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Asset Publisher

19/06/2024

Online since 15-05-2024 at 10:38

Hera Group acquires Soelia’s gas network

Through its subsidiary Inrete Distribuzione Energia, the Group was awarded the tender for the gas distribution plants and network serving the municipality of Argenta in Ferrara area

Hera Group BoD approves results for 1Q 2024

The consolidated quarterly report at 31 March shows improvement in the main operating and financial indicators. The Group’s financial solidity and commitment to sustainability and the ecological transition were confirmed, along with the creation of value for all stakeholders and significant investments in the areas served to improve our assets resilience and to guarantee service quality and continuity

Online since 14-05-2024 at 12:41

30/04/2024

Online since 29-04-2024 at 12:53

Hera Shareholders Meeting: 2023 financial statements approved and dividend increased to 14 cents

The Group continues along its path of uninterrupted growth, closing 2023 with record performance in the main operating and financial indicators, thus constantly creating value for its stakeholders.

23/04/2024

Hera Group at the top of ARERA’s water service quality ranking

The multiutility confirms itself among Italy’s most outstanding operators, securing the first and third positions, with reference to all macro-indicators, as proof of the very high standards adopted by the Group in this field. A commitment that the Hera fulfils with significant investments to ensure the highest quality and continuity of service to around 3.6 million citizens and an increasingly efficient and circular use of resources. Important results have been achieved, particularly in Emilia-Romagna.

08/04/2024

Publication of the Draft Separate and Consolidated Financial Statements as of 31.12.2023, the Sustainability Report - Consolidated Non-Financial Statement, the Corporate Governance Report, and the Report on Remuneration and Compensation Paid

29/03/2024

Thanks to investments totalling approximately 50 million euro, the Hera Group will build a state-of-the-art facility within its own plant complex. Starting from plastic waste that has so far been difficult to recycle, it will produce high quality polymers with characteristics similar to those shown by virgin materials, thus making sectors such as consumer electronics and the automotive industry increasingly sustainable

Rigid plastics recycling: one of Europe’s most innovative plants to be built in Modena

27/03/2024

The year closed with main financial indicators rising and the targets included in the strategic Plan to 2026 exceeded three years ahead of schedule. The Group’s financial solidity and flexibility allowed it to continue along its path of industrial growth, increasing its investments and successfully grasping market opportunities, both internal and external, while continuing to generate value benefitting all stakeholders. The proposed dividend was raised, reaching 14 eurocents per share

Publication of documents pertaining to the Shareholders Meeting to be held on 30 April 2024

Hera Group approves results as at 31/12/2023

Online since 26-03-2024 at 12:47

11/03/2024

Sustainability, decarbonisation, liveability and biodiversity protection are the keywords of this project, which will be developed in the northern part of the city and will contain a new urban park with facilities, complemented by areas dedicated to protecting animal and plant species, and an agrivoltaic field that will allow an annual saving of 6,000 tons of CO2.

Green energy and a new urban forest: the Hera Group’s Energy Park arrives in Bologna

04/03/2024

The passing of Hera S.p.A.'s Vice Chairman, Mr. Gabriele Giacobazzi

We hereby inform you that on March 3, 2024, the Vice Chaiman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Gabriele Giacobazzi, passed away.

13/02/2024

The Group achieved the leadership band in the CDP questionnaire and was included among “TOP 1%” Multi and Water Utilities of the S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2024. These recognitions prove Hera’s commitment to sustainable development and creating shared value for local areas.

Hera Group among Europe’s leaders in sustainability and the fight against climate change

06/02/2024

With the 7 lots awarded in the tender for the Gradual Protection Service for non-vulnerable household customers, the Hera Group consolidates its position as the sector’s third largest operator in Italy.

Hera Group: over 1 million new electricity customers as of 1 July

Hera Group expands in the industrial waste sector with TRS Ecology

With the acquisition of 70% of the Piacenza-based company, the Group reinforces its leadership in the waste management sector. This transaction, at full capacity, is expected to contribute to growth in the Hera Group’s Ebitda with approximately 6 million euro.

Hera Group presents Business Plan to 2027

Development, resilience and creating shared value for stakeholders are at the heart of the Group’s new strategic document, which foresees investments totalling 4.4 billion to speed up the ecological transition and enhance asset resilience to climate change. The preliminary results for 2023 outperform the previous Plan’s goals that have been achieved three years ahead of schedule, thanks to the numerous development actions implemented and the Group’s ability to grasp market opportunities.

Online since 24-01-2024 at 12:02

22/01/2024

Online since 22-01-2024 at 13:24

Calendar of corporate events

18/01/2024

The company reaffirms, once again in 2024, its position among the best performers in human resources management, thanks to substantial investments in welfare, training, and skill development.

Hera Top Employer for the 15th Consecutive Year

02/01/2024

A further confirmation of the importance of Hera’s achievements in terms of gender equality and inclusion

Hera Group has obtained the “Gender equality certification”

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Asset Publisher

27/07/2022

Hera BoD approves 1H 2022 results

The half-year report shows increasing revenues and Ebitda, thanks to the contribution coming from the Group’s main business areas. The management policies implemented and the solidity and resilience of Hera’s business model have once again proven effective, allowing the Group to achieve results in line with the projections of the Business Plan to 2025, even in the current difficult economic situation, and to continue creating value for all stakeholders.

Financial highlights

Revenues at 8,896.0 million euro (+112.8%)
Ebitda* at 631.2 million euro (+3.3%)
Net profit* at 201.7 million euro (-12.7%)
Net financial debt at 3,682.4 million euro, with Net debt/Ebitda* at 2.96x, confirming the Group’s financial solidity

Operating highlights

Contribution to growth comes from main businesses
Further development of initiatives for the ecological transition and the circular economy
Solid energy customer base, amounting to roughly 3.5 million

Today, the Board of Directors of the Hera Group, chaired by Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, unanimously approved the consolidated operating results for the first half of 2022.
Despite the complicated scenario, marked by ongoing volatility on energy markets and international geopolitical conflicts, the Hera Group’s management policies and its solid and resilient business model have once again proven effective. The Group has thus achieved results that guarantee both quality and continuity of services and the constant creation of value for all stakeholders.
Hera’s now consolidated multi-business strategy, balanced between internal growth and M&As, as well as between regulated and free market activities, indeed allowed the Group, even in scenarios characterised by increasingly frequent systemic crises, to positively face the challenges of 2022.
The results achieved in the first half of the year are even more appreciable considering that they also fully offset the negative impact of ARERA’s resolution 614/2021, containing a reduction of return on capital invested in regulated activities (WACC).

As regards changes in the scope of consolidation, the energy areas benefited from the acquisitions, through the subsidiary Hera Comm, of 90% of the Abruzzo company Eco Gas and 100% of the company Con Energia. Also note that Hera Comm was awarded the gradual protection service for electricity supply to SMEs in 9 Italian regions. In the waste management area, compared to June 2021, note the integration of 80% of the Vallortigara Group, which provides services to industries, public administrations and citizens and manages a multi-purpose platform for special waste treatment in the Veneto region.

* In order to ensure that the results presented reflect the actual performance of the gas business more clearly, and are thus more easily comparable, the figures with an asterisk include an operational adjustment based on a valuation of stocked gas at prices pertaining to the period of injection, thus excluding procurement intended for delivery to end customers with costs defined in 2021 (much lower than the costs seen in the second quarter of 2022). See the paragraph entitled “Special items and operational adjustments / balance sheet reconciliation” in the first-half financial report, which contains a comparison between the operating and the consolidated statements.

Furthermore, note the acquisition on 30 June 2022, through the subsidiary Marche Multiservizi, of 70% of Macero Maceratese, which operates in the waste management sector. With this additional transaction, the Hera Group has strengthened its nationwide leadership in the waste management sector, and industrial waste management and treatment in particular.

Revenues reach roughly 8.9 billion euro
In the first half of 2022, revenues amounted to 8,896.0 million euro, with a sharp increase (+112.8%) compared to 4,179.7 million euro seen at 30 June 2021, thanks to the contribution coming from all major business areas. The energy areas in particular showed significant growth, mainly related to the increase in commodity prices. Furthermore, growth in energy services was related to energy efficiency in residential buildings (insulation bonus and 110% super-bonus) and increasing activities involving value-added services for customers.
As regards the waste management area, instead, higher revenues mainly came from energy production, the expansion of business customer base and changes in market prices.

Ebitda* increases to 631.2 million euro
Ebitda* for the first half of 2022 rose to 631.2 million euro (+3.3%), against 610.9 million euro at 30 June 2021, up 20.3 million euro, mainly due to contributions coming from the energy, waste management and water areas.

Financial operations improved, pre-tax profit and net profit substantially stable
The result of financial operations for the first six months of 2022 came to 50.9 million euro, with a 4.2 million euro improvement compared to 30 June 2021, mainly due to lower financial expenses on long-term debt (the result of debt optimisation operations) and lower expenses from discounting provisions. Compared to the equivalent figures for the previous year, pre-tax profit* thus amounted to 284.0 million euro, up slightly (+0.9%) over the 281.5 million euro seen one year earlier, while net profit* pre-minorities, equal to 201.7 million euro, remained in line with that as at 30 June 2021 (206.4 million euro).

Net results* at 201.7 million
Net profit* at 30 June 2022 amounted to 201.7 million euro, down from 231.1 million in the first half of 2021, which included non-recurring items amounting to 24.7 million, caused by a tax realignment and the partial repurchase of some bonds.

Investments rise; net financial debt affected by the higher value of gas storage
In the first half of 2022, the Group’s operating investments, including capital grants, amounted to 287.1 million euro, up sharply (+16.3%) compared to the 246.9 million euro seen during the same period of the previous year, and were mainly related to works on plants, networks and infrastructures. Alongside the latter, regulatory adjustments mainly concerned gas distribution, with a large-scale replacement of meters, and the purification and sewerage area.
Net financial debt went from 3,261.3 million euro at 31 December 2021 to 3,682.4 million euro at 30 June 2022, showing an increase coming to roughly 421.1 million euro. This was mainly due to a change in net working capital*, due to the higher value of stored gas, already contracted to better serve the needs of the upcoming thermal season and guarantee quality and continuity of service to customers. The net debt/Ebitda* ratio increased slightly, reaching 2.96x.

Gas
Ebitda* for the gas area – which includes natural gas distribution and sales, district heating and energy services – amounted to 299.3 million euro in the first half of 2022, a strong improvement (+26.2%) over the 237.1 million euro seen at 30 June 2021.
This increase was mainly driven by higher sales and trading, thanks to an expansion of the area served resulting from last resort markets and the recent corporate acquisitions of Eco Gas and Con Energia, as well as the positive margins recorded on traditional markets. Also note the growth in incentivised activities involving energy efficiency and district heating services, and the increased earnings in the gas business in Bulgaria
A slight increase occurred in the gas customer base (+1.6% compared to the same period of the previous year), which came close to 2.1 million overall. This growth took place both on last resort markets and on traditional markets, thanks to the expansion of the area served owing to the Consip tenders and the aforementioned acquisitions in the energy sector.
The gas area accounted for 47.4% of Group Ebitda.

Electricity
Ebitda for the electricity area – which includes electricity generation, distribution and sales services – amounted to 40.1 million euro, down compared to the same period in 2021 due to different conditions on energy markets, related to the exceptional context of rising raw material prices, which caused a lesser use of the dispatching services market and made procurement activities more costly, particularly in customer consumption profiling.
Note the positive result obtained from sales initiatives involving free market customers, supported by innovative offers, value-added services and improved customer experience. Alongside this, Hera Comm was awarded, for the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2024, the gradual protection service for electricity supply to SMEs in nine Italian regions. An increasing request for value-added services was also seen, with 49% growth in customers compared to the previous year, demonstrating the growing loyalty of the Group’s customer base.
The customer base in the electricity area also continued to expand, now exceeding 1.4 million (+5.6%), mainly as a result of activities on the free market, both due to the gradual protection service awarded and the strengthening of the commercial actions introduced.
The electricity area accounted for 6.4% of Group Ebitda.

Water cycle
Ebitda for the integrated water cycle area – which includes aqueduct, purification and sewerage services – amounted to 125.3 million euro at 30 June 2022, up (+2.5%) compared to the 122.3 million euro seen in the first half of 2021. This increase is mainly due to the contribution coming from higher supplying revenues and the excellent performance achieved by the Group in terms of technical quality in managing the integrated water service. Note, in fact, that during 2022 the regulatory authority ARERA published the results relating to the incentive mechanism falling within the technical quality regulations established by resolution 917/2017, referring to the years 2018-2019, and the Hera Group was at the top of the nationwide ranking.
In the first half of 2022, investments made in the water cycle area, including capital grants, rose to 96.2 million (59.3 million in the aqueduct, 20.8 million in sewerage and 16.0 million in purification), up 7.7% compared to the same period of 2021.
The integrated water cycle area accounted for 19.9% of Group Ebitda.

Waste management
In the first half of 2022, Ebitda for the waste management area rose to 150.7 million euro overall, up from the 142.6 million seen at 30 June 2021. More specifically, Ebitda for waste treatment services amounted to 117.9 million, up 12.7 million, while Ebitda for collection and sweeping services amounted to 32.8 million, down 4.6 million, mainly due to the beginning of new concessions.
The increased Ebitda for treatment services was primarily due to a rise in earnings from energy management and expansion in the industrial waste market. Note the increase in waste commercialised, due mainly to an increase in market waste, thanks to the consolidation of existing business relations, the larger customer portfolio and recent corporate acquisitions. The increase in sales prices for market activities was also able to fully neutralise the effect of inflation on costs. Thanks to its sound management policies and its set of plants, which continues to represent a strategic and distinctive asset, also for its ability to promote the circular economy, the Hera Group thus continues to seize opportunities for growth, confirming its ability to react with great resilience to the current market context, despite the geopolitical situation and the economic stagnation seen during the first half of the year. In Italy, in fact, the progressive and persistent increase in energy costs and the difficulties in obtaining raw materials, which began at the end of 2021, led to a slowdown in production in many manufacturing sectors during the first six months of 2022, with repercussions for waste production as well. Despite this, the Group was able to consolidate its leadership in the markets in which it operates (especially the industrial and recovery markets), with Aliplast’s continued commercial expansion in plastic recycling and regeneration. In the first six months of 2022, all the main circular economy initiatives launched in previous years continued, from material recovery to the production of renewable energy (such as the ongoing construction of a new plant in Spilamberto for biomethane production).
Protecting environmental resources remains a priority objective in 2022, as does maximising their reuse, as is shown by the special attention dedicated to increasing sorted waste collection, which in the first half of 2022 stood at 66.4%, up 1.3% compared to June 2021.
The waste management area accounted for 23.9% of Group Ebitda.

Statement by Executive Chairman Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano
The results we achieved in the first half of the year are consistent with both the growing results presented in the first quarter and the main targets included in the Business plan. Our prudent and risk-averse management policies have shown great resilience, even when faced by the current extreme scenarios, guaranteeing that our long track record of growth continues. This situation has enabled us to remain fully compliant with our commitments to investors, as demonstrated last month with the payment of a dividend in line with expectations and up 9% year-on-year. Armed with a resilient business model and a well-proven financial solidity, we are prepared to face the current context, committed to meeting our commitments towards all our stakeholders in the future as well.

Statement by CEO Orazio Iacono
Despite the unstable national and international energy context and extreme market volatility, the Hera Group performed better in the first half of 2022 than in the same period of the previous year, achieving overall positive results in all business areas. In addition, the Group’s financial solidity enabled us to confirm the important programme of planned investments, which were up by over 16% in the first half of the year compared to 2021 and were aimed at innovating and improving the performance of networks and plants, with a view to ensuring the highest service quality and efficiency at all times. Alongside this, we continue to pursue sustainable and inclusive growth, benefitting communities and local areas

See the press release

Press release H1 2022

Online from 27 July 2022 at 15:01:00

Go to press release

Search Results

17/06/2019

2019-06-17 The business partnership, through the joint venture EstEnergy, involves over 1 million customers, with the new entity's overall value coming to 864.5 million euro and its Ebitda amounting to 69 million euro. With this transaction, the Hera Group reaches over 3 million energy customers. Ascopiave grows in gas distribution by 188,000 delivery points, becoming North-East Italy's leading operator with 775,000 delivery points managed and an added Ebitda amounting to 15.9 million euro. The Hera Group and Ascopiave: a large energy partnership in North-East Italy The business partnership, through the joint venture EstEnergy, involves over 1 million customers, with the new entity's overall value coming to 864.5 million euro and its Ebitda amounting to 69 million euro. With this transaction, the Hera Group reaches over 3 million energy customers. Ascopiave grows in gas distribution by 188,000 delivery points, becoming North-East Italy's leading operator with 775,000 delivery points managed and an added Ebitda amounting to 15.9 million euro. Today, the Boards of Directors of Hera S.p.a. and Ascopiave S.p.a. approved the signing of a binding Term Sheet intended to develop a major entity in areas of North-East Italy, which will be able to rely on over one million energy customers, while at the same time redefining their respective activities in gas distribution. The Term Sheet, which will be finalised by a framework agreement within 31 July 2019, defines the geographical areas involved, the economic terms of the agreement and related elements of governance. The agreement reached represents an important strategic transition in the evolution of the two Groups' activity portfolios and fully respects the strategic lines of development approved by the Boards of Directors of Hera S.p.a. and Ascopiave S.p.a., as communicated to investors. More specifically, as regards the gas and electricity marketing area, the agreement calls for a single operator to be created, bringing together the respective sales operations in the Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Lombardy regions, acting through EstEnergy S.p.a., a company currently jointly controlled by Ascopiave S.p.a. and Hera Comm S.r.l., the Hera Group's sales company. EstEnergy S.p.a.'s activities in the geographical areas indicated will be considerably increased, coming to include the Ascopiave Group's sales activities carried out by the subsidiaries Ascotrade S.p.a., Ascopiave Energie S.p.a. and Blue Meta S.p.a. as well as the joint ventures Asm Set S.r.l. (49%) and Etra Energia S.r.l. (51%), in addition to the liquidating Sinergie Italiane S.r.l. (30.94%) and the company Energia Base Trieste S.r.l. (92,000 contracts managed) and Hera Comm's Veneto and Friuli customers (96,000 gas contracts and 68,000 electricity contracts). A major operator rooted in the North-East will thus emerge with a portfolio totalling over 795,000 gas contracts and 265,000 electricity contracts, based on 31 December 2018 data, which considering the joint venture pro rata component amounts to over 1 million contracts. This new entity, which will take shape through EstEnergy, when fully operational, will have a consolidated Ebitda coming to roughly 69 m€, based on 2018 data, not including the contribution coming from owned companies with minority shareholdings. 52% of EstEnergy's share capital will be held by the Hera Group, and 48% by Ascopiave. The parties involved have disclosed that the overall equity value of the new EstEnergy amounts to 864.5 m€ (with a corresponding enterprise value of 797 m€), based on 31 December 2018 data, and may be subject to standard adjustments following the closing date; of this amount, 601 m€ (543 m€ enterprise value)pertains to sales activities originating from Ascopiave and 263 m€ to activities originating from HeraComm. In order to regulate the new EstEnergy's governance, a Shareholders Agreement will be signed that calls for a Board of Directors made up of 5 members - 3 appointed by Hera, who will also appoint the CEO, and 2 by Ascopiave, who will also appoint the Chairman and the Chairman of the Board of Auditors - and that furthermore includes standard clauses protecting a minority shareholder, a 7-year right of transfer that may be exercised annually, granted to Ascopiave and reaching its entire shareholding in Est Energy S.p.a. and a right of acquisition, granted to Hera Comm in the event that Ascopiave S.p.a. reaches a residual holding in Est Energy S.p.a. coming to less than or equal to 5% of the company's capital. In particular, the transfer option concerning the minority shareholding of EstEnergy may be exercised, wholly or in part, up to the seventh year from the closing date, at a price set at the higher amount between (i) the fair market value of the shareholding, calculated at the exercise date, and (ii) the value of the shareholding, revised by applying a 4% annual interest rate, net of the amount of dividends received and in any case not lower than the value of the shareholding itself. Furthermore, Amgas Blu, a sales company operating in the province of Foggia with roughly 50,000 customers, entirely owned by Ascopiave, will also be involved in the overall reorganisation of the gas and electricity customer marketing area. This company will be directly acquired by Hera Comm at a price coming to roughly 44 m€, including its financial position, once again with reference to 31 December 2018 data. At the closing date, Ascopiave will acquire a shareholding coming to roughly 3.6% of Hera Comm for the price of 65 m€, gaining the right to appoint one member of the company's Board of Directors. For this shareholding as well, a mechanism is expected to grant Ascopiave the right to transfer its shareholding in Hera Comm, extending over the same period of 7 years. As regards the reorganisation of gas distribution activities, instead, Ascopiave is expected to acquire, from the Hera Group, an area of concessions including 188,000 delivery points in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions, with an investment value amounting to 171 m€ and a proforma Ebitda coming to 15.9 m€, both defined by 31 December 2018 data. Through this transaction, the Ascopiave Group will serve roughly 775,000 users and manage over 12,000 km of network, thus becoming the largest operator in the Triveneto Region and consolidating its position in the national ranking. With this transaction, Ascopiave will proceed with its strategic repositioning plan, establishing a marketing agreement with a major player and reinforcing its presence in the core business of gas distribution. As regards the Hera Group, through these agreements with Ascopiave it will reach its target of 3 million energy customers (3.2, according to 31 December 2018 data) set in its business plan to 2022. This represents a further step along the path of growth in this area, that has seen the Group double its energy customer base over the last 10 years, by way of internal growth and M&As. The transaction, in addition to setting a deadline for the final agreement at 31 July 2019, will be subject to the standard conditions foreseen for this type of transaction and all communications and approvals given by authorities and responsible institutions, as well as, solely concerning the shareholdings in question, the consent of other shareholders in the case of Ascopiave S.p.a.'s shareholdings in the joint ventures ASM Set S.r.l., Etra Energia S.r.l. and the liquidating Sinergie Italiane S.r.l.. The parties involved expect the transaction to be concluded within 31 December 2019. Ascopiave is assisted in the transaction by the teams of Rothschild&Co., for the financial part, and by the Bonelli Erede studio, for the legal part, while Hera has called on Lazard and the Grimaldi studio. The Ascopiave Group operates in the natural gas sector, mainly in the segments of distribution and sale to end users. Thanks to its broad customer base and the quantity of gas sold, Ascopiave is currently one of the main operators in the industry at a national level. The Group owns concessions and direct assignments for the management of distribution activities in over 228 Towns, supplying the service to a market segment of 1.5 million inhabitants, through a distribution network which spreads over 10,000 kilometres. The sale of natural gas is performed through different companies, some under joint control. Overall, in 2018, the companies of the Group sold over 1 billion cubic metres of gas to end users. Ascopiave has been listed under the Star segment of Borsa Italiana since 12th December 2006. Hera Group is one of Italy's largest multi-utility providers working in environment (waste collection and treatment), energy (electricity and gas distribution and sale) and water (aqueduct, sewerage and purification) sectors. The Group employs over 9,000 people and works every day to meet the many and varied needs of over 4.4 million citizens. It serves over 350 local municipalities mainly in the Emilia-Romagna, Marche, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions. Listed since 2003, on 18 March 2019 Hera shares have been included in the FTSE MIB of Borsa Italiana. 20190617_press_release_GruppoHera_Ascopiave_ENG_final.1560793161.pdf 2019-06-17 19:19:00 2020 Integrated Governance Index: Hera once again ranked at the top of sustainable finance

M&A

The Hera Group and Ascopiave: a large energy partnership in North-East Italy

17/06/2019

2019-06-17 GH_ASCOPIAVE_870.1565011002.jpg The business partnership, through the joint venture EstEnergy, involves over 1 million customers, with the new entity's overall value coming to 864.5 million euro and its Ebitda amounting to 69 million euro. With this transaction, the Hera Group reaches over 3 million energy customers. Ascopiave grows in gas distribution by 188,000 delivery points, becoming North-East Italy's leading operator with 775,000 delivery points managed and an added Ebitda amounting to 15.9 million euro Today, the Boards of Directors of Hera S.p.a. and Ascopiave S.p.a. approved the signing of a binding Term Sheet intended to develop a major entity in areas of North-East Italy, which will be able to rely on over one million energy customers, while at the same time redefining their respective activities in gas distribution. The Term Sheet, which will be finalised by a framework agreement within 31 July 2019, defines the geographical areas involved, the economic terms of the agreement and related elements of governance. The agreement reached represents an important strategic transition in the evolution of the two Groups' activity portfolios and fully respects the strategic lines of development approved by the Boards of Directors of Hera S.p.a. and Ascopiave S.p.a., as communicated to investors. More specifically, as regards the gas and electricity marketing area, the agreement calls for a single operator to be created, bringing together the respective sales operations in the Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Lombardy regions, acting through EstEnergy S.p.a., a company currently jointly controlled by Ascopiave S.p.a. and Hera Comm S.r.l., the Hera Group's sales company. EstEnergy S.p.a.'s activities in the geographical areas indicated will be considerably increased, coming to include the Ascopiave Group's sales activities carried out by the subsidiaries Ascotrade S.p.a., Ascopiave Energie S.p.a. and Blue Meta S.p.a. as well as the joint ventures Asm Set S.r.l. (49%) and Etra Energia S.r.l. (51%), in addition to the liquidating Sinergie Italiane S.r.l. (30.94%) and the company Energia Base Trieste S.r.l. (92,000 contracts managed) and Hera Comm's Veneto and Friuli customers (96,000 gas contracts and 68,000 electricity contracts). A major operator rooted in the North-East will thus emerge with a portfolio totalling over 795,000 gas contracts and 265,000 electricity contracts, based on 31 December 2018 data, which considering the joint venture pro rata component amounts to over 1 million contracts. This new entity, which will take shape through EstEnergy, when fully operational, will have a consolidated Ebitda coming to roughly 69 m€, based on 2018 data, not including the contribution coming from owned companies with minority shareholdings. 52% of EstEnergy's share capital will be held by the Hera Group, and 48% by Ascopiave. The parties involved have disclosed that the overall equity value of the new EstEnergy amounts to 864.5 m€ (with a corresponding enterprise value of 797 m€), based on 31 December 2018 data, and may be subject to standard adjustments following the closing date; of this amount, 601 m€ (543 m€ enterprise value) pertains to sales activities originating from Ascopiave and 263 m€ to activities originating from HeraComm. In order to regulate the new EstEnergy's governance, a Shareholders Agreement will be signed that calls for a Board of Directors made up of 5 members - 3 appointed by Hera, who will also appoint the CEO, and 2 by Ascopiave, who will also appoint the Chairman and the Chairman of the Board of Auditors - and that furthermore includes standard clauses protecting a minority shareholder, a 7-year right of transfer that may be exercised annually, granted to Ascopiave and reaching its entire shareholding in Est Energy S.p.a. and a right of acquisition, granted to Hera Comm in the event that Ascopiave S.p.a. reaches a residual holding in Est Energy S.p.a. coming to less than or equal to 5% of the company's capital. In particular, the transfer option concerning the minority shareholding of EstEnergy may be exercised, wholly or in part, up to the seventh year from the closing date, at a price set at the higher amount between (i) the fair market value of the shareholding, calculated at the exercise date, and (ii) the value of the shareholding, revised by applying a 4% annual interest rate, net of the amount of dividends received and in any case not lower than the value of the shareholding itself. Furthermore, Amgas Blu, a sales company operating in the province of Foggia with roughly 50,000 customers, entirely owned by Ascopiave, will also be involved in the overall reorganisation of the gas and electricity customer marketing area. This company will be directly acquired by Hera Comm at a price coming to roughly 44 m€, including its financial position, once again with reference to 31 December 2018 data. At the closing date, Ascopiave will acquire a shareholding coming to roughly 3.6% of Hera Comm for the price of 65 m€, gaining the right to appoint one member of the company's Board of Directors. For this shareholding as well, a mechanism is expected to grant Ascopiave the right to transfer its shareholding in Hera Comm, extending over the same period of 7 years. As regards the reorganisation of gas distribution activities, instead, Ascopiave is expected to acquire, from the Hera Group, an area of concessions including 188,000 delivery points in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions, with an investment value amounting to 171 m€ and a proforma Ebitda coming to 15.9 m€, both defined by 31 December 2018 data. Through this transaction, the Ascopiave Group will serve roughly 775,000 users and manage over 12,000 km of network, thus becoming the largest operator in the Triveneto Region and consolidating its position in the national ranking. With this transaction, Ascopiave will proceed with its strategic repositioning plan, establishing a marketing agreement with a major player and reinforcing its presence in the core business of gas distribution. As regards the Hera Group, through these agreements with Ascopiave it will reach its target of 3 million energy customers (3.2, according to 31 December 2018 data) set in its business plan to 2022. This represents a further step along the path of growth in this area, that has seen the Group double its energy customer base over the last 10 years, by way of internal growth and M&As. The transaction, in addition to setting a deadline for the final agreement at 31 July 2019, will be subject to the standard conditions foreseen for this type of transaction and all communications and approvals given by authorities and responsible institutions, as well as, solely concerning the shareholdings in question, the consent of other shareholders in the case of Ascopiave S.p.a.'s shareholdings in the joint ventures ASM Set S.r.l., Etra Energia S.r.l. and the liquidating Sinergie Italiane S.r.l.. The parties involved expect the transaction to be concluded within 31 December 2019. Ascopiave is assisted in the transaction by the teams of Rothschild&Co., for the financial part, and by the Bonelli Erede studio, for the legal part, while Hera has called on Lazard and the Grimaldi studio. 20190617_press_release_GruppoHera_Ascopiave.1560793213.pdf 2019-06-17 19:19:02 GH_ASCOPIAVE_110.1560792938.jpg

Research and Development

The Hera Group and Ascopiave: a large energy partnership in North-East Italy

Online dal 17/06/2019 alle ore 19:19

10/06/2019

2019-06-10 TOP10_4_Hera_300.1560183835.png The Hera Group ranks fourth in the 2019 edition of the index that measures the integration of ESG factors within the strategies of Italy's main companies, and first, for the second consecutive year, in the area of sustainable finance. 2019 Integrated Governance Index The Hera Group has firmly maintained its excellent position among Italian companies who unite their own strategies with a commitment towards sustainability. Full confirmation of this has come from the 2019 edition of the Integrated Governance Index, an eminent model that analyses the degree to which ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) factors are integrated within corporate strategies. These factors represent activities that, in addition to pursuing traditional business objectives, take social and environmental aspects into consideration. This year, the Hera Group came fourth in the overall IGI ranking, one position higher than in 2018, and was confirmed, for the second consecutive year, second to none in the special category dedicated to sustainable finance. This result shows once again the multi-utility's attention towards sustainability and the creation of shared value, two key factors in its strategy and top priority elements in defining its financial operations and investments. The Group's best practices Environmental, social and governance objectives have played a significant role in the Hera Group's strategic planning for some time now and contribute to defining its future path, in line with the UN's 2030 Agenda. Evidence of this can be seen in the Group's shared value Ebitda, i.e. the portion of overall Ebitda that derives from business activities able to meet these same goals, globally: in 2018 this indicator came to 375.2 million euro, or 36% of total Ebitda, with the aim - included in the Business plan - of rising to 40% by 2022. The Group's financial instruments also respect both this vision and the market's increasingly acute awareness of ESG issues. Hera has proven able to move within this framework ahead of time, interpreting ongoing changes and providing itself with innovative models which are attractive on the market. This is precisely why the Hera Group has been recognised, within the Italian scenario, as a reference point for new strategies in the area of sustainable finance. After being the first company in Italy to issue a green bond, in 2014, following the example given by other large corporations internationally, last May it introduced the first sustainable revolving line of credit, thanks to a system that offers bonuses for reaching specific environmental sustainability goals. The latter include, for example, a further reduction in the carbon footprint for energy production, new targets in energy efficiency and improvement in sorted waste, all areas in which the Group has been at the forefront for years, as is documented in its sustainability report. The 2019 Integrated Governance Index The Integrated Governance Index (IGI) is currently the only project that quantitatively evaluates the degree to which ESGs are integrated within corporate management (integrated governance). Developed by ETicaNews, with research and legal support provided by associations and specialised advisors, this year marks its fourth edition. In 2019, the IGI invited Italy's top 100 listed companies to participate, along with businesses that publish non-financial statements and the country's top 50 non-listed companies. The Index's overall analysis and ranking process is based on a survey containing 70 questions, subdivided into eight areas, with an additional area of research that changes each year (dedicated to "ESG and human capital" in 2019). 2019 Integrated Governance Index CS_20190610_IGI2019_eng.1560184159.pdf 2019-06-10 sinistra 15:55:00 Integrated Governance Index 2019

2019 Integrated Governance Index: Hera ranked first in green finance

05/06/2019

2019-06-05 (drafted pursuant to article 85-bis, paragraph 4-bis, of Consob Regulation 11971 / 14 May 1999) Bologna, 5 June 2019 - The following table contains the data concerning the shares outstanding and the number of voting rights representing the share capital at 31 May 2019. 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 2,261,322,400 1,489,538,745 2,261,329,400 Ordinary shares (regular dividend rights: 01.01.2018) - cod. ISIN IT0001250932 Current coupon: n. 17 717,755,090 717,755,090 717,748,090 717,748,090 Ordinary shares with increased voting rights (regular dividend rights: 01.01.2018) - cod. ISIN IT0005159972 Current coupon: n. 17 771,783,655 1,543,567,310 771,790,655 1,543,581,310 20190605_COMMUNICATION_OF_THE_OVERALL_AMOUNT_OF_VOTING_RIGHTS_art_85_bis_RE_eng.1559743880.pdf 2019-02-04 15:22:00 Hera SpA

Communication of the overall amount of voting rights

15/05/2019