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Hera Group: over € 2.3 billion for the territories in 2022

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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

04/05/2023
Hera Group: over € 2.3 billion for the territories in 2022

The multi-utility’s 2022 Sustainability Report confirms its commitment to a just transition. Pursuing carbon neutrality, regenerating resources, enabling resilience and innovating remain the main levers for shared value.

Reporting with clarity and transparency on the results achieved, sharing the challenging objectives on which corporate choices are based with stakeholders and, above all, striving to make people, needs and the enhancement of territories our focus: these criteria once again form the basis underpinning the Hera Group’s 2022 Sustainability Report. As in 2021, the document also includes a report on all activities in accordance with the EU taxonomy of environmentally sustainable activities, with particular reference to climate change mitigation and adaptation objectives.     
In total compliance with Brussels and the primary international policies, the multi-utility thus continues its path towards change, combining climate action and social inclusion, in the belief that no step forward can be sustainable unless it is fully endorsed by everyone.

Creating value together with communities: over € 2.3 billion distributed in the serviced territories
The Hera Group's sustainable growth is the result of a business model that continues to enhance people and support the communities it services towards a more just future in environmental, economic and social terms. Compared to 2021, total economic value for stakeholders rose to more than € 3 billion: this includes employees (601.1 million), shareholders (236.3 million), the public administration (151.8 million) and suppliers (approximately 1.4 billion). Over € 2.3 billion of this amount, or 76%, is distributed in the territories serviced,
where the multi-utility guarantees service continuity and efficiency, with significant investments to innovate its infrastructure assets, which will be decisive in meeting climate challenges in coming years.

Shared-value EBITDA also increased: € 670.6 million (+17%)
Among the most significant achievements, the shared-value Gross Operating Margin (EBITDA) - i.e., referring to business activities generating environmental and social benefits in the three areas of carbon neutrality, the circular economy, resilience and innovation - rose to € 670.6 million (+17% compared to 2021) or 52% of total EBITDA, with an improvement across all target parameters. In other words, it means making what has been done even more sustainable and continuing to grow, evolving the business in the right direction. Despite the difficulties created by a complex international context and an unprecedented energy scenario, the growth in EBITDA in terms of shared value is thus confirmed in line with the trajectory outlined in the Business Plan, projecting it to 62% in 2026, to reach a target of 70% in 2030.
Significant results for the Hera Group, which for the third year running, was also awarded the S&P Global Gold Class, the highest award for listed companies in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, where the multi-utility had been confirmed last year as sector leader in the ESG (environmental, social and governance) dimensions.

Pursuing carbon neutrality
Transition and promoting energy efficiency continue to be at the heart of the Hera Group's strategies. This is the direction that is being pursued at a rapid pace for the commitment to increase sustainable sources of energy. One example is the production of biomethane from the organic fraction of waste, at the Sant'Agata Bolognese and Spilamberto plants (in partnership with the Cremonini Group's Inalca company): the Hera Group intends to almost quadruple this by 2030, to reach 30 million cubic metres per year. Furthermore, the multi-utility achieved 100 per cent renewable electricity to power internal consumption a year ahead of schedule. Other important initiatives include the development of hydrogen as an energy carrier and the production of energy from photovoltaics. The Group's objective is to have more than 90 MW of installed photovoltaic power by 2026, which, when added to the systems installed at customers' premises and the energy communities that Hera is helping to develop, will provide 150 MW.         
With regard to total greenhouse gas emissions, the multi-utility has already reduced these by 11.7%, compared to 2019, with a target of -37% by 2030; a target validated by the prestigious international network “Science Based Targets Initiative”.
In addition, the ISO 50001 certification on energy management for 11 Group companies, where 96% of the multi-utility's energy consumption takes place, is also proof of the strong focus on energy efficiency in all activities carried out and in servicing apartment buildings, companies and the public administration.

Regenerating resources and closing the circle
The environment is another fundamental driver guiding the Hera Group's objectives and actions. The multi-utility has always worked to regenerate natural resources, promote their more sustainable use and close the circle on the circular economy. Local collections, collections from homes, and ecological stations are the cornerstones of its urban waste management system, which focuses increasingly on the recovery of materials: 57% waste recycling had already been achieved by 2022 in the territories serviced, exceeding the EU target for 2025.
Aliplast recycled more than 79,000 tons of plastic, 33% more than in 2017, the year when the multi-utility signed its commitment to reduce plastic waste pollution, in the scope of the Ellen Mac Arthur Foundation initiative. The aim is to further increase these volumes to around 150,000 tons by 2030.
The integrated and sustainable management of water resources follows the same approach. As Italy's second largest operator in the integrated water cycle, from abstraction to drinking water and distribution, from sewage systems to purification, the Hera Group bases its care of water on circular management. In addition to guaranteeing quality and consistently controlled tap water using a system based on excellence, it also promotes reuse. Examples of this are the important protocols signed with the Emilia-Romagna Region and the decontamination consortia, and the experimental project at the Cesena plant for re-using purified water for agriculture.
A focus and the protection of water start by setting a good example: in 2022, the multi-utility recorded a 20.5% reduction in its internal consumption (about 315.1 million cubic metres saved since 2017), with a target of -25% by 2030. 

Enabling resilience and innovating
Ensuring service continuity and the availability of resources means first and foremost, having intelligent installations and sensitive networks. The Hera Group is well aware of this, having made digitalisation and business innovation its strategic assets: last year alone, the multi-utility invested € 102.8 million in innovation.
In the critical context of water availability, the water service has shown its resilience by ensuring service continuity (without rationing drinking water) in all territories, with interventions aimed at mitigating the risk of drought and also interventions on infrastructure, with the construction of new wells and reservoirs, aqueduct interconnections, and the upgrading of withdrawal points, including the upgrading of the Po river pumps in Ferrara: investments of € 30 million are planned for this type of intervention by 2026 in the Triveneto and Emilia-Romagna regions. Community resilience also means working to promote social inclusion and the creation of shared value in the communities serviced: purchases from local suppliers in the past year amounted to € 881 million (65% of the total). More specifically, value relating to social cooperatives amounted to over € 82 million (+14% compared to 2021) and enabled the employment of 899 disadvantaged persons, with a consequent benefit for the public administration that can be estimated at over € 3.8 million. Central to this is the support provided to households: in 2022, around 272,000 bills (+36% compared to 2021), worth € 354 million, were paid in instalments. The significant increase, both in terms of numbers and value, confirms the Group's commitment to allowing payments by instalments, which has been and continues to be at significant levels in recent years. In addition, there are 135 Municipalities that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to avoid the suspension of supplies to households experiencing economic difficulties monitored by Social Services (26 more protocols signed in 2022 in Modena, Ferrara and Bologna).

Online from 04 May 2023

Search Results

07/03/2016
Price sensitive
Financial Results

Hera Luce, € 21 million from the Cassa Depositi e Prestiti for investments in public lighting

2016-03-07 hera_luce.1469541514.jpg The deal will guarantee significant benefits for Municipalities served by Hera Luce, estimated at savings for at least 60% in costs for electricity consumed and similar reductions in CO2 emissions. Hera Luce: investments in public lighting Savings are soon to come for Municipalities served for public lighting by Hera Luce. The Hera Group company and the Cassa Depositi e Prestiti have in fact signed a long-term financing deal for approximately € 21 million, destined for energy efficiency investments in public lighting in these Municipalities. The financing consists in two credit lines: the first is intended for concessions that have already been signed, and the second is available for investments involved in new concessions that are expected to be signed within 2016. The two lines will expire respectively in December 2032 and December 2033. This initiative will allow Municipalities to benefit from significant savings, estimated at 60% of electricity consumption at least, and a similar percentage of CO2 emission reductions. The operation bears witness to the significance that energy efficiency has for Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, whose new Business Plan foresees constant attention towards initiatives in this sector in favour of Public Administrations. For the Hera Group, this project is part of a constant commitment towards energy efficiency and innovation across the entire area served. Today, Hera Luce is the second largest public lighting server in Italy. The company projects, creates, maintains and manages public lighting and traffic light facilities in roughly seventy Municipalities in the following regions: Emilia-Romagna, Marche, Umbria, Tuscany, Lombardy and Lazio, in which it manages approximately 300,000 lighting points. Hera Luce: energy efficiency investments in public lighting press_release.1457444770.pdf 2015-11-12 14:54:00 Herambiente acquires Waste Recycling
Press releases
23/02/2016
Sustainability
Hera Spa

Hera in first place for the website "careers" category

2016-02-23 campri_s1.1468598360.jpg This year once again, the research company Potential Park ranked Hera Group among the top ten companies in Italy which are "gaining" recent graduates looking for their first job using the internet. "This recognition is very pleasing because, for some time, Hera Group has been among the top companies in Italy making major investments in updating and in the personal and professional development of its employees also creating many opportunities for listing to employees, like meetings between top management and workers and the internal climate surveys. Human capital is our main resource with whom we wish to share the distinctive values of our corporate culture" commented Giancarlo Campri, Hera Group´s Director of Personnel and Organisation. "The use of various tools (website, LinkedIn page, networking with universities and business schools) to communicate and interact with potential candidates has helped us, in time, become one of the most attractive companies in Italy receiving over 13,000 curricula vitae per year". Giancarlo Campri Hera in first place for the website "careers" category 2019-07-02 sinistra 16:43:58 Hera in first place for the website "careers" category
Online dal 23/02/2016 alle ore 16:43
Press releases
19/02/2016
Sustainability
Hera Spa

Hera: "Un Pozzo di Scienza" (A Well of Science) is 10 years old and it is putting the brains of young people to work in order to change the world

2016-02-19 BLQ_COPERNICO_1_4745_s1.1468599028.jpg The "absolute" Top Utility award went to Marche Multiservizi, a subsidiary of the HERA Group operating in the province of Pesaro-Urbino. For its part, Hera was recognised for its excellent work in business training and human resources. The "absolute" Top Utility award went to Marche Multiservizi, a subsidiary of the HERA Group operating in the province of Pesaro-Urbino. For its part, Hera was recognised for its excellent work in business training and human resources. [block]div:row-fluid::db:hr_press_comunicazione::box:54[/block] These awards were announced on Thursday 28 January 2016 in Rome, during a convention entitled "The Transformation of Utility Companies in a Changing Italy". Marche Multiservizi, a HERA Group subsidiary and this year's "Top Utility", was recognised "for its ongoing commitment to achieving excellent performance throughout its corporate functions and local activities", according to the justification provided for the award. Marche Multiservizi is the leading multi-utility company in the Marche region based on turnover as well as business size and the top merger on a regional level among companies operating in the local public services sector. Hera, which over the years has been recognised as the best utility company and has also received a variety of other rewards in other categories, was ranked first in educational, training and human resources activities this year. In 2015, HERA Group provided a total of approximately 262,000 hours of training, meaning at least 31.4 hours per capita, involving 99% of its staff (including employees in the Triveneto of AcegasApsAmga and in Marche). These figures place Hera at the very top national positions, given that, according to the Top Utility report, the national average is 14.2 hours per worker with an involvement of 76%. Indeed, for the multi-utility company, human capital is considered to be the main resource for sharing the distinctive values of the corporate culture and training plays a fundamental role as an indispensable factor for the evolution and professional development of people and, therefore, for the global growth of business value. To this end, 2011 saw the creation of HerAcademy, the Group's Corporate University, with the aim of further developing excellent skills and behaviours. The corporate university involves all 8,500 employees, from new recruits to managers and operational staff, in a range of training courses, with internal resources accounting for around 40% of the trainers. Lastly, the Group has defined a systematic strategy for working with the education system - Hera Educational - by developing a model for the management of work-study programmes (starting in the coming weeks with 180 work-study programmes and summer internships in 3 years) and launching the "Hera teaches you a vocation" initiative based on the co-design and offer of academic courses at technical institutions in the communities we serve. 'Un Pozzo di Scienza' compie 10 anni e mette al lavoro i cervelli 2019-07-02 14:27:14 'Un Pozzo di Scienza' compie 10 anni e mette al lavoro i cervelli
Online dal 19/02/2016 alle ore 14:27
Press releases
28/01/2016
Sustainability
Hera Spa

Hera and Marche Multiservizi: two awards, one single Group

2016-01-28 The "absolute" Top Utility award went to Marche Multiservizi, a subsidiary of the HERA Group operating in the province of Pesaro-Urbino. For its part, Hera was recognised for its excellent work in business training and human resources. The "absolute" Top Utility award went to Marche Multiservizi, a subsidiary of the HERA Group operating in the province of Pesaro-Urbino. For its part, Hera was recognised for its excellent work in business training and human resources. [block]div:row-fluid::db:hr_press_comunicazione::box:54[/block] These awards were announced on Thursday 28 January 2016 in Rome, during a convention entitled "The Transformation of Utility Companies in a Changing Italy". Marche Multiservizi, a HERA Group subsidiary and this year's "Top Utility", was recognised "for its ongoing commitment to achieving excellent performance throughout its corporate functions and local activities", according to the justification provided for the award. Marche Multiservizi is the leading multi-utility company in the Marche region based on turnover as well as business size and the top merger on a regional level among companies operating in the local public services sector. Hera, which over the years has been recognised as the best utility company and has also received a variety of other rewards in other categories, was ranked first in educational, training and human resources activities this year. In 2015, HERA Group provided a total of approximately 262,000 hours of training, meaning at least 31.4 hours per capita, involving 99% of its staff (including employees in the Triveneto of AcegasApsAmga and in Marche). These figures place Hera at the very top national positions, given that, according to the Top Utility report, the national average is 14.2 hours per worker with an involvement of 76%. Indeed, for the multi-utility company, human capital is considered to be the main resource for sharing the distinctive values of the corporate culture and training plays a fundamental role as an indispensable factor for the evolution and professional development of people and, therefore, for the global growth of business value. To this end, 2011 saw the creation of HerAcademy, the Group's Corporate University, with the aim of further developing excellent skills and behaviours. The corporate university involves all 8,500 employees, from new recruits to managers and operational staff, in a range of training courses, with internal resources accounting for around 40% of the trainers. Lastly, the Group has defined a systematic strategy for working with the education system - Hera Educational - by developing a model for the management of work-study programmes (starting in the coming weeks with 180 work-study programmes and summer internships in 3 years) and launching the "Hera teaches you a vocation" initiative based on the co-design and offer of academic courses at technical institutions in the communities we serve. 2019-07-02 14:13:03 Dalle Marche al Nord Est, il Gruppo Hera è al 'Top'
Online dal 28/01/2016 alle ore 14:13
26/01/2016
Price sensitive
Financial Results

Calendar of events

2016-01-26 sede_HERA.1469540900.jpg Calendar of events CALENDAR OF EVENTS (*) We here by communicate, in accordance with art. 2.6.2. (Required reporting) of the "Rules of the markets organized and managed by Borsa Italiana S.p.A.", our annual calendar of corporate events: 22 March 2016 - Meeting of the Board of Directors to approve the financial statement draft for the previous fiscal year. 28 April 2016 - General Shareholders Meeting to approve the financial statements for the previous fiscal year. 11 May 2016 - Meeting of the Board of Directors to approve the financial report for the quarter ending 31 March 2016. 28 July 2016 - Meeting of the Board of Directors to approve the financial report for the six months ending 30 June 2016. 9 November 2016 - Meeting of the Board of Directors to approve the financial report for the nine months ending 30 September 2016. (*) subject to changes Annual calendar of corporate events Our annual calendar of corporate events press_release_Hera_20160126.1453739507.pdf 2016-01-25 11:05:00 Calendar of events
11/01/2016
Price sensitive
M&A

Hera Group Approves Business Plan to 2019

2016-01-11 bp to 2019 eng.png A Plan once again envisaging growth, aimed at a 2019 EBITDA of over € 1 billion. Development to be based on a balanced mixture of internal growth and M&A, including the benefits expected from gas tenders, in line with the Group's track record. Hera Group Approves Business Plan to 2019 https://eng.gruppohera.it/documents/1514726/4210782/GruppoHera_PI_15_19.1452518218.pdf/ca55eb69-caf4-0c7c-fda4-e8c284b91ccd?t=1597911786099 https://eng.gruppohera.it/documents/1514726/4210782/ANALYST_presentation_bp_to_2019.1452518644.pdf/83fa3cc5-4f9d-744c-aebe-62f9acbfd3b3?t=1597911786585 https://eng.gruppohera.it/documents/1514726/4210782/Hera_numero_straordinario_ENG.1452518583.pdf/a8851db5-76da-edc0-baa0-94a269d96131?t=1597911787492 null Press release Analyst Presentation Business Plan to 2019 Newsletter Business Plan to 2019 null Higher operating and financial objectives, in spite of an ever more challenging scenario This morning the Hera Group's Board of Directors approved its Business Plan to 2019. A Plan oriented towards growth, thanks to the solid positioning of the Group - whose activities are concentrated in areas it has uninterruptedly covered since it was established - aimed at creating value within its current operating area and making the most of future prospectives for sector consolidation. The strategies that have guided the Group until present have been reconfirmed, with a focus above all on expansion and efficiency, as a response to today's challenging scenario, without neglecting the cornerstones of innovation and excellence. From an operating and financial point of view, for 2019 the Plan foresees a total revenue of over € 5.8 billion compared to € 4.7 billion in 2014, an EBITDA of € 1,030 million against the € 868 million recorded in 2014. The ratio of net debt to EBITDA, which is already among the best in the industry, is expected to decrease to 2.9x (vs. 3.04x in 2014), confirming the Group's sustainable growth in terms of financial strength, with an increase in cash flow. Moreover, the Business Plan to 2019 confirms that one of the strategic elements at the root of Hera's business model is sustainability, in all its aspects: environmental, social and economic. The strictly economic objectives are flanked by targets such as reduced environmental impact, greater attention towards energy efficiency and a continual improvement of customer service, fully aware of the important role played by the company across its operating area. A context marked by regulatory, economic and competitive complexities The Plan to 2019 has been elaborated with an eye to a more complex scenario than the one envisaged in the previous strategic document. The most notable new factor that creates challenges for utilities consists in the new regulations concerning return on invested capital in regulated services, which will have a significant impact on operators' revenues. Furthermore, on a macro-economic level, Italy's economic upturn still appears to be weak, while the level of competition is rising in all businesses, including regulated ones; indeed, during the period covered by the Plan, both gas distribution and urban hygiene services will be put to tender. Lastly, regulatory changes are also expected, having been repeatedly called for by national institutions, and alongside competition in tenders they will lead to a progressive consolidation among the operators active in Local Public Services, in such a way as to increase the overall efficiency of these sectors. Over 1 billion of EBITDA in 2019: focus on efficiency improvement, synergies and external growth The Business Plan includes two tools that will be used to reach the objective of € 1,030 million of EBITDA in 2019, with an increase of € 162 million compared to 2014: internal growth and M&A. These tools are both part of the Group's history, having contributed constantly over the years to developing a growth model that has been confirmed in the Plan and thus represents an important factor of continuity in the strategy pursued until present. As regards organic growth in particular, on the one hand initiatives will be taken to increase efficiency and curb internal and external costs for € 72 million, taking advantage among other things of partnerships with the Group's suppliers. On the other, plans have been made to extract a further € 21 million in synergies from integration operations that have already been concluded (AcegasAps, Isontina Reti Gas, Est Reti Elettriche and Amga Udine), to be added to the € 15 million already reached in 2014. This will allow further improvement in the high level of Ebitda per employee, which is expected to go up over the next five years by approximately 6% compared to 2014. Thanks to these results, Hera will be able to withstand and more than compensate for the impact expected over the period covered by the Plan of regulatory changes, among which lesser incentives for roughly € 30 million, and the negative effect - estimated at roughly € 25 million - of the new return on capital in regulated services (WACC) recently revised by the Authority. As regards growth by M&As, four mid-sized consolidations are expected to be completed within the period covered by the Plan, with an overall contribution of over € 110 million to EBITDA growth in 2019. This objective is in line with the average results achieved in the M&A operations successfully completed since the Group's establishment. External growth will be further enhanced, by an estimated € 14 million, by the confirmation of the Group as manager of gas distribution services in its own reference areas, thus being able to benefit from the application of its own efficiency and service quality standards to new networks. Capital expenditures for over € 2 billion In the 2015-2019 period, total capital expenditures will amount to approximately € 2,200 million, predominantly (72%) allocated to networks, which also includes over € 300 million to be used for gas tenders. An even distribution of investments over the geographical areas served will once again be guaranteed, according to their size and their specific requirements as to modernisation and optimisation. Excluding gas tenders, over the period covered by the Plan the Group expects to reach an overall balance between capital expenditures and depreciations, in order to maintain the operating and financial sustainability that has already been reached in recent years. Networks: the challenges presented by gas tenders and the pursuit of efficiency Approximately 40% of the growth foreseen through 2019 will be due to the results achieved in the network sector, which includes integrated water services and gas and electricity distribution services, and whose EBITDA at 2019 is expected to rise to € 483 million, compared to € 416 million in 2014. Over the period covered by the Plan, overall investments in infrastructures are foreseen for € 1,610 million, including the effects of gas distribution tenders. The objective of confirming service management in all areas currently covered will be pursued by relying on the Group's highly compact presence in the areas served, its deep knowledge and the experience it has gained over the years, the high levels of efficiency already reached and its notable investment capability. Confirmation of current concessions will be expressed as a variation in the Group's operating area that can be estimated at 260,000 extra re-delivery points to be served. Thanks to gas tenders, it is estimated that the value of the distribution networks managed by Hera (RAB) will go from roughly 3 billion in 2014 to 3.5 billion in 2019. In order to reach the EBITDA objectives, attention to efficiency is once again considered to be essential, in particular in the supply network, where scale economies can be further pursued, synergies extracted thanks to geographical proximity, and innovated technologies implemented (e.g. electronic gas metres, remote management of the water network, smart grid in electricity distribution), allowing the Group to compensate for the negative impact of the recent reformulation of tariff systems. Environment: growth increasingly oriented towards recovering materials and energy The Hera Group is a national leader in the environment sector and expects this position to be further reinforced over the period covered by the Plan, thanks among other things to better market conditions, as recorded over 2015, which saw a trend towards recovery in prices and demand. Sector EBITDA is expected to grow from 242 million in 2014 to 302 in 2019, while overall investments in the period in question will amount to roughly 460 million and will be dedicated to sustaining the development of existing plants, in order to face the rise expected in market volumes, with treatments ever more oriented towards recycling and greater environmental sustainability. This framework also includes the objectives of bringing sorted waste to 65% in 2019 (from 54% in 2014) and decreasing to below 10% the use of landfills for solid urban waste, in line with EU legislation on landfill diversion, and in any case well under the national average. The plants will be progressively rationalised, maximising their yield and above all aligning the range of plant types with the evolution of sorted waste and objectives concerning the recovery of materials and energy in the areas served. Furthermore, authorisation has recently been obtained for the construction and management of the Sesto Fiorentino waste to energy plant. A great degree of attention will be dedicated, lastly, to developing commercial activities, with the objective of increasing the volumes of waste treated through a stronger presence in the market of industrial clients. The Group will be able to pursue this strategy thanks among other things to the recent acquisitions of Geo Nova and Waste Recycling, that offer solid coverage in the Tuscany and the Triveneto region markets. In terms of waste collection, the Group aims to reconfirm its services in those areas of Emilia Romagna in which tenders are expected to be held during the years covered by the plan. This will be possible thanks to the substantial efficiency and automation projects that the Group has already set into place and that will contribute to combining cost-effectiveness for citizens with a progressive increase in sorted waste and a higher quality of the services provided. Energy: customer base development and efficiency, to overcome the challenges of competition In a context that foresees a slight recovery in demand for both gas and electricity, this sector's EBITDA at 2019 will settle at 214 million, up 188 million compared to 2014, while total capital expenditures for the period will amount to roughly 80 million. Protection of the current customer base, growth into new geographical areas and cost-curbing remain the essential elements of the strategy adopted in this segment. Greater efficiency in customer management, which will allow costs per unit to be reduced, is also fundamental in increasing competitiveness. The Group will also dedicate its attention to the expectations of a smarter customer base, more attentive to the issues involved in energy efficiency, introducing innovative commercial offers that are able to meet the new demands of the retail market. Today, the Group is a primary operator in gas and electricity sales in Italy, with over two million customers, and aims at reaching over 2.3 million contracts in 2019. Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Executive Chairman of Hera "The recently approved Plan is fully in line with our tradition of growth, which has allowed us to consolidate competitive advantages on which we will rely while facing the challenges and the higher level of competition, expected in coming years, in all business areas found in our portfolio. This strategy is aimed at creating internal growth by pursuing greater efficiency and market expansion, in addition to taking advantage of our "open" governance model to achieve further sector consolidation. The growth envisaged will imply a cash flow sufficient to cover all expected capital expenditures and a continuation of our policy of dividends with an annual return of approximately 3.6% (based on current stock exchange values), and will guarantee room for further expansion through M&A with mono-business companies, as was recently seen with the acquisitions of Geo Nova and Waste Recycling in the sector of waste treatment." Stefano Venier, Chief Executive Officer of Hera "Our Plan has been designed, respecting the financial balance that has characterised our Group until now, with the dual objective of reinforcing our credit standing by maintaining a conservative risk profile, and creating ever greater value for all our stakeholders, from investors to customers, by further improving service quality, as well as suppliers, by creating partnerships. In addition to reconfirming all aspects of sustainability, from environmental to social and economic stand points, as the underlying strategic element of our business model, we will pursue new challenges in terms of innovation and excellence, to reconfirm our current concessions in regulated services and continue expanding in liberalised markets." 2016-01-11 14:55:31 Il Gruppo Hera approva il Piano industriale al 2019

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Group Director of Communication And External Relations

Giuseppe Gagliano

Director

 

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MEDIA AND PRESS CONTACT

Contacts

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