TenneT appears to have several features that support hybrid bond issuance, but also some financial weaknesses that make the assessment mixed. Key supportive factors: - It is a regulated transmission system operator, an infrastructure business with strategic importance. - The parent entity is the Dutch State, which is a major positive factor for market access and investor confidence. - The company already has hybrid capital outstanding of EUR 2.125 billion, indicating that hybrid instruments are part of its capital structure and that it has precedent for issuing them. - The asset base is very large and growing: total assets increased from EUR 31.2 billion to EUR 38.5 billion. - Cash and cash equivalents are substantial at EUR 6.5 billion at year-end 2022. - Financing market access appears strong: proceeds from borrowings were EUR 7.3 billion in 2022, and there was also a EUR 1.23 billion capital contribution. Key concerns: - Profitability is weak: the company reported a EUR 879 million loss in 2022, worse than the EUR 340 million loss in 2021. - Operating result was also negative at EUR 976 million. - Leverage is high and rising: long-term borrowings increased materially from EUR 12.4 billion to EUR 19.0 billion. - Equity increased only modestly despite the capital contribution, because losses absorbed much of the benefit. - Cash flow from operating activities fell sharply from EUR 5.7 billion in 2021 to EUR 1.2 billion in 2022, while investing cash outflows remained very high at EUR 4.3 billion. Overall, TenneT has strong qualitative credit-supportive characteristics due to its regulated monopoly-like infrastructure role, state ownership, large asset base, and existing hybrid capital. However, the company’s significant losses, high leverage, and heavy capital expenditure needs mean it is not an unambiguously strong candidate on standalone financial metrics. It is therefore suitable, but more on a marginal basis than a strongly suitable one. Marginally Suitable