Press releases

2023-11-08 The first nine months of the year ended with strong growth in all economic and financial indicators, confirming the Group’s solidity and the effectiveness of its multi-business strategy. Respecting the goals set out in the business plan, the Group once again combined corporate growth and the creation of value for all stakeholders, as is proven by net investments and corporate acquisitions, up by more than 18% overall. Financial highlights Ebitda* at 1,006.8 million euro (+15.1%) Net profit attributable to shareholders* at 235.5 million euro (+10.0%) Net investments and corporate acquisitions at 593 million euro (+18.7%) Net financial debt and net debt/Ebitda* ratio show considerable improvement, coming to 4,148.9 million euro and 2.91x respectively ROI also improves, rising to 9% Operating highlights Significant contribution to growth coming from the energy sectors and the waste management area Ongoing growth in the energy customer base, now at 3.8 million, up 8.9% over 12 months Further initiatives for the green transition and increased investments in innovation, reinforcing the resilience of the assets managed Today, the Board of Directors of the Hera Group, chaired by Cristian Fabbri, unanimously approved the consolidated results at 30 September 2023. The first nine months of the year saw rising investments and record results compared to previous years, showing remarkable resilience when faced with extreme weather events in the area served and a global context that remains uncertain and continues to show widespread increases in inflation and in the cost of money. In particular, the significant investments reflect the Group’s commitment to boosting the resilience of the assets managed and its ongoing focus on projects designed to accelerate the green transition, fully respecting its corporate purpose. The good operating and financial performances once again confirm the decisions made by management, based on a low-risk policy and a solid multi-business industrial strategy, balanced between internal growth and external development, and between regulated and free-market activities. Double-digit growth was achieved, along with a 9% return on invested capital. Continuing along its path of uninterrupted growth, with the aim of providing its customers with innovative, competitive and increasingly complete solutions, the Group continued to expand the business areas in which it operates. In the waste management sector, Hera opened a second biomethane production plant in the Modena area and signed a partnership with ACR di Reggiani Albertino, a large company operating nationwide in the remediation, industrial waste treatment, industrial plant decommissioning and oil&gas civil engineering sectors. In IT-TLC, acting with Ascopiave the Group acquired 92% of Asco TLC, later merged by incorporation into the subsidiary Acantho. Finally, in the energy sector, it acquired the Ferrara-based company Tiepolo to construct a photovoltaic solar park in Bondeno, as well as 60% of the Rimini-based company F.lli Franchini, which installs thermal-hydraulic, electrical and photovoltaic systems for business clients. Lastly, Horowatt was established, the NewCo between the Hera Group and Orogel, to construct within 2024 a sustainable, state-of-the-art agrivoltaic plant at this agricultural cooperative’s Cesena facility. Cristian Fabbri, Executive Chairman of the Hera Group: “This period’s results show a relevant creation of value for all stakeholders. In the first nine months we reached over 1 billion of Ebitda, which shows a double-digit growth of 15%. We furthermore increased capex and investments by 19% and achieved a 9% return on invested capital, while continuing to reduce financial debt. All of our businesses contributed to this growth, more than 80% underpinned by Energy supply business due to a 9% increase in customer base, which reached 3.8 million, and further expansion of decarbonisation services. Another significant factor was the contribution coming from last resort markets, which we consolidated in September by winning 17 of the 18 available gas lots. Internal growth and the 5 corporate transactions carried out during these nine months were driven by innovation, resilience, decarbonisation and the circular economy. All of this contributed to an increase in shared-value Ebitda, now over 54% of total Ebitda, which continues to generate incremental benefits for all areas served. We are rapidly following the path for development set out in the business plan, by keeping our business portfolio balanced and seizing opportunities for creating value that allow us to accelerate its implementation.” Orazio Iacono, CEO of the Hera Group: “The effectiveness of our management decisions and our solid multi-business industrial strategy enabled us to achieve positive economic and financial results and, in particular, to further strengthen our leadership in the waste management sector, posting a raising Ebitda and on the back of larger volumes of waste treatments. In a partnership with ACR, which recently joined the Group, we won important concessions in the private oil&gas sector and are participating in tenders to access PNRR funds to reclaim public sites. Thanks to our positive cashflow and strong financial position, we achieved a net debt/Ebitda ratio coming to 2.91x, similar to the one seen before the sharp rise in energy prices. This financial soundness gives us all the flexibility we need to take advantage of new opportunities for development in our target markets. Finally, we are particularly proud of the recognition we received from Arera for the technical quality of our services, particularly in the water business, where we achieved the best performance nationwide.” Revenues at approximately 11 billion At 30 September 2023, revenues amounted to 10,955.0 million euro, slightly down from 14,320.1 million euro at the same date in 2022, mainly due to the decrease of energy commodity prices and lower volumes of gas sold on account of the mild weather in the first half of the year. An increase was seen, instead, in revenues thanks to the higher volumes of electricity sold, commercial development actions, Consip tenders, the safeguarded tenders awarded in electricity, “gradual protection service” lots awarded, higher revenues from “energy efficiency services” linked to incentives in residential buildings and increased activities in value-added services for customers, as well as revenues from the waste treatment business and, above all, to the M&A activity. Ebitda* up sharply to 1,006.8 million Ebitda* for the first nine months of 2023 rose to 1,006.8 million euro (+15.1%), as against 874.8 million euro at 30 September 2022. Of this increase, the contribution coming from the energy areas amounted to 111.8 million euro and the good performance of the waste management area accounted for 11.8 million euro, while 3.5 million euro came from the integrated water cycle and 4.8 million euro from the other services area. Net operating result* rises to 504.6 million euro The net operating result* for the nine months ended 30 September 2023 rose to 504.6 million euro, up 15.5% from 437.0 million euro in the first nine months of 2022, at same growth path signed by Ebitda. Net profit post minorities* up by 10% In September 2023, net profit* rose to 267.1 million euro (+7.5%), up from 248.4 million euro in the same period of 2022, and the tax rate improved to 26.8%. Net profit post minorities* rose to 235.5 million euro, up 10% from 214.1 million euro at 30 September 2022. Strong increase in capital expenditure and M&A In the first nine months of 2023, the Hera Group made net investments including M&A coming to 593.0 million euro (+18.7% compared to the same period in 2022). Operating investments, including capital grants, amounted to 514.0 million euro, up 50.7 million euro year-on-year (+10.9%), and mainly for the development of plants, networks and infrastructures including the large-scale meter replacement in gas distribution and on the purification and sewerage infrastructures. Return on invested capital also improved, with ROI rising from 7.7% to 9%, confirming the Group’s ability to create value. The total amount of net financial debt came to 4,148.9 million euro, down 100.9 million euro compared to the amount seen at 31 December 2022, even after the payment of dividends, due to the cashflow coming from operations, the benefit in net working capital caused by the reduction in the value of gas storage compared to the record values seen in 2022, and the different energy price scenario. The Group’s financial solidity is also proven by the improvement in the net debt/Ebitda* ratio, which now stands at 2.91x, once again below the 3x reference level and in line with Hera’s traditionally prudential policy. Reduced debt and increased returns The total value of the Group’s net financial debt amounted to 4,148.9 million euro, down 100.9 million euro compared to the figure seen at 31 December 2022, fully covering the payment of dividends in June, the significant increase in investments compared to 2022 and the corporate acquisitions completed in 2023. This reduction is mainly due to the significant cashflow from operations in the first nine months of 2023 and the benefits on net working capital ensuing from the reduced value of gas storage and changes in the energy price scenario compared to the previous year. As a result, the net debt/Ebitda* ratio decreased to 2.91x, returning well below the 3x reference level, in line with Hera’s traditionally prudential policy. Financial operations, while showing an increase compared to 2022 due to the impact of financial lines that are currently no longer active and the Group’s greater need for financial flexibility within an energy price scenario that has not yet fully stabilised, benefitted from a 96.5% fixed-rate medium/long-term debt structure. Thanks to the liability management operations carried out in the first half of 2023, the financial structure was optimised in terms of cost and absolutely capable of insuring the Group against potential risks related to volatility in energy commodity markets, while guaranteeing at the same time continuity in operations and the significant investment activity planned. The use of variable-rate loans, linked to revolving bank lines, is activated exclusively for short-term needs and to manage volatility, is a particularly positive element within a context of rising interest rates compared to the previous year. Return on invested capital and on equity also improved, with ROI rising from 7.7% at 30 September 2022 to 9% and ROE increasing from 9% to 10.6%. Gas Ebitda for the gas area, which includes natural gas distribution and sales, district heating and energy services, amounted to 334.1 million euro at 30 September 2023 compared to 377.0 million euro in the same period of 2022, mainly due to a drop in volumes owing to the particularly mild weather in the first part of the year and the focus on energy saving shown by both residents and businesses. This drop was partially offset by increased volumes on last resort markets, the contribution coming from energy services and incentives for energy efficiency activities. In the month of September, the Group was awarded, through subsidiary Hera Comm and for the next two years, 17 of the 18 lots available in last resort gas markets, including 8 out of 9 areas for the last resort service and all 9 lots of the default service, which will take effect as of the fourth quarter of 2023. In the first nine months of 2023, investments in the gas area amounted to 138.1 million euro, up 33.5 million euro compared to the previous year. In particular, the largest investments were made in gas distribution, after the beginning of management of the Udine2 ATEM, following the tender, and in gas sales, involving the acquisition of new customers. Overall investments in district heating and energy services also rose. The number of gas customers reached almost 2.1 million, up (+2%) compared to the previous year, thanks to growth in both traditional and last resort markets. The gas area accounted for 33.2% of Group Ebitda. Electricity Ebitda for the electricity area, which covers electricity generation, distribution and sales, rose to 176.8 million euro, compared to 22.1 million euro in the same period of 2022, a year marked by fluctuating commodity prices. Significant growth was thus seen, in terms of both margins and volumes sold to end customers, especially thanks to commercial development in the free market, innovative offers and value-added services, and the higher margins on the safeguarded service and on 4 lots of the gradual protection services. Furthermore, 4 lots were recently confirmed in the Consip EE21 tender, for supplying electricity to PAs for 12 months beginning in 2024. Margins from services aimed at promoting the decarbonisation of customer consumption, for example by installing photovoltaic systems and promoting electric mobility solutions, also continued to grow. This context includes the recent acquisition of 60% of the company F.lli Franchini, to further increase decarbonisation services in the industrial customer segment, and the beginning of a partnership with the Orogel group to construct an innovative agrivoltaic system serving the Cesena production plant. At 30 September 2023, investments made in the electricity area amounted to 81.3 million euro, up by 28.3 million euro compared to the previous year. In distribution, investments mainly involved non-recurring maintenance and upgrading of plants and networks in the Modena, Imola, Trieste and Gorizia areas, as well as the ongoing large-scale meter replacement and work to improve the resilience of the infrastructure. In the sales area, investments in commercial activities related to the acquisition of new customers increased. The customer base, in fact, saw significant growth compared to the same period in 2022, reaching almost 1.7 million (+18.9%). The electricity area accounted for 17.6% of Group Ebitda. Water Ebitda for the integrated water cycle area, which includes aqueduct, purification and sewerage services, amounted to 209.3 million euro at 30 September 2023, up slightly (+1.7%) compared to 205.8 million euro in the first nine months of 2022. Gross investments made in the integrated water cycle area amounted to 142.0 million euro (89.0 million in waterworks, 34.6 million in sewerage and 18.4 million in purification). These funds went to extensions, reclamation and upgrading on networks and plants, as well as for regulatory adjustments mainly in the purification and sewerage areas. The main investments include, in the aqueduct, the ongoing reclamation on networks and connections, as well as specific renewal and upgrading works intended to counter the risk of water shortages linked to increasingly frequent droughts. Finally, Arera confirmed that the technical quality standards in the integrated water cycle managed by the Hera Group are among the highest nationwide, which led to the recognition of significant bonuses, in line with the Group’s track record. The integrated water cycle area accounted for 20.8% of Group Ebitda. Waste At 30 September 2023, Ebitda for the waste management area rose to 258.0 million euro (+4.8%), up from 246.2 million euro in the same period of 2022. Ebitda for waste treatment services amounted to 212.5 million (up 15.2 million), while Ebitda from collection and street-sweeping services, due to the impact of the newly awarded concessions in Modena and Bologna, came to 45.5 million (down by 3.4 million). These figures include a 15% increase in waste commercialised, due to increases in both municipal and market waste, the excellent performance of energy management, due to the higher contribution coming from the Modena and Trieste waste-to-energy plants, the changed scope of operations due to recent acquisitions, and the positive performance seen in commercial activities, which as a whole offset the increase in costs due to inflation. Throughout 2023, continuity was seen for the main initiatives set out in the business plan in terms of circular economy, from material recovery to renewable energy production. One example is the new plant for biomethane production located in Spilamberto, in the Modena area, born out of a partnership with Inalca, of the Cremonini Group. When fully operational, the capacity of the Spilamberto plant will lead to a 48% increase in the biomethane produced by Hera compared to 2022, and will contribute to achieving the Group's goal of increasing biomethane production to 30 million cubic metres per year. Thanks to the Group’s solid management policies, within a scenario marked by a slight slowdown in inflation, a drop in industrial production and increased competitive pressure in the markets in which it is present, Hera has continued to consolidate its leadership in the waste management sector. This has occurred especially in the industrial and recovery markets, by equipping its plants with the best available technologies and guaranteeing a considerable amount of growth in this sector. With roughly one hundred state-of-the-art facilities capable of treating any type of waste, the Group’s set of plants continues to represent a strategic and distinctive asset in a country that still shows major infrastructural deficiencies in this sector. Protecting environmental resources was confirmed as a priority objective for the Group in 2023, as was the maximisation of their reuse. This is proven by the special attention dedicated to increasing sorted waste collection, which rose to 71.4% at 30 September 2023, up 4.6% compared to the first nine months of 2022, thanks to the introduction of numerous projects in the areas served by the Group. Investments made in the waste management area amounted to 83.4 million euro, and mainly involved maintenance and upgrading on waste treatment plants, optimising collection centres and equipment, as well as investments for the transaction with ACR. The waste management area accounted for 25.6% of Group Ebitda. 20231108_PR Hera Group 3Q 2023.pdf 11:36:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg

2023-11-07 fibra carbonio_870.png The Hera Group, through its subsidiary Herambiente, and Leonardo, through its Aerostructures Division, will work together to research the recovery of carbon fibres in polymer matrix composite materials used in aircraft parts. Thanks to the innovative plant built in Emilia-Romagna by the multi-utility and the know-how developed in the Leonardo Group’s laboratories, the precious material will be recycled with positive spin-offs for sustainability and circularity. This marks the start of full-scale testing of a future industrial carbon fibre recovery activity in the aerospace sector using advanced technologies that permit its reuse as a secondary raw material. Through its academic and industrial partnerships, over the years, Leonardo has developed in-depth expertise in recycling materials and processes and, aided by the waste recycling expertise of Herambiente, Italy’s leading operator in the environmental sector, is engaged in closing a circular industry-wide supply chain in this strategic sector. Orazio Iacono, CEO of the Hera Group said: “This partnership, which is entirely consistent with the Hera Group’s goals of decarbonisation and development of the circular economy, is also strategically important in promoting short (reshoring) and circular supply chains in Italy and Europe. These pioneering projects call for alliances where each partner provides resources and expertise to assist in the green transition processes of many domestic industrial champions operating in different business sectors, such as aerospace, automotive, sailing and furniture, to name a few, and thus generate environmental, economic and social benefits for many supply chains.” Stefano Bortoli, Managing Director of Leonardo’s Aerostructures Division, said: “A partnership that not only seeks to recover and regenerate carbon fibre, but also focuses on innovation because it can consolidate and further develop know-how that will make the recycling of carbon fibre-reinforced composites even more efficient. Thanks to this agreement with Herambiente, Leonardo is even more committed to maintaining the circular value of waste, reducing the use of virgin raw materials and using recycled materials for internal applications, as laid out in the Group’s broader Sustainability strategy.” Technological research and innovation are the enabling factors for creating circular business models in line with the Leonardo Group’s sustainability strategy and international multilateral commitments. Circular models and practices are becoming increasingly key to competitiveness by supporting innovative processes and the ability to attract talent. The agreement is strategically significant since Europe is very much lacking in virgin carbon fibre production. Thus, developing supply chains capable of regenerating valuable resources locally will help support the process of European industrial self-sufficiency. Leonardo’s Aerostructures Division will give Herambiente some of the waste fibres from constructing the components of some of the best-known civil aircraft in the commercial aviation sector. To mention a few examples, the stabiliser of ATR turboprops, the fuselage and horizontal stabiliser of the Boeing 787 or, again, the tail planes of the Airbus A220. At the innovative plant under construction in Imola, near Bologna, Herambiente will subject this waste to pyro-gasification, and the (gasified) composite material resins will be separated from the carbon fibres using hot technology. This process, developed with the help of the Department of Industrial Chemistry of the University of Bologna and Curti SpA of Castelbolognese, near Ravenna, will regenerate fibre with performance comparable to new, also based on studies on the subject carried out by Leonardo. The Hera Group is one of Italy’s largest multi-utility companies, operating in the environment, energy and water sectors with more than 9,000 employees. It works daily to satisfy the multiple needs of around five million citizens located mainly in Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Marche, Tuscany and Abruzzo. Listed since 2003, it is one of the top 40 Italian companies in terms of capitalisation (it is listed on the FTSE MIB index) and has been on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, World and Europe, since 2020. The subsidiary Herambiente is the leading operator in the waste treatment sector. With 100 certified, state-of-the-art plants, over 1,600 specialised operators and a dedicated sales structure, it operates on the national and international market, representing a European benchmark. For more information: https://eng.gruppohera.it/group_eng – https://ha.gruppohera.it/eng Head of Media Relations and Publishing, Hera Group Cecilia Bondioli: cecilia.bondioli@gruppohera.it – ufficiostampa@gruppohera.it, Ph.: +39 051287595 Leonardo is one of the leading Aerospace, Defence and Security (AD&S) industrial companies globally. With 51,000 employees worldwide, it operates in the Helicopters, Electronics, Aircraft, Cyber & Security and Space sectors. It partners in the industry’s most important international programmes, such as Eurofighter, NH-90, FREMM, GCAP and Eurodrone. Leonardo has significant production capabilities in Italy, the UK, Poland, the USA and Israel, operating through subsidiaries, joint ventures and participations, including Leonardo DRS (80.9%), MBDA (25%), ATR (50%), Hensoldt (25.1%), Telespazio (67%), Thales Alenia Space (33%) and Avio (29.6%). Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), Leonardo recorded EUR 17.3 billion in new orders in 2022, with an order backlog of EUR 37.5 billion and consolidated revenues of EUR 14.7 billion. Included in the MIB ESG index, the company has been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) since 2010. For more information: www.leonardo.com Press Office Ph.: +39 0632473313 leonardopressoffice@leonardo.com PR Hera Group and Leonardo for carbon fibre recovery.pdf 11:04:38 fibra carbonio_110.jpg See the press release fibra carbonio_110.jpg

2023-10-19 Biorg_CS_870.jpg Thanks to a 28 million euro investment, the NewCo Biorg, born out of a partnership between Herambiente and Inalca, has created an outstanding example of the circular economy, converting an old biodigester into a state-of-the-art plant transforming organic and food processing waste into 100% renewable methane and compost. The 3.7 mcm of green gas and 18 thousand tonnes of compost produced per year represent a significant contribution to the green energy transition The inauguration of the innovative biomethane production plant built by NewCo Biorg took place today in Spilamberto, in the province of Modena. This company is the result of a partnership between Herambiente (Hera Group), one of Italy’s largest multi-utilities and the foremost operator nationwide in the waste management sector, and the company Inalca (Cremonini Group), an Italian leader in meat production and food distribution. Thanks to an overall investment coming to approximately 28 million euro and the use of the best technologies currently available for treating sorted organic and food processing waste, when fully operational the plant produces 3.7 million cubic metres of biomethane, a 100% renewable fuel for automotive use, and roughly 18 thousand tonnes of compost every year. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by the vice-president of the Emilia-Romagna Region with a mandate for the Environment, Irene Priolo, the Mayor of Spilamberto, Umberto Costantini, the Chairman and CEO of Biorg, Giovanni Sorlini and Paolo Cecchin, respectively, the CEO of the Hera Group, Orazio Iacono, and the CEO of Inalca, Paolo Boni. A state-of-the-art plant for the energy transition and the circular economy 100% renewable natural gas is produced at the Biorg plant in Spilamberto from both the anaerobic digestion of organic waste, coming from the sorted waste collection carried out mainly in Modena and the surrounding area, and waste from the processing carried out by the local agricultural industry and Inalca’s meat production process. Once refined, it becomes biomethane and can be injected into the gas network. Organic waste thus returns to the service of the community in the form of renewable fuel that, when injected into the network, fuels public and private city transport, thus helping a sector increasingly exposed to the issue of carbon dioxide emissions. The plant’s annual production, coming to 3.7 mcm of biomethane, is enough for a methane-powered car to travel 52 million km. The plant is therefore an excellent example of the circular economy, because it allows not only energy to be recovered, but materials as well. The waste coming out of the anaerobic digestion process, technically referred to as solid digestate, instead of being disposed of, is in fact recovered after being transported to the Biorg composting plant in Nonantola (Modena province), to produce compost that can be used as a biofertilizer in agriculture. This project is also an effective example of industrial synergy, with biomethane production and composting taking place in two perfectly complementary and integrated plants. Furthermore, it demonstrates that only innovation can generate competitive sustainability, not only reducing the environmental impact but at the same time creating added value for the entire livestock supply chain. Significant environmental benefits: approximately 7,000 tonnes of CO2 avoided every year Thanks to the biomethane injected into the grid and its use by motor vehicles, significant environmental benefits are also expected. Each year, approximately 3 thousand tonnes of oil equivalent (TOE) of fossil fuel will be saved, and approximately 7 thousand tonnes of CO2 emissions will be avoided. To absorb this amount of CO2, an average of 280 thousand trees would be needed. Moreover, constructing the Spilamberto plant did not involve any usage or consumption of new soil, since it is the result of the conversion of an old biodigester owned by the Municipality of Spilamberto and managed by Herambiente, thus making the most of a previously existing site. This amounts to zero square kilometres, but also “kilometre zero”, because the on-site production of compost creates added value for the entire livestock chain. Fertiliser deriving from recycled biodegradable waste and recovered food industry by-products, from the point of view of its production process and quality, guarantees equivalent or superior characteristics compared to fertiliser produced through other industrial processes, even when used in a pure form, and makes it possible to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. Hera Group: a commitment to decarbonisation In order to formulate a concrete response and reduce climate-changing emissions, thus moving towards carbon neutrality, the Hera Group has included various development measures in its business plan to make an important contribution to the green transition and achieve its decarbonisation objectives. More specifically, the Group has reserved a key role for this sort of renewable fuel, and was in fact the first in Italy to build a state-of-the-art plant in Sant’Agata Bolognese, in 2018, for the production of biomethane from the organic portion of sorted waste collection. Approximately 20 thousand tonnes of compost and around 8 million cubic metres of biomethane are obtained annually, with a yearly saving coming to over 6 thousand tonnes of oil and a reduction in CO2 emissions amounting to roughly 14,600 tonnes. When fully operational, the capacity of the Spilamberto plant will result in a 48% increase in the amount of biomethane produced by the Group compared to the final figure for 2022 (7.7 million cubic metres produced in Sant’Agata Bolognese alone). At Group level, the goal is to increase biomethane production to 30 mcm per year by 2030. Inalca (Cremonini Group): integration and circular economy for sustainable business development Inalca has always adopted a pragmatic approach to sustainability issues, considering them as a strategic business asset and part of the company’s economic value, and has been able to create a fully integrated beef chain that includes breeding, processing and distribution. Its business model aims to fully exploit this supply chain on the basis of circular economy principles. The new biomethane production plant represents a further step in this direction and is an example of the company’s full local integration, in addition to achieving a complete valorisation of the by-products deriving from meat production activities. Through its partnership with the Hera Group, Inalca will also be able to rely on a further portion of organic fertilisers to improve the fertility of farmland and support the increasingly widespread adoption of regenerative farming techniques. Inalca, with the aim of decarbonising its activities, has for some time been self-producing approximately 90% of the energy it uses, about a quarter of which comes from renewable sources. This is possible thanks to 2 biomass cogeneration plants, 6 methane cogeneration plants, 2 biogas plants fuelled by industrial waste coming from its factories, 4 biogas plants from agricultural waste, over 22,120 photovoltaic panels installed on 13 factories, 1 biomethane plant and 1 composting plant. "In the 1990s the Municipality of Spilamberto started a plant that was necessary to dispose of sewage produced by intensive livestock farms which previously was spread across the land causing the poisoning of groundwater," - intervenes the Mayor of Spilamberto, Umberto Costantini. "Unfortunately, the plant never worked as imagined and this failure would therefore lead to a considerable waste of public money. However, thanks to Hera and the Cremonini Group, we have moved from a failure to a success story. Today Spilamberto is the best municipality in the province under Hera management in terms of quantity, quality and percentage of separate waste collection. The great effort in increasing separate waste collection made in recent years in Spilamberto and in many municipalities that have followed our example has led to a significant increase in the organic fraction of waste and the consequent need to treat it more virtuously than in the past. We are succeeding. The next challenges will be to focus on minimizing the odour impact resulting from these treatments for the benefit of those who live around it, but I am sure that Biorg will be as cooperative as it has been up to now in taking care of our plant and its surroundings. It's not enough to talk about circular economy, it has to be done, and here in Spilamberto I am happy to say that we are doing it." “The inauguration of the Spilamberto plant, born out of this partnership between Herambiente and Inalca, is a concrete example of the circular economy and environmental sustainability”, remarks the Vice-President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Irene Priolo. “Biomethane provides an important opportunity to reduce the use of fossil fuels and alleviate the energy footprint of our region. The ecological conversion,” she continues, “requires a new model for development centred around a recognition of the enormous value of raw materials, which must be saved, and the importance of recovering waste and putting it at the core of new production processes. This is a fundamental turning point in establishing increasingly strong and effective actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change”. “This new plant intended for biomethane production, with an outstanding partner such as Inalca, represents a significant achievement for the circular economy and an additional step forward for us in producing biomethane on an industrial scale”, states Hera Group CEO Orazio Iacono. “The challenges of the future require utilities like ourselves to make an increasingly decisive commitment, which we intend to translate into concrete projects through investments that allow us to accompany citizens, businesses and public administrations along the green transition and, in this case, the environmental transition, with an increasingly well-distributed and inclusive model for the development of the social and industrial fabric. We must move forward without hesitation by transparently addressing the challenges posed by climate change and energy security, which are the crucial issues underlying our multi-business strategies. That is why we have also included in our business plana range of solutions for promoting renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, circular economy and infrastructure innovation.” “The construction of this plant, in partnership with a company such as Hera, equipped with significant know-how and advanced technology, represents an important step towards consolidating and strengthening Inalca’s integrated and sustainable production model”, explains Paolo Boni, the company’s CEO. “This new plant, in fact, makes it possible to fully valorise processing waste deriving from our production activities and is an additional step forward in the circular economy process. Furthermore, an effective industrial synergy being created with the production of biomethane and composting in two plants that perfectly complement each other, demonstrating that by efficiently combining innovation and integration processes, we can increase our level of sustainability and reduce environmental impacts, while at the same time ensuring greater value for the livestock business. Lastly, this model for partnership is consistent with Inalca’s investment strategy, aimed at building additional biomethane and photovoltaic plants on its farms, increasing its production of renewable energy and its commitment to combating climate change”. 20231019_Inauguration of Biorg production plant.pdf 14:05:00 Biorg_CS_110.jpg See the press release Biorg_CS_110.jpg

2023-10-03 (drafted pursuant to article 85-bis, paragraph 4-bis, of Consob Regulation 11971 / 14 May 1999) Bologna, 3 October 2023 - The following table contains the data concerning the shares outstanding and the number of voting rights representing the share capital as at 30 September 2023. Updated situation Previous situation Number of shares constituting the Share capital Number of voting rights Number of shares constituting the Share capital Number of voting rights Total of which: 1,489,538,745 2,229,225,313 1,489,538,745 2,229,220,858 Ordinary of shares (regular dividend rights: 01.01.2023) - cod. ISIN IT0001250932 Current coupon: n. 22 749,852,117 749,852,177 749,856,632 749,856,632 Ordinary of shares (regular dividend rights: 01.01.2023) - cod. ISIN IT0005159972 Current coupon: n. 22 739,686.568 1,479,373,136 739,682,113 1,479,364,226 10_2023_Communication overall amount of voting rights art 85-bis.pdf 12:10:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_1_110x150_s1.jpg

2023-09-27 Hera S.p.A. hereby announces that, following the resignation, effective from 19 June 2023, of the director Lorenzo Minganti, the Company’s Board of Directors, which met today, has appointed Enrico Di Stasi by co-optation. Mr. Enrico Di Stasi, who was co-opted pursuant to Article 2386 of the Italian Civil Code, as well as Article 17.10 of the Company’s Articles of Association, following his appointment, qualifies as a non-executive and independent director and, pursuant to the information available, holds no shares in the Company. Finally, note that Mr. Enrico Di Stasi has also been appointed as a member of the Company’s Control and Risk Committee. Enrico Di Stasi’s full curriculum vitae may be consulted on the Company's website, at https://eng.gruppohera.it/group_eng (section: Governance/ Board of Directors). 20230927 Appointment by co-optation of new BoD member.pdf 12:44:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg

2023-09-27 The merger deed was signed today and follows the acquisition, last March, of 92% of Asco TLC by the Hera Group subsidiary and Ascopiave. The transaction will strengthen Acantho’s position in the IT-TLC sector, making it a multi-regional operator The Chairman of Asco TLC, Alessandro Aiello, and the Chairman of Acantho, Roberto Vancini, signed the deed of merger by incorporation of Asco TLC into Acantho this morning in Bologna. As of 1 October 2023, the latter company will take over the management of telephone and data centre services involving an infrastructure with 326,600 km of fibre optics owned, 4 data centres available (Imola, Siziano, Santa Lucia di Piave and San Vendemiano), and approximately 9,000 customers. This merger follows up on the acquisition of 92% of Asco TLC by Acantho, a subsidiary of the Hera Group, and Ascopiave, finalised on 14 March 2023 and a result of the public tender procedure called by Asco Holding. Following the transaction, the Acantho shareholding will have the following breakdown: Hera S.p.A. 70.16%, Con.AMI 16.84%, Ascopiave 11.35% Province of Treviso 1.65%. This transaction not only represents for the Hera Group and the Ascopiave Group a strategic step in the evolution of their ICT business portfolio, in line with their respective business plans, it will also enable the new Acantho to create significant operational and commercial synergies and to provide customers with increasingly broader, more efficient, innovative and competitive solutions in terms of both costs and sustainability. Asco TLC and Acantho, indeed, are companies that share many common features, not only from an industrial perspective, but also in terms of their path of development and the type of ICT services offered to their customers. The aim of incorporating Asco TLC's infrastructure assets and advanced expertise into Acantho is to expand the range of services offered in the IT and telecommunications sector. This will lead to growth in business activities, especially in the high-density industrial sector, where the company already operates through other business lines. More specifically, the merger will help improve supply relationships with citizens and companies in the geographical areas served, enabling Acantho to offer commercial proposals that use the most advanced current technology. These proposals will be integrated and made flexible, to meet the different needs of customers and stakeholders, including high-performance and reliable connectivity, telephone and data centre services. “We are excited to announce the completion of the merger by incorporation of Asco TLC into Acantho, which marks a significant step in our strategic growth and development. This merger allows us to combine our resources, skills and talents to offer even more innovative solutions to our customers and create added value for our shareholders. We are confident that this union will position us strongly and competitively in the markets in which we operate, and we are enthusiastic about working together and facing new challenges so as to build a successful future,” stated Alessandro Aiello, General Manager of Acantho. “The transaction we have concluded today will make it possible to achieve, in the most effective way possible, the potential industrial synergies arising from the integration of the companies involved, within an increasingly competitive market that requires continuous improvement in commercial proposals for regional authorities, companies and local users”, stated Nicola Cecconato, Chairman, CEO and General Manager of the Ascopiave Group. 20230927 MERGER OF ASCO TLC INTO ACANTHO.pdf 12:25:00 ASCO TLC - ACANTHO 110.png See the press release ASCO TLC - ACANTHO 110.png

2023-08-02 Bologna, 2 August 2023 – The following table contains the data concerning the shares outstanding and the number of voting rights representing the share capital as at 31 July 2023. Updated situation Previous situation Number of shares constituting the Share capital Number of voting rights Number of shares constituting the Share capital Number of voting rights Total, of which: 1,489,538,745 2,229,220,858 1,489,538,745 2,229,286,858 Ordinary shares (regular dividend rights: 01.01.2023) – cod. ISIN IT0001250932 Current coupon: n. 22 749,856,632 749,856,632 749,790,632 749,790,632 Ordinary shares with increased voting rights (regular dividend rights: 01.01.2023) – cod. ISIN IT0005159972 Current coupon: n. 22 739,682,113 1,479,364,226 739,748,113 1,479,496,226 08_2023_Communication overall amount of voting rights art 85 bis.pdf 14:31:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg

2023-07-27 The merger leads to the strengthening of Acantho's position in the IT-TLC sector: thanks to Asco TLC's cutting-edge skills and infrastructure, the digital company expands its assets and services, becoming a multi-regional operator able to provide its customers with more innovative, efficient, reliable and competitive solutions, both in terms of cost and sustainability. The Hera Group and the Ascopiave Group have today approved the merger of Asco TLC into Acantho at the extraordinary shareholders' meetings of the subsidiaries held today. The expected contribution to the growth of Acantho's EBITDA, and thus to the Hera Group's consolidated EBITDA as parent company, is at least EUR 4 million, to which the resulting synergies will be added. The merger follows the acquisition of 92% of Asco TLC finalised by Acantho and Ascopiave on 14 March 2023 and the previous awarding of the public tender procedure called by Asco Holding. Asco TLC, a company active since 2001 in the provision of ICT services mainly to corporate customers and public administrations, has a significant proprietary territorial network, located in the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions for more than 2,200 km of fibre optic backbones, 56 radio links and 24 xDSL exchanges in unbundling, and provides its services to more than 2,700 customers. Acantho, the digital company controlled by the Hera Group, with over 7,000 customers, started over two decades ago, the development of a proprietary ultra-wideband fibre optic network, stretching over 238.000 km, and provides, also to the parent company and other companies, data centre, telephony and connectivity services, in particular with solutions in primary and secondary data centre management, networks connecting offices, internet access, fixed and mobile telephony, Internet of Things (IoT) applications for distribution network and meter management, radio infrastructure for meter and network node remote reading, network remote control platforms and digital transformation. There has always been a constant focus on sustainability by Acantho, which self-produces 30% of its data centre's energy needs, with a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The merger by incorporation of Asco TLC into Acantho represents for the Hera Group and the Ascopiave Group a strategic step in the evolution of the business portfolio in the IT-TLC sectors, in line with their respective industrial plans. Moreover, it will allow the birth of a multi-regional player with significant operational and commercial synergies and important benefits also for customers, who will receive a dedicated communication as soon as the effective date of the merger will be defined, approximately in autumn 2023. The expected industrial benefits of the merger Thanks to the integration of Asco TLC's infrastructural assets and cutting-edge skills into Acantho, the Hera Group expects to expand its range of services in the information technology and telecommunications sector, with consequent commercial development, particularly in its reference territory, with a high industrial density, where it already operates with other businesses. The transaction is part of the multi-utility's development path, which aims to provide its customers with increasingly broader, more efficient, innovative and competitive solutions in terms of both costs and sustainability. In particular, the merger will bring added value to supply relations with the citizens and companies of the territories served, enabling the Hera Group to offer business proposals at the technological frontier, integrated and flexible to the various needs of customers and stakeholders, including connectivity, telephony and data centre services of high performance and reliability, also guaranteed by high seismic-resistance structures, and state-of-the-art anti-flooding, fire-fighting and alarm systems. "The incorporation of Asco TLC into Acantho, and therefore within the Hera Group, gives us the opportunity to make the most of the potential and specialist excellence of the two companies. In addition, the operational integration of the IT-TLC business activities of our multi-utility and Ascopiave will lead us to consolidate the proposal of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services on the territory, with an increasingly tailor-made and flexible offer for customers, including the same companies controlled by the two groups. The sharing of assets, skills and solutions will also enable us to be able to respond more effectively and efficiently to the main trends in the ICT market, which is moving towards a greater demand for advanced products and integrated security services, both at network and systems level," said Alessandro Aiello, General Manager of Acantho. "The transaction we have concluded today will make it possible to harness, in the most effective way, the potential industrial synergies arising from the integration of the companies involved, in an increasingly competitive market context that requires a continuous improvement of commercial proposals for local authorities, companies and users," said Nicola Cecconato, Chairman, CEO and General Manager of the Ascopiave Group. 20230727_Merger ASCO TLC into Acantho.pdf 17:30:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg