortization totaling $3.1 million and $2.7 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, related to the Company's unconsolidated investment interest of 50% in the Mammoth project in California, and 80% in the Leyte project in the Philippines, which was transferred back to the offtaker on September 25, 2007. The reconciliation of GAAP net income to Adjusted EBITDA is set forth below in the release.

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of September 30, 2007 decreased to $29.0 million from $116.7 million as of December 31, 2006, reflecting primarily the investment the Company made in new generating capacity. This figure does not reflect the closing of the sale of 3,000,000 shares of common stock in a public offering on October 26, 2007 and the separate closing of the sale of 381,254 shares of common stock to the parent company, Ormat Industries Ltd., in an unregistered sale complying with the requirements of Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Ms. Bronicki continued, "We executed an offering of 3,381,254 shares in October that raised approximately $155 million. We believe this added capital will allow us to take advantage of future opportunities, whether it is the funding of construction, development and exploration activities or the purchase of new equipment."

On November 6, 2007, Ormat's Board of Directors approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share pursuant to the Company's dividend policy, which targets an annual payout ratio of at least 20% of the Company's net income. The dividend will be paid on December 12, 2007 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 28, 2007.

Commenting on the outlook for 2007, Ms. Bronicki said, "Following our third quarter earnings results, we maintain our guidance for 2007 and expect our 2007 Electricity Segment revenues to be approximately $214 million. We also expect an additional approximately $18 million of revenues from our share of electricity revenues generated by Mammoth, and by Leyte, which we owned for nearly nine months during 2007, that are accounted for under the equity method. With regard to our Products Segment, we currently expect that our 2007 revenues will be on the high side of the guidance previously provided, which is between $70 million and $72 million."

Ms. Bronicki concluded, "In short, our Electricity and Products Segments are performing well and we are strategically investing in growth opportunities that will build on our success and contribute to our growth in the years to come."

Nine Month Results

For the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, total revenue increased 11.4% to $225.3 million from $202.3 million in the same period last year. Net income for the nine month period was $18.5 million, or $0.48 per share (basic and diluted), compared to $30.2 million, or $0.89 per share (basic and diluted), in the same period of 2006. There were 38.1 million basic and 38.2 million diluted weighted average shares used in the computation of diluted earnings per share in the first nine months of 2007 and 34.1 million basic and diluted weighted average shares during the same period in 2006.

Electricity Segment revenue for the nine month period was $160.4 million, an increase of 7.7% from $148.9 million in the same period a year ago. Products Segment revenue for the nine month period was $64.8 million, an increase of 21.5% from $53.4 million in the same period in 2006.

Adjusted EBITDA for the nine month period was $82.0 million dollars, compared to $97.3 million in the same period a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA includes consolidated EBITDA and the Company's share in operating income and depreciation and amortization totaling $8.9 million and $7.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, related to the Company's unconsolidated investment interest of 50% in the Mammoth project in California, and 80% in the Leyte project in the Philippines which was transferred back to the offtaker on September 25, 2007. The reconciliation of GAAP net income to Adjusted EBITDA is set forth below in the release.

Conference Call Details

Ormat will host a live webcast to discuss its financial results and other matters in this press release at 9:00 a.m. E.S.T. on Wednesday November 7, 2007. The webcast will be available at http://www.ormat.com/. During the webcast, management will refer to slides that will be posted on the web site. The slides and accompanying webcast can be accessed through the Event Calendar in the Investor Relations section of Ormat's website.

A 30-day archive of the webcast will be available approximately 2 hours after the conclusion of the live call. To listen to a replay, please call 1- 877-519-4471 in the United States and Canada and 1-973-341-3080 for international callers and utilize code 9378403.

About Ormat Technologies

Ormat Technologies, Inc. is a vertically-integrated company primarily engaged in the geothermal and recovered energy power business. The Company designs, develops, builds, owns and operates geothermal and recovered energy power plants using Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology. Additionally, the Company designs, manufactures and sells geothermal and recovered energy power units and other power generating equipment, and provides related services. Ormat is a pioneer and a leader in the manufacture of ORC power equipment its products and systems are covered by approximately 70 patents. Ormat currently operates the following geothermal power plants: in the United States -- Brady, Heber, Mammoth, Ormesa, Puna and Steamboat; in Guatemala -- Zunil; in Kenya -- Olkaria; and in Nicaragua -- Momotombo. In the U.S., Ormat owns and operates four OREG1 Recovered Energy Generation plants.

Safe Harbor Statement

Information provided in this press release may contain statements relating to current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally relate to Ormat's plans, objectives and expectations for future operations and are based upon its management's current estimates and projections of future results or trends. Actual future results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, see "Risk Factors" as described in Ormat Technologies, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2007 and the Prospectus Supplement filed with the SEC on October 23, 2007.

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and we

undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements,

whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Ormat Technologies Contact: Dita Bronicki CEO [phone] Relations Contact: Todd Fromer/ Marybeth Csaby KCSA Worldwide [phone] / [e-mail] / [e-mail] Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006 (in thousands, (in thousands, except except per share data) per share data) Revenues: Electricity $61,406 $56,402 $160,424 $148,902 Products 18,061 21,446 64,842 53,353 Other 64,842 49,850 64,842 49,850 Total revenues 79,467 77,848 225,266 202,255 Total products 82,903 71,296 129,684 103,203 Cost of revenues: Electricity $35,455 $32,319 $110,505 $90,122 Products 15,046 13,157 55,184 33,269 Total cost of revenues 50,501 45,476 165,689 123,391 Gross margin 28,966 32,372 59,577 78,864 Operating expenses: Research and development expenses 952 826 2,717 2,489 Selling and marketing expenses 2,043 2,410 7,851 7,931 General and administrative expenses 4,979 4,270 15,888 13,358 Operating income 20,992 24,866 33,121 55,086 Other income (expense): Interest income 1,171 1,443 4,207 4,905 Interest expense (6,984) (8,347) (21,836) (23,541) Foreign currency translation and transaction losses (96) (933) (771) (1,010) Other non-operating income 247 65 595 372 Income before income taxes, minority interest and equity in income of investees 15,330 17,094 15,316 35,812 Income tax provision (2,300) (4,342) (2,297) (8,412) Minority interest 1,280 (242) 1,585 (813) Equity in income of investees 1,452 1,429 3,864 3,639 Net income 15,762 13,939 18,468 30,226 Earnings per share - basic and diluted $0.41 $0.39 $0.48 $0.89 Weighted average number of shares used in computation of earnings per share: Basic 38,125 35,588 38,119 34,100 Diluted 38,251 35,609 38,240 34,100 Ormat Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 (Unaudited) September 30, December 31, 2007 2006 (in thousands) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $20,331 $20,254 Marketable securities 8,640 96,486 Restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities 56,895 56,425 Receivables: Trade 53,561 36,463 Related entity 334 879 Other 5,825 5,277 Due from Parent - 1,459 Inventories, net 10,460 7,403 Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts 2,986 11,216 Deferred income taxes 1,852 1,819 Prepaid expenses and other 6,793 4,911 Total current assets 167,677 242,592 Unconsolidated investments 31,992 37,207 Deposits and other 15,449 15,081 Deferred income taxes 5,611 6,172 Property, plant and equipment, net 737,210 624,089 Construction-in-process 166,973 169,075 Deferred financing and lease costs, net 14,292 15,800 Intangible assets, net 48,779 50,086 Total assets $1,187,983 $1,160,102 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $65,869 $70,445 Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts 8,591 5,803 Current portion of long-term debt: Limited and non-recourse 8,234 8,482 Full recourse 1,000 1,000 Senior secured notes (non-recourse) 27,488 40,054 Due to Parent, including current portion of notes payable to Parent 33,739 82,379 Total current liabilities 144,921 208,163 Long-term debt, net of current portion: Limited and non-recourse 16,099 22,157 Full recourse - 1,000 Senior secured notes (non-recourse) 287,791 299,316 Notes payable to Parent, net of current portion 91,912 57,841 Deferred lease income 76,869 78,883 Deferred income taxes 16,450 21,674 Liability for unrecognized tax benefits 4,308 - Liabilities for severance pay 14,251 13,378 Asset retirement obligation 12,280 16,832 Total liabilities 664,881 719,244 Minority interest 67,697 64 Stockholders' equity: Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 38,126,106 and 38,101,888 shares issued and outstanding, respectively 38 38 Additional paid-in capital 356,644 353,399 Retained earnings 96,713 85,053 Accumulated other comprehensive income 2,010 2,304 Total stockholders' equity 455,405 440,794 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,187,983 $1,160,102 Ormat Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)

We calculate EBITDA as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, equity income of investees, minority interest and other non- operating expense (income). We calculate adjusted EBITDA to include operating income, depreciation and amortization, interest and taxes attributable to our equity investments in the Mammoth and Leyte Projects. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not measurements of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity or an alternative to net earnings as indicators of our operating performance or any other measures of performance derived in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are presented because we believe they are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of a Company's ability to service and/or incur debt. However, other companies in our industry may calculate EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA differently than we do. The following table reconciles net income to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006:

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006 (in thousands) (in thousands) Net income 15,762 13,939 18,468 30,226 Adjusted for: Equity in income of investees (1,452) (1,429) (3,864) (3,639) Minority interest (1,280) 242 (1,585) 813 Interest expense, net (including amortization of deferred financing costs) 5,813 7,837 18,400 19,646 Other non-operating expense (income) (151) (65) (595) (372) Income tax provision 2,300 4,342 2,297 8,412 Depreciation and amortization 12,500 10,734 36,194 30,520 EBITDA 33,492 35,600 69,315 85,606 Equity in income of Mammoth-Pacific L.P. and Ormat Leyte 1,452 1,429 3,864 3,913 Depreciation, amortization, interest and taxes attributable to the Company's equity in Mammoth-Pacific L.P. and Ormat Leyte 3,024 2,695 8,776 7,744 Adjusted EBITDA 37,968 39,724 81,955 97,263

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