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Hera Group BoD approves results for 1Q 2024

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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
Other press releases

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

14/05/2024
Hera Group BoD approves results for 1Q 2024

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

Financial highlights

  • Revenues at 3,285.8 million euro

  • Ebitda* at 417.1 million euro (+1.7%)

  • Net profit for shareholders* at 143.1 million euro (+11.6%)

  • Gross operating investments at 156.8 million euro

  • Net financial debt at 3,986.6 million euro, with Net debt / Ebitda* at 2.66x

 

Business highlights

  • Significant contribution to growth from the water, electricity and waste management sectors

  • Growth of energy customer base continues, now at 3.9 million

  • New avant-garde projects for the ecological transition and investments to optimise the assets managed

Today, the Board of Directors of the Hera Group, chaired by Executive Chairman Cristian Fabbri, unanimously approved the consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2024 and appointed the Group’s new Vice Chairman.

The first quarter of 2024 ended with increased operating results and investments compared to the same period in 2023 (year in which Hera recorded the highest growth in its history), in a market environment that was more stable than the previous year due to lower volatility in commodity prices, while still not returning to the levels seen prior to the crisis. This good performance is the result of the Group’s consolidated multi-business strategy, balanced between regulated and free-market activities.

The consolidated quarterly report at 31 March confirms once again the Group’s financial solidity and, at the same time, its focus on resilient and sustainable growth for the benefit of all stakeholders.
 

Cristian Fabbri, Executive Chairman of the Hera Group:

The first quarter of 2024 closed with the main operating and financial indicators showing growth, thanks to our consolidated multi-business strategy, balanced between regulated and liberalised activities: these results confirm the targets for creating value included in our Business Plan. In fact, the good operating performance led Ebitda to reach 417.1 million euro, up from last year’s exceptional results. The gradual normalisation of the energy scenario also allowed us to achieve a double-digit growth in net profit and return on our invested capital, which stands at 9.5%. In the electricity sector, the 19% increase in the customer base confirms our Group’s commercial strength and expertise, capable as we are of growing and boosting customer loyalty with value-added services for decarbonisation and energy efficiency, and conquering new market shares, reaching a total of 3.9 million energy customers.

 

Orazio Iacono, CEO of the Hera Group:

The 1Q 2024 solid results highlight further growth along with the Hera Group’s confirmed focus on resilience, sustainability and innovation. Operating investments, amounting to around 160 million euro, went to upgrading and making the managed infrastructures even more efficient, to ensure service quality and continuity and improve the resilience of our assets. The activities carried out in 2023 to optimise the financial structure led to a decrease in the cost of medium- and long-term debt, generating a significant saving in financial expenses compared to the same period one year earlier. This results in an increase of about 12% in net profit attributable to shareholders, which rose to over 143 million euro. The Group’s financial solidity was also fully confirmed, with the Net debt / Ebitda* ratio standing at 2.66x, improving from previous year and essentially aligned with the figure recorded on 31 December 2023.”

​​​​Revenues at approximately 3.3 billion

In the first quarter of 2024, revenues amounted to 3,285.8 million euro, down significantly from 5,628.9 million euro in the same period of 2023, mainly due to lower energy commodity prices and lesser trading activities, as well as reduced opportunities related to energy efficiency incentives in residential buildings. This drop was partially offset by the higher volumes of electricity sold, as a result of significant commercial development.

 

Ebitda* rises to 417.1 million euro

At 31 March 2024, Ebitda* rose to 417.1 million euro (+1.7%), as against 410.2 million euro for the first three months of 2023, demonstrating the resilience of the Group’s results within the normalisation of commodity prices. This growth is mainly due to the contribution coming from the water area, amounting to 9.8 million euro, the good performance of the electricity and waste areas, up 3.5 million euro and 2 million euro respectively, as well as the other services area, up 1.4 million euro, all of which offset the 9.8 million euro drop in the gas area due to the loss of the contribution coming from the super-ecobonus.

 

Ebit* and pre-tax result* increase

Ebit* at 31 March 2024 increased to 245.9 million euro, up 4.2% from 236.1 million euro in the first quarter of 2023. This performance was also supported by lower provisions for bad debts, due to the normalisation of commodity prices and lower gas volumes. The pre-tax result* also increased to 212.9 million euro (+11.1%), as against 191.7 million euro at 31 March 2023, thanks in particular to the positive trend in financial operations.

 

Net profit attributable to shareholders* up to 143.1 million euro

After taxes, which came to 28%, mainly due to lower tax benefits in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, net profit* rose to 153.3 million euro (+9.3%), compared to 140.3 million euro at 31 March 2023. Net profit attributable to Group Shareholders* also rose, coming to 143.1 million euro, up (+11.6%) from the 128.2 million euro seen at 31 March 2023. These results supported the creation of value for all stakeholders, in line with the content of the Business Plan.

 

Gross operating investments rise, maintaining the Group’s solidity

The Group’s operating investments, including capital grants, confirmed its strategic plans and were in line with the previous year, amounting to 156.8 million euro, as against 155.7 million euro at 31 March 2023, and mainly went to works on plants, networks and infrastructures. Regulatory upgrading was also carried out, mainly concerning gas distribution, with a large-scale meter replacement, and the purification and sewerage area.

The total amount of net financial debt came to 3,986.6 million euro, a slight increase (+4.2%) compared to the figure seen at 31 December 2023, while the net debt/Ebitda* ratio stood at 2.66x, confirming the company’s financial solidity.

 

Tommaso Rotella becomes Vice Chairman of Hera

The Board of Directors assigned the position of (non-executive) Vice Chairman to Mr. Tommaso Rotella, who was appointed as a board director during the Shareholders Meeting held on April 30.

Mr Rotella was also appointed Vice Chairman of Hera S.p.A.’s Executive Committee and Chairman of both the Remuneration Committee and the Risk and Control Committee (also acting as the Committee for Transactions with Related Parties).

Born in Modena and 52 years old, he gained a degree in law from the University of Modena. As a lawyer, he specialises in proceedings concerning the criminal and administrative defence of companies, as well as tax consultancy. He holds positions as chairman of the supervisory body in several companies, participates in conferences and is author of publications on these topics.
​​​​​​​Rotella will remain in office as Vice President until the Shareholders’ Meeting held to approve the 2025 financial statements.

The Board of Directors also confirmed the appointment of Enrico Di Stasi as a member of the Risk and Control Committee and of the Committee for Related Party Transactions, after Di Stasi was appointed as director by the Shareholders Meeting held on 30 April 2024. The Board of Directors also assessed the independence of Directors Rotella and Di Stasi. Based on the declarations made by them and the information available to the company, director Rotella was found to be independent and director Di Stasi not independent. Vice Chairman Rotella and director Di Stasi also declared that they do not hold Hera shares.

 

Gas

Ebitda* for the gas area, which includes natural gas distribution and sales, district heating and energy services, stood at 184.0 million euro, compared to 193.8 million euro at 31 March 2023, mainly due to the changes in government incentives for energy efficiency activities (super-bonus), lower intermediation activities and a reduction in volumes due to climatic conditions and changes in consumption habits. This change was partially offset by growth in both sales margins in traditional markets, due to the normalisation of shaping costs, and in regulated distribution revenues, thanks to the recovery of higher inflation and the updated regulatory WACC.

Moreover, the Group’s good performance in last resort markets and in supplies to public administrations continued, through subsidiary Hera Comm, thanks to the award of 8 out of 9 lots of the last resort service, all 9 lots of the default service and 3 out of 12 lots of the Consip GAS15bis tender for public administrations.

In the first quarter of 2024, investments made in the gas area amounted to 37.4 million euro. More specifically, in gas distribution they involved non-recurring maintenance work on networks and plants and the replacement of measuring units for remote management, while in gas sales investments were aimed at acquiring new customers.

The number of gas customers stood at 2.1 million, in line with the previous year.

The gas area accounted for 44.1% of Group Ebitda.

 

Electricity

Ebitda for the electricity area, which includes the generation, distribution and sale of electricity as well as public lighting services, rose by 5.2%, reaching 71.2 million euro, compared to 67.7 million euro seen in the same period of 2023 (these values have been recalculated by including the public lighting segment, previously classified among other services).

The first quarter of 2024 showed significant growth in terms of both volumes sold to end customers, thanks to commercial development mainly in the free market, and margins due to the lower cost of modulation resulting from the drop in raw material prices. Distribution also increased, due to the recovery of inflation and the increase in regulated WACC. Other factors included opportunities in safeguards service and public administrations supplies, thanks to the awarding, through the subsidiary Hera Comm, of 4 lots in the Consip EE21 tender for the public administrations, 2 lots of the safeguards service, 3 lots of the gradual safeguarded service for SMEs, and 1 lot for micro-businesses.

In the first quarter of 2024, investments made in this area amounted to 27.9 million euro, up 5.7 million euro year-on-year. In electricity distribution, the interventions carried out mainly concerned extraordinary maintenance and upgrading of plants and distribution networks in the Modena, Imola, Trieste and Gorizia areas, as well as the ongoing large-scale meter replacement and interventions to improve the resilience of the network. In energy sales, investments involving activities related to the acquisition of new customers increased.

The number of electricity customers increased by 18.8% compared to the same period of 2023, reaching approximately 1.8 million. This growth occurred mainly in the free market, as a result of both the reinforced commercial actions and the positive contribution coming from Consip tenders and the gradual protection service.

As regards public lighting, in the first quarter of 2024 the Hera Group acquired approximately 58.4 thousand lighting points in 20 new municipalities, mainly in Tuscany, Triveneto, Umbria, Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy. The percentage of lighting points managed using LED lamps also increased, confirming the Group’s constant focus on an increasingly efficient and sustainable management of this sector.

The electricity area accounted for 17.1% of Group Ebitda.

 

Water

At 31 March 2024, Ebitda for the integrated water cycle area, which includes aqueduct, purification and sewerage services, rose to 65.4 million euro, up (+17.6%) from 55.6 million euro in the same period of 2023. This growth was mainly due to the recognition of inflation and the updated regulatory WACC. In the first quarter of 2024, investments made in the water cycle area, including capital grants, amounted to 48.3 million euro (30.9 million euro in the aqueduct, 11.8 million euro in sewerage and 5.6 million euro in purification) and mainly involved extensions, reclamation and upgrading on networks and plants, as well as regulatory adjustments, mainly in the purification and sewerage areas.

The main interventions included: in the aqueduct, ongoing reclamation activities on networks and connections, as well as specific modernisation and upgrading operations; in the sewerage sector, ongoing implementation of the Rimini seawater protection plan (PSBO); in the purification sector, the beginning of construction for the new ‘power to gas’ plant at the IDAR purification plant in Bologna, partially financed by NRRP funds.

Lastly, note that, in line with the results of previous years, ARERA has recently reconfirmed the high-quality standards adopted by Hera in managing the integrated water service: more specifically, the Hera Group was awarded first and third place in the overall ranking of Italian utilities (2020-21 two-year period). This result recognises the Group’s contribution to the development and efficiency of the sector, thanks to significant investments and state-of-the-art plants, to guarantee service continuity, safety and quality, in line with its sustainability and circular economy strategies.

The integrated water cycle area accounted for 15.7% of Group Ebitda.

 

Waste

Ebitda for the waste management area, which includes waste collection, treatment and recovery services, rose to 89.6 million euro (+2.3%), as against 87.6 million euro at 31 March 2023, mainly due to higher volumes treated and lower operating costs, especially for chemicals. Ebitda for waste treatment services rose to 73.7 million euro (up 1.2 million euro), while Ebitda for waste collection and sweeping services amounted to 15.9 million euro (up 0.8 million euro).

Compared to the same period in 2023, there was an increase in waste commercialised mainly due to a rise in market waste. This growth offset the lower performance of energy management, mainly due to lower market prices and lower volumes in the Rimini and Modena waste-to-energy plants due to maintenance.

In the first quarter of 2024 as well, the main initiatives concerning the circular economy set out in the business plan continued, from material recovery to the production of renewable energy. Examples of this are the biodigester in Spilamberto (Modena area) that will go on stream this year and the new plant that subsidiary Aliplast started to build in Modena for the production of high-quality recycled polymers, with the aim of making sectors such as consumer electronics and the automotive industry increasingly sustainable. Thanks to the development of new state-of-the-art infrastructures such as this one, the Group aims to further consolidate its position in the segment of second raw material production, a sector in which Hera subsidiary Aliplast, already a national market leader in high-quality recycling of PET and LDPE polymers, aims to play a key role also in recycling rigid plastics.

Within a macroeconomic scenario characterised by a slight growth in GDP, a downturn in industrial production and increased competitive pressure in the markets covered, the Group, thanks to its sound management policies, continued to strengthen its leadership in the waste management sector, especially in the industrial and recovery market, equipping its plants with the best available technologies and guaranteeing a significant level of growth along the supply chain. With more than one hundred state-of-the-art facilities capable of treating any type of waste, Hera’s set of plants is a strategic and distinctive asset nationwide, in a country which still shows significant infrastructural deficiencies in this area.

Protecting environmental resources was confirmed as a priority goal for the Group in the early months of 2024, as was the maximisation of their reuse. This is further proven by the special attention dedicated to developing sorted waste collection, which rose to 74.1% at 31 March 2024, up 3.4% compared to the same period in 2023, thanks to the strong commitment shown in all areas served.

In the first quarter of 2024, investments made in the waste management area rose to 21.6 million euro, mainly going to maintenance and upgrading of waste treatment plants.

The waste management area accounted for 21.5% of Group Ebitda.

Special items and operational adjustments / balance sheet reconciliation

​​​​​​​

IFRS financial statements

Income statement

Statement of financial position

 

 

Online from 14 May 2024 at 12:41:00

Search Results

10/01/2019
Price sensitive
Financial Results

Hera Group approves Business Plan to 2022

2019-01-10 Based on solid forecast for 2018, which significantly exceeded the goal of one billion in Ebitda, this new strategic plan confirms the path of uninterrupted growth achieved by the Group since 2002. The focus on investments and innovation will guarantee a place at the forefront of its evolving services, further improving resilience and rising to the challenges of the sector. Efficiency and increased attention towards investment allocation, including a higher level of sustainability, will favour internal growth, with financial solidity fuelling external growth. Hera Group approves Business Plan to 2022 Operating and financial highlights 2022 Ebitda: 1,185 million euro (+200 million over 2017 Ebitda) Overall industrial and financial investments: over 3.1 billion euro (+9% over the investments foreseen by the previous Business Plan) Net debt/Ebitda ratio to remain below 3 Further increases expected in dividends, reaching 11 cents per share in 2022 (+16% over the last dividend paid) Business highlights Business strategy once again based on 5 priorities: growth, efficiency, excellence, innovation and agility, all reworked and enhanced to meet the challenges involved in Ecosystems, Circularity and Technology Development driven by a balanced mix of internal and external (M&A) growth Confirmation of tenders currently awarded for gas distribution and urban waste management Goal of reaching over 3 million energy customers by 2022, thanks to leadership in last resort services, the end of the protected market and actions taken towards commercial growth Shared Value coming to over 470 million euro Preliminary consolidated 2018 Ebitda at roughly 1,020 million and a plan geared towards growth This morning the Hera Group's Board of Directors, which met to discuss the Business Plan to 2022, also examined the forecast of consolidated results for 2018, with year-end Ebitda reaching 1.02 billion euro, up 3.6% over the 984.6 million seen at 31 December 2017 and higher than expected by the previous business plan. The net debt/Ebitda ratio settled at roughly 2.54x, in line with the previous year. On the solid basis of this achievement and the results previously reached, which reflect an uninterrupted path of growth lasting 16 years, the Board approved the new Plan to 2022, which shows a strong commitment towards the Group's further development in the industry, in spite of an increasingly complex scenario. A deeply changing scenario The macro-economic scenario now appears to be less favourable than in the past (with interest rates rising and an economic outlook less positive than during the previous year), and yet this should not significantly influence the Group's prospects, thanks to the breakdown of its service portfolio, the changes introduced in its business models in recent years and its large degree of regulated activities. The upcoming years will witness many important events, perhaps most decisively the process, already underway, involving tenders in gas distribution, which is expected to lead to a significant rationalisation in the number of operators. In the waste collection sector as well, the five years covered by the Plan are expected to see the beginning of tenders for service concessions that have already expired or will do so in the near future. Regulatory changes for customer segments in protected services are also foreseen, intended to promote an additional increase in the added value of services offered and higher competition on the marketplace. Mention must also go to continued progress towards consolidation in multi-utility sectors, energy sales and waste treatment services, which are still among the most fragmentary in Europe. Investments amounting to over 3.1 billion euro, financial solidity confirmed In light of the opportunities offered by the scenario, the new Plan to 2022 foresees investments coming to over 3.1 billion euro, up roughly 260 million over the previous strategic document. Three quarters of these investments will be concentrated in regulated activities: approximately 70% will continue to be dedicated to the network system and roughly 6% to urban waste collection. Significant interventions in infrastructure modernisation and development will be deployed, confirming the Group's commitment to investing in its reference areas and thus offering increasingly innovative, resilient and high-quality services. Investments intended for tenders for gas distribution have thus been confirmed, in order to maintain the major tenders currently managed. Overall, considering the expansion in plants, gas tenders and M&As, roughly 1.1 billion in investments will be dedicated to supporting development in these activities over the next five years. This investment plan is financially sustainable thanks to an increasing cash generation, able to cover investments and pay dividends. The ratio between net financial debt and Ebitda is expected to settle at 2.9 by 2022, in line with the figure seen in the previous plan. Without including the effect of tenders, financial balance will remain similar to the present, guaranteeing sufficient leeway to be able to grasp any possible opportunities for growth not included in the Plan, without harming the Group's financial solidity. A strategy aimed at grasping opportunities, with a focus on Shared Value as an additional source of competitive advantages The Group's strategy is focused on Ecosystems, Circularity and Technology, achieved by activating its time-tested principles of efficiency, excellence, growth, innovation and agility, in addition to creating coherent projects that guarantee the full implementation of the Business Plan. Always giving close attention to issues regarding sustainability, the Group has recently defined some lines of development intended to pursue the goals on the UN Agenda which apply to the activities carried out by this multi-utility (covering at least 10 of the 17 goals indicated). Almost 3/4 of the growth expected over the five years covered by the Plan will thus be sustained by projects introduced in order to respond to this "call to action", thus bringing the amount of shared value Ebitda to exceed 470 million euro by 2022 (corresponding to 40% of overall Ebitda). Ebitda targets growing, balanced among the various business areas, between regulated and free market activities and between internal and external growth Matching the investments implemented over the next five years, 2022 Ebitda is expected to reach 1,185 million euro, with an over 200 million increase compared to the 984.6 million recorded in 2017 and with an average annual increase of roughly 40 million over the period of time covered by the Plan. All areas of activity (networks, waste management, energy and other services such as telecommunications and public lighting) will contribute to this growth, with the Group's usual balance between income from regulated and free market activities, as well as between internal and external growth. Thanks to higher levels of efficiency and ever more substantial investments, the overall contribution to the increase in Ebitda coming from internal growth is expected to reach 120 million over the period of time covered by the Plan (130 million, taking into account 10 million due to lower incentives), while an 80 million increase in Ebitda is expected from external growth. These goals are in line with the five-year growth of the previous Plan and that benefit from the already consolidated outperformance linked to the trends seen in 2018 and the outcome of tenders for last resort markets, in which Hera has become the leader in all segments. Value for shareholders to increase, with a bold dividend policy The Plan confirms the Group's attention towards the creation of value and transparency in dividend policies, which have become more challenging than in the past and compared to the content of the previous Business Plan. The dividend established, which had already risen to 9.5 cents per share in 2017, will indeed reach 10 cents per share in 2018 and 2019, 10.5 in 2020 and 2021 and 11 in 2022 (+16% over the most recent dividend payment), with a 0.5 cent increase every 2 years. Networks: efficiency and resilience intended to tackle climate change; innovation and excellence to become a leading figure in a smart economy Most of the growth foreseen by the Plan is expected to come from the networks area: Ebitda related to electricity and gas distribution, the water cycle and district heating will increase from the 424 million euro seen in 2017 to 581 million in 2022, thus making up roughly half of the Group's overall Ebitda. Many initiatives have been introduced to make networks increasingly "smart", boosting their efficiency, circularity and resilience as well as contributing to their ability to meet the growing challenges coming from climate change and the environment. These projects include a large-scale installation of "smart" meters, understood as factors able to promote the evolution towards smart cities. One example lies in the new and evolved functions shown by the last-generation gas meters developed by the Group in a partnership with Panasonic, which will allow the service to be constantly monitored and increase safety in case of leaks, earthquakes or network disruptions. In electricity distribution, network upgrading is expected to benefit the continuity of this service, by constructing new primary transformer rooms and carrying out targeted interventions on secondary transformer rooms, also involving network automation and digitalisation to support on-field interventions by personnel. District heating will play a significant role in decarbonising the area, since over 70% of the heat produced over the duration of the Plan will be generated from renewable and comparable sources. As regards the gas area, an opportunity for expansion lies in the tenders to be awarded for grants in gas services; after countless postponements, this should take place within 2022, beginning as of the current year, in all geographical areas in which the contracting authorities have already defined the networks' VIR (residual industrial value). In this sector, the Hera Group aims at growth mainly by confirming the areas already served, thanks to investments amounting to roughly 470 million. In the water area, lastly, the focus will go to protecting this resource, by upgrading the search for leakage and developing the districtualization of the network, also including innovative projects in water management to promote, both inside and outside the company, increasing sustainability and awareness regarding the use of water. Special attention will go to the reuse of purified water, already implemented with excellent results in the Bologna area and currently being extended to other zones. Consolidating leadership in the waste management sector, by enhancing resource protection and maximising reuse Ebitda in the waste management area is expected to grow from the 246 million euro seen in 2017 to almost 300 million in 2022. The goal set for this area is to be confirmed at the forefront as an operator in the integrated waste cycle, offering concrete solutions for businesses and citizens. Protecting environmental resources will remain a top goal, as will maximising their reuse. Special attention will continue to go to promoting sorted waste, expected to rise from 57.7% in 2017 to over 73% in 2022 and to see qualitative improvement as well, through specific communication campaigns and initiatives designed to get citizens involved. Unit pricing should provide citizens with an incentive to improve the quality of their sorted waste as well, as has been demonstrated by the excellent results, exceeding expectations, reached in a few municipalities where it has already been introduced (attaining over 85% of SW in a local capital such as Ferrara and peaks of close to or over 90% in some municipalities in the Modena area). In waste treatment and recovery, the Herambiente Group will be able to consolidate its national leadership by offering complete and integrated commercial packages. The latter consist in solutions for large industrial clients, including waste and energy services as well as purification and through an avant-garde group of plants able to offer solutions supporting a circular economy. These range from the biomethane production plant recently opened in the Bologna area, to reinforcing Aliplast's outstanding capabilities in plastic recycling, creating new business opportunities, and lastly launching important partnerships, such as the ones with Eni in biofuel and Bio-on in developing new natural and 100% biodegradable plastic materials. Collecting and analysing data coming from on-field infrastructures (bins, vehicles, etc.) and WTE plants will allow all activities to be optimised, automating processes and reducing costs. Energy: over 3 million customers, thanks to customer experience and new "sustainable" solutions Ebitda for the energy area will settle at 268 million in 2022, showing a slight growth over the objective set in the previous strategic document. The challenging goal the Group has set for itself is to reach over 3 million customers by the end of the period covered by the Plan, confirming its place among the sector's leaders with a more substantial and loyal customer base, thanks to positive results in customer experience and new solutions geared towards savings and respect for the environment. In addition to internal growth in the customer base and the hypothesis of additional development along the Adriatic coast, the Group can rely on an excellent result that saw it confirmed, in recent months, as a leading player in last resort services in the energy market. One significant opportunity to reinforce the customer base will come from the end of the protected market (i.e. maggior tutela), which according to Hera's estimates will lead it to gain at least 500,000 customers. Commercial development will depend on offers bringing added value, from those in support of smart homes (smart thermostats, remote sensors, etc.) to combinations of insurance and maintenance products, or again services involving energy efficiency or electric mobility. The country's objectives in energy efficiency themselves provide an opportunity to develop the Group's energy services through its specialised companies, able to offer solutions tailored for public administrations, apartment buildings and industrial clients. The Group will furthermore give increasing attention to customer experience, turning to process and payment digitalisation to meet the needs of customers who are ever more "online", as well as adopting efficient systems for data management and analysis, to guarantee an excellent service and accelerate the "time to market". Applying behavioural science, combined with precise interventions (such as reporting consumption in bills), will lastly allow an increasingly efficient use of energy to be promoted. Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Hera Executive Chairman The growth we have foreseen over the duration of the Plan is entirely visible, considering our track record. Our investment program is significant, increasing by 260 million, and the rise in cash generation will allow the Net debt/Ebitda ratio to be maintained at 2.9x, as had been predicted for the end of the period covered by the previous plan. We have confirmed our strong attention towards creating value for shareholders and a transparent dividend payment policy, year by year. This solidity and visibility is also guaranteed by the prospects offered by the external scenario (M&As, protected services and gas tenders) and taken into account in the Plan, based on a conservative estimate which consists in maintaining current market shares. Stefano Venier, Hera CEO In a five-year period that will see a remarkable expansion in our plant facilities, a new phase is taking shape, with important events on the horizon in almost all our businesses. The Plan's premise lies in affirming our leadership in services for our reference area and continuing in technological evolution, in order to persist in increasing regeneration in management models for activities and their resilience. Our risk/return tradeoff will improve thanks to a significant development in regulated activities, complemented by trends in free market activities. The Business Plan has been built around globally relevant issues, since we are perfectly aware of our role in enabling circular smart cities, but also the need to adequately respond to the new needs of our customers and the local ecosystem, brought about by digital evolution and environmental challenges. GH_press_release_business_plan_2022.1547121232.pdf 2019-01-07 14:01:17 Hera Group approves Business Plan to 2022
20/12/2018
Price sensitive
M&A

Hera Group: CMV Servizi and CMV Energia e Impianti energy activities prepared to be integrated

2018-12-20 Following up on the steps taken during the past few weeks in all Town Councils involved, the project aimed at integrating natural gas distribution between Inrete and CMV Servizi, as well as energy sales between Hera Comm and CMV Energia e Impianti, was approved today by the respective Shareholders Meetings. Hera Group: CMV Servizi and CMV Energia e Impianti Following up on the steps taken during the past few weeks in all Town Councils involved, the project aimed at integrating natural gas distribution between Inrete and CMV Servizi, as well as energy sales between Hera Comm and CMV Energia e Impianti, was approved today by the respective Shareholders Meetings. After the go-ahead given by the Boards of Directors on 24 October and the following phases completed in the Town Councils involved, today the Shareholders Meetings of the companies involved approved the project aimed at integrating the energy activities carried out by CMV Servizi and CMV Energia e Impianti into the Hera Group, respectively becoming part of Inrete Distribuzione Energia for natural gas distribution and Hera Comm for energy sales. Following the operation, which will allow a solid industrial project to be developed in the area surrounding Ferrara, the Municipality Shareholders of CMV Servizi and CMV Energia e Impianti, including the majority shareholder Municipality of Cento and the Municipalities of Vigarano Mainarda, Bondeno, Poggio Renatico, Terre del Reno and Goro, will increase their shareholding in the Hera Group. The integration concerns roughly 25,000 customers (21,300 in gas and 3,500 in electricity) and approximately 30,000 delivery points (26,500 in the Ferrara area and over 3,100 in the Bologna area) for natural gas distribution. The personnel currently employed in the two branches of operations carried out by CMV Servizi e CMV Energia e Impianti is expected to be maintained, as are the local service points, which will come together with other Hera Group activities in the same area. The integrated activities will be able to take advantage of Group solutions and policies, benefitting the quality and innovativeness of the services offered to customers. "The Ferrara area is one to which we are historically tied, and this double operation allows us to consolidate our presence here, following a rationale of valorising services that gives centre stage to the customers and communities concerned, creating efficiency and maintaining our local presence" states Stefano Venier, CEO of the Hera Group. "The actual integration of the companies involved will become operational within the first quarter of 2019. Our objective is to extend to the province of Ferrara a business model that, over time, has amply demonstrated the advantages it brings to all those participating, whether public or private." "I am particularly satisfied with the excellent outcome of the operation, and would like to thank all those who made efforts towards it, as well as Hera, for its precious collaboration" states the Mayor of Cento, Fabrizio Toselli. "Unquestionably strategic for our companies, it will allow them to become more balanced, and will guarantee the continuity provided by an industrial project, for the Local Administration, which among other things will free up a 6 million euro surplus for 2019. This will allow us to lower our debt (in loans) and implement significant investments for the entire area, in terms of employment, services, local presence and spin-offs. The path undertaken will now continue with the merger of Cmv Energia & Impianti into Area Impianti, as defined since the birth of Clara." 20181220_Gruppo_Hera_su_integrazione_attivita_energy_CMV_eng.1545991863.pdf 2018-12-20 16:50:00 CMV Servizi and CMV Energia e Impianti's energy activities part of the Hera Group as of 1 March
10/12/2018
Price sensitive
M&A

Bio-on and Hera create Lux-on, the new challenge to produce bioplastic from CO2

2018-12-10 Newco Lux-on created by Bio-on, alongside Gruppo Hera, to develop a revolutionary technology to produce biopolymers from CO2 (carbon dioxide). Newco Lux-on created by Bio-on, alongside Gruppo Hera, to develop a revolutionary technology to produce biopolymers from CO2 (carbon dioxide). Following 2 years of research by Bio-on scientists working in Italy and USA, the new technology uses CO2 freely available in the atmosphere as a carbon source to produce 100% natural and biodegradable bioplastic. CO2 is added to the other "raw materials" already used to make Bio-on bioplastic: sugar beet and sugar cane molasses, fruit and potato waste, carbohydrates, glycerol and waste frying oil. Using CO2 will also help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Lux-on's bioplastic production will rely solely on renewable solar energy and, thanks to a hydrogen energy management system, will run 24/7. Bio-on, a leader in the high quality bioplastic sector, and Gruppo Hera, one of Italy's largest multi-utility providers, have reached an agreement to take 90% and 10% shares respectively (with the possibility of Hera increasing its share to 49.9%) in LUX-ON, the new company founded by Bio-on aiming to revolutionise the production of PHAs biopolymers using CO2 captured from the atmosphere and producing energy without using fossil fuels. The new technology developed by Bio-on envisages using carbon dioxide as a zero cost "raw material", in addition to those already used to produce Bio-on bioplastic: sugar beet and sugar cane molasses, fruit and potato waste, carbohydrates, glycerol and waste frying oil. Using CO2 will also help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The laboratories and first plant of the new Lux-on project will be built by the end of 2019 close to the Bio-on Plants industrial facility at Castel San Pietro Terme (Bologna). It will be designed entirely by Bio-on technicians in collaboration with Hera, with carbon capture plants and a production facility using renewable solar energy. The development of the technology will be aided by the fact that many of the principles and equipment used in the standard technology can also be used in Lux-on's new production systems. This is why the development and pre-industrial phase will be much faster than usual. The plant will occupy an area of 1,500 m2, 600 m2 of which is covered, and will have a flexible production capacity that is rapidly expandable. The electric energy used in Lux-on's innovative production process will be produced by photovoltaic systems which, aside from directly powering production, will also provide storable energy for nocturnal power (24/7 production). For energy storage, partnerships will be entered into with international experts in hydrogen (H) technology. Hydrogen, a nonpolluting gas, will be produced from solar energy, stored and then converted to electric energy to power the plant hen the solar panels are not running, i.e. at night or when light levels are poor. "We are extremely pleased to work with HERA," explains Bio-on S.p.A. Chairman and CEO Marco Astorri. "The great technological innovation used at Lux-on enables us to increase the industrial sustainability of a new production concept. We are particularly proud to realise humanity's dream to capture CO2 from the atmosphere and produce innovative materials like our PHAs biopolymer. We are ready to face this new challenge, which will further extend our client base in the coming years, consolidating Italy's global leadership in high quality biopolymer production." Following a year of major agreements, fast-growing company Bio-on, is set to begin 2019 with new strategic projects,including its collaboration with Hera. The agreement also envisages a second development line aimed at identifying sustainable by-products for biopolymer production. Renamed PHA-CEL by Hera, this consists in transforming cutting and pruning cellulose into simple sugars that can then be used in fermentation following an enzymatic treatment. This process is made possible by the treatment technology, developed by Gruppo Hera, which is also assessing how to apply it to biogas and biomethane production from cuttings and prunings. All the PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates) developed by Bio-on are made from renewable plant sources with no competition with food supply chains, and from CO2 in the coming years. They can replace a number of conventional polymers currently made with petrochemical processes using hydrocarbons; they guarantee the same thermomechanical properties as conventional plastics with the advantage of being completely eco-sustainable and 100% naturally biodegradable. The agreement between the two companies has come out of a highly dynamic territory that represents the technological cutting edge in Italy to be exported around the world. "For Gruppo Hera, which uses innovation and sustainability as the foundations of its multi-utility business," explained Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Executive President of Gruppo Hera, "taking a share in the new company founded by Bio-on is the representation of a natural coming together of intentions and an alliance that we believe can be developed successfully beyond our territory and across various sectors. With the breadth and quality of our services, this agreement will give further, fundamental green credentials to a project like Lux-on, which aims to change the bioplastics world, not to mention the joint commitment to transform cuttings and prunings. Considering that Hera collects 200 thousand tons of cuttings and prunings every year, which can be transformed into bioplastic using our technology, this sector has huge growth potential." Further technical information is available in a video at: www.lux-on.com Gruppo Hera It is one of Italy's largest multi-utility providers working in Environment (waste collection and treatment), Energy (electricity and gas distribution and sale) and Water (waterworks, sewers and purification). The Group employs over 9,000 people and works every day to meet the many and varied needs of over 4.4 million citizens. It serves over 350 local municipalities mainly in the Emilia Romagna, Marche, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions. Bio-on S.p.A. Bio-on S.p.A., an Italian Intellectual Property Company (IPC), operates in the bioplastic sector conducting applied research and development of modern bio-fermentation technologies in the field of eco-sustainable and completely naturally biodegradable materials. In particular, Bio-on develops industrial applications through the creation of product characterisations, components and plastic items. Since February 2015, Bio-on S.p.A. has also been operating in the development of natural and sustainable chemicals for the future. Bio-on has developed an exclusive process for the production of a family of polymers called PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates) from agricultural waste (including molasses and sugar cane and sugar beet syrups). The bioplastic produced in this way is able to replace the main families of conventional plastics in terms of performance, thermo-mechanical properties and versatility. Bio-on PHAs is a bioplastic that can be classified as 100% natural and completely biodegradable: this has been certified by Vincotte and by USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). The Issuer's strategy envisages the marketing of licenses for PHAs production and related ancillary services, the development of R&D (also through new collaborations with universities, research centres and industrial partners), as well as the realisation of industrial plants designed by Bio-on. CS_69_BIO_ON_10_12_2018_final_E.1544431372.pdf 2018-12-10 08:00:12 lux_on_110x150.1544432143.jpg
07/12/2018
Price sensitive
M&A

Herambiente assigned Chioggia port reclamation

2018-12-07 The tender, worth 28.5 million euro, was awarded to a temporary association headed by the Hera Group, Italy's leader in waste treatment. Work will begin in 2019 and will lead to an overall redevelopment of the port area, with new quays constructed using inert materials deriving from reclaimed areas previously containing landfills. The tender, worth 28.5 million euro, was awarded to a temporary association headed by the Hera Group, Italy's leader in waste treatment. Work will begin in 2019 and will lead to an overall redevelopment of the port area, with new quays constructed using inert materials deriving from reclaimed areas previously containing landfills. Undertaking significant reclamation works in the Chioggia port area, redeveloping it and thus bringing it back to life. This is the commitment that brought a temporary association of businesses led by Herambiente, a Hera Group company and the country's foremost operator in the waste treatment sector, to be awarded a public tender for the reclamation of strategic areas linked to this important seaport. The tender, amounting to 28.5 million euro, was announced by A.S.Po, Azienda Speciale del Porto di Chioggia, owned by the Venice-Rovigo Chamber of Commerce. The technical partners included in the temporary association are CGX Costruzioni Generali Xodo Srl, Idea Srl and Rossi Renzo Costruzioni Srl, all companies located in the Veneto region. The tender contract, which launches the works, was signed this morning by Damaso Zanardo, chairman of A.S.Po, and Andrea Ramonda, Herambiente CEO. More specifically, the works will begin in 2019 and will involve a general redevelopment of some areas of the fluvial-maritime terminal in Val da Rio di Chioggia. On the one hand, an area of 6 hectares will be reclaimed, which from 1961 to 1984 had been used as a landfill for solid waste produced in the municipality of Chioggia. This operation is strategic for the entire area, since the tender, in line with the principles of a circular economy and the many senses in which the Hera Group works towards it, also calls for inert materials to be recovered. Coming to 80% of the total waste, these materials will be used to create some of the port's quays, thus increasing the project's overall sustainability. In this way, all of Herambiente's know-how regarding reclamation is made available to the Chioggia area, this being a field in which the company belonging to the Hera Group can boast a large amount of experience and extremely high quality and safety standards. Its research, analyses and projects allow the parameters of each and every intervention to be clearly defined. Herambiente's reclamation department, from this point of view, offers an integrated service that in every phase of the process guarantees full respect for the environment, for current regulations and, to be sure, for the basic principles of a circular economy. "To reclaim an area", explains Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Executive Chairman of the Hera Group, "a significant amount of knowledge, resources and professional skills is required. Acting through Herambiente, we are proud to be able put all of this to the service of Chioggia. Our goal is to work towards an overall redevelopment of the port area, taking one specific step at a time, as defined by in-depth studies of the context in which we are about to operate. Moreover, the Adriatic coastline is an area we prize highly and on which we have done a great deal of work, not only in the Veneto region but also in Emilia-Romagna and Friuli Venezia Giulia. The experience we have accumulated will allow us to apply to Chioggia as well a model that is able to guarantee a high degree of efficiency and environmental and economic sustainability." "The deal signed, intensely pursued by the Board, is fundamental in giving new impetus to the Chioggia seaport as a Commercial, Fluvial, Maritime and Tourist Port", comments Damaso Zanardo, chairman of A.S.Po Chioggia. "It will give continuity to the marketing initiatives we have launched in the last few months, demonstrating both how attractive this port is and that a few initial, concrete signs can now be seen that the international economic crisis is being overcome. The professional skills possessed by a group such as Hera, Italy's leader in waste treatment, guarantees that the operation will be carried out with high levels of quality, efficiency and environmental sustainability". CS_69_BIO_ON_10_12_2018_final_E.1544517804.PDF 2018-12-07 12:28:00 Herambiente si aggiudica la bonifica del porto di Chioggia

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Telephone: +39 051 287111

HERA SPA

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Bologna

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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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