News

The Hera Group, through its subsidiary Acantho, and the Ascopiave Group finalised the acquisition of 92% of the shares of Asco TLC, with stakes of 36.8% and 55.2% respectively. The closing follows the award, at the end of November 2022, of the public tender procedure called by Asco Holding for the sale of 92% of the shares of Asco TLC, held by Asco Holding itself and by the Treviso-Belluno Chamber of Commerce, and the subsequent signing on 29 December 2022 of the related contract documentation between the Hera Group and the Ascopiave Group. The cash-settled acquisition price is EUR 37.2 million. For the two groups, the transaction represents a strategic step in the evolution of the business portfolio in the IT-TLC sectors, in line with their respective industrial plans. Moreover, it is the first step of a broader operation that would lead, through the merger of Asco TLC into Acantho, to the birth of a multi-regional operator with significant operational synergies compared to the stand-alone companies, and benefits for customers as well. For further information Press release perfezionamento_acquisizione_Asco_TLC_870.png The transaction represents a strategic step in the business portfolio evolution of both the groups in the IT-TLC sector centrata sede-hera-110.jpg

We have always focused on developing our personnel and considered training as a key element. This commitment has now earned us first place in the “Training” category of the eleventh edition of the Top Utility award, which each year analyses and valorises the evolution and performance of the 100 largest utilities operating in Italy in the electricity, gas, water and waste management sectors. We received the prize “for the completeness of its training programmes in terms of topics covered and duration, as well as for the attention given to employees’ needs for in-depth training, based on their different characteristics and tasks”. Training and developing skills, to rise to future challenges We continue to show our extensive and concrete commitment to corporate training and people development policies, which are one of the Group’s cornerstones. In 2022 alone, 97% of Hera’s workforce, including the most operational part, was involved in courses totalling over 270 thousand hours, equivalent to roughly 30 hours of training per capita, well above the sector average. We guide our choices with an eye to the future, not only in terms of professional growth and skills development, but also with a view to acquiring talented people who can make a contribution to meeting tomorrow’s challenges, first and foremost the energy and environmental transition. One key element in this area continues to be our corporate university, HerAcademy, founded in 2011 with the purpose of generating new knowledge and responding to trends seen in the context, including debate on current issues and collaborations with leading national and international institutions. For further information Press release Visit our Training web area primo_piano_top-utility_2023_870.png The recognition came during the eleventh edition of the Prize that analyses and valorises the performance of the most important Italian companies in the utility sector centrata top-utility_2023_110.jpg

The Executive Chairman of the Hera Group, Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, after more than twenty years at the head of the company, believes that he has fulfilled his mandate, which expires on 27 April 2023, the date on which the Shareholders Meeting has been called. “I am proud to have contributed to the history of the Hera Group”, states Chairman Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, “and, working with a top-class management team, to have combined corporate growth with sustainable development. We have created an innovative model that remains ahead of its time, aimed at creating ever more value for our stakeholders and making the areas served increasingly competitive. I therefore wish Cristian Fabbri the best of luck with the important position he will soon cover, after the Shareholders Meeting held on 27 April. It provides recognition for the excellent work he has been doing within the Hera Group since 2006, and I am certain that he will continue to contribute to the company’s development and will also be able to turn future challenges into opportunities.” Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano has been Chairman of the Group since November 2002, and oversaw its initial public offering in June 2003. His guidance has been fundamental in realising the far-sighted vision of the Hera Group’s founding public shareholders, and with his know-how and undisputable management skills, he has helped to guide the company along a path of development and success that has made it one of the most important multi-utility companies nationwide, consolidating its leadership in the sectors in which it operates. This path of uninterrupted growth was crowned in 2019, when Hera was included in the FTSE MIB among the 40 largest companies on the Italian stock exchange, and in 2020, when it was included in the prestigious international Dow Jones Sustainability Index. For more than twenty years, the Group has been committed to creating value for all stakeholders and, thanks to its solid corporate governance, it has confirmed itself over time as a reference point for the areas served and a highly reliable systemic operator. For further information Press release Press release about Shareholders Syndicate Committee Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano_870_primopiano.png Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano_110.jpg

Operating and financial highlights 2026 Ebitda: approximately 1.5 billion (+246 million compared to 2021) Total investments amount to over 4.1 billion (+53% compared to the last 5 years) Net debt/Ebitda at 2.8x in 2026 Dividends further increase to 15 cents per share in 2026 (+25% compared to last dividend paid) More than 130 million in NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) grants obtained to accelerate the Group’s investments in the areas served Industrial highlights Development driven by both internal and external (M&A) growth and balanced between regulated and free market activities Target of 4 million energy customers by 2026 2026 Shared-value Ebitda: 62% of total Ebitda, or roughly 910 million, in line with 2030 target of 70% Key goals for 2030 include a 150% increase in recycled plastics and a 37% reduction in emissions Solid point of reference to help local areas move towards the ecological and digital transition and social cohesion The Hera Group’s Board of Directors approved the Business Plan to 2026, which confirms the Group’s commitment to maintain a significant volume of investments over the next five years. Accelerating the evolution of all business areas in which it operates and the strategic guidelines defined one year ago, the Plan is in line with EU policies and responds to the particularly challenging external context, with the aim of continuing to create value for all stakeholders and confirming itself as a solid reference point for the areas served. Over 20 years at the side of the areas served, with preliminary Ebitda for 2022 rising to almost 1.3 billion As confirmation of the achievements made over the twenty years since its establishment, the Hera Group expects to close the 2022 financial year with growth in results exceeding expectations: preliminary Ebitda stands at approximately 1,285 million euro, roughly 60 million euro higher than 2021 Ebitda, while the Net debt/Ebitda ratio is expected to come to approximately 3.3x, improving compared to previous quarters, which is all the more appreciable considering the extraordinary market situation, the increase in the cost of energy commodities and the higher investments sustained in 2022, totalling roughly 780 million. An effective strategy to respond to the challenging context In a challenging external context – marked by high uncertainty caused by geopolitical instability, market volatility, rising inflation, higher energy prices and supply chain problems – the Group has turned challenges into opportunities and drawn up a Plan that follows up on the path previously undertaken. Its concrete projects are consistent with the main national and international policies on the energy transition, circular economy and innovation. Within this framework, cities will play a key role in mitigating climate change: Bologna and Padua are among the 100 selected by the EU Commission to become “smart zero-impact cities” by 2030, and the Hera Group has already launched investments and key projects to support municipalities in achieving carbon neutrality. Investments amounting to over 4.1 billion euro, supported by NRRP contributions The Plan to 2026 foresees total investments coming to over 4.1 billion euro, with an average of roughly 825 million euro per year, an increase over the previous Plan. Of these investments, 60% will go to regulated businesses and the remaining 40% to free market businesses. These figures include concrete initiatives in the areas served, to which more than 130 million euros in NRRP funding have already been allocated. Additional funds have been earmarked for urban waste collection and street sweeping projects, for which a decision is expected in the coming months. For further information Press release Investors web area Hera Overview 870x320_EN.png Based on positive preliminary results for 2022, the new five-year Plan builds on the solid foundations of the previous one and is enriched with important projects aimed at promoting the circular economy, the energy transition and network resilience, with more than 4.1 billion in investments furthering the creation of value benefitting all stakeholders 110x150_EN.jpg