News

Potabilizzatore Val di Setta Hera’s Sasso Marconi (BO) drinking water plantcertified by the AWS (Alliance for Water Stewardship), the leading international standard that encourages a responsible use of water resources and acts as the global benchmark in this area. We are the first utility in the world to obtain this certification for a drinking water plant and the third largest in Italy. The AWS standard is designed to help companies and individuals implement responsible practices and protect this resource, improving their efficiency and addressing current and future water challenges such as drought, climate change and population growth. It is typically used in the manufacturing sector, adopted by major multinational companies, and is recommended by the United Nations. Obtaining this certification is a rigorous process that includes a range of actions, criteria and indicators on how to manage water, both within the plant and outside of it, across the board, submitting the industry’s best practices to a worldwide scientific committee. A clear path, with no observations, and important benefits in terms of efficiency and water resource protection In the case of the Val di Setta drinking water plant, the certification was completed without any nonconformities. The process is rarely so clear-cut, rewarding our commitment over the past year, the length of the entire process. The efficiency measures implemented in 2020 for managing the drinking water plant led to an overall improvement in the use of resources during the plant’s operations. For example, the filter washing phase was optimized thanks to a priorly conducted study, leading to an overall saving coming to roughly 2,400 cubic meters of water per day in water treatment and purification. The AWS also certifies the degree of efficiency, and the Val di Setta plant is outstanding in this regard: to introduce one litre of drinking water into the aqueduct, it takes 1.1 from the environment, compared to an average amount of 1.7 litres for 1 litre of bottled water. Increased good practices at the heart of the certification This certification is also centred around involving the local community in good practices. The Alliance for Water Stewardship is in fact a global organization created with the main goal of raising public awareness on issues related to water scarcity and the proper use of water. The certification must therefore also indicate that the party in question is committed to communicating the importance of water, promoting its efficient and responsible use in the local area and sharing good management practices with other local figures. The AWS thus aims at creating local and international networks of companies actively involved in managing water resources. Potabilizzatore Val di Setta 2019-07-18 For further information Potabilizzatore Val di Setta The certification process for the Val di Setta plant, located in Sasso Marconi and serving Bologna’s main aqueduct, has been successfully completed, confirming our ongoing commitment to managing and protecting water resources /-/aws-certification-for-val-di-setta-potabilization-plant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20dhCY27OBk /-/the-world-s-first-aws-certified-drinking-water-plant-is-located-in-bologna-and-managed-by-hera Visit the AWS Certification for Val di Setta potabilization plant website area Watch the promo video about the virtual tour of the val di Setta potable water treatment plant Press release Potabilizzatore Val di Setta

Hera BoD approves results for 1H 2021 Financial highlights Revenues at 4,179.7 million euro (+22.8%) Ebitda at 617.9 million euro (+10.4%) Net profit for Shareholders at 216.1 million euro (+30.0%) Strong improvement in net financial debt, now at 2,956.7 million euro, with a further decrease in the net debt/Ebitda ratio, now at 2.5x Operating highlights Good contribution to growth comes from the Group’s main businesses, in particular the energy and waste areas Progression of results underpinned both by organic growth and M&A Solid customer base in energy sectors, coming to almost 3.4 million customers The Hera Group’s Board of Directors, chaired by Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, unanimously approved the consolidated operating results for the first half of 2021, which confirm the positive trend shown by the Group, with strong growth in the main operating and financial indicators, and financial solidity confirmed by the further improvement in the net debt/Ebitda ratio, now at 2.5x. Among the main changes in the scope of consolidation, external growth occurred through a few transactions in the waste management sector, in particular the acquisition of 70% of Recycla, a Friuli-based company that manages three platforms for solid and liquid industrial waste and is headquartered in Maniago (PN), consolidated in the first half of 2021. In addition, 31% of SEA, a company operating in the Marche region with a solid facility for industrial waste, was acquired, and a further transaction will be closed in the same area within the summer. Furthermore, another acquisition will contribute to the results in second half: yesterday it was finalised the acquisition of the 90% of share capital of Ecogas, operating in Abruzzo, which will bring roughly 22,000 new customers and will lead the Group to consolidate its role as the third largest operator in that area, with roughly 90,000 customers. Revenues increase sharply, coming to roughly 4.2 billion euro In the first half of 2021, revenues amounted to 4,179.7 million, rising considerably by 777.4 million (+22.8%) compared to the 3,402.3 million seen in the same period of 2020, thanks to the contribution coming from all business areas. In particular, the waste management sector contributed to growth with an increase in waste treated and plastics sold, as did the energy areas. In this area, higher revenues came from trading, higher volumes of gas sold, the increased price of electricity and generation, as well as growth in the heat management business and value-added services. Ebitda rises to 617.9 million euro Ebitda amounted to 617.9 million, up by 58.2 million (+10.4%) over the 559.7 million seen at 30 June 2020. This growth was mainly driven by the energy area, due to higher sales and trading margins, and the waste management sector. Operating results and pre-tax profits increase Operating income rose to 343.6 million (+16.2%), compared to 295.7 million in the same period of 2020, partially due to improved financial operations, coming to 55.1 million. This result includes higher charges resulting from the sale of tax credits as part of ecobonus-related activities. Pre-tax profit rose to 288.5 million (+20.5%), up compared to the 239.5 million in the first half of 2020, for reasons including non-recurring items related to a tax exemptions, as described in further detail below. Net profits for Shareholders up, reaching 216.1 million euro Thanks to a tax rate coming to 26.7%, an improvement compared to the 27% seen in the first half of 2020, achieved thanks to the Group’s commitment investment in technological, digital and environmental transformation following Utility 4.0 trends, net profits at 30 June 2021 rose to 236.2 million (+35.1%), compared to 174.9 million in the first half of 2020. This increase is also linked to the value of special items, which contributed with 24.7 million, also due to the effects of the tax realignment concerning some goodwill recognised in the financial statements for 46.3 million. Also due to this factor, profit attributable to Group Shareholders increased sharply, coming to 216.1 million (+30.0%), as against the 166.2 million seen in the same period one year earlier. Strong increase in investments and improvement in net financial debt Net operating investments went from 195.1 million at 30 June 2020 to 237.4 million in the first half of 2021, up 21.7%, and were mainly related to works on plants, networks and infrastructures, in addition to investments for the large-scale meter replacement and the purification and sewage sector. Thanks to the positive contribution coming from operations, which allowed both higher investments and M&A transactions to be fully financed, net financial debt further improved, settling at 2,956.7 million at 30 June 2021, compared to 3,227.0 million at 31 December 2020. The Group’s financial solidity was also confirmed by the net debt/Ebitda ratio, which in the first half of 2021 dropped to 2.5x, a further improvement compared to 2.87x at the end of 2020 and 2.81x at 30 June 2020. Hera’s financial strength – also reflected in the ratings given by the main rating agencies, including Standard & Poor's recent upgrade to BBB+ with a stable outlook – goes hand in hand with the sustainable development strategy it has pursued since its establishment, along with its ability to manage risks and opportunities, as shown by S&P Global Rating’s ESG Evaluation. Statement by Executive Chairman Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano Our half-year results reflect the good performance of the Group and encourage us to look towards the future with confidence, in line with our long-standing path of growth and our focus on creating value for our shareholders and the local areas in which we operate. In particular, respecting the strategic guidelines contained in our Business Plan to 2024, we are carrying out a series of transactions aimed at external growth, which will allow us to consolidate our leadership in Italy in waste treatment and further expand our plant platform, with cutting-edge facilities and circular economy solutions for companies. In this way, we will be able to continue to extend the scope of our activity, extracting synergies and guaranteeing increasing benefits for our customers, thanks to a more pervasive presence in the areas served. The acquisitions in the waste management area alone, once completed, will create an additional contribution to the Hera Group’s Ebitda coming to approximately 20 million euro, above and beyond the value of the synergies expected from these integrations. Statement by CEO Stefano Venier The results achieved in the first half of the year show a further reinforcement of our financial solidity, based on an excellent operating performance and effective management of working capital. This balanced and solid path allows us to effectively govern the changes underway, guaranteeing further expansion in investments and continuing to implement the development strategy outlined in our Business Plan, capable of combining growth and solutions supporting the transition, as further confirmed quite recently by S&P Global Rating’s ESG Evaluation. Profit & Loss (m€) 30/06/2021 Inc. % 30/06/2020 Inc. % Ch. Ch. % Sales 4,179.7 3,402.3 +777.4 +22.8% Other operating revenues 140.2 3.4% 222.6 6.5% (82.4) (37.0%) Raw material (2,128.5) (50.9%) (1,605.1) (47.2%) +523.4 +32.6% Services costs (1,260.1) (30.1%) (1,151.0) (33.8%) +109.1 +9.5% Other operating expenses (37.9) (0.9%) (32.5) (1.0%) +5.4 +16.6% Personnel costs (301.8) (7.2%) (290.9) (8.5%) +10.9 +3.7% Capitalisations 26.3 0.6% 14.3 0.4% +12.0 +84.0% Ebitda 617.9 14.8% 559.7 16.5% +58.2 +10.4% Depreciation and provisions (274.3) (6.6%) (264.0) (7.8%) +10.3 +3.9% Ebit 343.6 8.2% 295.7 8.7% +47.9 +16.2% Financial inc./(exp.) (55.1) (1.3%) (56.2) (1.7%) (1.1) (2.0%) Pre tax profit 288.5 6.9% 239.5 7.0% +49.0 +20.5% Taxes (77.0) (1.8%) (64.6) (1.9%) +12.4 +19.2% Net profit 211.5 5.1% 174.9 5.1% +36.6 +20.9% Special items 24.7 0.6% - 0.0% +24.7 +100.0% Net profit 236.2 5.7% 174.9 5.1% +61.3 +35.1% Attributable to: Shareholders of the Parent Company 216.1 5.2% 166.2 4.9% +49.9 +30.0% Minority shareholders 20.1 0.5% 8.7 0.3% +11.4 +131.1% Balance Sheet (m€) 30/06/2021 Inc.% 31/12/2020 Inc.% Ch. Ch. % Net fixed assets 7,097.6 113.4% 6,983.6 109.4% +114.0 +1.6% Working capital (176.8) (2.8%) 53.6 0.8% (230.4) (429.9%) (Provisions) (663.4) (10.6%) (654.9) (10.2%) (8.5) +1.3% Net invested capital 6,257.4 100.0% 6,382.3 100.0% (124.9) (2.0%) Net equity 3,300.7 52.7% 3,155.3 49.4% +145.4 +4.6% Long term net financial debt 3,460.6 55.3% 3,617.1 56.7% (156.5) (4.3%) Short term net financial debt (503.9) (8.0%) (390.1) (6.1%) (113.8) +29.2% Net financial debts 2,956.7 47.3% 3,227.0 50.6% (270.3) (8.4%) Net invested capital 6,257.4 100.0% 6,382.3 100.0% (124.9) (2.0%) Hera BoD approves results for 1H 2021 2019-07-18 For further information Hera BoD approves results for 1H 2021 The half-year report shows significant growth in operating and financial indicators, thanks to the contribution coming from the Group’s main businesses. The pursuit of sustainable development and financial solidity are confirmed as strong points /-/hera-bod-approves-results-for-1h-2021 /group_eng/investors /group_eng/investor-relations/hera-overview Press release Visit Investor Relations website area Hera overview Hera BoD approves results for 1H 2021

Sede Hera We rank 5th internationally among the Utility Networks assessed by this rating agency’s Sustainable Finance analysts, thanks to our focus on sustainability and our ability to manage risks and opportunities After being included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, World and Europe, in 2020, we have once again confirmed our standing as one of the companies most attentive to sustainability and ESG aspects internationally. Hera’s ESG Evaluation, carried out by the Sustainable Finance analysts of S&P Global Ratings, was indeed published. This is a cross-industry assessment of a company’s ability to effectively manage, over the medium and long term, its exposure to environmental, social and governance risks, as well as to seize opportunities arising from the changes occurring in a constantly evolving international context. We are the first company in Italy to publish its ESG Evaluation, in which we obtained an overall score of 81/100, making it one of the top fifteen companies assessed internationally by S&P Global Ratings. The score obtained (81) places us well above the international (68) and European (73) average and ranks us fifth internationally among Utility Networks (with the sector average coming to 74). In particular, in the ESG Evaluation, we are assessed by S&P Global Ratings as being strongly prepared to implement its growth and development strategy, ready to face the potential risks deriving from regulations in an economy that is moving towards the circular model, with low emissions, supporting the resilience of its well-diversified business model. S&P Ratings 2019-07-18 S&P Ratings We rank 5th internationally among the Utility Networks assessed by this rating agency’s Sustainable Finance analysts, thanks to our focus on sustainability and our ability to manage risks and opportunities /-/hera-among-the-best-utilities-in-the-s-p-global-ratings-esg-evaluations /group_eng/investors /group_eng/investor-relations/hera-stock https://www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/research/pdf-articles/210721-esg-evaluation-gruppo-hera-spa-100288282 Press release Visit IR website area Hera ESG rating S&P’s ESG Evaluation Sede Hera

Herambiente acquires the company Recycla The Hera Group, through its subsidiary Herambiente has acquired 70% of Recycla, a Friuli-based company that manages three platforms for solid and liquid industrial waste, whose central offices are in Maniago (PN). This transaction will confirm Herambiente’s position as a key operator in the sector and allow it to offer its across-the-board waste treatment solutions to new customers. Through its company Hasi (Herambiente Servizi Industriali), Herambiente has thus consolidated and expanded its facilities serving businesses, with 15 multifunctional sites dedicated to the treatment of waste produced by companies and 1.2 million tonnes of industrial waste treated each year. More specifically, the Maniago platform for solid and liquid industrial waste handles over 40,000 tonnes per year of waste produced by companies. In line with the principles of the circular economy, this waste is pre-treated to optimise its characteristics and is mainly destined for energy recovery or chemical-physical treatment. Therefore, only 3% of the waste entering the platform is disposed of in landfills. This transaction, which follows the acquisitions completed in recent years (from Waste Recycling, Teseco and Pistoia Ambiente in Tuscany and Geo Nova and Aliplast in Treviso), is a new step in Herambiente’s continuous growth in the industrial waste treatment sector. This development will be further strengthened by two agreements already signed with companies operating in the Marche and Veneto regions in the same industrial sector, which will be finalised within the summer. When fully operational, thanks to these three transactions, an additional 350,000 tonnes of industrial waste produced by 3,300 new customers will be treated each year. Herambiente acquires the company Recycla 2019-07-18 Herambiente acquires the company Recycla The Hera Group has consolidated its leadership in industrial waste treatment and extended its scope of operations in northern Italy thanks to the acquisition of this Friuli-based company /-/herambiente-acquires-the-company-recycla http://ha.gruppohera.it/?lang=2 Press release Visit Herambiente's website Herambiente acquires the company Recycla