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Hera Group approves results as at 31/12/2016

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Asset Publisher

Press releases
19/06/2024
Hera Spa
Price sensitive

Hera Group ranks first in the 2024 ESG Identity Corporate Index (formerly IGI)

<p><em>For the fourth consecutive year, the Group is on the podium of the overall index ranking, which rewards Italian companies that stand out for integrating ESG factors into their governance. This comes as further recognition of the Group’s commitment to creating long-term value for its shareholders and all its stakeholders</em></p>
Online since 19-06-2024 at 11:08
Press releases
11/06/2024
Hera Spa
M&A
Price sensitive

Inrete Distribuzione Energia acquires Soelia’s gas network

<p><em>The Hera Group, through its subsidiary operating in the natural gas distribution sector, strengthens its presence in the area served</em></p>
Online since 11-06-2024 at 11:57
Press releases
15/05/2024
Shareholders’ meeting
Price sensitive
Hera Spa

Publication of documents pertaining to the Shareholders Meeting

Online since 15-05-2024 at 10:35
Press releases
15/05/2024
Price sensitive
M&A
Hera Spa

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

Online since 15-05-2024 at 10:38
Press releases
14/05/2024
Price sensitive
Financial Results
Hera Spa

Hera Group BoD approves results for 1Q 2024

<p>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</p>
Online since 14-05-2024 at 12:41
Press releases
30/04/2024
Shareholders’ meeting
Hera Spa
Price sensitive

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.

Online since 29-04-2024 at 12:53
Press releases
23/04/2024
Hera Spa
Other press releases

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
Other press releases
Hera Spa

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
Hera Spa
Other press releases

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

<p><em>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</em></p>
Press releases
27/03/2024
Shareholders’ meeting
Hera Spa

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

Press releases
26/03/2024
Other press releases
Hera Spa
Price sensitive
Financial Results

Hera Group approves results as at 31/12/2023

<p><em>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</em></p>
Online since 26-03-2024 at 12:47
Press releases
11/03/2024
Hera Spa
Other press releases

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

<p><em>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.</em></p>
Press releases
04/03/2024
Shareholders’ meeting
Hera Spa
Other press releases

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.

Press releases
13/02/2024
Hera Spa
Other press releases

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

<p><em>The Group achieved the leadership band in the CDP questionnaire and was included among “TOP 1%” Multi and Water Utilities of the S&amp;P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2024. These recognitions prove Hera’s commitment to sustainable development and creating shared value for local areas.</em></p>
Press releases
06/02/2024
Hera Spa
Other press releases

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

<p><em>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.</em></p>
Press releases
25/01/2024
M&A
Hera Spa
Other press releases

Hera Group expands in the industrial waste sector with TRS Ecology

<p><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:106%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"></span></span></span></i>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.<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:106%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> </span></span></span></i></p>
Press releases
24/01/2024
Price sensitive
Financial Results
Hera Spa
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Hera Group presents Business Plan to 2027

<p><em>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.</em></p>
Online since 24-01-2024 at 12:02
Press releases
22/01/2024
Shareholders’ meeting
Hera Spa
Other press releases
Price sensitive

Calendar of corporate events

Online since 22-01-2024 at 13:24
18/01/2024
Hera Spa
Other press releases

Hera Top Employer for the 15th Consecutive Year

<p><em>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.</em></p>
Press releases
02/01/2024
Hera Spa
Other press releases

Hera Group has obtained the “Gender equality certification”

<p><em>A further confirmation of the importance of Hera’s achievements in terms of gender equality and inclusion</em></p>

Asset Publisher

21/03/2017
Hera Group approves results as at 31/12/2016

The year closes with improvement in all economic-financial and environmental indicators, with results exceeding expectations. Internal and external growth prove once again to be the key factors in development. Proposed dividends of 9 cents per share

Financial highlights

  • Revenue at € 4,460.2 million (-0.6%)
  • EBITDA at € 916.6 million (+3.6%)
  • Net profits post minorities at € 207.3 million (+14.8%)
  • Net debt decreased, reaching € 2,558.9 million
  • Proposed dividends of 9 cents per share confirmed

Operational highlights

  • Revenue affected by a fall in energy commodity prices and impacted by legislative and regulatory changes, in particular return on invested capital (WACC)
  • Benefits derived from recent acquisitions in free market sectors
  • Contribution to growth came from the electricity area and, in the second half of the year, the waste area
  • Environmental and social sustainability improved, alongside added value generated in the area served, reaching over € 1.7 billion

Today, the Hera Group’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the consolidated economic results as at 31 December 2016, along with the Sustainability Report.

Improvement in all economic-financial and sustainability indicators

The 2016 financial year came to an end for the Hera Group with all economic-financial indicators rising compared to 2015, and with results more positive than expected. Particularly encouraging, this outcome was reached thanks to the Group’s consolidated multi-business strategy, that allowed it to successfully balance regulated and free-market activities, maintaining all the while a sustainable risk profile. The combination of two fundamental levers, internal growth and M&A, furthermore allowed the Group to continue along its path of expansion, in spite of an increasingly challenging context involving regulatory and market factors.
These results furthermore confirm the attention given to sustainability, in all its various forms: environmental, social and economic.

Revenues amounting to roughly € 4.5 billion

Revenues amounted to € 4,460.2 million in 2016, in line with the € 4,487.0 million seen in the previous year. This result includes lesser revenues in regulated services, caused by recent regulatory changes, and lesser revenues in electricity and gas sales and trading, following a drop in the price of raw materials. These negative effects were however almost entirely compensated by changes in the scope of operations and by the revenues produced by higher volumes of gas sold and waste disposed of, in addition to higher revenues for production activities on the dispatch market.

EBITDA grows, amounting to € 916.6 million

EBITDA rose to € 916.6 million, a clear increase over the € 884.4 seen in 2015 (+3.6%). This growth was sustained by all the main businesses in the company’s portfolio. The waste management area generated positive growth, benefiting among other things from the acquisitions of Geo Nova and Waste Recycling, and thus more than offset both the temporary suspension of a few landfills and the expiry of incentives for renewables concerning some WTE plants. The energy areas recorded higher profit margins deriving from power plants and a good performance of the sales and trading business. The network areas also generated sufficient internal growth to almost offset the over € 31 million reduction in return on regulated invested capital and the effect of inflation.

Growth in operating results and pre-tax profits, improvements in financial management

Operating profits rose to € 457.1 million, over the € 442.2 seen in 2015 (+3.4%), while pre-tax profits increased to € 339.6 million, against the € 307.9 seen in 2015 (+10.3%), thanks to improvements in financial management amounting to roughly € 17 million compared to the previous year. These positive performances were due above all to a decrease in average debt, efficiency in rates and higher earnings involving recovery of default indemnities from safeguarded customers.

Net profits post minorities grow to over € 207 million (+14.8%)

Profits pertaining to Group Shareholders rose to € 207.3 million, up 14.8% compared to the € 180.5 million seen in 2015, partially due to a considerable improvement of the tax rate, which went from 36.9% to 35.1% (thanks to the benefits derived from the application of the “patent box” and tax credits for research and development, in addition to tax concessions for maxi amortisations). Due weight must also be given to the negative and non-recurring effect felt by the 2015 tax rate caused by the adjustment of deferred taxes to the new IRES rate of 24%, in force as of 2017.

Investments for roughly € 390 million, net debt/EBITDA ratio improves to 2.8

In 2016, Group investments amounted to € 366.4 million. Including € 20.3 million in capital grants, overall Group investments came to € 386.7 million, up compared to the previous year and mainly destined to interventions on plants, networks and infrastructures. Adaptations to regulatory standards also contributed, above all concerning gas distribution, with a large-scale meter substitution project, and the purification and sewerage area.
Net debt for 2016 amounted to € 2,558.9 million, with a reduction of roughly € 100 million from the € 2,651.7 seen in 2015, thanks to the generation of positive cash flows that proved able to finance M&As and entirely cover annual dividend payments in June (for a total of € 132 million).
The net debt/EBITDA ratio fell to 2.8, an improvement compared to the previous year; this ratio benefited from both growth in operating results and a decrease in net debt.

Further improvement in the Group’s sustainability profile

These strictly economic results are flanked by data providing evidence of an efficient use of resources (for example, the use of landfills for urban waste is considerable lower than the 10% set as an objective for 2030 by the EU), a reduction in environmental impact (the carbon footprint in energy production fell by 10%), an increase in sorted waste (now 56.4%) and in packaging recycling (now 64%, close to the EU’s 2025 objective), attention given to energy efficiency and a continuous improvement of customer services. All of this confirms the high consideration shown by the Group towards all stakeholders and the area in which it operates.
Lastly, the Group’s economic value for the geographical area served now comes to over € 1.7 billion, thanks to greater investments and expanded economic activities, while the portion of EBITDA identified as “shared value” has been calculated for the first time, amounting to € 300 million, roughly one third of the Group Ebitda.

Proposed dividend of 9 cents/share

The Board of Directors, in light of the results achieved and the solidity of the Group’s assets, has decided to put to the Shareholders Meeting to be held on 27 April a dividend of 9 cents per share, as anticipated by the business plan.
The ex-dividend date has been set at 19 June 2017, with payment as of 21 June 2017.

Gas

The gas area, which includes services in natural gas distribution and sales, district heating and heat management, recorded an EBITDA which rose slightly to € 300.6 million, in line with the € 299.5 million seen in 2015.
This result was obtained mainly thanks to an increase in the volume of gas sold and the contribution coming from district heating, offsetting lesser revenues in both trading and regulated services, with a reduction in the rate of return having a negative effect on the latter amounting to € 9.8 million.
These results were also sustained by the recent acquisitions of Julia Servizi and Gran Sasso, two Abruzzo-based companies involved in gas and electricity sales, that contributed to enlarging the customer base roughly 30,000 clients. Due among other things to commercial and customer loyalty initiatives, at the end of 2016 the number of gas customers had risen to roughly 1.4 million.
In 2016, investments in the gas area came to € 94.8 million, with an increase of € 5.2 million compared to 2015, mainly destined to a large-scale meter substitution, non-recurring maintenance on networks and plants, and interventions involving cathodic protection of the gas networks in the areas surrounding Padova and Trieste.
The gas area accounted for 32.8% of Group EBITDA.

Water cycle

The integrated water cycle area, which includes aqueduct, purification and sewerage services, recorded an EBITDA of € 228.8 million, compared to the € 232.5 million seen in 2015, almost entirely compensating, with the operational efficiencies set in place over the year, for the negative impact of inflation and the reduction in the rate of return on invested capital, which came to € 18.4 million.
Net investments in the integrated water cycle area amounted to € 111.8 million. Including capital grants, investments in this area came to € 131.8 million (increasing compared to the € 127.2 seen in 2015), of which € 61.5 million in the aqueduct, € 37.6 million in sewerage and € 32.7 million in purifying.
The integrated water cycle area accounted for 25.0% of Group EBITDA.

Waste management

EBITDAfor the waste management area, which includes waste collection, treatment and disposal services, settled at € 230.7 million, a slight improvement compared to 2015 which more than offset both the temporary suspension of plants currently being enlarged (the Ravenna landfill became operational again in August, as did the Tremonti landfill, located in the area surrounding Imola, in late December) and the expiry of incentives for renewables concerning two WTE plants. The results were also sustained by the contribution coming from the acquisitions made in late 2015 of Waste Recycling and the Geo Nova plants, which gave a considerable impulse to industrial waste management, with a 16.9% increase in the amount of market waste. Volumes of urban waste also recorded a slight increase (+0.3%).
Results in the field of sorted urban waste were positive, rising to 56.4% compared to the 55.4% seen in 2015, thanks to a wide number of projects implemented in all geographical areas served.
The waste management area accounted for25.2% of Group EBITDA.

Electricity area

The electricity area, which includes services in electricity production, distribution and sales, recorded an EBITDA of € 135.3 million, a sharp increase over the € 101.0 million seen in 2015. The negative impact on electricity services of the resolution concerning return on regulated revenues (€ 2.9 million) was more than offset by higher earnings in sales activities and higher profit margins in electricity production, in addition to continued commercial expansion in the free market.
Confirming the trend seen in recent years, the number of electricity customers reached over 880,000 (+2.7% compared to 2015), mainly owing to a reinforcement of commercial action and an enlargement of the customer base thanks to the acquisition of the Abruzzo companies Gran Sasso and Julia Servizi.
The electricity area accounted for a larger amount of Group EBITDA than in the previous year, 14.8%.


Statement by Executive Chairman Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano

“The results recorded are all the more admirable considering the outstanding challenges that marked the reference scenario throughout the year, with a positive contribution coming from all growth levers, both internal and external. They furthermore represent a solid foundation, providing the premises to pursue the uninterrupted growth foreseen in the business plan to 2020, already approved by the Board of Directors, matched by a progressive increase in dividends per share, coming to 11% over the duration of the plan.”

Statement by CEO Stefano Venier

“A year rich in significant results, strived for and achieved coherently over time, has come to a close. This outcome is attested to not only by the economic-financial indicators, which improved appreciably, but above all by the excellent operating performances and the quality of the industrial initiatives implemented in order to attain long-lasting and sustainable growth in both the company’s worth and the social value it generates.”

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 ), within 5 April 2016.
Unaudited extracts from the Interim Financial Statements at 31 December 2016 are attached.

PROFIT & LOSS (M€) 31/12/2016 INC% 31/12/2015 INC.% CH. CH. %
Sales 4,460.2   4,487.0   -26.8 -0.6%
Other operating revenues 403.4 9.0% 330.8 7.4% +72.6 +21.9%
Raw material (2,176.8) -48.8% (2,256.6) -50.3% -79.8 -3.5%
Services costs (1,198.8) -26.9% (1,132.1) -25.2% +66.7 +5.9%
Other operating expenses (75.0) -1.7% (62.3) -1.4% +12.7 +20.4%
Personnel costs (524.1) -11.7% (510.8) -11.4% +13.3 +2.6%
Capitalisations 27.8 0.6% 28.5 0.6% -0.7 -2.5%
Ebitda 916.6 20.6% 884.4 19.7% +32.2 +3.6%
Depreciation and provisions (459.6) -10.3% (442.2) -9.9% +17.4 +3.9%
Ebit 457.1 10.2% 442.2 9.9% +14.9 +3.4%
Financial inc./(exp.) (117.4) -2.6% (134.3) -3.0% -16.9 -12.6%
Pre tax profit adjusted 339.6 7.6% 307.9 6.9% +31.7 +10.3%
Tax (119.3) -2.7% (113.5) -2.5% +5.8 +5.1%
Net profit 220.4 4.9% 194.4 4.3% +26.0 +13.4%
Attributable to:
Shareholders of the Parent Company
Minority shareholders

207.3
13.1

4.6%
0.3%

180.5
13.9

4.0%
0.3%

+26.8
-0.8

+14.8%
-5.8%

 

Balance Sheet (m€) 31/12/2016 Inc% 31/12/2015 Inc.% Var. Ass. Var.%
Net fixed assets 5,564.5 108.7% 5,511.3 106.9% +53.2 +1.0%
Working capital 99.9 2.0% 157.0 3.0% (57.1) (36.4%)
(Provisions) (543.4) (10.7%) (513.5) (9.9%) (29.9) +5.8%
Net invested capital 5,121.0 100.0% 5,154.8 100.0% (33.8) (0.7%)
Net equity 2,562.1 50.0% 2,503.1 48.6% +59.0 +2.4%
Long term net financial debt 2,757.5 53.9% 2,743.6 53.2% +13.9 +0.5%
Short term net financial debt (198.6) (3.9%) (91.9) (1.8%) (106.7) +116.1%
Net financial debts 2,558.9 50.0% 2,651.7 51.4% (92.8) (3.5%)
Net invested capital 5,121.0 100.0% 5,154.8 100.0% (33.8) (0.7%)
Online from 21 March 2017 at 13:45:09

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Press releases
06/06/2022
Hera Spa
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Documentation relating to the issue of a bond published

2022-06-06 Please note that the deed of execution dated 18 May 2022 relating to the issue by Hera S.p.A. of a 500 million euro Green Bond is available to the public at its registered office, on the website www.gruppohera.it, and on the authorised storage mechanism 1INFO (www.1Info.it). 20220606_comunicato_pubblicazione Green Bond Hera_ENG.pdf 10:42:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg
Online dal 06/06/2022 alle ore 10:42
18/05/2022
Price sensitive
Hera Spa

Hera: new 500 million euro green bond

2022-05-18 Strong interest shown by international investors for the third “green bond” which will finance the sustainability projects of the multiutility in the areas of integrated water cycle, circular economy and pollution prevention and control, and energy efficiency and energy infrastructure”. Subscriptions have reached 3.4 times the amount offered. Hera, first company in Italy to issue a "green" debt instrument in 2014, has successfully launched, in the context of its Euro Medium Term Note Programme (EMTN), its third “green bond” reconfirming itself as a reference player for sustainable finance, also at an international level. After the publication yesterday of its new Green Financing Framework (GFF), certified by an independent advisor and already in line with the EU Taxonomy, with this issue Hera gave to the market the chance to invest in the activities of the Group, in line with the EU Taxonomy. The characteristics of the new green bond and the projects financed The third green bond issued by the Hera Group (Moody’s rating Baa2 with stable Outlook and Standard & Poor’s rating BBB+ with stable Outlook), amounts to 500 million euro overall, repayable in 7 years with a 2.5% coupon and a 2.639% return. The issue date for the new green bond is expected to be May 25. The new green bond is represented by senior, non-convertible and unsecured/not guaranteed notes, reserved to qualified investors. It is also expected that the new green bond will be assigned a rating in line with Hera’s one. The strong demand, equal to 3.4 times the amount offered, and the quality of the orders received have allowed the price to be fixed at a very interesting level. The transaction has seen significant participation from international investors (in particular, Great Britain, France and Germany), most of whom investing in green and sustainable products. The bond is expected to be listed, since the issue date, on Euronext Dublin and, at the same date or thereafter, on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange's regulated markets and on Borsa Italiana's ExtraMOT PRO. The funds will be used to finance or refinance numerous projects, already implemented or included in the Business plan to 2025, selected on the basis of the provisions of the Green Financing Framework (GFF), that pursue one or more of the goals in the UN's 2030 Agenda or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These projects have been subdivided into 3 areas: integrated water cycle (aligned with SDGs No. 6, 13 and 14): waste water management projects, sewerage and water infrastructures furthering resilience and adaptation to climate change; circular economy and pollution prevention and control (meeting SDGs No. 11, 12 and 13): innovative projects in plastics manufacturing, biogas and biofuel production for the use in transportation, the waste collection systems, anaerobic digestion and the compost of organic waste, and vehicle fleets for environmental services; energy efficiency and infrastructures (consistently with SDGs No. 7, 11 and 13): from energy production through photovoltaic systems and geothermic, to district heating networks, from installing devices and equipments for energy performance regulation and control, to renewable energy technologies, from hydrogen introduction networks to power transmission and distribution networks. In order to guarantee that the funds are correctly and transparently allocated, Hera has introduced a monitoring and reporting process. The amount actually dedicated to each intervention will be published in the Group's 2022 Sustainability Report, along with data concerning the environmental performances reached. Hera's partners in the transaction The Hera green bond issue was coordinated by BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole CIB, Mediobanca and UniCredit as Joint Bookrunners; BBVA, Intesa Sanpaolo and Banco Santander as Bookrunner. The law firm Legance provided Hera with assistance, while the law firm Linklaters assisted the Bookrunners. Sustainalytics, that examined Hera’s Green Financing Framework (GFF) and issued a “second party opinion”, is one of the world's leading rating firms in the field of responsible and ESG investments, it has branches in 17 Countries and over 500 international consultants. 20220518 New Green bond Hera final.pdf 17:47:00 See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg
Online dal 18/05/2022 alle ore 17:47
Press releases
17/05/2022
Hera Spa
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Hera Group: publication of the new Green Financing Framework

2022-05-17 The new Green Financing Framework of the Hera Group, together with the “second party opinion” released by Sustainalytics, sets out the guidelines for issuance of green bonds and for new green facility agreements. Hera is the first multiutility in Europe to publish a framework certified as being in line with the EU Taxonomy, as confirmation of the commitment of the company to “green” issues, also on the basis of the new challenging European standards The Hera Group – which pioneered sustainable finance since 2014 when it issued the first green bond in Italy – has published its new Green Financing Framework (GFF) that consolidates the transparency policy pursued by the multiutility towards the investors. Sustainability and ecological transition at the core of the new GFF The new GFF is a landmark for issuance of green bonds and for new green facility agreements related to the following areas: “Sustainable Water and Wastewater Management”, “Circular Economy and Pollution Prevention and Control” and “Energy Efficiency and Energy Infrastructure”, selected in compliance with the Green Bond Principles 2021 (GBP) published by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) and the Green Loan Principles 2021 (GLP) published by the Loan Market Association (LMA). Furthermore, the GFF sets out the commitment shown by the Hera Group in the direction of the EU Taxonomy (Regulation 2020/852) and of the Climate Transition Finance Handbook. Consistently with the positioning characteristic of the Hera Group since its establishment and with the strategies outlined in the 2025 Business Plan, the new GFF intends to promote, also through the sustainable finance leverage, the achievement of the goals related to the ecological transition, to which the multiutility directs the development of its businesses. The “second party opinion” by Sustainalytics Sustainalytics, one of the leading independent agencies in research, sustainability analysis and ESG rating, has issued a “second party opinion” certifying the GFF consistency with the main international reference standards (the GBP of ICMA and the GLP of LMA), with the EU Taxonomy and with the Climate Transition Finance Handbook. The Hera Group is the first multiutility in Europe to publish a GFF in line with the EU Taxonomy and certified by an independent agency. 20220517 PR Green Financing Framework & SPO Hera Group.pdf 12:11:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg
Online dal 17/05/2022 alle ore 12:11
Press releases
12/05/2022
Shareholders’ meeting
Hera Spa

Publication of documents pertaining to the Shareholders Meeting

2022-05-12 Kindly note that as of today the minutes of the Shareholders Meeting held on 28 April 2022, as well as the articles of association containing the amendments approved by the Shareholders' Meeting, are available at company headquarters, on the Hera Group’s website (https://eng.gruppohera.it/group/ ) in the section dedicated to Corporate Governance, and on the authorised storage website 1INFO. We also inform that the aforementioned minutes was registered with the Companies' Register of Bologna on 10 May 2022. Press releasae publication of documents pertaining to the Shareholders Meeting.pdf 14:37:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg
Online dal 12/05/2022 alle ore 14:37
Press releases
11/05/2022
Hera Spa
Other press releases
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Hera S.p.A. BoD appoints Orazio Iacono as CEO

2022-05-11 In today's meeting, the Board of Directors – following the resignation of CEO Stefano Venier, announced on 5 April and effective as of 26 April 2022 – appointed Orazio Iacono by co-optation as Hera S.p.A.’s new CEO, conferring on him all the related powers. Orazio Iacono, who was co-opted pursuant to Article 2386 of the Italian Civil Code and Article 17.10 of the Company’s Articles of Association, qualifies as a non-independent executive director following his appointment and, based on the information available Orazio Iacono was also appointed as a member of the Executive Committee. Mr. Iacono, 54 years old and an engineer, previously held positions with increasing responsibility in the Trenitalia Group, acting as CEO and General Manager in 2017-2020; subsequently, he worked as Senior Advisor in a leading international consulting firm and in 2021 he became Saipem’s Chief Operating Officer for Sustainable Infrastructures. His full curriculum vitae is available on the company’s website, at www.gruppohera.it (Governance/CdA section). 20220511_nomina AD.pdf 14:05:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg
Online dal 11/05/2022 alle ore 14:05
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11/05/2022
Financial Results
Hera Spa
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Hera Board of Directors approves Q1 2022 results

2022-05-11 The consolidated quarterly report at 31 March shows growth in revenues and Ebitda, proving the solidity and resilience of the Hera Group’s business model even in this difficult economic context. The Group confirms its commitment to sustainable development, with a strategic approach aimed at creating value for all stakeholders, starting from the local areas and communities it serves. Financial highlights Revenues at 5,312 million euro (+133.8%) Ebitda at 374.0 million euro (+3.3%) Net profits at 137.8 million euro (-1.8%) Net debt at 3,455.2 million euro, with net debt/Ebitda ratio at 2.8x Operating highlights Good contribution to growth comes from the main businesses, in particular the energy sectors and the waste management area Further development of initiatives for the ecological transition and the circular economy, thanks to state-of-the-art plants and increasingly green services Solid energy customer base, with approximately 3.5 million customers Today, the Hera Group’s Board of Directors, chaired by Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, unanimously approved the consolidated results for the first quarter of 2022. Despite the fact that the results for the first quarter of 2022 were achieved against the backdrop of an extraordinarily difficult international scenario, marked by energy market volatility and geopolitical conflicts, Hera’s management policies – based on its solid and resilient business model – proved to be effective and enabled it to show further growth in results. Following up on the indications contained in the Business Plan to 2025, the Group thus continues to create value for stakeholders while ensuring, at the same time, quality and continuity in services. The results achieved are all the more remarkable considering that they fully offset the negative impact of Arera’s Resolution 614/2021 concerning a reduction in returns on capital invested in regulated activities (WACC). As regards changes in the scope of operations, compared to March 2021 two companies were integrated in the waste management area, which contribute to increasing the commercial presence in central-northern Italy: Recycla, a 70% owned company from Friuli that manages three platforms for industrial waste, and the Vallortigara Group, 80% owned, which provides services to industries, public administrations and citizens and manages a multifunctional platform for special waste treatment. The energy areas now benefit from 100% ownership of Atlas Utilities, through its Bulgarian subsidiary Ares Gas, and of the Abruzzo-based company Eco Gas, 90% owned by Hera Comm. Also note that Hera Comm was awarded the graduated protection service for electricity supply to SMEs in 9 regions of Italy. As regards regulated services, in November 2021 Atersir definitively awarded the Hera Group the tender for the concession of the integrated water service for 24 municipalities in the province of Rimini, including the capital, with a contract worth approximately 1.7 billion euro. The Hera Group, which was also the outgoing manager, will therefore be responsible for this service from 2022 to 2039. A few weeks later, lastly, Atersir definitively awarded the Hera Group, for a period of time covering 15 years, the tenders for the municipal waste collection services in the Modena and Bologna areas, with a total scope of 1.5 million inhabitants and a value coming to over 2.5 billion. Revenues at roughly 5.3 billion euro (+133.8%) In the first quarter of 2022, revenues amounted to 5,312.0 million euro, up sharply from 2,271.8 million euro seen in the same period one year earlier. The energy sectors in particular contributed to this result, showing significant growth due to increased trading and the rise in commodity prices, as well as higher volumes of gas sold as a result of new lots won in tenders and lower winter temperatures. In addition, growth in energy services was related to energy efficiency in residential buildings (insulation bonus and 110% tax super-bonus) and increased activities for value-added services for customers. Revenues from the waste management sector were also up, mainly due to energy production, higher prices in the recovery market and new acquisitions in the industrial market. Lastly, revenues from network services increased, both regulated and for third parties, as did revenues from the public lighting service. Ebitda rises to 374.0 million euro (+3.3%) Ebitda went from 362.0 million euro in the first three months of 2021 to 374.0 million euro at 31 March 2022, up 12.0 million euro (+3.3%). The main contributions to this result came from the energy area, up by a total of 6.1 million euro, and the waste management area, up 8.1 million euro, offsetting the slight drop in the other services area. In particular, the activities managed concerning the ecological transition and circular economy were decisive, including energy efficiency services developed for condominiums, a reinforcement of value-added services in the energy sector (from “green” supply to sales and installation of LED devices, smart boilers and thermostats, and energy diagnostics) and the regeneration of resources, through Group subsidiary Aliplast. Operating result and pre-tax profit down slightly Operating results amounted to 220.1 million euro at 31 March 2022, down 1.3% from the 223.1 million euro seen in the first quarter of 2021, mainly due to higher amortisation and depreciation due to changes in the scope of consolidation and higher provisions for bad debts mainly attributable to both last resort and traditional markets as well as the graduated protection service. Financial operations at 31 March 2022 were mainly unchanged, at 29.5 million, compared to 28.8 million euro seen in the first quarter of 2021. This change was caused by lower income from late payment indemnities, partially offset by lower financial charges on long-term debt resulting from debt optimisations. Pre-tax profit amounted to 190.6 million euro, slightly down from 194.3 million euro at 31 March 2021 (-1.9%). Net profit at 137.8 million euro Thanks to a tax rate coming to 27.7%, quite similar to the 27.8% rate of the previous year, net profit stood at 137.8 million euro, as against 140.3 million euro in the first quarter of 2021. Profit pertaining to the Group’s shareholders amounted to 126.5 million euro, down from 132.2 million euro at 31 March 2021, due to an increase in the portion attributable to minority shareholders. Strong growth in operating investments and Group solidity reinforced The Group’s operating investments, including capital grants, amounted to 129.2 million euro, up 11.1% compared to the previous year, and mainly involved work on plants, networks and infrastructures. In addition, regulatory upgrading was carried out, mainly in the gas distribution sector with a large-scale meter replacement, and in the purification and sewerage sector. Net financial debt went from 3,261.3 million euro at 31 December 2021 to 3,455.2 million euro at 31 March 2022, mainly due to a change in net working capital, which increased as a result of the energy scenario and the impact of interventions on “rising bills” also in terms of payment by instalments. The net debt/Ebitda ratio remained substantially stable, at 2.8x, confirming the company’s financial solidity. Gas As regards the gas area – which includes distribution and sales of natural gas, district heating and energy services – Ebitda rose to 201.4 million, showing an increase of 22.9 million, or 12.9%, compared to 31 March 2021. This was mainly due to the increased sales and incentivised energy efficiency activities and district heating. The first quarter of 2022 therefore showed significant growth compared to the same period of 2021, both in terms of margins and volumes sold, thanks to the results achieved in energy efficiency incentives and the 17 lots awarded nationwide to Hera Comm through tenders, including: 6 lots of the last resort gas service in 12 regions of Italy, 9 lots of the default gas distribution service in 19 regions and 2 lots of the Consip GAS14 tender for the supply of natural gas to Public Administrations in Lombardy region. The number of gas customers came to almost 2.1 million, up 1.7% compared to the previous year. The gas area accounted for 53.9% of Group Ebitda. Electricity Ebitda for the electricity area – which includes electricity generation, distribution and sales services – amounted to 30.4 million euro, down compared to the same period of 2021 owing to the different conditions of energy markets in relation to procurement (higher raw material prices) and a lower contribution from generation (less use of the market by dispatching services as a result of normalised conditions in the areas served by the generation plants). At Group level, margins from sales and trading did not witness significant changes overall traceable to the extraordinary situation of energy commodity prices, thanks to the effectiveness of hedging policies and the management of these risks. Also note the positive result coming from commercial growth in free market customers, supported by innovative offers, value-added services and improved customer experience. In addition, Hera Comm Spa was awarded through a tender, for the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2024, the graduated protection service for the supply of electricity to SMEs in nine Italian regions, corresponding to three allocation lots in the national tender called by the Single Buyer. The customer base also continued to grow in the electricity area, reaching almost 1.4 million (+5.3%). This growth occurred on the free market, both as a result of the reinforced commercial actions implemented, accounting for roughly 30 thousand customers, and the graduated protection service awarded, with approximately 37.3 thousand customers. The safeguarded market was also up compared to the same period of the previous year. Alongside the above-mentioned trend, an increase was seen in the number of customers subscribing to value-added services, with approximately 22.5 thousand customers, up 46% compared to the previous year, demonstrating the growing loyalty of the Group’s customer base. The electricity area accounted for 8.1% of Group Ebitda. Water cycle In the first quarter of 2022, the integrated water cycle area – which includes aqueduct, purification and sewerage services – rose from 55 million euro in the first quarter of 2021 to 55.5 million euro in the first quarter of 2022 (+0.8%), thanks in particular to the contribution coming from higher revenues for new connections. In the first quarter of 2022, investments made in the water cycle area, including capital grants, rose to over 43 million euro (28.3 million euro in the aqueduct, 8.5 million euro in sewerage and 6.6 million euro in purification), mainly involving extensions, reclamation and upgrades on networks and plants, as well as regulatory compliance, especially in the purification and sewerage sectors. The integrated water cycle area accounted for 14.8% of Group Ebitda. Waste management Ebitda for the waste management area – which includes waste collection, treatment and recovery services – increased by 8.1 million euro compared to the same period in 2021, rising to 78.9 million euro at 31 March 2022 (+11.4%), as against 70.8 million euro in the first quarter of 2021. Thanks to its set of plants, which continues to be a distinctive strategic asset on the market, the Group was able to seize opportunities for growth, confirming its ability to react with great resilience to the current market context. In particular, waste treatment contributed to this growth, reaching Ebitda coming to 61 million euro, up 20.8% compared to the 50.5 million euro seen one year earlier. In Italy, the progressive increase in the cost of energy and the difficulties in finding raw materials that began in late 2021 led to a slowdown in production in many manufacturing sectors during the early months of 2022, with repercussions in waste production. Nevertheless, the Group was able to expand its market share in industrial waste treatment, also benefiting from the larger scope of operations ensuing from the M&A transactions mentioned above. Aliplast’s commercial growth in the recovery market continued, due to price increases in all sectors resulting from the high value of virgin polymer and strong market demand, and its consolidated leadership in other markets in which the Group is active. The Hera Group operates in the complete waste cycle, with over 90 plants for municipal and special waste treatment and plastic materials regeneration. The main plants include: 9 waste-to-energy plants, 12 composting/digestion plants and 15 sorting plants. The close attention paid to plants has always been a distinctive element of the Group’s propensity for excellence: indeed, operations are ongoing to provide plants with the best available technologies and to complete the revamping of two waste-to-energy plants, one in Trieste and one in Ravenna. Thanks to the in-depth operational skills possessed by the Group and the other companies in the tender-winning RTIs, the areas served will be equipped with collection models having innovative services and equipment, with a strong focus on sustainability, waste reduction and an increase in recycled materials. The waste management area accounted for 21.1% of Group Ebitda Profit & Loss (mln €) 31/03/2022 Inc.% 31/03/2021 Inc.% Ch. Ch.% Sales 5,312.0 2,271.8 +3,040.2 +133.8% Other operating revenues 100.7 1.9% 100.7 4.4% +0.0 +0.0% Raw material (4,307.8) (81.1%) (1,209.7) (53.2%) +3,098.1 +256.1% Services costs (573.3) (10.8%) (646.9) (28.5%) (73.6) (11.4%) Other operating expenses (17.2) (0.3%) (17.1) (0.8%) +0.1 +0.6% Personnel costs (154.5) (2.9%) (150.1) (6.6%) +4.4 +2.9% Capitalisations 14.1 0.3% 13.3 0.6% +0.8 +6.0% Ebitda 374.0 7.0% 362.0 15.9% +12.0 +3.3% Depreciation and provisions (153.9) (2.9%) (138.9) (6.1%) +15.0 +10.8% Ebit 220.1 4.1% 223.1 9.8% (3.0) (1.3%) Financial inc./(exp.) (29.5) (0.6%) (28.8) (1.3%) +0.7 +2.4% Pre tax profit 190.6 3.6% 194.3 8.6% (3.7) (1.9%) Taxes (52.8) (1.0%) (54.0) (2.4%) (1.2) (2.2%) Net profit 137.8 2.6% 140.3 6.2% (2.5) (1.8%) Attributable to: Shareholders of the Parent Company 126.5 2.4% 132.2 5.8% (5.7) (4.3%) Minority shareholders 11.3 0.2% 8.1 0.4% +3.2 +39.3% Balance Sheet (mln €) 31/03/2022 Inc.% 31/12/2021 Inc.% Ch. Ch.% Net fixed assets 7,294.8 103.4% 7,308.0 109.4% (13.2) (0.2%) Working capital 398.9 5.6% 3.5 0.1% +395.4 +11,297.1% (Provisions) (637.2) (9.0%) (633.4) (9.5%) (3.8) +0.6% Net invested capital 7,056.5 100.0% 6,678.1 100.0% +378.4 +5.7% Net equity 3,601.3 51.0% 3,416.8 51.2% +184.5 +5.4% Long term net financial debt 3,644.6 51.7% 3,633.1 54.4% +11.5 +0.3% Short term net financial debt (189.4) (2.7%) (371.8) (5.6%) +182.4 (49.1%) Net financial debts 3,455.2 49.0% 3,261.3 48.8% +193.9 +5.9% Net invested capital 7,056.5 100.0% 6,678.1 100.0% +378.4 +5.7% Press release Q1 2022.pdf 14:02:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg See the press release Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg
Online dal 11/05/2022 alle ore 14:02
05/05/2022
Hera Spa
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Hera Group: over 2.2 billion euro distributed to local areas in 2021

2022-05-05 Hera continues to create shared value by focusing on the principles underlying a “fair transition” and is able to support the communities it serves in achieving sustainable development. For the first time, the Sustainability Report also provides information on activities consistent with the EU taxonomy Setting challenging goals, growing and innovating by creating value for stakeholders and reporting the results achieved in a clear and transparent way: all of this has always guided Hera’s actions. It also includes protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development, and the Group has summarised it in its 2021 Sustainability Report, now available online (http://bs.gruppohera.it). Industrial growth and sustainable development, therefore, go hand in hand, nourishing one another. In full harmony with Brussels and the main international policies, Hera continues to take determined steps towards bringing about a “fair transition”. This model puts people at its centre and translates into a gradual process, planned so as not to leave anyone behind. On the contrary, it is designed to accompany the local areas served towards a more environmentally sustainable future, and also one that can concretely be achieved from an economic and social point of view. One of the most important new features of the 2021 Sustainability Report is the information provided for the first time concerning activities consistent with the European Union’s taxonomy, with particular reference to the objectives of mitigating and adapting to climate change, thus anticipating regulatory obligations that will only come into force in 2023. Creating value together with the communities served: more than 2.2 billion euro distributed to local areas The Group’s sustainable growth also involves the surrounding economic and social fabric, as is proven by the over 2.2 billion euro distributed in 2021 to the areas served. Hera guarantees them continuity and efficiency in its services, with significant investments made in innovating the infrastructure assets that will be decisive in facing the climate-related challenges of the coming years. Moreover, the total economic value for stakeholders rose to over 2.9 billion euro, including workers (592.8 million), shareholders (217.9 million), public administrations (115.1 million), and approximately 1.2 billion relating to suppliers. Shared value Ebitda rises to 570.6 million One of the most important results reported is shared value Ebitda, referring to business activities that also respond to the drivers of sustainable growth. This figure rose to 570.6 million, a significant increase over 2020 (+25.4%), corresponding to 46.6% of total Ebitda. This is a sign that the positive economic results achieved are accompanied by Hera’s increasing focus on sustainability, a result in line with the trajectory marked out by the Business Plan, which projects this value at 55.6% of total Ebitda by 2025, rising to 70% in 2030. Three main drivers guide this commitment: pursuing carbon neutrality, regenerating resources and closing the loop, and enabling resilience and innovation. Pursuing carbon neutrality For Hera, working on energy means first and foremost pursuing carbon neutrality. Overall, the actions taken by the Group move towards the energy transition and promote energy efficiency. Given that the concentration of greenhouse gases, largely caused by fossil fuels, continues to have a negative impact on the increase in the planet’s temperature, in the field of energy transition and renewable energy the Hera Group continues its commitment to producing increasingly sustainable energy sources. One particularly successful initiative is the S. Agata Bolognese plant, which in 2021 produced 8 million cubic metres of biomethane by transforming the organic waste derived from sorted waste collection coming from citizens, 22% more than in 2019. The goal, to be reached by developing new projects including one in the Modena area thanks to a partnership with the Cremonini Group, is to double the production of biomethane, reaching 16.8 million cubic metres per year in 2025. The relevance of the second area, energy efficiency, must also be considered in relation to the complex international scenarios for the supply and cost of energy, and the role that renewables will play in the sustainable future. The policy to increase the energy efficiency of Hera’s activities will continue, as is borne out by the ISO 50001 certification on energy management obtained for 11 Group companies, where 96% of the entire company’s energy consumption takes place. The Hera Group also supplies renewable electricity to all residential customers on the free market, and when considering all types of customers (residential and non-residential) the total renewable electricity sold on the free market rises from 33% to 40%. Finally, the Group is committed to improving the energy efficiency of condominiums, companies and public administrations, reaching important results, with savings of up to 20-40% of consumption. Regenerating resources and closing the loop No less challenging is the issue of the environment, a front on which Hera is working to regenerate natural resources and closing the loop to promote a more effective use of them. In concrete terms, this means going beyond a linear model to achieve the circular economy. This is the case with municipal waste management: in the areas served by the Group, the EU objective of a 55% waste recycling rate by 2025 has already been achieved, as has the 73% recycling rate for packaging (higher than the EU objective for 2030). This result is due to another important fact: the average sorted waste collection rate comes to 65.3%, higher than the national average for the sector. Moreover, among the 10 most virtuous Italian cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants, as regards sorted waste collection per capita, 4 are managed by Hera, with Ferrara leading the national ranking in terms of percentage of sorted waste collection. And waste is not the only factor involved. Closing the loop is a rationale that is applied across the board, such as in the sustainable management of water resources. Here, we’re talking about 414 million cubic metres supplied down to the last cubic metre, of the highest quality. To make this possible, one must have an excellent set of plants. One example is the Val di Setta drinking water plant, in Bologna area, which has obtained AWS (Alliance for Water Stewardship) certification, an acknowledgement received by Hera as the world’s leading multi-utility. But attention and protection occur first and foremost from within the Group, which in 2021, for example, achieved a reduction of approximately 17% in its internal water consumption, compared to 2017. Enabling resilience and innovation Hera operates locally to enable resilience and innovate, following a rationale of adaptation aimed at guaranteeing, among other things, continuity in services and the availability of resources, by extending infrastructures in the areas served through smart plants and networks. In this context, in line with international policies, digitisation and innovation in activities plays a key role, supported by an investment of 82 million euros in 2021 alone, with projects that involve not only the Group but also the local communities, helping them move towards the digital transition. Making communities more resilient also means working to promote social inclusion. For this reason, in 2021, almost 200,000 bills were paid in instalments, for a total value of 126.8 million euro. In February 2022, in order to consider the situation ensuing from the increase in commodity prices, Hera signed an agreement with consumer associations, in addition to national regulations, to go even further in helping customers in difficulty. 20220505_PR Sustainability report 2021.pdf 11:07:00 See the press release
Online dal 05/05/2022 alle ore 11:07
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28/04/2022
Shareholders’ meeting
Hera Spa
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Hera Shareholders Meeting: 2021 financial statements and dividend rising to 12 cents approved

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
Online dal 28/04/2022 alle ore 11:48
Press releases
26/04/2022
Price sensitive
Hera Spa
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Appointment of the CEO of Hera S.p.A.

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
Online dal 26/04/2022 alle ore 19:37
Press releases
22/04/2022
Hera Spa
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Aeroporti di Roma increasingly “circular” with the Hera Group

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
Online dal 22/04/2022 alle ore 11:02
Press releases
21/04/2022
Hera Spa
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Elior and the Hera Group sign a pact for sustainability

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
Online dal 21/04/2022 alle ore 11:31
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21/04/2022
Hera Spa
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Gridspertise and the Hera Group launch collaboration for the smart grid of the future

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
Online dal 21/04/2022 alle ore 12:19
Press releases
13/04/2022
Hera Spa
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Clarification regarding the resignation of the CEO of Hera S.p.A.

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
Online dal 13/04/2022 alle ore 16:39
Press releases
07/04/2022
Shareholders’ meeting
Hera Spa

Communication of the overall amount of voting rights

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
Online dal 07/04/2022 alle ore 10:49
Press releases
06/04/2022
Shareholders’ meeting
Financial Results
Hera Spa
Price sensitive

Publication of the draft Separate and consolidated financial statements as at 31/12/2021, the Sustainability report – consolidated non-financial statement and Shareholders meeting documentation

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
Online dal 06/04/2022 alle ore 15:56
Press releases
05/04/2022
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Hera Spa

Resignation of the CEO of Hera S.p.A.

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
Online dal 05/04/2022 alle ore 13:09
Press releases
23/03/2022
Price sensitive
Hera Spa
Financial Results

Hera Group approves results at 31/12/2021

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
Online dal 23/03/2022 alle ore 13:53
04/03/2022
Shareholders’ meeting
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Communication of the overall amount of voting rights

2022-03-04 (drafted pursuant to article 85-bis, paragraph 4-bis, of Consob Regulation 11971 / 14 May 1999) Communication of the overall amount of voting rights Bologna, 4 March 2022 - The following table contains the data concerning the shares outstanding and the number of voting rights representing the share capital as at 28 February 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 2,229,451,858 1,489,538,745 2,229,681,921 Ordinary shares (regular dividend rights: 01.01.2021) - cod. ISIN IT0001250932 Current coupon: n. 20 749,625,632 749,625,632 749,395,569 749,395,569 Ordinary shares with increased voting rights (regular dividend rights: 01.01.2021) - cod. ISIN IT0005159972 Current coupon: n. 20 739,913,113 1,479,826,226 740,143,176 1,480,286,352 Press release Communication of the overall amount of voting rights art. 85-bis 4 March 2022.pdf 2019-07-03 14:34:00 Communication of the overall amount of voting rights
24/02/2022
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Top Utility 2022: Hera Group wins first prize overall

2022-02-24 On the occasion of the tenth edition of this award, reserved for public utility companies, Hera received the first prize overall among the companies analysed, awarded today during an event dedicated to digitalisation Top Utility According to Top Utility, the Hera Group is the leading Italian utility in terms of economic and financial policies, sustainability, research and innovation, communication and the positive effects on the areas served. This prize has been assigned over the last ten years following an analysis of the main companies in the water, energy and waste management sectors, carried out by a research team from Althesys, a consultancy firm specialising in the public utility sector. The award ceremony was held during an online event entitled “Digitalization and sustainability for the future of Italian utilities”. The Hera Group’s best practices rewarded over the 10 years of Top Utility In particular, this year the Hera Group was awarded the overall Top Utility prize for the following reasons: “For the excellent results achieved in all areas analysed, with particular reference going to stakeholder relations, transparency and communication. Hera has also confirmed itself at the forefront in digitalising business processes and in the sustainability of operations”. This is the second time that Hera has received this important award, an even more significant achievement since this marks the twentieth anniversary of the Group’s establishment, which occurred in 2002 when 11 municipal companies in the Emilia-Romagna region merged. Today, Hera is the first operator nationwide in the waste management area, second in the integrated water cycle and third in electricity and gas sales. Over this award’s history, Hera’s efficiency and good practices have been abundantly confirmed: in addition to receiving the overall Top Utility in 2012, in 2014 and 2019 it received a prize in the communication and transparency category, in 2015 and 2018 in the sustainability category, and in 2021 in the gender equality and diversity and inclusion category. Looking to the future: a focus on generating shared value These two anniversaries are important in conceiving the future of this sector, examining the growth and evolution that municipal utilities have undergone to date and the strong impact they have had on local communities. In this sense, the core of the Hera Group’s strategy and identity consists in uninterrupted economic growth accompanied by sustainable development of its businesses and the areas served. Its commitment to generating shared value has indeed been confirmed as the cornerstone of its relations with all the stakeholders with whom Hera interacts, starting from its own employees and including institutions, local communities, customers, shareholders, citizens and suppliers. Press release Top utility 2022.pdf 2020-03-23 12:55:00 Top Utility
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01/02/2022
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Hera Spa

Hera wins 2022 sustainability gold medal from S&P Global

2022-02-01 For the second time in a row, Hera has been awarded the S&P Global Gold Class Sustainability Award. This is the highest recognition reserved for listed companies included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, one of the most authoritative international indices for assessing ESG factors, in which the Group had also confirmed its ranking as sector leader last year S&P Global 2022 The Hera Group is once again a global gold medal winner for sustainability, for the second consecutive year. The S&P Global 2022 Gold Class award was announced today, together with the publication of the 2022 Sustainability Yearbook, the report containing the analyses carried in order to be included in the latest edition of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). This document highlights the results achieved by Hera, a leader in all three aspects evaluated in its area (Environment, Economic & Governance and Social), for its ability to efficiently manage resources, seize market opportunities and ensure stakeholder involvement. In the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), the authoritative international stock exchange index which evaluates listed companies based on ESG aspects, Hera was confirmed as the international leader in its sector (Multi-Utilities & Water), reaching a score of 90/100, compared to an average of 39/100. The 2022 Gold Class offers further recognition for the Hera Group’s strategy, in which business activities and attention to ESG factors have always gone hand in hand. The Business Plan to 2025 itself, presented last week, consolidates the Group’s commitment to a balanced and sustainable development, in order to continue creating value for shareholders, local areas and the communities served. This new five-year strategic document foresees concrete and innovative projects for the energy transition, the circular economy and technological evolution, thanks to a strong rise in investments, most of which meet the criteria with which the European Taxonomy identifies opportunities that contribute to reaching environmental policy objectives. The Group’s commitment, made explicit in its Plan to 2025, translates into industrial objectives consistent with European policies and the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development. This includes a series of targets for 2030, among which a 37% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2019 and a 150% increase in the amount of recycled plastic compared to 2017. S&P Global 2022 Press release Hera wins 2022 sustainability gold medal SP Global.pdf 2015-04-17 13:30:36 S&P Global 2022 S&P Global 2022
Online dal 01/02/2022 alle ore 13:30

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Group Director of Communication And External Relations

Giuseppe Gagliano

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Telephone: +39 051 287111

HERA SPA

Viale Carlo Berti Pichat nr. 2/4 - 40127

 

Bologna

Contacts

Telephone: +39 051 287111

HERA SPA

Viale Carlo Berti Pichat nr. 2/4 - 40127

 

Bologna

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Interactive financial statements and sustainability reports
The consolidated economic results at 31 December 2023 and the 2023 sustainability report were approved by the Board of Directors of the Hera Group on 26 March 2024

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Hera SpA, Viale Carlo Berti Pichat 2/4, 40127 Bologna, Tel.051287111 www.gruppohera.it