AES CORPORATION
8-K, 1998-08-04
COGENERATION SERVICES & SMALL POWER PRODUCERS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF

                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

         Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): July 13, 1998

                               THE AES CORPORATION
             (exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>                                    <C>       
        DELAWARE                                0-19281                                54-1163725
(State of Incorporation)                 (Commission File No.)             (IRS Employer Identification No.)
</TABLE>

                             1001 North 19th Street
                            Arlington, Virginia 22209
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

               Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                                 (703) 522-1315

                                 NOT APPLICABLE
          (Former Name or Former Address, if changed since last report)



<PAGE>



ITEM 5.   OTHER EVENTS

     This report is filed to file with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission
(i) the press release issued on July 21, 1998,  announcing the Company's  second
quarter  earnings and the Company's  intention to offer 6,500,000  shares of its
common stock and  $200,000,000  aggregate  principal  amount of its  Convertible
Junior Subordinated  Debentures due 2005 and (ii) the Company's statement of its
ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the first quarter of 1998 (the  Company's
statement of such ratio for the last five fiscal  years  having been  previously
filed as an exhibit to the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1997).  The
press  release  and the  Company's  statement  of its ratio of earnings to fixed
charges are each incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 12 and 20 attached
hereto.

     This  report  is also  filed  to file  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission the following recent developments with respect to the Company:

     In May,  subsidiaries  of AES  completed  the  purchase  of three  electric
generating stations from Southern California Edison ("Edison") for approximately
$781 million.  In connection  with the  acquisition,  the Company  obtained $713
million of  non-recourse  project  financing.  AES Alamitos  (Long  Beach),  AES
Redondo  Beach and AES  Huntington  Beach all fire  natural  gas with a combined
summer peak  generating  capacity of 3,956 megawatts (MW). AES has contracted to
provide fuel conversion services from the facilities to Williams Energy Services
Company  ("Williams").  Under the long term agreement,  Williams delivers gas to
the plants and owns and markets the  electrical  output.  Project debt financing
for  the  acquisition  was  provided  by  a  syndicate  of  banks.  Pursuant  to
California's electricity restructuring law, Edison will remain under contract to
operate and maintain the facilities  for two years,  after which AES will assume
operations.

     In May, a subsidiary  of AES entered into an agreement  with Hanwha  Energy
Co., Ltd. of South Korea ("Hanwha") to acquire Hanwha's power generation  assets
located in the City of Inchon, South Korea,  consisting of 1,500 MW in operation
and an additional 300 MW under  construction,  for  approximately  $873 million.
Closing  of  the  transactions  contemplated  by the  agreement  is  subject  to
significant   conditions  including  negotiation  and  execution  of  definitive
documentation.  The  agreement  requires  AES to (i) fund  $371  million  of the
purchase price upon execution of a Business Transfer  Agreement and satisfaction
of  certain  conditions   precedent   contained  therein,   (ii)  assume  up  to
approximately $273 million of existing project debt and leases upon closing, and
(iii) commit to fund the  remaining  $230 million  towards  construction  of the
additional  300 MW. In  connection  with  this  potential  transaction,  AES has
entered  into a $380  million  standby  non-recourse  bridge  loan,  secured  by
approximately  4 million shares of Common Stock, to fund the intial $371 million
payment.  There  can be no  assurances  that  the  Hanwha  acquisition  will  be
consummated.

     In June, a subsidiary  of the Company  raised $173 million of  non-recourse
project financing for the $230 million AES Merida III 484 MW gas-fired  combined
cycle power plant currently under  construction in the City of Merida,  Yucatan,
Mexico.  When constructed and in operation,  the new facility will provide power
to the state utility in Mexico,  Comision  Federal de  Electricidad,  under a 25
year power purchase agreement.

     In  June,  a  subsidiary  of  AES  was  selected  by the  Bangladesh  Power
Development Board as the First-Ranked Sponsor to build, own and operate a 450 MW
(net)  gas-fired  combined  cycle  power plant at a site 12 miles  southeast  of
Dhaka,  Bangladesh on the Meghna River (the "Meghnaghat  Project").  The site is
about 3 miles from  AES's  Haripur  project,  a 360 MW  gas-fired  plant that is
currently  under  development.  AES was awarded  the Haripur  project in January
1998.  Electricity from the Meghnaghat  project is anticipated to be sold to the
Bangladesh Power  Development  Board under the terms of a 22 year power purchase
agreement, which is expected to be signed shortly.  Commercial operations of the
Meghnaghat   plant  is  expected  to  commence  in  the  year  2000.  Titus  Gas
Transmission and Distribution Company, a subsidiary of Petrobangla,  will supply
natural gas to the  facility  from a nearby  pipeline  for the term of the power
purchase agreement.

     In June, a subsidiary  of AES acquired 90% of Empresa  Distribuidora  de La
Plata S.A.  ("EDELAP"),  an  electric  distribution  company in the  province of
Buenos Aires,  Argentina for approximately  $350 million from a joint venture of
Houston Industries  Energy,  Inc. and a subsidiary of Techint S.A., an Argentine
industrial firm. EDELAP serves approximately 278,000 customers in and around the
city  of La  Plata,  the  capital  of  Buenos  Aires  Province.  A $193  million
non-recourse  loan provided for a portion of the purchase price.  The balance of
the  purchase  price  was  financed  through  a $165  million  bridge  loan to a
subsidiary of AES. (the "EDELAP Bridge").

     In July, two  subsidiaries  of AES, AES Lal Pir Limited ("AES Lal Pir") and
AES  PakGen  (Pvt)  Company  ("AES  PakGen"),  received  "Notices  of  Intent to
Terminate" certain project  agreements from the Government of Pakistan.  AES Lal
Pir is a 351 MW (net)  oil-fired  thermal  power  plant  located  in the  Punjab
Province of Pakistan. AES PakGen is a 344 MW (net) oil-fired thermal power plant
located  adjacent to AES Lal Pir. The notices  issued to these  projects  assert
that AES's subsidiaries made inaccurate  anti-corruption  representations to the
Government  of Pakistan.  AES believes that these notices are similar to notices
received by other independent power producers in Pakistan. AES


                                        2

<PAGE>

     strongly denies the allegations  made in the Notices of Intent to Terminate
and intends to  vigorously  pursue all  available  legal  options to enforce and
preserve its contractual  rights under the project  agreements.  To that end, in
August 1998, AES Lal Pir and AES PakGen filed a Request for Arbitration with the
International  Chamber of Commerce  International Court of Arbitration seeking a
declaration  that the  purported  Notices  of Intent to  Terminate  are  invalid
because,  among other things, the allegations contained therein have no basis in
fact,  there  has  been no  breach  or event of  default  of any of the  project
documents  relating  to the  allegations  and the  Government  of  Pakistan  has
provided no evidence  to  substantiate  any of the  allegations.  Despite  these
notices, both plants continue to operate normally and the customer, the Pakistan
Water and Power  Development  Authority,  has  continued to make its payments in
accordance with the contracts.

     On August 3, 1998,  the Company  announced that it won a bid to acquire six
coal-fired,  electric generating plants from NGE Generation,  Inc., an affiliate
of New York State Electric & Gas Corporation  ("NYSEG"),  for approximately $950
million.  The  facilities  represent the bulk of NYSEG's  coal-fired  generation
assets and were auctioned as part of NYSEG's implementation of its restructuring
plan in  accordance  with  New  York's  introduction  of  wholesale  and  retail
competition into the state's electricity  generation  market.The six facilities,
located in western and  west-central  New York,  are Kintigh (675 MW),  Milliken
(306 MW), Goudey (126 MW), Greenidge (161 MW), Hickling (85 MW) and Jennison (71
MW). The facilities  include low cost generating  plants and, with the exception
of some of the  smaller  units,  are  expected to run as  based-load  units in a
competitive New York electricity  generation  market.  Sulfur dioxide  scrubbers
have already been  installed at the largest  plants,  Kintigh and Milliken.  The
acquisition is expected to be completed  during the first quarter of 1999 and is
subject  to  customary  closing  conditions,  including  the  receipt of various
governmental approvals. The Company currently intends to finance its acquisition
of NYSEG through one or any  combination of the following:  (i) borrowings under
its  revolving  credit  facility;  (ii)  issuance  of  non  recourse  debt  by a
subsidiary; (iii) issuances of debt or equity by the Company; or (iv) borrowings
under a bridge facility.


     EXHIBITS

     The following are filed as Exhibits to this Report.

     Exhibit  4 Form of First  Supplemental  Indenture  (Supplemental  to Junior
Subordinated  Debt  Securities  Indenture  between  The  Company  and The  First
National Bank of Chicago),

     Exhibit 12 Statement of the Company's Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     Exhibit 20 News Release  announcing the Company's  second quarter  earnings
and the offering of common stock and convertible debentures by the Company


                                   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 hereunto duly authorized.

                                                   THE AES CORPORATION

     Date: August 4, 1998                          By /s/ William Luraschi
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                        (signing officer)




                                        3



================================================================================






                               THE AES CORPORATION

                                       AND

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO

                                   as Trustee

                              --------------------

                          FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

                           Dated as of August _, 1998

                                       TO

                          JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

                           Dated as of August __, 1998

                              --------------------

                 ___% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures

                                    due 2005


================================================================================

<PAGE>



     The First Supplemental INDENTURE,  dated as of this [ ] day of August, 1998
(the "First Supplemental Indenture"), between THE AES CORPORATION, a corporation
duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter
sometimes referred to as the "Company"), and THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
a national banking association, as trustee (hereinafter sometimes referred to as
the "Trustee")  under the Junior  Subordinated  Indenture dated as of August __,
1998 between the Company and the Trustee (the "Indenture");

     WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered the Indenture to the Trustee to
provide  for the future  issuance  of its junior  subordinated  securities  (the
"Debentures"), said Debentures to be issued from time to time in series as might
be  determined  by the Company under the  Indenture,  in an unlimited  aggregate
principal amount which may be authenticated  and delivered  thereunder as in the
Indenture provided; and

     WHEREAS,  pursuant to the terms of the  Indenture,  the Company  desires to
provide for the  establishment  of a new series of its Debentures to be known as
its [ ]% Convertible Junior Subordinated  Debentures due 2005 (said series being
hereinafter referred to as the "Series A Convertible Debentures"),  the form and
substance of such Series A Convertible Debentures and the terms,  provisions and
conditions  thereof to be set forth as provided in the  Indenture and this First
Supplemental Indenture; and

     WHEREAS,  the Company desires and has requested the Trustee to join with it
in the  execution  and delivery of this First  Supplemental  Indenture,  and all
requirements  necessary  to  make  this  First  Supplemental  Indenture  a valid
instrument,  in accordance with its terms,  and to make the Series A Convertible
Debentures,  when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the
Trustee, the valid obligations of the Company have been performed and fulfilled,
and the execution and delivery hereof have been in all respects duly authorized;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the purchase and  acceptance of the
Series A Convertible  Debentures by the holders thereof,  and for the purpose of
setting  forth,  as provided in the  Indenture,  the form and  substance  of the
Series  A  Convertible  Debentures  and the  terms,  provisions  and  conditions
thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee as follows:

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE ONE

                        DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
                             OF GENERAL APPLICATION

     SECTION 1.1. TERMS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE.

     Each  capitalized  term used not but  defined  in this  First  Supplemental
Indenture shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Indenture.

     SECTION 1.2. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

     The following  definitions are hereby added to the definitions contained in
Section 1.1 of the Indenture,  but only with respect to the Series A Convertible
Debentures issued in accordance with the provisions hereof:

     "Common Stock" means the Common Stock, $.01 par value, of the Company.

     "Repurchase  Event"  means  the  occurrence  of a Change  in  Control  or a
Termination of Trading.

     "Senior  Subordinated  Debt" means Debt which is  subordinated  in right of
payment only to Debt which is not subordinated and includes, without limitation,
the  Company's  8.375% Senior  Subordinated  Debentures  due 2027,  8.50% Senior
Subordinated  Notes  due 2007,  8.375%  Senior  Subordinated  Notes due 2007 and
10.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006.

     "Termination  of Trading"  occurs if the Common Stock (or if the Debentures
are not then  convertible  into Common Stock,  any other common stock into which
the  Debentures  are then  convertible)  is neither listed for trading on a U.S.
national  securities  exchange  nor  approved  for  trading  on  an  established
automated over-the-counter trading market in the United States.

     "Trading Date" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,  Thursday and Friday,
other  than  any day on  which  securities  are  not  traded  on the  applicable
securities exchange or in the applicable securities market.

     The following terms are defined in the places indicated:


                                       2

<PAGE>



                   Term                            Defined in Section
                   ----                            ------------------
                   Closing Price                           6.4
                   conversion price                        6.1
                   Current Market Price                    6.4
                   Purchased Shares                        6.4



                                   ARTICLE TWO

                       THE SERIES A CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES


     SECTION 2.1. FORM.

     The Series A Convertible  Debentures  shall be substantially in the form of
Exhibit A hereto, which is a part of this First Supplemental  Indenture, in each
case  with  such  appropriate  insertions,  omissions,  substitutions  and other
variations  as are  required  or  permitted  by the  Indenture  and  this  First
Supplemental  Indenture,  and may have such  letters,  numbers or other marks of
identification  and  such  legends  or  endorsements  placed  thereon  as may be
required  to  comply  with  the  rules  of any  securities  exchange  or as may,
consistently  herewith,  be determined by the officers of the Company  executing
such Series A  Convertible  Debentures,  as evidenced by their  execution of the
Series A Convertible Debentures.

     The Series A Convertible  Debentures will initially be issued as Registered
Global Securities.

     The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company and the Trustee
to act as Depositary and Securities Custodian, respectively, with respect to the
Series A Convertible Debentures.

     The  Company  initially  appoints  the  Trustee to act as Paying  Agent and
Registrar with respect to the Series A Convertible Debentures.

     SECTION 2.2. DESIGNATION AND AMOUNT.

     (a) The  Series A  Convertible  Debentures  shall  be  entitled  the  "___%
Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2005" of the Company.

     (b) The  Trustee  shall  authenticate  and  deliver  Series  A  Convertible
Debentures   for   original   issue  in  an   aggregate   principal   amount  of
$[200,000,000];  provided,  however,  that in the  event the  Company  sells any
Series A Convertible


                                       2

<PAGE>



Debentures pursuant to the over-allotment  option (the "Over-Allotment  Option")
granted pursuant to the  Underwriting  Agreement dated August , 1998 between the
Company,  Smith Barney Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities,  Inc., Donaldson,  Lufkin &
Jenrette Securities Corporation, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,  PaineWebber
Incorporated and C.E. Unterberg, Towbin, then the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver  Series A  Convertible  Debentures  for  original  issue in an aggregate
principal amount of $[200,000,000] plus up to $[30,000,000]  aggregate principal
amount of Series A Convertible  Debentures  sold pursuant to the  Over-Allotment
Option. The aggregate  principal amount of Series A Convertible  Debentures that
may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture may not exceed the amount
set forth in the foregoing sentence,  subject to the proviso therein, except for
Series A Convertible  Debentures  that may be  authenticated  and delivered upon
registration  of transfer of, or in exchange  for, or in lieu of, other Series A
Convertible  Debentures  pursuant to Sections 2.7, 2.8,  2.10, 3.3 or 9.4 of the
Indenture and Section 5.1 of this First Supplemental Indenture.

     (c) The Company may not issue new Debentures to replace  Debentures that it
has paid or  delivered  to the Trustee for  cancellation  or that any Holder has
converted pursuant to Article Six.

     SECTION 2.3. INTEREST.

     Interest  on the Series A  Convertible  Debentures  shall be payable on the
dates and in the manner  provided  for in the form of the  Series A  Convertible
Debenture attached hereto as Exhibit A.

     SECTION 2.4. DENOMINATIONS.

     The Debentures shall be Registered Securities in denominations of $1,000 or
any integral multiple thereof.

     SECTION 2.5. PLACE OF PAYMENT.

     The place of payment for the Series A Convertible  Debentures  shall be the
Borough of Manhattan,  The City of New York. So long as the Series A Convertible
Debentures are in the form of Registered Global  Securities,  the Company agrees
that  payments of interest on, and any portion of the principal of, the Holder's
Series A Convertible  Debenture shall be made by the Paying Agent,  upon receipt
from the Company of immediately  available funds, directly to the Depositary (by
Federal funds wire transfer).


                                       4

<PAGE>



                                  ARTICLE THREE

                              DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES


     SECTION 3.1. ADDITIONAL EVENT OF DEFAULT.

     The  following  Event of  Default  is hereby  added to  Section  6.1 of the
Indenture,  but only with respect to the Series A Convertible  Debentures issued
in accordance with the provisions hereof:

          (8) the Company defaults in the delivery of shares of Common Stock (or
     cash in lieu  of  fractional  interests  in  shares  of  Common  Stock)  in
     accordance with the terms hereof when such Common Stock or cash is required
     to be delivered  upon  conversion of a Series A  Convertible  Debenture and
     such default is not remedied for a period of 10 days.

                                  ARTICLE FOUR

           OPTIONAL REDEMPTION OF THE SERIES A CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES


     SECTION 4.1. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

     The Series A Convertible  Debentures may be redeemed at the election of the
Company as provided by the terms of the Series A  Convertible  Debentures,  as a
whole or from time to time in part,  at the times and at the  Redemption  Prices
specified in the form of the Series A Convertible  Debentures attached hereto as
Exhibit A, together with any applicable accrued interest to the Redemption Date.

                                  ARTICLE FIVE

                       ADDITIONAL COVENANTS APPLICABLE TO
                         SERIES A CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES


     SECTION 5.1. CHANGE OF CONTROL.

     (a) In the  event  of a  Repurchase  Event,  each  Holder  of the  Series A
Convertible  Debentures shall have, subject to Article 11 of the Indenture,  the
right, at such Holder's  option,  to require that the Company  repurchase all or
any part of such Holder's Series A Convertible Debentures at a repurchase


                                       5

<PAGE>



price in cash equal to 100% of the  principal  amount  thereof  plus accrued and
unpaid  interest,  if any, to the date of  repurchase  in  accordance  with this
Section 5.1.

     (b) Within 30 days following any Repurchase Event, the Company shall mail a
notice  to each  Holder  of the  Series  A  Convertible  Debentures  at its last
registered address with a copy to the Trustee stating:

          (1) that a Repurchase  Event has occurred and that such Holder has the
     right  to  require  the  Company  to  repurchase  such  Holder's  Series  A
     Convertible  Debentures at a repurchase  price in cash equal to 100% of the
     principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid  interest,  if any, to the
     date of repurchase (the "Repurchase Offer");

          (2) the  circumstances  and relevant facts  regarding such  Repurchase
     Event (including  information with respect to pro forma historical  income,
     cash flow and capitalization after giving effect to such Repurchase Event);

          (3) the  repurchase  date (which  shall be not earlier than 30 days or
     later than 60 days from the date such  notice is mailed)  (the  "Repurchase
     Date");

          (4) that any Series A Convertible Debenture not tendered will continue
     to accrue interest;

          (5) that any  Series A  Convertible  Debenture  accepted  for  payment
     pursuant to the Repurchase  Offer shall cease to accrue  interest after the
     Repurchase Date;

          (6) that  Holders  electing to have a Series A  Convertible  Debenture
     purchased  pursuant to a Repurchase Offer will be required to surrender the
     Series A Convertible Debenture, with the form entitled "Option of Holder to
     Elect  Purchase"  on the  reverse  of the  Series A  Convertible  Debenture
     completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior
     to the close of business on the Repurchase Date;

          (7) that  Holders will be entitled to withdraw  their  election if the
     Paying  Agent  receives,  not later than the close of business on the third
     Business Day (or such shorter period as may be required by applicable  law)
     preceding the Repurchase  Date, a facsimile  transmission or letter setting
     forth the name of the Holder,  the principal amount of Series A Convertible
     Debentures  the Holder  delivered for purchase,  and a statement  that such
     Holder is


                                       6

<PAGE>



withdrawing his election to have such Series A Convertible Debentures purchased;
and

               (8) that Holders  which elect to have their Series A  Convertible
          Debentures  purchased  only  in part  will  be  issued  new  Series  A
          Convertible  Debentures in a principal amount equal to the unpurchased
          portion of the Series A Convertible Debenture surrendered.

               (c) On the Repurchase Date, the Company shall:

                    (i) accept for payment  Series A  Convertible  Debentures or
               portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Repurchase Offer;

                    (ii)  deposit by 10:00  a.m.,  New York City time,  with the
               Trustee money  sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Series
               A Convertible Debentures or portions thereof so tendered; and

                    (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee Series
               A Convertible  Debentures so accepted  together with an Officers'
               Certificate  identifying  the Series A Convertible  Debentures or
               portions thereof tendered to the Company.

     The Trustee shall  promptly mail to the Holders of the Series A Convertible
Debentures  so accepted  payment in an amount equal to the purchase  price,  and
promptly  authenticate  and make  available  for  delivery to such Holders a new
Series A Convertible  Debenture in a principal  amount equal to any  unpurchased
portion of the Series A  Convertible  Debenture  surrendered.  The Company  will
publicly  announce  the  results  of  the  Repurchase  Offer  on or as  soon  as
practicable after the Repurchase Date.

     The Company shall comply with all  applicable  tender offer rules under the
Exchange Act,  including,  without  limitation,  Rules 13e-4 and 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act, as then in effect with respect to any such Repurchase Offer.

     SECTION 5.2. LIMITATION ON ADDITIONAL TIERS OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT.

     The  Company  will not incur or suffer to exist any Debt,  other  than Debt
evidenced by the Series A Convertible Debentures,  that is subordinated in right
of payment to any Senior Subordinated Debt unless such Debt, by its terms or the
terms of the instrument creating or evidencing it, is pari


                                       7

<PAGE>



passu  with,  or  subordinated  in right of  payment  to,  Series A  Convertible
Debentures.

                                   ARTICLE SIX

                            CONVERSION OF DEBENTURES

     The Series A Convertible  Debentures  shall be  convertible  into shares of
Common Stock upon the following terms and conditions:


     SECTION 6.1. CONVERSION PRIVILEGE AND CONVERSION PRICE.

     Subject to and upon  compliance with the provisions of this Article Six, at
the option of the Holder  thereof,  any Series A  Convertible  Debentures or any
portion of the principal amount thereof which is $1,000 or an integral  multiple
of $1,000 may be converted at the principal  amount thereof,  or of such portion
thereof,  into  fully  paid  and  nonassessable  shares  (calculated  as to each
conversion  to the nearest  1/100 of a share) of Common Stock at the  conversion
price,  determined as hereinafter provided, in effect at the time of conversion.
Such  conversion  right shall expire at the close of business on , 2005. In case
Series A Convertible Debentures or a portion thereof is called for redemption at
the election of the Company,  such  conversion  right in respect of the Series A
Convertible  Debentures  shall  expire at the close of  business  on the  second
business day preceding the Redemption Date.

     The  price at  which  shares  of  Common  Stock  shall  be  delivered  upon
conversion (herein called the "conversion price") shall be initially $ per share
of Common Stock. The conversion price shall be adjusted in certain  instances as
provided in this Article Six.

     SECTION 6.2. EXERCISE OF CONVERSION PRIVILEGE.

     In order to exercise the conversion  privilege,  the Holder of any Series A
Convertible  Debenture to be converted shall surrender such Series A Convertible
Debenture,  duly endorsed or assigned to the Company or in blank,  at any office
or agency of the Company  maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section 4.2 of
the Indenture,  accompanied by written notice of conversion in the form provided
on the Series A Convertible  Debenture (or such other notice as is acceptable to
the  Company) at such office or agency  that the Holder  elects to convert  such
Series A  Convertible  Debenture  or, if less than the entire 


                                       8

<PAGE>



principal  amount  thereof  is  to  be  converted,  the  portion  thereof  to be
converted.   Series  A  Convertible   Debentures  issued  as  Registered  Global
Securities  will be converted in accordance with the standing  instructions  and
procedures  of  the  Depositary  and  its  participants.  Series  A  Convertible
Debentures  surrendered  for  conversion  during  the  period  from the close of
business on any Regular  Record Date  through and  including  the next  Interest
Payment Date shall  (except in the case of Series A  Convertible  Debentures  or
portions  thereof  which have been called for  redemption  on a Redemption  Date
occurring on or before such Interest  Payment Date) be accompanied by payment in
New York  Clearing  House funds or other funds  acceptable  to the Company of an
amount  equal to the  interest  payable  on such  Interest  Payment  Date on the
principal  amount of  Series A  Convertible  Debentures  being  surrendered  for
conversion.  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.13 of the Indenture relating
to the payment of defaulted  interest by the Company,  the interest payment with
respect  to  a  Series  A  Convertible  Debenture  called  for  redemption  on a
Redemption  Date  during the period  from the close of  business  on any Regular
Record Date  through  and  including  the next  Interest  Payment  Date shall be
payable on such Interest Payment Date to the Holder of such Series A Convertible
Debenture at the close of business on such Regular  Record Date  notwithstanding
the conversion of such Series A Convertible  Debenture after such Regular Record
Date and on or prior to such Interest  Payment Date,  and the Holder  converting
such Series A Convertible  Debenture need not include a payment of such interest
payment  amount  upon  surrender  of such  Series A  Convertible  Debenture  for
conversion.  Except  as  provided  in the  preceding  sentence,  no  payment  or
adjustment  shall be made upon any conversion on account of any interest accrued
on the Series A Convertible  Debentures surrendered for conversion or on account
of any dividends on the Common Stock issued upon conversion.

     Series A  Convertible  Debentures  shall be deemed  to have been  converted
immediately  prior to the  close of  business  on the day of  surrender  of such
Series A Convertible  Debentures for conversion in accordance with the foregoing
provisions,  and at such  time  the  rights  of the  Holders  of such  Series  A
Convertible  Debentures  as  Holders  shall  cease,  and the  Person or  Persons
entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon  conversion  shall be treated
for all  purposes as the record  holder or holders of such Common  Stock at such
time. As promptly as practicable  on or after the  conversion  date, the Company
shall  issue and  shall  deliver  at such  office  or  agency a  certificate  or
certificates  for the  number  of full  shares  of Common  Stock  issuable  upon
conversion,  together  with  payment  in lieu of any  fraction  of a  share,  as
provided in Section 6.3.



                                       9
<PAGE>



     In the case of any Series A  Convertible  Debenture  which is  converted in
part only,  upon such conversion the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a
new  Series A  Convertible  Debenture  or  Series A  Convertible  Debentures  of
authorized  denominations in aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted
portion of the principal amount of such Series A Convertible Debenture.

     SECTION 6.3. FRACTIONS OF SHARES.

     No  fractional  shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon  conversion  of
Series A Convertible Debentures. If more than one Series A Convertible Debenture
shall be surrendered  for conversion at one time by the same Holder,  the number
of full shares which shall be issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed
on the  basis of the  aggregate  principal  amount of the  Series A  Convertible
Debentures  (or  specified  portions  thereof)  so  surrendered.  Instead of any
fractional  share of  Common  Stock  which  would  otherwise  be  issuable  upon
conversion  of any  Series A  Convertible  Debenture  or  Series  A  Convertible
Debentures  (or  specified  portions  thereof),  the  Company  shall  pay a cash
adjustment  in  respect of such  fraction  in an amount  equal to such  fraction
multiplied  by the  Closing  Price per share of Common  Stock  (consistent  with
Section 6.4(h) below) at the close of business on the day of conversion  (or, if
such day is not a Trading  Day, on the Trading Day  immediately  preceding  such
day).

     SECTION 6.4. ADJUSTMENT OF CONVERSION PRICE.

     (a) In case the Company shall pay or make a dividend or other  distribution
on any class of capital  stock of the Company in Common  Stock,  the  conversion
price in effect at the opening of business on the day  following  the date fixed
for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or other
distribution shall be reduced by multiplying such conversion price by a fraction
of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
at the  close of  business  on the date  fixed  for such  determination  and the
denominator  shall be the sum of such  number of shares and the total  number of
shares  constituting  such  dividend or other  distribution,  such  reduction to
become effective  immediately after the opening of business on the day following
the date fixed for such  determination.  For the purposes of this paragraph (a),
the number of shares of Common Stock at any time  outstanding  shall not include
shares held in the treasury of the Company but shall include shares  issuable in
respect of scrip  certificates  issued in lieu of  fractions of shares of Common
Stock.



                                       10
<PAGE>



The  Company  will not pay any  dividend or make any  distribution  on shares of
Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company.

     (b) In case the  Company  shall  issue  rights,  options or warrants to all
holders of its  Common  Stock (not being  available  on an  equivalent  basis to
Holders of the Series A Convertible  Debentures upon conversion)  entitling them
to  subscribe  for or purchase  shares of Common Stock at a price per share less
than the  Current  Market  Price  on the date  fixed  for the  determination  of
stockholders  entitled  to  receive  such  rights,   options  or  warrants,  the
conversion  price in effect at the opening of business on the day  following the
date  fixed  for  such  determination  shall  be  reduced  by  multiplying  such
conversion  price by a fraction  of which the  numerator  shall be the number of
shares of Common  Stock  outstanding  at the close of business on the date fixed
for such  determination  plus the  number of shares  of Common  Stock  which the
aggregate of the offering price of the total number of shares of Common Stock so
offered for subscription or purchase would purchase at such Current Market Price
and the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at
the close of business on the date fixed for such  determination  plus the number
of shares  of  Common  Stock so  offered  for  subscription  or  purchase,  such
reduction to become effective  immediately  after the opening of business on the
day  following the date fixed for such  determination.  For the purposes of this
paragraph  (b),  the  number of shares of Common  Stock at any time  outstanding
shall not include  shares held in the treasury of the Company but shall  include
shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates  issued in lieu of fractions of
shares of Common  Stock.  The  Company  will not issue any  rights,  options  or
warrants  in  respect  of shares of Common  Stock  held in the  treasury  of the
Company.

     (c) In case  outstanding  shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided into a
greater number of shares of Common Stock,  the conversion price in effect at the
opening of business  on the day  following  the day upon which such  subdivision
becomes effective shall be proportionately  reduced,  and,  conversely,  in case
outstanding  shares of Common Stock shall each be combined into a smaller number
of shares of Common  Stock,  the  conversion  price in effect at the  opening of
business  on the day  following  the day upon  which  such  combination  becomes
effective shall be proportionately increased, such reduction or increase, as the
case may be, to become  effective  immediately  after the opening of business on
the day following the day upon which such  subdivision  or  combination  becomes
effective.

     (d) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise,  distribute to all
holders of its Common Stock evidences of its  indebtedness,  shares of any class
of its capital stock



                                       11
<PAGE>



or other assets  (including  securities,  but excluding  any rights,  options or
warrants  referred to in  paragraph  (b) of this  Section  6.4,  any dividend or
distribution  paid  exclusively  in cash  referred to in  paragraph  (e) of this
Section 6.4, any dividend or  distribution  referred to in paragraph (a) of this
Section 6.4 and any merger or consolidation to which Section 6.11 applies),  the
conversion  price  shall be  adjusted  so that the same  shall  equal  the price
determined by multiplying the conversion  price in effect  immediately  prior to
the close of business on the date fixed for the  determination  of  stockholders
entitled to receive such distribution by a fraction of which the numerator shall
be the Current  Market Price on the date fixed for such  determination  less the
then  fair  market  value  (as  determined  by the  Board  of  Directors,  whose
determination shall be conclusive and described in a Board Resolution filed with
the Trustee) of the portion of the assets,  shares or evidences of  indebtedness
so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock and the denominator shall
be such Current Market Price,  such adjustment to become  effective  immediately
prior to the  opening of business  on the day  following  the date fixed for the
determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution.

     (e) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise,  distribute to all
holders of its Common Stock cash (excluding any cash that is distributed  upon a
merger or consolidation to which Section 5.1 of the Indenture applies or as part
of a  distribution  referred  to in  paragraph  (d) of this  Section  6.4) in an
aggregate  amount that,  combined  together with (1) the aggregate amount of any
other  distributions to all holders of its Common Stock made exclusively in cash
within the 12 months  preceding the date of payment of such  distribution and in
respect of which no adjustment pursuant to this paragraph (e) has been made, and
(2) the  aggregate of any cash plus the fair market value (as  determined by the
Board of Directors,  whose  determination shall be conclusive and described in a
Board Resolution) of consideration payable in respect of any tender offer by the
Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  for all or any portion of the Common  Stock
concluded   within  the  12  months  preceding  the  date  of  payment  of  such
distribution and in respect of which no adjustment  pursuant to paragraph (f) of
this Section 6.4 has been made, exceeds 15% of the product of the Current Market
Price on the date for the  determination  of holders  of shares of Common  Stock
entitled to receive such distribution times the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding  on such date,  then, and in each such case,  immediately  after the
close of business on such date for determination,  the conversion price shall be
reduced so that the same shall equal the price  determined  by  multiplying  the
conversion  price in effect  immediately  prior to the close of  business on the
date



                                       12
<PAGE>



fixed  for   determination  of  the   stockholders   entitled  to  receive  such
distribution  by a fraction  (i) the  numerator  of which  shall be equal to the
Current  Market  Price on the date fixed for such  determination  less an amount
equal to the  quotient of (x) the excess of such  combined  amount over such 15%
and (y) the  number  of  shares of  Common  Stock  outstanding  on such date for
determination  and (ii) the  denominator  of which shall be equal to the Current
Market Price on such date for determination.

     (f) In case a tender offer made by the Company or any Subsidiary for all or
any portion of the Common  Stock shall  expire and such tender offer (as amended
upon the expiration thereof) shall require the payment to stockholders (based on
the acceptance (up to any maximum specified in the terms of the tender offer) of
Purchased Shares (as defined below)) of an aggregate consideration having a fair
market value (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall
be conclusive and described in a Board  Resolution) that combined  together with
(1) the  aggregate of the cash plus the fair market value (as  determined by the
Board of Directors,  whose  determination shall be conclusive and described in a
Board  Resolution),  as of the expiration of such tender offer, of consideration
payable in respect of any other tender offer,  by the Company or any  Subsidiary
for all or any  portion  of the  Common  Stock  expiring  within  the 12  months
preceding  the  expiration  of such  tender  offer  and in  respect  of which no
adjustment  pursuant to this  paragraph  (f) has been made and (2) the aggregate
amount of any  distributions  to all holders of the Company's  Common Stock made
exclusively  in cash within 12 months  preceding  the  expiration of such tender
offer and in respect of which no  adjustment  pursuant to paragraph  (e) of this
Section 6.4 has been made,  exceeds  15% of the  product of the  Current  Market
Price as of the last time (the  "Expiration  Time") tenders could have been made
pursuant to such tender offer (as it may be amended)  times the number of shares
of Common Stock  outstanding  (including any tendered  shares) on the Expiration
Time, then, and in each such case,  immediately prior to the opening of business
on the day after the date of the Expiration  Time, the conversion price shall be
adjusted so that the same shall equal the price  determined by  multiplying  the
conversion price in effect immediately prior to close of business on the date of
the  Expiration  Time by a fraction (i) the numerator of which shall be equal to
(A) the product of (I) the current  market  price per share of the Common  Stock
(determined as provided in paragraph (h) of this Section 6.4) on the date of the
Expiration  Time and (II) the  number  of shares  of  Common  Stock  outstanding
(including any tendered  shares) on the  Expiration  Time less (B) the amount of
cash plus the fair market  value  (determined  as  aforesaid)  of the  aggregate
consideration payable to stock-



                                       13
<PAGE>



holders based on the acceptance (up to any maximum specified in the terms of the
tender offer) of Purchased  Shares,  and (ii) the  denominator of which shall be
equal to the  product of (A) the  current  market  price per share of the Common
Stock  (determined  as provided in paragraph  (h) of this Section 6.4) as of the
Expiration  Time and (B) the  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock  outstanding
(including any tendered shares) as of the Expiration Time less the number of all
shares validly  tendered and not withdrawn as of the Expiration Time (the shares
deemed so accepted up to any such maximum,  being  referred to as the "Purchased
Shares").

     (g)  The   reclassification  of  Common  Stock  into  securities  including
securities  other than  Common  Stock  (other than any  reclassification  upon a
consolidation  or  merger  to which  Section  6.11  applies)  shall be deemed to
involve (i) a  distribution  of such  securities  other than Common Stock to all
holders of Common Stock (and the effective date of such  reclassification  shall
be deemed to be "the date fixed for the  determination of stockholders  entitled
to receive such distribution" and the "date fixed for such determination" within
the meaning of paragraph  (d) of this Section 6.4),  and (ii) a  subdivision  or
combination,  as the case may be,  of the  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock
outstanding immediately prior to such reclassification into the number of shares
of Common Stock  outstanding  immediately  thereafter (and the effective date of
such reclassification shall be deemed to be "the day upon which such subdivision
becomes effective" or "the day upon which such combination  becomes  effective",
as the case may be,  and "the day upon  which such  subdivision  or  combination
becomes effective" within the meaning of paragraph (c) of this Section 6.4).

     (h) For the purpose of any computation  under  paragraphs (b), (d), (e) and
(f) of this Section 6.4, the current market price per share of Common Stock (the
"Current  Market  Price") on any date  shall be deemed to be the  average of the
daily Closing Prices for the 5 consecutive  Trading Days selected by the Company
commencing not more than 20 Trading Days before,  and ending not later than, the
earlier of the day in question  and the day before the "ex" date with respect to
the issuance or distribution requiring such computation. The "Closing Price" for
each Trading Day shall be the reported  last sale price  regular way or, in case
no such  reported  sale takes  place on such day,  the  average of the  reported
closing bid and asked  prices  regular way, in either case on the New York Stock
Exchange  or, if the Common  Stock is not listed or  admitted to trading on such
Exchange,  on the  principal  national  securities  exchange on which the Common
Stock is listed or  admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading
on any national securities  exchange,  on The Nasdaq National Market, or,



                                       14
<PAGE>



if the  Common  Stock is not  listed or  admitted  to  trading  on any  national
securities  exchange or The Nasdaq National  Market,  the average of the closing
bid and asked prices in the over-the-counter market as furnished by any New York
Stock  Exchange  member firm  selected from time to time by the Company for that
purpose.  For purposes of this paragraph,  the term "'ex' date",  when used with
respect to any issuance or distribution,  shall mean the first date on which the
Common Stock trades  regular way on such exchange or in such market  without the
right to receive such issuance or distribution.

     (i) No  adjustment  in the  conversion  price  shall be required to be made
until cumulative adjustments (plus any adjustments not previously made by reason
of this paragraph (i)) amount to at least 1% of the  conversion  price,  as last
adjusted;  provided,  however,  that any  adjustments  which by  reason  of this
paragraph  (i) are not  required  to be made shall be carried  forward and taken
into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this paragraph
(i) shall be made to the nearest cent.

     (j) In addition to those required by paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and
(f) of this Section 6.4, the Company from time to time may make such  reductions
in the conversion  price by any amount,  (i) to the extent  permitted by law for
any  period of at least 20 days,  in which case the  Company  shall give 15 days
notice of such  decrease and (ii) to such extent as it considers to be advisable
in order that any event treated for federal income tax purposes as a dividend of
stock or stock  rights  will not be taxable  to the  holders of shares of Common
Stock or,  if that is not  possible,  to  diminish  any  income  taxes  that are
otherwise  payable  because of such event.  The Company  shall have the power to
resolve any ambiguity or correct any error in this paragraph (j) and its actions
in so doing shall be final and conclusive.

     SECTION 6.5. NOTICE OF ADJUSTMENTS OF CONVERSION PRICE.

     Whenever the conversion price is adjusted as herein provided:

          (a) the  Company  shall  compute  the  adjusted  conversion  price  in
     accordance  with Section 6.4 and shall prepare a certificate  signed by the
     Treasurer of the Company  setting forth the adjusted  conversion  price and
     showing in reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based,
     and such  certificate  shall  forthwith  be filed at each  office or agency
     maintained for the purpose of con-



                                       15
<PAGE>



     version of Series A Convertible  Debentures  pursuant to Section 4.2 of the
     Indenture; and

          (b) a notice stating that the  conversion  price has been adjusted and
     setting forth the adjusted  conversion  price shall  forthwith be required,
     and as soon as  practicable  after it is  required,  such  notice  shall be
     mailed by the Company to all Holders of Series A Convertible  Debentures at
     their last addresses as they shall appear in the Security Register.


     SECTION 6.6. NOTICE OF CERTAIN CORPORATE ACTION.

     In case:

          (a) the Company shall  declare a dividend (or any other  distribution)
     on its  Common  Stock  payable  otherwise  than in cash  out of its  earned
     surplus; or

          (b) the Company  shall  authorize  the  granting to the holders of its
     Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe  for or purchase any shares
     of capital stock of any class or of any other rights; or

          (c) of any  reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company (other
     than a  subdivision  or  combination  of its  outstanding  shares of Common
     Stock),  or of any  consolidation,  merger or share  exchange  to which the
     Company  is a party  and for  which  approval  of any  stockholders  of the
     Company is required, or of the sale or transfer of all or substantially all
     of the assets of the Company; or

          (d)  of the  voluntary  or  involuntary  dissolution,  liquidation  or
     winding up of the Company; or

          (e) the Company or any  Subsidiary  shall  commence a tender offer for
     all or a portion of the Company's  outstanding Common Stock (or shall amend
     any such tender offer);

then the Company shall cause to be filed at each office or agency maintained for
the purpose of conversion of Series A Convertible Debentures pursuant to Section
4.2 of the Indenture,  and shall cause to be mailed to all Holders at their last
addresses as they shall appear in the Security Register, at least 20 days (or 10
days in any case  specified in clause (a) or (b) above) prior to the  applicable
record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on
which a record is to be taken for the  purpose of such  dividend,  distribution,
rights or warrants, or, if a record is not to be taken,



                                       16
<PAGE>



the date as of which the  holders of Common  Stock of record to be  entitled  to
such dividend, distribution, rights or warrants are to be determined, or (y) the
date on which such  reclassification,  consolidation,  merger,  share  exchange,
sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation, winding up or tender offer is expected
to  become  effective,  and the date or dates  as of which it is  expected  that
holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange  their shares of
Common  Stock  for  securities,  cash or other  property  deliverable  upon such
reclassification,   consolidation,   merger,  share  exchange,  sale,  transfer,
dissolution,  liquidation,  winding up or tender  offer.  Neither the failure to
give such notice nor any defect therein shall affect the legality or validity of
the proceedings  described in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this Section 6.6. If
at the time the Trustee shall not be the conversion agent, a copy of such notice
shall also forthwith be filed by the Company with the Trustee.

     SECTION 6.7. COMPANY TO RESERVE COMMON STOCK.

     The  Company  shall at all  times  reserve  and keep  available  out of its
authorized  but  unissued  Common  Stock,  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  the
conversion  of Series A  Convertible  Debentures,  the full  number of shares of
Common Stock then  issuable  upon the  conversion  of all  outstanding  Series A
Convertible Debentures.

     SECTION 6.8. TAXES ON CONVERSIONS.

     The  Company  will pay any and all taxes  that may be payable in respect of
the  issue or  delivery  of shares of  Common  Stock on  conversion  of Series A
Convertible  Debentures  pursuant  hereto.  The Company shall not,  however,  be
required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved
in the issue and delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that of
the  Holder  of the  Series A  Convertible  Debenture  or  Series A  Convertible
Debentures to be converted,  and no such issue or delivery  shall be made unless
and until the Person requesting such issue has paid to the Company the amount of
any such tax, or has  established to the  satisfaction  of the Company that such
tax has been paid.

     SECTION 6.9. COVENANT AS TO COMMON STOCK.

     The Company  covenants  that all shares of Common Stock which may be issued
upon conversion of Series A Convertible Debentures will upon issue be fully paid
and  nonassessable  and, except as provided in Section 6.8, the Company will pay
all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.



                                       17
<PAGE>



     SECTION 6.10. CANCELLATION OF CONVERTED SERIES A CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES.

     All Series A  Convertible  Debentures  delivered  for  conversion  shall be
delivered  to the Trustee to be canceled by or at the  direction of the Trustee,
which shall dispose of the same as provided in Section 2.11 of the Indenture.

     SECTION 6.11. PROVISIONS  IN CASE  OF  CONSOLIDATION,  MERGER  OR SALE OF
                   ASSETS.

     In case of any  consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company
into,  any other Person,  any merger of another  Person into the Company  (other
than a  merger  which  does  not  result  in any  reclassification,  conversion,
exchange or cancellation  of outstanding  shares of Common Stock of the Company)
or any  sale  or  transfer  of all or  substantially  all of the  assets  of the
Company,  the Person formed by such  consolidation or resulting from such merger
or which acquires such assets,  as the case may be, shall execute and deliver to
the Trustee a supplemental  indenture providing that the Holder of each Series A
Convertible  Debenture then outstanding shall have the right thereafter,  during
the period such Series A Convertible Debenture shall be convertible as specified
in Section 6.1, to convert  such Series A  Convertible  Debenture  only into the
kind and amount of  securities,  cash and other  property  receivable  upon such
consolidation,  merger,  sale or transfer by a holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock of the Company into which such Series A Convertible Debenture might
have been converted  immediately prior to such  consolidation,  merger,  sale or
transfer,  assuming  such holder of Common  Stock of the Company is not a Person
with which the Company  consolidated  or into which the Company  merged or which
merged into the Company or to which such sale or transfer was made,  as the case
may be  ("Constituent  Person"),  or an Affiliate of a Constituent  Person,  and
failed to exercise his rights of  election,  if any, as to the kind or amount of
securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation,  merger,
sale or transfer  (provided that if the kind or amount of  securities,  cash and
other property receivable upon such  consolidation,  merger, sale or transfer is
not the same for each  share of Common  Stock of the  Company  held  immediately
prior  to  such  consolidation,  merger,  sale  or  transfer  by  others  than a
Constituent  Person or an Affiliate  thereof and in respect of which such rights
of election shall not have been exercised  ("non-electing  share"), then for the
purpose of this  Article Six the kind and amount of  securities,  cash and other
property  receivable upon such  consolidation,  merger, sale or transfer by each
non-electing  share shall be deemed to be the kind and amount so receivable  per
share by a plurality of the non-electing  shares.  Such  supple-



                                       18
<PAGE>



mental indenture shall provide for adjustments  which, for events  subsequent to
the effective date of such supplemental indenture, shall be as nearly equivalent
as may be practicable to the  adjustments  provided for in this Article Six. The
above  provisions  of this  Article  Six  shall  similarly  apply to  successive
consolidations, mergers, sales or transfers.

     SECTION 6.12. TRUSTEE'S DISCLAIMER.

     The Trustee has no duty to determine when an adjustment  under this Article
Six  should be made,  how it should be made or what it should  be.  The  Trustee
makes no  representation as to the validity or value of any securities or assets
issued upon conversion of Series A Convertible Debentures. The Trustee shall not
be responsible for the Company's failure to comply with this Article Six.

                                  ARTICLE SEVEN

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     SECTION 7.1. RATIFICATION.

     The Indenture,  as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, is in
all respects ratified and confirmed.  This First Supplemental Indenture shall be
deemed part of the  Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein
provided.

     SECTION 7.2. COUNTERPARTS.

     This  First  Supplemental  Indenture  may  be  executed  in any  number  of
counterparts  each of which shall be an original;  but such  counterparts  shall
together constitute but one and the same instrument.


                                       19
<PAGE>



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental
Indenture  to be duly  executed,  and  their  respective  corporate  seals to be
hereunto  affixed  and  attested,   on  the  date  or  dates  indicated  in  the
acknowledgments and as of the day and year first above written.

                                               THE AES CORPORATION

                                               By:
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                  Name:
                                                       -----------------------
                                                  Title:
                                                        ----------------------

Attest:

By:
   ----------------------------
   Name:
        -----------------------
   Title:
         ----------------------

                                               THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
                                                 CHICAGO, as Trustee

                                               By:
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                  Name:
                                                       -----------------------
                                                  Title:
                                                        ----------------------

Attest:

By:
   ----------------------------
   Name:
        -----------------------
   Title:
         ----------------------



                                       20
<PAGE>



                                                                       EXHIBIT A


                (FORM OF FACE OF SERIES A CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE)

     [IF THE  DEBENTURE IS TO BE A  REGISTERED  GLOBAL  SECURITY,  INSERT - This
Series A  Convertible  Debenture  is a  Registered  Global  Security  within the
meaning of the Indenture  hereinafter  referred to and is registered in the name
of a  Depositary  or a  nominee  of a  Depositary.  This  Series  A  Convertible
Debenture is exchangeable for Series A Convertible  Debentures registered in the
name of a person  other than the  Depositary  or its nominee only in the limited
circumstances  described  in the  Indenture,  and no  transfer  of this Series A
Convertible  Debenture  (other  than a  transfer  of this  Series A  Convertible
Debenture as a whole by the  Depositary  to a nominee of the  Depositary or by a
nominee  of  the  Depositary  to  the  Depositary  or  another  nominee  of  the
Depositary) may be registered except in limited circumstances.

     Unless this Series A  Convertible  Debenture is presented by an  authorized
representative  of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street,  New York, New
York) to the  issuer or its agent for  registration  of  transfer,  exchange  or
payment, and any Series A Convertible Debenture issued is registered in the name
of Cede & Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of
The  Depository  Trust Company and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY
TRANSFER,  PLEDGE OR OTHER USE  HEREOF  FOR  VALUE OR  OTHERWISE  BY A PERSON IS
WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof, Cede Co., has an interest herein.]

No. [ ]                     $                                 CUSIP NO.:


              % CONVERTIBLE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE DUE 2005

               THE AES CORPORATION  promises to pay to [ ] or registered assigns
               the principal sum of[ ] Dollars on August    , 2005.


Interest Payment Dates:   , and at maturity


                                      A-1

<PAGE>



Record  Dates:           or         ,  as the case may be, next  preceding  such
Interest Payment Date

                                                  By:
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                       Authorized Signature

                                                  By:
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                       Authorized Signature


Dated:

Certificate of Authentication

     This is one of the      %  Convertible Junior  Subordinated  Debentures due
2005 referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                                                The Bank of New York, as Trustee

                                                By:
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                     Authorized Signatory





                                      A-2

<PAGE>



               [FORM OF REVERSE OF SERIES A CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE]

                               THE AES CORPORATION


              % CONVERTIBLE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE DUE 2005


     1. Interest.  THE AES CORPORATION,  a Delaware  corporation (the "Company,"
which  definition  shall  include any successor  thereto in accordance  with the
Indenture (as defined  below)),  promises to pay, until the principal  hereof is
paid or made available for payment,  interest on the principal  amount set forth
on the reverse  side  hereof at a rate of % per annum.  Interest on the Series A
Convertible  Debentures  will accrue from and  including the most recent date to
which  interest  has been paid or, if no interest  has been paid,  from August ,
1998 through but excluding the date on which interest is paid. Interest shall be
payable in arrears on , and at the stated  maturity  (each an "Interest  Payment
Date"),  commencing , 1999.  Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months.

     2.  Method of  Payment.  The  Company  will pay  interest  on the  Series A
Convertible  Debentures  (except  defaulted  interest)  to the  Persons  who are
registered  Holders of Series A Convertible  Debentures at the close of business
on            and            next preceding the Interest  Payment Date.  Holders
must  surrender  Series A  Convertible  Debentures  to a Paying Agent to collect
principal  payments.  The  Company  will pay  principal,  premium,  if any,  and
interest  in money of the  United  States  that at the time of  payment is legal
tender  for  payment of public  and  private  debts.  At the  Company's  option,
interest may be paid by check mailed to the registered  address of the Holder of
this Series A Convertible Debenture.

     3.  Paying  Agent and  Registrar.  Initially,  The First  National  Bank of
Chicago (the "Trustee") will act as Paying Agent and Registrar.  The Company may
change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar without notice.

     4. Indenture.  The Company issued the Series A Convertible Debentures under
an Indenture  dated as of August     ,  1998 be-


                                      A-3

<PAGE>



tween the  Company  and the Trustee as  supplemented  by the first  Supplemental
Indenture  dated as of August , 1998  between the Company and the Trustee  (said
Indenture,  as so  supplemented,  the  "Indenture").  This Series A  Convertible
Debenture  is one of an issue of  Securities  of the  Company  issued  under the
Indenture. The terms of the Series A Convertible Debentures include those stated
in the  Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code ss.ss. 77aaa-77bbbb) as amended from time to
time.  The Series A Convertible  Debentures  are subject to all such terms,  and
Series A Convertible Debentureholders are referred to the Indenture and such Act
for a statement of them. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined
have  the  meanings  set  forth  in the  Indenture.  The  Series  A  Convertible
Debentures  are general  unsecured  obligations of the Company  subordinated  in
right of  payment  to all  [Senior  Indebtedness]  of the  Company,  limited  in
aggregate  principal amount to [$200,000,000];  provided,  however,  that in the
event the  Company  sells any Series A  Convertible  Debentures  pursuant to the
over-allotment  option (the  "Over-Allotment  Option")  granted  pursuant to the
Underwriting  Agreement  dated August , 1998  between the Company,  Smith Barney
Inc., J.P. Morgan  Securities,  Inc.,  Donaldson,  Lufkin & Jenrette  Securities
Corporation,  Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated,  PaineWebber  Incorporated and
C.E. Unterberg, Towbin, then the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Series A
Convertible  Debentures for original issue in an aggregate  principal  amount of
$[200,000,000]  plus up to $[30,000,000]  aggregate principal amount of Series A
Convertible Debentures sold pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option. The Indenture
limits the ability of the Company and its Subsidiaries to incur additional tiers
of junior subordinated Debt.

     5. Optional Redemption.  The Series A Convertible Debentures are subject to
redemption,  at the Company's  option, in whole or from time to time in part, at
any time on or after August , 2001, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days'
notice mailed to each holder of Series A  Convertible  Debentures to be redeemed
at its address appearing in the Securities Register and prior to maturity at the
following  Redemption  Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount)
plus accrued interest to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of
record  on the  relevant  Regular  Record  Date to  receive  interest  due or on
Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date).

     If  redeemed  during  the  12-month  period  beginning  August  in the year
indicated, the Redemption Price shall be:


                                      A-4

<PAGE>

             Year                                 Redemption
             ----                                   Price
                                                    -----

             2001...............................              %
             2002...............................              %
             2003...............................              %

and  after  August       ,  2004  at a  Redemption  Price  equal  to 100% of the
principal amount.

     6.  Mandatory  Redemption.  No sinking  fund is  provided  for the Series A
Convertible Debentures.

     7. Conversion.  Subject to the next two succeeding sentences, a Holder of a
Series A  Convertible  Debenture may convert it into Common Stock of the Company
at any time before the close of business  on August , 2005;  provided,  however,
that if a Series A Convertible  Debenture is called for  redemption,  the Holder
may convert it at any time before the close of business on the Redemption  Date.
A Series A Convertible Debenture in respect of which a Holder is exercising such
Holder's  option to require the Company to  purchase  such Series A  Convertible
Debenture  upon a  Repurchase  Event  may be  converted  only if the  notice  of
exercise is withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

     The  initial  conversion  price is per share of Common  Stock,  subject  to
adjustment  in certain  events  described  in the  Indenture.  The Company  will
deliver cash or a check in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock.

     To convert a Series A Convertible  Debenture a Holder must (i) complete and
manually  sign the  conversion  notice on the back of the  Series A  Convertible
Debenture  or  complete  and  manually  sign a  facsimile  of such notice to the
Conversion  Agent (or the office or agency  referred  to in Section of the First
Supplemental  Indenture)  or,  if  applicable,   complete  and  deliver  to  The
Depository  Trust Company  ("DTC" or the  "Depositary,"  which term includes any
successor thereto) the appropriate  instruction form for conversion  pursuant to
the  Depository's  book-entry  conversion  program,  (ii) surrender the Series A
Convertible  Debenture to a Conversion Agent by physical or book-entry  delivery
(which is not necessary in the case of conversion  pursuant to the  Depositary's
book-entry  conversion  program),  (iii) furnish  appropriate  endorsements  and
transfer  documents  if required  by the  Conversion  Agent,  the Company or the
Trustee  and (iv) pay any  transfer  or similar


                                      A-5

<PAGE>



tax, if required. Book-entry delivery of a Series A Convertible Debenture to the
Conversion Agent may be made by any financial  institution that is a participant
in the Depositary;  conversion  through the Depositary's  book-entry  conversion
program is available for any Series A Convertible  Debenture  that is held in an
account maintained at the Depositary by any such participant.

     A Holder may convert a portion of a Series A  Convertible  Debenture if the
portion is $1,000 or an integral  multiple of $1,000.  No payment or  adjustment
will be made for  dividends  on the  Common  Stock,  except as  provided  in the
Indenture.

     The conversion  price will be subject to adjustment  upon the occurrence of
any  of  the   following   events:   (i)   the   subdivision,   combination   or
reclassification  of  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock;  (ii) the payment in
shares of Common  Stock of a dividend  or  distribution  on any class of capital
stock of the Company; (iii) the issuance of rights or warrants to all holders of
Common  Stock  entitling  them to acquire  shares of Common Stock at a price per
share less than the Current Market Price;  (iv) the  distribution to all holders
of Common Stock of shares of capital stock other than Common Stock, evidences of
indebtedness, cash and dividends, distributions, rights and warrants referred to
above);  (v) a distribution  consisting  exclusively of cash (excluding any cash
distributions  referred to in (iv)  above) to all holders of Common  Stock in an
aggregate amount that, together with (A) all other cash distributions (excluding
any cash  distributions  referred  to in (iv)  above)  made within the 12 months
preceding such  distribution and (B) any cash and the fair market value of other
consideration  payable  in  respect  of any  tender  offer by the  Company  or a
subsidiary of the Company for the Common Stock consummated  within the 12 months
preceding such distribution,  exceeds 15% of the Company's market capitalization
(determined as provided in the Indenture) on the date fixed for  determining the
stockholders  entitled  to such  distribution;  and (vi) the  consummation  of a
tender offer made by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company for the Common
Stock which involves an aggregate consideration that, together with (X) any cash
and other consideration payable in respect of any respect of any tender offer by
the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for the Common Stock consummated with
the 12  months  preceding  the  consummation  of such  tender  offer and (Y) the
aggregate  amount of all cash  distributions  (excluding any cash  distributions
referred  to in (iv)  above) to all  holders of the Common  Stock  within the 12


                                      A-6

<PAGE>



months  preceding  the  consummation  of such tender  offer,  exceeds 15% of the
Company's  market capital  capitalization  at the date of  consummation  of such
tender offer. No adjustment of the conversion  price will be required to be made
until  cumulative  adjustments  amount to at least one percent of the conversion
price,  as last adjusted.  Any adjustment that would otherwise be required to be
made  shall  be  carried  forward  and  taken  into  account  in any  subsequent
adjustment.

     If the  Company  is a  party  to a  consolidation  or  merger  of the  type
specified in the Indenture,  or certain transfers of all or substantially all of
its assets to another Person, or in certain other circumstances described in the
Indenture  the right to convert a Series A  Convertible  Debenture  into  Common
Stock may be  changed  into a right to  convert  it into the kind and  amount of
securities,  cash or other  assets  that the Holder  would have  received if the
Holder had converted such Holder's Series A Convertible  Debentures  immediately
prior to such transaction.

     8. Offers to Purchase.  The  Indenture  provides  upon the  occurrence of a
Repurchase  Event and  subject to further  limitations  contained  therein,  the
Company shall make an offer to purchase the Series A  Convertible  Debentures in
accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.

     9. Denominations,  Transfer,  Exchange. The Series A Convertible Debentures
are in registered form without coupons in  denominations  of $1,000 and integral
multiples  of $1,000.  A Holder may  transfer or exchange  Series A  Convertible
Debentures in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder,
among other things, to furnish  appropriate  endorsements and transfer documents
and  to pay to it  any  taxes  and  fees  required  by law or  permitted  by the
Indenture.  The Registrar need not transfer or exchange any Series A Convertible
Debenture  or  portion  of  a  Series  A  Convertible   Debenture  selected  for
redemption,  or transfer or exchange any Series A Convertible  Debentures  for a
period of 15 days before selection of such Series A Convertible Debentures to be
redeemed.

     10. Persons Deemed Owners.  The registered holder of a Series A Convertible
Debenture may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

     11.  Unclaimed  Money.  If money for the payment of  principal  or interest
remains  unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent will pay the money
back to the Company


                                      A-7

<PAGE>



at its written request.  After that,  Holders entitled to the money must look to
the Company for payment as general creditors unless an "abandoned  property" law
designates another Person.

     12. Amendment, Supplement, Waiver. The Company and the Trustee may, without
the consent of the holders of any outstanding  Series A Convertible  Debentures,
amend, waive or supplement the Indenture or the Series A Convertible  Debentures
for  certain  specified  purposes,   including,   among  other  things,   curing
ambiguities,  defects or  inconsistencies,  maintaining the qualification of the
Indenture  under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or making any other change that
does not  adversely  affect  the  rights of any  Holder.  Other  amendments  and
modifications  of the  Indenture or the Series A Convertible  Debentures  may be
made by the Company and the Trustee  with the consent of the Holders of not less
than a majority of the aggregate  principal  amount of the outstanding  Series A
Convertible  Debentures,  subject to certain exceptions requiring the consent of
the Holders of the particular Series A Convertible Debentures to be affected.

     13. Successor  Corporation.  When a successor  corporation  assumes all the
obligations of its predecessor under the Series A Convertible Debentures and the
Indenture  and the  transaction  complies  with the  terms of  Article  5 of the
Indenture, the predecessor corporation,  subject to certain exceptions,  will be
released from those obligations.

     14.  Defaults  and  Remedies.  Events  of  Default  are  set  forth  in the
Indenture.  Subject  to certain  limitations  in the  Indenture,  if an Event of
Default  (other than an Event of Default  specified in Section  6.1(d) or (e) of
the Indenture with respect to the Company)  occurs and is  continuing,  then the
holders of not less than 25% in aggregate  principal  amount of the  outstanding
Series A Convertible  Debentures may, or the Trustee may,  declare the principal
of,  premium,  if any,  plus  accrued  interest,  if any,  to be due and payable
immediately.  If an Event of Default  specified in Section  6.1(d) or (e) of the
Indenture with respect to the Company  occurs and is  continuing,  the principal
of,  premium,  if any, and accrued  interest on all of the Series A  Convertible
Debentures shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable subject to
the prior payment in full of [Senior  Indebtedness]  without any  declaration or
other  act on the  part of the  Trustee  or any  Holder.  Series  A  Convertible
Debentureholders  may not  enforce  the  Indenture  or the Series A  Convertible
Debentures  except  as  provided  in the  Indenture.  The  Trustee  may  require
indemnity rea-


                                      A-8

<PAGE>



sonably  satisfactory  to it before it enforces  the  Indenture  or the Series A
Convertible Debentures. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in
principal  amount of the then  outstanding  Series A Convertible  Debentures may
direct the  Trustee  in its  exercise  of any trust or power.  The  Trustee  may
withhold from Series A  Convertible  Debentureholders  notice of any  continuing
default  (except a default in payment of  principal  or interest or a failure to
comply with  Article V of the  Indenture)  if it  determines  in good faith that
withholding  notice is in their  interests.  The Company  must furnish an annual
compliance certificate to the Trustee.

     15. Trustee  Dealings with Company.  The Trustee,  in its individual or any
other capacity,  may make loans to, accept  deposits from, and perform  services
for the Company or its  Affiliates,  and may otherwise  deal with the Company or
its Affiliates, as if it were not Trustee.

     16. No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, employee,  stockholder
or  beneficiary,  as such,  of the Company  shall not have any liability for any
obligations  of the Company  under the Series A  Convertible  Debentures  or the
Indenture  or for any claim  based  on, in  respect  of or by  reason  of,  such
obligations  or their  creation.  Each Series A Convertible  Debentureholder  by
accepting  a  Series  A  Convertible  Debenture  waives  and  releases  all such
liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of
the Series A Convertible Debentures.

     17. Defeasance.  The Indenture contains  provisions (which provisions apply
to this Series A Convertible  Debenture)  for  defeasance at any time of (a) the
entire  indebtedness  of the  Company in respect  of this  Series A  Convertible
Debenture and (b) certain restrictive  covenants and related Defaults and Events
of Default,  in each case upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions
set forth therein.

     18. Authentication.  This Series A Convertible Debenture shall not be valid
until the Trustee signs the certificate of  authentication  on the other side of
this Series A Convertible Debenture.

     19.  Abbreviations.  Customary  abbreviations  may be used in the name of a
Series A Convertible Debentureholder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants
in common),  TENANT (= tenants by the entireties),  JT TEN (= joint tenants with
right


                                      A-9

<PAGE>



of survivorship and not as tenants in common),  CUST (= Custodian),  and U/G/M/A
(= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

     20. Subordination.  The Company's payment of principal of, premium, if any,
and interest on the Series A Convertible  Debentures is subordinated in right of
payment,  to  the  extent  and in  the  manner  provided  in  Article  11 of the
Indenture,  to the prior  payment in full of the  [Senior  Indebtedness]  of the
Company. Each Holder of the Series A Convertible  Debentures,  by his acceptance
hereof,  covenants and agrees that all payments of the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on the Series A Convertible Debentures by the Company shall be
subordinated  in accordance  with the provisions of Article 11 of the Indenture,
and each Holder accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

     21.  GOVERNING  LAW. THE INDENTURE AND THIS SERIES A CONVERTIBLE  DEBENTURE
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

     The Company will furnish to any Series A Convertible  Debentureholder  upon
written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made
to:

     THE AES CORPORATION
     1001 North 19th Street, Suite 2000
     Arlington, Virginia  22209
     Telephone: (703) 522-1315
     Telecopy:  (703) 528-4510

     Attention: General Counsel



                                      A-10

<PAGE>



                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

If you the holder want to assign this Series A  Convertible  Debenture,  fill in
the form below and have your signature guaranteed:

     I or we  assign  and  transfer  this  Series  A  Convertible  Debenture  to
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------  (Insert assignee's
social       security       or       tax       ID       number)_________________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Print or type assignee's  name,  address and zip code) and irrevocably  appoint
____________________  agent to transfer this Series A  Convertible  Debenture on
the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:                               Your signature:
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   (Sign  exactly  as your  name
                                                   appears  on the other side of
                                                   this  Series  A   Convertible
                                                   Debenture)

Signature Guarantee:___________________________________________

Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the
requirements  of  the  Registrar,   which  requirements  include  membership  or
participation in the Securities  Transfer Agents Medallion  Program ("STAMP") or
such other "signature  guarantee  program" as may be determined by the Registrar
in addition  to, or in  substitution  for,  STAMP,  all in  accordance  with the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.



<PAGE>



                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

     If you wish to have this Series A  Convertible  Debenture  purchased by the
Company upon the occurrence of a Repurchase Event, check the Box: [ ]

     If you  wish to have a  portion  of this  Series  A  Convertible  Debenture
purchased by the Company upon the  occurrence of a Repurchase  Event,  state the
amount: $

Date:__________            Your Signature:__________________

(Sign  exactly  as  your  name  appears  on the  other  side of  this  Series  A
Convertible Debenture)

     Signature Guarantee:_______________________

     Signatures  must  be  guaranteed  by an  "eligible  guarantor  institution"
meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership
or participation in the Securities  Transfer Agents Medallion  Program ("STAMP")
or  such  other  "signature  guarantee  program"  as  may be  determined  by the
Registrar in addition to, or in substitution  for, STAMP, all in accordance with
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.





<PAGE>



                                CONVERSION NOTICE

     The  undersigned  owner  of this  Series  A  Convertible  Debenture  hereby
irrevocably exercises the option to convert this Series A Convertible Debenture,
or the portion below  designated,  into Common Stock of THE AES CORPORATION,  in
accordance  with  the  terms  of the  Indenture  referred  to in this  Series  A
Convertible Debenture, and directs that the shares issuable and deliverable upon
conversion,  together with any check in payment for fractional shares, be issued
in the name of and  delivered to the  undersigned,  unless a different  name has
been indicated in the assignment  below.  If shares are to be issued in the name
of a person other than the  undersigned,  the undersigned  will pay all transfer
taxes payable with respect thereto.

Date:  __________, ____

in whole                           Portions of Series A Convertible Debenture to
                                   be  converted  ($1,000 or integral  multiples
                                   thereof): $


                                   Signature (for conversion only)

                                   Please Print or  Typewrite  Name and Address,
                                   Including  Zip Code,  and Social  Security or
                                   Other Identifying Number

                                   ---------------------------------------------

                                   ---------------------------------------------

                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                   Signature Guarantee:*
                                                        ------------------------

- ----------
*    Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible Guarantor institution" that is
     a bank,  stockbroker,  savings and loan association or credit union meeting
     the  requirements  of the  Conversion  Agent,  which  requirements  include
     membership of  participation  in the Securities  Transfer Agents  Medallion
     Program  ("STAMP") or such other  "signature  guarantee  program" as may be
     determined by the Conversion Agent in addition to, or in substitution  for,
     STAMP,  all in  accordance  with the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as
     amended.




                                                                      Exhibit 12


         Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges


     The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three months ended March 31,
1998 was 1.26x on a  consolidated  basis.  For purposes of this ratio,  earnings
include  income  before  taxes  and  fixed  charges   (excluding  fixed  charges
associated with capitalized interest).  Fixed charges include interest,  whether
capitalized or expensed,  and amortization of deferred financing costs,  whether
capitalized or expensed.

     Due to the project-specific nature of the Company's construction financing,
fixed  charges on most  projects in  construction  are funded with proceeds from
project finance  borrowings and do not require the use of funds from operations.
If such construction-related  fixed charges had been excluded in calculating the
ratio of  earnings  to fixed  charges,  the ratio  would  have  been  1.39x on a
consolidated basis for the three months ending March 31, 1998.








                                                                      Exhibit 20


                                  Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

        AES REPORTS SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS PER SHARE INCREASE OF 56%, TO
                                 $0.39 PER SHARE
                  AES Also Announces Plans for Public Offering

     ARLINGTON,  VA, July 21, 1998 -- The AES Corporation  (NYSE: AES) announced
today that net income was $71 million for the quarter  ended June 30,  1998,  an
increase of 69% compared to net income of $42 million for the second  quarter of
1997. Diluted earnings per share were $0.39 for the quarter,  up 56% compared to
$0.25 for the same quarter in 1997.  Revenues for the quarter were $565 million,
up 116% compared to $261 million reported in the same period last year.

     For the first half of 1998,  net income was $136  million,  a 66%  increase
compared  to the first half of 1997.  Diluted  earnings  per share for the first
half of 1998 were $0.75, up 50%,  compared to $0.50 for the same period in 1997.
Revenues for the first half of 1998 were $1.140  billion,  up 118% from the $522
million reported a year earlier.

     Dennis W. Bakke, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented,  "Plants
in operation and business development efforts showed positive performance during
the quarter. Highlights include:

     -    signing a concession  agreement for the 230 MW Caracoles hydro project
          in Argentina;

     -    AES's  affiliate,  Light,  acquiring  the  Electropaulo  Metropolitana
          distribution company that serves Sao Paulo, Brazil;

     -    financing  the  purchase  of  three  southern  California   generating
          stations with a combined capacity of 3,956 MW;

     -    acquiring Edelap, a distribution company in Argentina;

     -    financing  the Merida III 484 MW  gas-fired  combined  cycle  plant in
          Mexico; and

     -    winning a bid for the 450 MW gas-fired Meghnaghat plant in Bangladesh.

We are pleased  with the steps we are taking with our  electricity  distribution
businesses,  also.  This  relatively  new area for AES  provides our people with
significant  opportunities  to  restructure  businesses  and use their  business
skills.

Roger W. Sant, Chairman,  stated, "We are experiencing an increase of new market
opportunities  in the United  States,  Eastern  Europe,  and  Central  and Latin
America,  although  opportunities  appear to be reduced in places like China and
Southeast Asia due to the Asian financial crisis."

AES also  announced  plans to sell up to 6,500,000  shares of common stock,  and
approximately $200 million of convertible  securities.  The underwriting  group,
co-led by  Salomon  Smith  Barney  and J.P.  Morgan & Co.,  plans to market  the
securities in the U.S. and Europe.


<PAGE>



AES is a leading  global power company that currently owns or has an interest in
ninety power  facilities  totaling over 27,000  megawatts in the United  States,
Canada,  Australia,   Argentina,   Brazil,  Dominican  Republic,  Pakistan,  the
Netherlands, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Mexico, China and the United Kingdom. AES also
distributes  electricity to nearly 13 million  customers.  In addition to having
assets in excess of $9 billion, the Company has more than $5 billion of projects
in  construction  or late stages of  development.  AES is dedicated to providing
electricity worldwide in a socially responsible way.






                                       2

<PAGE>




THE AES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------
                                                        Three              Three             Change
                                                        Months      %      Months      %      From
                                                        Ended       of     Ended      of    Previous      %
                                                       06/30/98   Sales   06/30/97   Sales    Year      Change
- ---------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------
($ in millions, except per share amounts)

<S>                                                    <C>         <C>      <C>        <C>   <C>           <C>
REVENUES:
Sales and services                                     $ 565       100%     $ 261     100%   $  304       116%

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of sales and services                               385        68%       163      63%     (222)     -136%
Selling, general and administrative expenses              12         2%         6       2%       (6)     -100%
Provision to reduce contract receivables                  --         0%         3       1%        3       100%
                                                       -----                -----             -----     

TOTAL OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES                       397        70%       172      66%     (225)     -131%
                                                       -----                -----             -----     

OPERATING INCOME                                         168        30%        89      34%       79        89%

OTHER INCOME AND (EXPENSE):
Interest expense                                         (99)      -18%       (48)    -18%      (51)      106%
Interest income                                           17         3%        10       4%        7        70%
Equity in earnings (before income tax)                    43         8%        17       6%       26       153%
                                                       -----               -----             -----     

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND
MINORITY INTEREST                                        129        23%        68      26%       61        90%

Income taxes                                              36         6%        22       8%      (14)      -64%
Minority interest                                         22         4%         4       2%      (18)     -450%
                                                       -----                -----             -----     

NET INCOME                                             $  71        13%     $  42      16%   $   29        69%
                                                       =====                =====             =====
                                                                                              
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:                              $0.41                $0.26             $0.15
                                                       =====                =====             =====
                                                                                              
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:                            $0.39                $0.25             $0.14
                                                       =====                =====             =====
</TABLE>


                                       3

<PAGE>




THE AES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------
                                                         Six                Six              Change
                                                        Months      %      Months      %      From
                                                        Ended       of     Ended      of    Previous      %
                                                       06/30/98   Sales   06/30/97   Sales    Year      Change
- ---------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------
($ in millions, except per share amounts)

<S>                                                     <C>         <C>    <C>        <C>   <C>          <C> 
REVENUES:
Sales and services                                      $ 1,140     100%   $  522     100%  $   618       118%

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of sales and services                                  782      69%      330      63%     (452)     -137%
Selling, general and administrative expenses                 27       2%       15       3%      (12)      -80%
Provision to reduce contract receivables                     15       1%       10       2%       (5)      -50%
                                                        -------            ------           -------

TOTAL OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES                          824      72%      355      68%     (469)     -132%
                                                        -------            ------           -------

OPERATING INCOME                                            316      28%      167      32%      149        89%

OTHER INCOME AND (EXPENSE):
Interest expense                                           (202)    -18%      (92)    -18%     (110)      120%
Interest income                                              31       3%       18       3%       13        72%
Equity in earnings (before income tax)                      100       9%       37       7%       63       170%
                                                        -------            ------           -------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND
MINORITY INTEREST                                           245      22%      130      24%      115        88%

Income taxes                                                 69       6%       42       8%      (27)      -64%
Minority interest                                            40       4%        6       1%      (34)     -567%
                                                        -------            ------           -------

NET INCOME                                              $   136      12%   $   82      15%   $   54        66%
                                                        =======            ======            ======
                                                                                             
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:                               $  0.77            $ 0.51            $ 0.26
                                                        =======            ======            ======
                                                                                             
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:                             $  0.75            $ 0.50            $ 0.25
                                                        =======            ======            ======
</TABLE>



                                       4



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