Press releases

2022-04-28 On the twentieth anniversary of its foundation, the Group continues along the path of growth that has distinguished it since its establishment, confirming its commitment to sustainable development by creating value for the areas served and all stakeholders The ordinary and extraordinary Shareholders Meeting of Hera met this morning in Bologna to approve the 2021 financial statements and the payment of a dividend increasing to 12 cents per share (+9% compared to the last dividend paid), as further confirmation of the value created for stakeholders and local areas. Among the various resolutions passed, the Shareholders Meeting also approved an amendment to the Articles of Association, in compliance with the content of the new Corporate Governance Code. At the Shareholders Meeting, the 2021 Sustainability Report (a consolidated non-financial statement prepared pursuant to Legislative Decree 254/2016) was also presented. Financial statements for 2021 approved, with growth in results In the ordinary session, the Shareholders Meeting approved the 2021 financial statements, which showed growth in all main operating and financial indicators. Among the main results: Ebitda rose to 1,223.9 million euro (+9%) and net profit attributable to shareholders reached 333.5 million euro (+10.2%). Operating investments, including capital grants, amounted to 588.7 million euro (+16.3%), while net financial debt stood at 3,261.3 million euro, in line with the 3,227.0 million euro seen at 31 December 2020. The net debt/Ebitda ratio improved to 2.66x, confirming the Group’s financial solidity. These figures testify, once again, to the validity of the multi-business strategy adopted by the Group: a balanced mix of internal and external growth, with significant economies of scale and the extraction of higher synergies than expected, to the benefit of the local areas in which Hera operates. Despite the complex scenario, due to the ongoing Coronavirus emergency, in addition to the volatility of the energy market during the second half of the year, further progress occurred along the path of uninterrupted growth achieved by the Group, led since its creation in 2002 by Executive Chairman Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano. In twenty years, in fact, Ebitda has increased more than sixfold and net profit has grown more than tenfold. In addition to achieving positive results, Hera has also constantly pursued sustainable development, supporting its stakeholders, first and foremost its customers, with concrete actions such as instalment plans for bills to enable them to meet their payments. Payment of a 12 cent/share dividend introduced The Shareholders Meeting also approved the Board of Directors’ proposal to pay a dividend coming to 12 cents per share, up 9% compared to the last dividend paid. The ex-dividend date was set at 20 June 2022, with payment as of 22 June 2022. The dividend will be paid to shares recorded on 21 June 2022. The dividend paid, based on the Hera share price at 31/12/2021, corresponds to a 3.3% annual return. A strong focus on creating value for shareholders was therefore confirmed. This increase is consistent with the dividend policy set out in the Business Plan, which foresees a steady increase in dividends, reaching 14.5 cents per share by 2025. The Sustainability Report: Shared value Ebitda rises to 570.6 million During the Shareholders Meeting, the 2021 Sustainability Report was also presented, showing how improvement in operating and financial indicators goes hand in hand with creating shared value. More specifically, in 2021, shared value Ebitda, referring to business activities that also meet the drivers for sustainable growth, rose to 570.6 million euro, a significant increase compared to 2020 (+25.4%), corresponding to 46.6% of total Ebitda. This result reflects the direction set out in the Business Plan, which projects this figure at 55% of total Ebitda by 2025, rising to 70% in 2030, along a linear path that generates concrete benefits for the local areas and communities served, alongside the company’s own development. Articles of Association adapted to the new Borsa Italiana Corporate Governance Code The extraordinary agenda items approved by the Shareholders Meeting include an amendment of Article 17 of Hera’s Articles of Association, in compliance with the content of the new Corporate Governance Code, following a close analysis of international developments in corporate governance. In particular, the recommendation that administrative bodies should include a number of independent directors coming to at least half of the members of the Board of Directors was implemented. Therefore, with the reformulation of paragraph 17.3 of the Articles of Association, it is clearly stated that, within each list presented, at least half of the candidates must meet independence requirements. Other resolutions approved The Shareholders Meeting also approved a renewed authorisation for the Board of Directors to purchase treasury shares (and the procedures for their treatment), for a total value of up to 240 million euro for 18 months, at the same time revoking last year’s resolution for the non-executed part. The renewal of authorisation to use treasury shares was requested in order to pursue the purposes permitted by law and accepted market practices, in order to increase value creation in transactions carried out by Group companies as well, for whom investment opportunities arise, and for transactions involving the issue of financial instruments. Lastly, the Shareholders Meeting approved the Report on remuneration policy and compensation paid, in line with international best practices, and the Corporate governance report was also presented. “Over the Group’s twenty-year history, we have pursued a path marked by constant growth, leveraging our operating-financial solidity, with positive repercussions for all stakeholders, first and foremost our shareholders”, states Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Executive Chairman of the Hera Group. “We will continue to guarantee the highest quality and efficiency in our services, despite the complexities of the external scenario, as done for twenty years working concretely and coherently with the values that have always distinguished us. We are therefore carrying on with our commitment to further developing a highly innovative and original business model, capable of acting as a real driver of change for the local areas and communities we serve, with a strategic approach aimed at creating shared value.” 20220428_PR_HERA Shareholders meeting.pdf 11:48:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg

2022-04-26 As regards the appointment, by the Mayor of Bologna, of Mr. Orazio Iacono as member of the Board of Directors of Hera S.p.A., indicating him for the position of CEO, the company declares that it has begun the internal procedures necessary to convene the Board of Directors meeting for his co-optation. The appointment of the new CEO will therefore occur in accordance with the provisions of the Shareholders Agreement to which the public shareholders adhere. The Executive Chairman of the Hera Group, Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, congratulates Mr. Orazio Iacono on his appointment and wishes him every success in his future professional role. 20220426 CEO Appointment.pdf 19:37:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg

2022-04-22 A protocol has been signed to implement environmental sustainability and circular economy initiatives, reducing waste, recovering resources and optimising the water cycle to reduce sludge and losses Bologna, Fiumicino, 22 April 2022 - A protocol to jointly assess joint initiatives in favour of sustainability and a circular approach to the management of Fiumicino and Ciampino airports: this is the focus of the protocol signed by Aeroporti di Roma - the company that runs both of the capital’s hubs - and the Hera Group, one of the main multi-utility companies in Italy. The areas of intervention of the agreement, valid for two years, concern the management of waste, the treatment of waste water in the airport purification plant and the optimisation of water network management. Actions to make the first airport hub in Italy, the seventh in Europe, increasingly sustainable. The hub’s commitment has already been recognised by ACI Europe, which awarded Fiumicino excellence as the best airport in Europe for three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020. In terms of circular economy, “Leonardo da Vinci” airport boasts a separate waste collection that has amounted to 99% and, in the last 10 years, the consumption of drinking water for each passenger assisted has been reduced by approximately 30%, thanks to a dual distribution network system that ensures the reuse of “recycled” water for all uses for which drinking water is not necessary: irrigation, fire prevention, etc. The Hera Group will make its experience and commitment available in terms of the circular economy and the recovery of resources that have distinguished it since its inception. Concrete projects to reduce waste, the production of waste and increase its recovery As regards waste, the main objective is to define guidelines to improve the recovery and reuse of waste produced at the airport, identifying the best solutions to manage the main types of waste, minimising environmental impacts and optimising economic management. This will be achieved by studying any new operational and management processes to further develop separate collection, also involving staff, suppliers and passengers, recover the waste produced (especially used oils, plastic and organic products), reduce the production of waste that cannot be recovered, adopt systems for the recovery of food surpluses produced by airport catering, thus reducing waste and giving new value to uneaten food. Reduction of sludge produced in the purification process and water losses The water system of the airports is also the subject of the agreement, in order to assess the possible optimisations to be made to the purifier in a circular economy perspective, facilitating processes that enable the reduction of sludge produced by the waste water purification process (such as, for example, through the installation of dryers to reduce weight and volume) and assessing the possibility of recovering material. Systems are also being studied to optimise the management of water networks, to prevent and limit losses with a view to increasingly virtuous water management, including with the use of advanced sensors and artificial intelligence systems. “We continue along the path of environmental transition by co-opting the best national excellence” said Marco Troncone, CEO of ADR “by launching, today, a partnership with the Hera Group, a key player, amongst other things, in the circular economy. The scope of action will be concrete and focused on areas in which ADR already performs high, such as waste management and the water cycle, but on which we intend to reach levels of excellence with the support of a recognised specialist leader.” “This agreement with Aeroporti di Roma is a virtuous example of how a partnership between companies can be a driver of sustainability with positive effects for the environment. Sustainability accompanies and permeates all of our activities and we want to share our experience in this area with the people who operate in the communities, further strengthening our commitment to the circular economy and the regeneration of resources” commented Stefano Venier, CEO of the Hera Group. 20220422 PR Roma Airports and Hera Group.pdf 11:02:00 immagine.jpg See the press release immagine.jpg

2022-04-21 The country’s leading catering company and the Emilia-Romagna based multi-utility have forged a circular economy partnership Elior, Italy’s foremost catering company, and the Hera Group, one of the nation’s main multi-utilities, have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on projects geared towards the circular economy, environmental sustainability and sustainable mobility. The agreement, presented on Earth Day, 22 April, will be valid for two years and will unfold by gradually implementing a series of environmental actions and initiatives, starting with catering outlets located mainly in the areas served by Hera, and later gradually extending the scope of action to other regions. Sustainable mobility, circular economy and environmental sustainability pilot projects launche Faced with the economic, environmental and social changes currently underway, it is becoming increasingly important for companies to join forces and work on common objectives. The circular economy is a key element for both companies, who have set themselves the goal of working together to ensure maximum value for resources, with a sustainable approach integrated into their business strategies. With this agreement, Elior and Hera are thus launching a collaboration that will start with specific pilot projects, particularly in the field of sustainable mobility, the circular economy and environmental sustainability. The organic waste produced in catering outlets can be used to produce biomethane and compost in the Hera Group’s S. Agata Bolognese (BO) plant, while separately collected exhausted vegetable oils (those that remain at the end of food preparation, for frying or to preserve food) can be used to produce biodiesel, thanks to the partnership signed by Hera with Eni. Furthermore, electric vehicle recharging points may be built. The two companies will evaluate collaborations involving projects for recycling and reusing the plastic used in catering outlets and for preventing waste production, making the most of any waste. Hera will also be able to provide support on how to sort and treat the waste produced. Lastly, extensive environmental communication campaigns will be developed jointly, dedicated for both employees and customers. The figures in question are significant: in Italy, over 95 million meals are prepared every year by Elior, with 10 thousand people working in more than 2 thousand restaurants and sales points. Constant attention to sustainability Elior dedicates constant attention to sustainability, as certified, for example, by its membership in the Global Compact, the United Nations programme fostering corporate social responsibility, to create a virtuous circle in the area of catering by working in synergy with suppliers, customers, end users and employees. As regards the Hera Group, it has always been committed to sustainably developing the areas it serves, thanks to active communication with local communities and cooperation with stakeholders. Hera will bring all its experience in the field of waste management to this partnership: it is the leading national operator in terms of the amount of waste treated, and in 2021 it reached over 65% in sorted waste collection (with a recovery rate of over 90%), serving more than 180 municipalities and 3.2 million citizens, meeting years in advance the targets set by the European Union for the general and specific recycling rates for packaging and the use of landfills. Moreover, Hera was the first utility, and the second company in Italy, to join the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which brings together the companies most active globally in the transition to the circular economy. “The transition towards a circular economy is a challenge made up of many actions implemented on an ongoing basis, and this agreement with Elior is one further example”, comments Stefano Venier, CEO of the Hera Group. “Another step towards achieving concrete results, it allows us to share our experience in the field of sustainability and further strengthen a commitment that accompanies all our work.” “A commitment to making our daily activities more sustainable is a priority in our business strategy. This is why we aim to involve all our stakeholders in activating virtuous processes capable of reducing waste of all kinds, thanks to circular economy mechanisms”, adds Rosario Ambrosino, CEO of Elior. “The collaboration with Hera that we are presenting today is an excellent example of this approach, and we are confident that the pilot projects we are launching together can lead to significant results which benefit the community.” 20220421 PR Elior and Hera Group partnership.pdf 11:31:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg

2022-04-21 The agreement aims to synergize the data collected by the networks in the gas-electricity multiservice area The results of this collaboration could be of interest to multi-utility companies also at an international level Bologna/Rome, April 21st, 2022 - Gridspertise, the Enel Group’s subsidiary dedicated to the digital transformation of electricity grids, and the Hera Group, one of Italy’s largest multi-utilities, have signed a collaboration agreement aimed at developing the smart grids of the future through a state-of-the-art integrated system for the collection and measurement of data collected from the electricity and gas distribution networks in a multi-utility environment. The two companies are therefore combining the know-how they have developed in their various areas of expertise to achieve technical synergies in the field of network digitalization. The results of this collaboration may be of interest to multi-utility companies also abroad, thus projecting the technological excellence conceived and developed in our country on international markets. In particular, the agreement provides for the testing of an integrated data collection system used by the Hera Group’s gas devices and Gridspertise’s smart meters for electric networks. The integration tests in the gas-electricity multiservice area will be carried out in Italy on the network managed by Inrete Distribuzione Energia, the natural gas and electricity distribution company of the Hera Group. The Hera Group will be able to rely, in particular, on its experience in the field of smart gas meters, which has led it to patent the NexMeter advanced meter, the best of its kind at international level for its cutting-edge technology and safety functions, also in terms of reducing gas dispersion into the atmosphere. Gridspertise will put its most innovative solutions for integrated measurement data management at the service of the development of new smart and sustainable grids to accelerate the digital transformation of electricity infrastructure elements. In particular, in recent months the company has concluded agreements with the Hera Group for the supply of 435,000 smart meters and concentrators, as well as an innovative remote management system that will be used in the experimentation. The result is a package of network management solutions using the facilitation of the energy transition as a key element. Based on the results of the trial, the two companies will consider joint participation in future tenders, also including those held outside the national territory, in which the sale of hardware and software solutions for gas and electricity metering will be envisaged. At a later stage, this collaboration may also extend to solutions concerning the integrated water cycle, both in terms of measurement and smart water grids. 20220421 CS Gridspertise_Hera.pdf 12:19:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg

2022-04-13 In addition to the information provided on 5 April 2022, Hera S.p.A., as requested by Consob, states the following: CEO Stefano Venier has resigned from his office, effective as of 26 April 2022, following the acceptance of his candidacy as a director having the specific professional skills for the office of CEO in another listed company; no severance pay has been established in his favour, except for what is provided for by current regulations regarding the termination of employment; on 5 April 2022, all powers pertaining to the CEO were temporarily assigned by the Board of Directors of Hera S.p.A. to the Executive Chairman, effective as of 26 April 2022; the appointment of the new CEO, an expression of the majority list submitted by the public shareholders of Hera S.p.A., will take place on the basis of the provisions of the Shareholders Agreement to which they adhere. 20220413 Clarification regarding the resignation of the CEO.pdf 16:39:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg

2022-04-07 Bologna, 7 April 2022 – The following table contains the data concerning the shares outstanding and the number of voting rights representing the share capital as at 31 March 2022. 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 2,229,351,858 1,489,538,745 2,229,451,858 Ordinary shares (regular dividend rights: 01.01.2021) – cod. ISIN IT0001250932 Current coupon: n. 20 749,725,632 749,725,632 749,625,632 749,625,632 Ordinary shares with increased voting rights (regular dividend rights: 01.01.2021) – cod. ISIN IT0005159972 Current coupon: n. 20 739,813,113 1,479,626,226 739,913,113 1,479,826,226 04_2022 Communication-overall-amount-of-voting-rights-art-85-bis.pdf 10:49:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg

2022-04-06 Kindly note that the following documents, approved by the Hera S.p.A. Board of Directors, have been made available to the public at company headquarters, on the website https://eng.gruppohera.it/ and on the authorised storage platform 1INFO (www.1Info.it): folder containing the draft Separate and consolidated financial statements at 31.12.2021 Sustainability report – consolidated non-financial statement drafted pursuant to L. Decree 254/2016. In the same way, the reports of the Board of Directors on the issues at items 3 and 4 on the AGM’s agenda as well as the Group’s Report on the remuneration policy and fees paid and the 2021 Corporate Governance Report are also available. 06042022 Press release Financial Statements-DNF FY21.pdf 15:56:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg

2022-04-05 The Board of Directors of Hera S.p.A., after meeting today, acknowledged the resignation of Stefano Venier as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, formally presented on 4 April 2022. His resignation will become effective on 26 April 2022, and on the same date all his other positions related to the board will cease. For his replacement, the appropriate bodies have already begun to act, according to the procedures provided for by the Articles of Association. Note that Stefano Venier does not hold any shares in the Company. The Board of Directors would like to thank Stefano Venier, who has worked for Hera S.p.A. since 2004, for the important work he has done over the years, working alongside the top management and the entire organisation, and wishes him the utmost success in his new professional career. Press release AD Venier.pdf 13:09:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg

2022-03-23 The year ended positively, with all operating and financial indicators up compared to 2020. Financial solidity, the pursuit of sustainable development and the value creation for local communities served all confirming the strong track record, enabling Hera to stand by its stakeholders and provide support. Proposed dividend revised upwards, now set at 12 cents per share Financial highlights • Revenues at 10,555.3‬ million euro (+49.1%) • Ebitda at 1,223.9 million euro (+9.0%) • Net profits for Shareholders at 333.5 million euro (+10.2%) • Net debt at 3,261.3 million euro, net debt/Ebitda improves to 2.66x • Proposed dividend increases to 12 cents per share (+9%) Operating highlights • Positive results from both internal and external growth • Significant contributions from the gas area, energy services and the waste management sector • Approximately 3.5 million customers in the energy sectors • Improvement in all sustainability indicators, with shared value Ebitda rising sharply to 570.6 million euro (+25.4%) Today, the Hera Group’s Board of Directors, chaired by Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, unanimously approved the consolidated economic results at 31 December 2021 and the Report on remuneration policies and compensation paid, along with the Sustainability report. 20 years of uninterrupted growth, thanks to good operational, financial and fiscal management. The Hera Group closed the year 2021 with positive results, despite the complex scenario seen in Italy due to the ongoing Coronavirus emergency and, in the second half of the year, high volatility in the energy market. Thanks to its solid and efficient multi-business model and its good operational, financial and fiscal management, Hera managed to keep its results growing while pursuing sustainable development. It also succeeded in supporting its stakeholders, first and foremost its customers, with concrete actions such as bill instalment plans to enable them to meet their payments. . More generally, the Hera Group prolonged the path of uninterrupted growth that has characterised it since it was founded in 2002, continuing to leverage its own strategy: a balanced mix of internal and external growth, with significant economies of scale and an extraction of synergies that exceed expectations. . All this was accompanied by a wide range of initiatives for the energy transition, the circular economy and technological evolution, consistent with the path set out in the Business Plan to 2025, which aims to stand beside local areas in recovery, while respecting European strategies and the goals of the UN’s 2030 Agenda. . Revenues exceed 10.5 billion, up 49.1% The Hera Group’s 2021 revenues rose to 10,555.3 million euro, up 49.1% from the 7,079.0 million euro seen in 2020, with growth in all areas. The energy sectors in particular showed higher revenues from sales and trading activities, higher volumes of gas sold and an increase in energy commodity prices, in addition to growth in energy services and value-added services for customers. Revenues in the waste management sector also increased, due to higher volumes of plastic materials sold and acquisitions in the industrial market. Lastly, note the contribution coming from network services (both regulated and for third parties) and other services such as public lighting and telecommunications. Ebitda increases to 1,223.9 million euro (+9.0%) Group Ebitda rose to 1,223.9 million euro, up 9% from the 1,123.0 million euro recorded in 2020. This increase is linked to the performance of the energy areas, which also include energy services related to energy efficiency in residential buildings (insulation bonus and 110% super-bonus). The positive results recorded in the waste management area were also decisive, particularly in the area of waste treatment, partially due to an increase in the number of plants managed following recent acquisitions. Operating results grow to 611.7 million euro (+11.0%) Net operating results were also up, reaching 611.7 million euro, up 11.0% from 551.3 million in 2020, despite higher provisions and amortisation for new investments made in the operating segments, and those resulting from changes in the scope of consolidation; this result is equivalent to 50% of Ebitda. Financial operations amounted to 119.8 million euro, up by 3.1 million euro compared to 31 December 2020, due to higher expenses from the sale of tax credits as part of the ecobonus activities, partly offset by the efficiencies achieved following the repurchase of part of the Group’s medium/long-term debt, lower discounting charges and higher profits from associates and joint ventures. Pre-tax profit increased from 434.6 million to 491.9 million (+13.2%). Net profit pertaining to shareholders rises to 333.5 million (+10.2%) Net profit as at 31 December 2021 rose to 372.7 million, up 15.5% from 322.8 million one year earlier. Special items coming to 12.6 million contributed to this result. The tax rate for the 2021 financial year was 26.8%, compared to 25.7% in the previous year. The 2021 tax rate was mainly determined by the benefits received in terms of large and very large depreciation, relating to the significant investments made by the Group in technological, digital and environmental transformation. Strong growth was also seen in profits pertaining to Group shareholders, which rose to 333.5 million, compared to 302.7 million in 2020 (+10.2%). Net investments increase to 570.3 million; net debt/Ebitda ratio improves to 2.66x In 2021, net investments amounted to 570.3 million, up 7.9% from 528.5 million in 2020. This includes 11 million in financial investments, mainly for an equity investment in SEA, a company based in Marche region, down from the previous year’s financial investments that included an equity investment in Ascopiave. Including capital grants, operating investments rose to 588.7 million, up 16.3% on the 506.4 million seen during the previous year, with a significant focus on asset resilience. More specifically, investments were allocated mainly to plants, networks and infrastructures, as well as to regulatory upgrading in the water and sewage sector and a large-scale installation of new-generation gas meters. In addition to financing these investments and paying dividends, the positive cash flow generation also made it possible to finance the M&A transactions carried out in 2021 and cover most of the liability management transactions, including the repurchase of loans with an approximate nominal value of 400 million maturing in the next few years. All this, while keeping net financial debt essentially stable, at 3,261.3 million on 31 December 2021, in line with 3,227.0 million at 31 December 2020. Hera’s financial solidity – which is also reflected by the ratings assigned by the main rating agencies: BBB+ with a stable outlook by Standard & Poor’s and Baa2 by Moody’s – was also confirmed by the net debt/Ebitda ratio 2.66x, an improvement compared to the 2.87x seen at the end of 2020. Group focus on sustainability confirmed, with shared value Ebitda increasing to 570.6 million These positive economic results go hand in hand with Hera’s increasing focus on sustainability. In 2021, shared value Ebitda, which refers to business activities that also meet the drivers for sustainable growth, rose to 570.6 million, a significant increase compared to 2020 (+25.4%) and corresponding to 46.6% of total Ebitda. This result is in line with the projections contained in the Business Plan, which expects this value to reach 55% of total Ebitda by 2025 and rise to 70% in 2030, along a linear path that generates concrete benefits for the areas and communities served, flanking the company’s own development. Proposed dividend rises to 12 cents per share Confirming the focus on generating value for shareholders, and in line with what was announced last January when the 2025 Business Plan was presented, in view of the positive results achieved, the Board of Directors has decided to propose to the Shareholders Meeting to be held on 28 April the payment of a dividend coming to 12 cents per share, higher than the amount expected by the previous Business Plan. The ex-dividend date has been set at 20 June 2022, with payment as of 22 June 2022. The dividend will be paid to shares recorded on 21 June 2022. br> Report on Remuneration policies and compensation paid approved The Board of Directors also approved the Report on Remuneration policies and compensation paid, in line with international best practices. Gas Ebitda for the gas area – which includes services in natural gas distribution and sales, district heating and heat management – grew significantly compared to the previous year, in terms of both earnings and volumes sold, rising to 487.6 million euro (+30.2%), compared to 374.4 million in 2020. This growth, which concerned both revenues and volumes sold, was achieved thanks to the positive contribution coming from the volumes sold in traditional markets, as a result of the recovery in consumption and production activities, which suffered a sharp slowdown in 2020 due to the pandemic, and in those segments subject to tenders, where Hera Comm further consolidated its presence. In last resort markets in particular, Hera Comm was awarded, for the period from 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2023, 6 out of 9 lots of the last resort gas service and all lots of the default gas service, as well as 9 lots of the Consip GAS13 tender, through which Public Administrations in 12 regions purchased gas in 2021. The increase in earnings is also linked to significant growth in the energy services business, due to incentives deriving from tax bonuses for energy efficiency works, confirming the trend of considerable growth in this sector recorded in previous quarters. The number of customers remained essentially stable, at 2.1 million. In 2021, gross investments totalled 141.3 million (+4.4% compared to 2020), mainly due to the installation of gas smart meters, including the innovative NexMeter patented by Hera, activities related to the acquisition of new customers, as well as non-recurring maintenance on networks and plants. As regards regulated services, in September 2021 the Hera Group, through its subsidiary AcegasApsAmga, was definitively awarded the tender for gas distribution in the Udine 2 ATEM for the next 12 years, with a value of approximately 115 million euro. The gas area accounted for 39.8% of Group Ebitda. Electricity The electricity area – which covers electricity generation, distribution and sales services – recorded an Ebitda coming to 144.7 million, down sharply from the 188.2 million seen one year earlier (-23.1%), mainly due to the reduction in the scope of operations in the safeguarded market and the lower calls for the dispatching market. Growth in free market activities, new value-added services, optimisation of plant production and distribution services compensated for the lower income coming from brokerage activities. Electricity customers came to over 1.4 million (+5.0%), with growth mainly in the free market, thanks to the strengthening of commercial actions and the award of the gradual protection service. In the electricity area, gross investments amounted to 55.3 million euro, up 15.9% on the previous year. The interventions carried out mainly concern non-recurring maintenance on distribution plants and networks in the Modena, Imola, Trieste and Gorizia areas, some new constructions, such as the Modena Est primary substation, as well as the replacement of meters. Requests for new connections also increased compared to the previous year. The electricity area accounted for 11.8% of Group Ebitda. Water cycle Ebitda for the integrated water cycle area – which includes services in the aqueduct, purification and sewerage – came to 262.4 million euro, essentially in line with the 265.8 million seen in the previous year. This result is due to higher operating costs on networks and plants, as a result of the resumption of activities after the lockdown, and revised technical quality criteria, partially offset by higher revenues from connections and growth in other revenues. The latter include the benefits recognised by Arera with the application of the new tariff method, linked to the significant investments made by the Group to implement measures increasing the resilience and sustainability of its plants, and thus continue to guarantee citizens quality, efficiency and continuity in supply. Including capital grants, investments amounted to 194.6 million euro (+17.1%), mainly going to extensions, reclamation and upgrades of networks and plants, as well as regulatory adjustments, especially in the purification and sewage sector. Among other things, work continued on the Rimini seawater protection plan, one of the most important and avant-garde works in Italy in the field of sewerage and purification, in addition to redeveloping the sewerage network in other areas. Requests for new water and sewage connections increased compared to the previous year, also driven by the economic recovery, particularly in the construction sector. At the end of 2021, Atersir definitively awarded the Hera Group the tender for managing the integrated water service in 24 municipalities in the province of Rimini, in Emilia-Romagna region, including the capital city, with a contract worth approximately 1.7 billion euro. Thanks to the award of the tender, one of the first in Italy, the new water distribution service in the Rimini area will be based on sustainability and innovation, and the Hera Group, also the outgoing manager for the 24 municipalities, will be responsible for the service for the next 18 years. The integrated water cycle area accounted for 21.4% of Group Ebitda. Waste management Ebitda for the waste management area – which includes waste collection, treatment and disposal services – rose to 291.7 million euro, +13.1% compared to the 258.0 million seen in 2020. This growth was achieved thanks to the ability shown by the Hera Group, the leading national operator in the waste management sector, to make the most of the current economic recovery. In addition to the contribution coming from an additional plant expansion, thanks to a series of M&A transactions in the industrial waste treatment sector, the increase in margins in the waste management area was due to higher revenues from growth in the volumes of waste treated and electricity generation, as well as strong development in the activities of the subsidiary Aliplast, a leader in the production of high quality recycled polymers, faced with a significant increase in demand and in the selling price of recycled materials. Initiatives in the field of the circular economy include those relating to Hera Business Solution, a “turnkey” multi-service proposal for large companies with integrated energy and environmental solutions aimed at sustainability, and the production of renewable energy with the development of the biomethane chain, also involving a collaboration with other local companies. Just last year, Hera signed a partnership with Inalca (Cremonini Group) to set up the NewCo Biorg for the transformation of organic waste and agro-food waste into 100% renewable methane and compost, which will be launched by the end of 2022. The Group’s focus on protecting and reusing environmental resources is also confirmed by the rate of sorted waste collection, which in 2021 stood at 65.3%, slightly up compared to the same period in 2020 if recalculated using uniform criteria. Investments coming to 98.2 million euro, up sharply compared to the previous year (+43.8%), mainly went to maintenance and expansion in the set of plants, including the start-up project with the NewCo Biorg in the Modena area, revamping work on the waste-to-energy plant in Trieste, and the F3 plant in Ravenna. Increased investments were also made in the collection point and equipment sector, which includes work on underground collection points. Lastly, in November 2021, Atersir definitively awarded the Hera Group the 15-year contract for municipal waste management services in Modena and Bologna, with a total of 1.5 million inhabitants and a value of over 2.5 billion. The waste management area accounted for 23.8% of Group Ebitda. Statement by Executive Chairman Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano In 2021, our commitment to pursuing the creation of value for the company and our stakeholders, with sustainable development, once again enabled us to achieve positive results and implement actions to support the environment in which we operate, starting with our customers. We will continue to do so in spite of the current scenario, which remains complex, and we look to the future by focusing on two factors that have always distinguished our twenty-year history: concreteness and solidity. Our decision to increase the dividend to 12 cents per share, in line with what we announced when we presented our new Business Plan, is a step in this direction and will benefit our shareholders, who will be able to count on higher income to face the current difficult situation. Risk prevention and management, moreover, is one of the strategic guidelines underpinning our Plan; it translates into the medium- to long-term approach required to anticipate actions and thus offset the risks to which utilities are exposed, deal with complexities and continue to guarantee service quality and continuity. Statement by CEO Stefano Venier The positive results achieved in 2021 show a further reinforcement of the company’s financial solidity, confirmed among other things by the net debt/Ebitda ratio, now at 2.66x, an improvement compared to the previous year. The positive cash flow allowed us to make greater investments, with positive repercussions for the areas in which we operate, in terms of both service quality and the induced economic activity created. Our greater solidity allows us to face the current complex scenario with confidence, continuing to guarantee investments and support for our stakeholders, with sustainability fully integrated into our business strategies. This is confirmed by the increase of over 25% in shared value Ebitda, which rose to 570.6 million in 2021 and accounted for 46.6% of total Ebitda, with the aim of reaching 70% in 2030. Impact of the conflict in Ukraine and of increases in energy commodity prices Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February triggered a series of economic and financial consequences, with an impact above all on the energy markets in which the Hera Group also operates. The already very high price of commodities, concerning both gas and electricity, has shown an extremely large degree of upward volatility. Within this scenario, two systemic risks in particular are becoming increasingly important: a further increase in inflation, due to energy commodities, with an effect on consumer products (agri-foods and industrial production) and a consequent impact on growth in GDP and energy demand; an unavailability of gas supplies from Russia – which account for 35%-40% of national consumption – would, depending on its duration, have an impact on industrial activities in the upcoming months, and also on domestic thermal consumption, if protracted beyond the summer. In line with its risk management strategy, the Hera Group is monitoring the evolution of this situation on a day-to-day basis, defining possible risk scenarios for its activities and identifying, where possible, mitigation actions. The manager responsible for drafting the company’s accounting statements, Luca Moroni, declares, pursuant to article 154-bis paragraph 2 of the TUF, that the information contained in the present press release corresponds to the documentation available and to the account books and entries. The financial statement and related materials will be available to the public pursuant to the terms established by law at the Company Headquarters, on the website www.gruppohera.it and on the authorised storage platform 1Info (www.1info.it), as of 6 April 2022. Unaudited extracts from the Financial Statements at 31 December 2021 are attached. Profit & Loss (m€) 31/12/2021 Inc.% 31/12/2020 Inc.% Ch. Ch. % Sales 10.555,3 7.079,0 +3.476,3 +49,1% Other operating revenues 400,1 3,8% 467,8 6,6% -67,7 -14,5% Raw material (6.668,5) -63,2% (3.410,6) -48,2% +3.257,9 +95,5% Services costs (2.464,6) -23,3% (2.424,9) -34,3% +39,7 +1,6% Other operating expenses (66,5) -0,6% (58,9) -0,8% +7,6 +12,9% Personnel costs (592,8) -5,6% (572,7) -8,1% +20,1 +3,5% Capitalisations 60,8 0,6% 43,3 0,6% +17,5 +40,5% Ebitda 1.223,9 11,6% 1.123,0 15,9% +100,9 +9,0% Depreciation and provisions (612,5) -5,8% (571,7) -8,1% +40,4 +7,1% Ebit 611,7 -5,8% 551,3 7,8% +60,4 +11,0% Financial inc./(exp.) (119,8) (1,1%) (116,7) (1,6%) +3,1 +2,7% Pre tax profit 491,9 4,7% 434,6 6,1% +57,3 +13,2% Taxes (131,8) -1,2% (111,8) -1,6% +20,0 +17,9% Net profit 360,1 3,4% 322,8 4,6% +37,3 +11,6% Special items 12,6 0,1% - 0,0% +12,6 +100,0% Net profit 372,7 3,5% 322,8 4,6% +49,9 +15,5% Attributable to: Shareholders of the Parent Company 333,5 3,2% 302,7 4,3 +30,8 +10,2% Minority shareholders 39,1 0,4% 20,1 0,3% +19,0 +94,6% Balance Sheet (m€) 31/12/2021 Inc.% 31/12/2020 Inc.% Ch. Ch. % Net fixed assets 7.308,0 109,4% 6.983,6 109,4% +324,4 +4,6% Working capital 2,5 0,10% 53,6 0,8% (50,1) 93,5% (Provisions)/td> (633,4) (9,5%) (654,9) (10,2%) 21,5 (3,3%) Net invested capital 6.678,1 100,0% 6.382,3 100,0% +295,8 +4,6% Net equity 3.416,8 51,2% 3.155,3 49,4% 261,5 +8,3% Long term net financial debt 3.633,1 54,4% 3.617,1 56,7% (16,0) 0,4% Short term net financial debt (371,8) (5,6%) (390,1) (6,1%) +18,3 (4,7%) Net financial debts 3.261,30 48,8% 3.227,0 50,6% +34,3 +1,1% Net invested capital 6.678,1 100,0% 6.382,3 100,0% 295,8 4,6% Press release FY2021.pdf 13:53:00 sede hera piloni (1).png Nuova_Palazzina_1_110x150_s1.1533219433 (1).jpg