Hera Group acquires Estenergy shares from Ascopiave and increases its holding to 100% of share capital
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Hera Group acquires Estenergy shares from Ascopiave and increases its holding to 100% of share capital
Following Ascopiave’s decision to exercise its option to sell its 25% stake in EstEnergy, Hera Comm becomes the sole shareholder of the largest energy operator in the Northeastern Italy
Today in Bologna, the Hera Group, acting through its subsidiary Hera Comm, and Ascopiave signed the deed by which the latter transfers 25% of the share capital of EstEnergy, a commercial joint venture established in 2019 which is the largest energy operator in the Northeastern Italy.
The Hera Group’s holding in EstEnergy thus rises to 100%, while Ascopiave concludes its withdrawal from the company, after selling an initial 8% in 2022 and a further 15% in 2023. The possibility of dilating the withdrawal over time was a value for both companies, since it allowed Ascopiave’s local roots to be enhanced alongside Hera’s industrial approach to managing sales activities. The customer base’s economic fundamentals thus significantly improved, expressing synergies and opportunities for the supply of value-added services and laying solid foundations for further growth in margins.
In five years, by rationalising the number of companies and renewing IT systems, it has been possible to improve the quality of customer relations by combining the local nature of this relationship with a commercial approach in line with the best standards. This has led to increased and reinforced contact channels and types of energy solutions for customers, with the aim of supporting them along the road to decarbonisation.
The transaction formalised today, whose value came to approximately 232 million euro, results from Ascopiave exercising the put option for its shareholding in the company, as defined in the agreements signed between the parties when the partnership was established. This amount will be paid within July 2025, at the same time as the transfer of the shares.
This transaction, in fact, follows up in full on the agreements made in 2019, which were therefore already fully reflected in the Hera Group’s net financial position. The early exercise of the put option, with respect to its natural maturity, entails a potential prospective benefit in the income statement, deriving from the Hera Group’s lower financing costs compared to the notional accounting rate applied to the value of the put option.
The Hera Group thus further strengthens its position as Italy's third operator in the energy sector, reaching 4.7 million electricity and gas customers.
This transaction will enable the Ascopiave Group, whose partnership with the Hera Group continues through its shareholdings in Hera Comm and Acantho, to improve the sustainability of its capital structure, in line with the goals set out in its strategic plan and contributing to the financial coverage of investments in core and diversification activities.
“Over five years we have created, along with Ascopiave, the largest energy operator in Northeastern Italy. This far-sighted move towards aggregation was made to develop the economies of scale necessary to improve quality and provide solutions benefiting customers, with the specific features typical of an operator with strongly local roots. With Ascopiave, we have built a solid partnership based on fairness and mutual respect that has led us, despite Covid and the energy crisis, to exceed the objectives we set for ourselves.” Cristian Fabbri, Executive Chairman of the Hera Group.
“By exercising the put option on EstEnergy, Ascopiave continues its strategic repositioning plan initiated in 2019, which involves exiting energy marketing to focus on business sectors with more stable return profiles. Over the last five years, we maintained a minority stake in EstEnergy, taking advantage of the industrial guidance of the Hera Group, which has been able to cope effectively with the difficult situation caused by an increasingly competitive market and rising price volatility. This allowed us to benefit from a significant dividend payment and, now, to recognise the full value of our shareholding with an unquestionably interesting income. I would like to thank Hera for the fruitful cooperation we have had over the past few years in managing our partnership, and I am certain that it will continue its activities with professionalism and competence, with positive repercussions also for the customers of our local areas.” Nicola Cecconato, Chairman of the Ascopiave Group.
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The multi-utility tops the ranking, marking its sixth consecutive year on the podium, the only Italian company to achieve this result. The recognition rewards the credibility and consistency with which the Group integrates ESG factors into its strategy, governance and corporate culture.
Hera Group ranked first in the 2026 ESG Identity Corporate Index, developed by ET.Group to measure the extent to which ESG factors are integrated into companies’ strategies and decision-making processes. The results of the eleventh edition were presented today in Milan at the ESG Business Conference.
The Group’s growth, together with the progressive evolution and increasing maturity of its ESG model, has gone hand in hand with continuous advances in governance, enabling the multi-utility to rank among the Top 10 for 9 consecutive years and on the podium for six years in a row.
A more selective assessment focused on ESG credibilityThe recognition is even more significant as it is the outcome of a rigorous assessment process carried out against a benchmark that continues to rise. The 2026 edition included a record 109 companies, all demonstrating increasingly advanced levels of ESG maturity.
The assessment itself has also become more demanding, shifting the focus from disclosure alone to companies’ ability to demonstrate the effective integration of ESG factors into strategy, decision-making processes and corporate culture. The analysis centres on the development of a robust and coherent ESG strategy geared towards value creation, transparent reporting of results, and the ability to anticipate and manage risks.
For Hera Group, particular emphasis was placed on:
- governance as an enabler, supported by the active involvement of dedicated governance bodies;
- the integration of ESG targets into remuneration policies and long-term strategies;
- the ability to foster a cross-functional ESG culture involving all business functions and the entire value chain.
Hera Group builds its ESG narrative on its strategy, its commitments and its ability to translate them into tangible results. Over more than twenty years, the multi-utility has combined sustained economic growth with the evolution of its governance towards increasingly demanding targets, clear accountability and measurable performance. The credibility of the Group’s commitments rests on a consistent track record of delivery, as demonstrated by significant investments, completed projects and reported impacts. The same rigour underpins investment in people development through skills, inclusion and professional growth, as well as incentive systems that embed sustainability targets.
For Hera Group, ESG is therefore the practical framework through which the company governs, grows and creates value over time.