Navigation


Alert Web

HeraAssetPublisherFilterComuneSelector

Choose the municipality

Ci dispiace, il servizio non è attivo nel tuo comune.
Esplora i servizi attivi nel tuo comune:
Inserisci un comune con il servizio di "Ambiente" oppure vai all'Homepage

Shareholders Meeting: new Board of Directors appointed, 2022 financial statements approved and dividend increased to 12.5 cents

Testata News

Hera Custom Facet Publish Date

Custom Facet

ddmStructureKey
Custom Facet

Category Facet

category
Category Facet

Hera Custom Facet Publish Date

Asset Publisher

27/04/2023
Shareholders Meeting: new Board of Directors appointed, 2022 financial statements approved and dividend increased to 12.5 cents

The Group continues along its path of growth, creating value shareholders and the local areas served. Cristian Fabbri appointed Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and Orazio Iacono confirmed as CEO

Hera’s Ordinary Shareholders Meeting, chaired by Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, was held this morning in Bologna to approve the 2022 financial statements and the payment of a dividend rising to 12.5 cents per share, in line with what was previously announced during the presentation of the Business Plan to 2026.

2022 financial statements approved with results showing growth

The Assembly approved the 2022 financial statements, which confirmed growth in key operating and financial indicators and in investments.
These figures demonstrate, once again, the validity of the management policies implemented by the Group, which, together with its solid and resilient multi-business industrial model, have proved effective in responding to the complex external scenario, enabling it to guarantee continuity and quality of services and to create value for the company and all stakeholders, while pursuing sustainable development.

Dividends paid rise to 12.5 cents per share

The Shareholders Meeting then approved the Board of Directors’ proposal to distribute a dividend coming to 12.5 cents per share, up 4.2% compared to the last dividend paid.
The ex-dividend date was set at 19 June 2023, with payment as of 21 June 2023. The dividend will be paid to shares recorded on 20 June 2023. The dividend paid, based on the Hera share price at 31/12/2022, corresponds to an annual return of 4.94%.

Sustainability Report: Shared-value Ebitda up sharply to 670.3 million euro

The 2022 Sustainability Report was also presented during the Shareholders Meeting, showing that improvement in operating and financial indicators goes hand in hand with the Group’s focus on sustainability and its attention towards all stakeholders. More specifically, in 2022, shared-value Ebitda, which refers to business activities that also respond to the drivers for sustainable growth and therefore involve operations that help meet the targets on the Global Agenda, rose to 670.3 million euro, up significantly compared to 2021 (+17.5%) and corresponding to 51.8% of overall Ebitda.

Board of Directors and the Board of Statutory Auditors renewed

The Board of Directors and the Board of Statutory Auditors were renewed for the next three years (their mandate expiring on the date of the Shareholders Meeting held to approve the 2025 financial statements).
As an outcome of the vote, the following directors were appointed:

  • majority list (representing Hera’s public shareholders agreement): Cristian Fabbri, Orazio Iacono, Gabriele Giacobazzi, Fabio Bacchilega, Gianni Bessi, Grazia Ghermandi, Alessandro Melcarne, Lorenzo Minganti, Milvia Mingozzi, Marina Monassi and Monica Mondardini
  • minority lists: Francesco Perrini, Paola Gina Maria Schwizer, Alice Vatta, Bruno Tani.

The CVs of the new directors can be consulted at:
https://eng.gruppohera.it/group_eng/corporate-governance/board-of-directors

As regards the Board of Statutory Auditors, the following auditors were appointed:

  • majority list (representing Hera’s public shareholders agreement): Marianna Girolomini, Antonio Gaiani (standing auditors), Susanna Giuriatti (alternate auditor)
  • minority list: Myriam Amato (Chairman), Stefano Gnocchi (alternate auditor).

The CVs of the new auditors can be consulted at:
https://eng.gruppohera.it/group_eng/corporate-governance/board-of-statutory-auditors

Executive Chairman, Vice Chairman and CEO appointed

The inaugural meeting of Hera’s Board of Directors, appointed in the morning by the Shareholders Meeting, was held this afternoon in Bologna. The Board appointed the Chairman, Vice Chairman and CEO.
Cristian Fabbri, who has been with the company since 2006, was appointed Executive Chairman. Within the Group, he held positions involving increasing responsibilities before becoming Hera’s Central Market Director, CEO of Group subsidiaries Hera Comm and EstEnergy, and a member of the Boards of Directors of other Group companies.
Gabriele Giacobazzi was confirmed as (non-executive) Vice-Chairman, the role he has covered since 2020. President of the Association of Engineers, he has been a professor at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
Orazio Iacono was confirmed as CEO, the position he has held at Hera since May 2022. He previously worked at RFI and later Trenitalia, eventually acting as CEO and General Manager, a position he held until 2020. In 2021 he was Senior Advisor Oaktree Capital Management/PwC Italy and later became Chief Operating Officer Sustainable Infrastructures at Saipem.

Lastly, the Board of Directors thanked Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, whose term of office came to an end after more than 20 years at the helm of the Hera Group, for his fundamental contribution to the company’s growth.

“I am honored to have been appointed Executive Chairman of Hera and I thank the Shareholders and the Board of Directors for their trust - declared the new Executive Chairman of the Hera Group, Cristian Fabbri -. I have been working in this Group since its constitutive phases in 2002. In 21 years we have achieved ambitious growth and value creation goals by working to eliminate the carbon neutrality of our activities and those of our customers, the regeneration of resources and the resilience of the system of services in the area. Together with the CEO Orazio Iacono, all the management and employees, we will continue in this direction for the benefit of the local ecosystem, future generations, our customers and our shareholders. I take the baton from Dr. Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano who led the Hera group for 21 years in an uninterrupted growth path and who leaves a solid company ready to face new challenges and hit ambitious goals. Special thanks to him."

For further information
Press release
Shareholders’ Meeting 2023
Online Report FY2022
Online Sustainability Report 2022

Asset Publisher

31/07/2024

Hera Group: 1H 2024 results approved

The consolidated half-year report at 30 June indicates growth in the Group’s main operating-financial indicators and shows its considerable financial solidity, fully in line with the targets set out in the Business Plan.

31/07/2024

Hera Group Italy’s first multi-utility with a Net Zero target

The Hera Group’s climate change mitigation strategy is now enriched with the definition of the Climate Transition Plan and the goal of reaching Net Zero by 2050 as regards direct and indirect emissions

18/07/2024

Circular economy: partnership with Fincantieri

A newco will be born aimed at managing almost 100,000 tonnes per year of industrial waste produced in its shipyards, and creating a new integrated waste management system, intended to reduce waste and enhance recovery with a view to the circular economy

19/06/2024

We rank first in the 2024 ESG Identity Corporate Index

For the fourth consecutive year, we are on the podium of the overall index ranking, which rewards Italian companies that stand out for integrating ESG factors into their governance

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

30/04/2024

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

26/03/2024

Hera Group approves results as at 31/12/2023

The year closed with main financial indicators rising and the targets included in the strategic Plan to 2026 exceeded three years ahead of schedule

04/03/2024

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.

04/03/2024

Hera Group and Panasonic Industry together for the diffusion of NexMeter on the national market

The Japanese electronics leader collaborates with the multi-utility to distribute the NexMeter 4.0 gas meter, with advanced features in the field of measurement

06/02/2024

Over 1 million new electricity customers as of 1 July

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

Search Results

24/07/2020

Rimini: the underground tanks in Piazzale Kennedy have been completed and the area has now been entirely reopened to the public

On 6 June 2011, a violent storm on Rimini severely damaged the city's sewage system. For a community that has been focused on summer tourism for decades, solving this problem and avoiding environmental impacts such as water pollution was an absolute priority. The sea, in fact, is not only a precious tool that drives the city's economy, but also and above all part of Romagna's identity. Now, residents and tourists no longer have to fear sudden downpours, because right in the centre of town, under a terrace overlooking the sea, there is a remarkable work of engineering that watches over Rimini's sewage system. It is part of the Seawater Protection Plan (PSBO – Piano di Salvaguardia della Balneazione), a kind of "gentle giant" that is the largest water reclamation project underway in Italy and one of the most important in Europe, also recognized by the UN for its role in protecting the marine environment. After that storm, we at Hera Group responded to the call for environmental protection and, thanks to an impressive effort undertaken jointly with the Municipality of Rimini, Romagna Acque and Amir, succeeded in proving that keeping the sea clean, guaranteeing its bathing conditions, was indeed a complex undertaking, but not an impossible one. The PSBO is like a great marathon divided into 14 "stages", including the elimination of 11 drains discharging into the sea. It is the culmination of an investment of €154 million, with 130 people working on the project every day, 38 companies involved, and 45 km of new sewage pipelines laid. It started in 2013 with measures that, in the following years, led, for example, to the restructuring of the sewerage system of Rimini Isola (in 2014), the doubling of the Santa Giustina treatment plant (in 2015) and the separation of the sewer networks in North Rimini, so as to close 4 of the 6 drains in that portion of the city. The most important phase of the entire project began in 2016 in Piazzale Kennedy, the heart not only of coastal social life but also of the entire PSBO, with the construction of two tanks the size of 20 Olympic-size pools, located up to 40 meters below ground level, which involved excavating 70 thousand m3 of soil. One tank, with a capacity of 14 thousand m3, collects the water from the first flush of rain while the other, with a capacity of 25 thousand m3, temporarily holds and "stores" the rainwater, which can be sent to the purification plant or into the sea in the event of heavy rainfall. When average rainfall occurs, the tanks fill in 70 minutes, or 30 for particularly heavy downpours. A forced ventilation mechanism (with abatement using activated carbon filters) has solved the problem of bad odours. Lastly, to protect our beaches, over 21 thousand m3 of top-quality sand have been collected. With a view to a circular economy, they have already been used to replenish Rimini's coastline. Now that, after months of work, this fundamental component of the PSBO is complete, the two new waterfront terraces in Piazzale Kennedy cover the complex underground structure. The architecture of the terraces was designed by Studio Mijic of Rimini. The first terrace opened to the public in July 2019 and the other one opened today. The Piazzale Kennedy project is the fruit of great workdone not only jointly with the Municipality, Romagna Acque and Amir, but also with all the tour operators in the area and the residents, who have endured months of hardship in such a central area of the city that, for over 60 years, has been the holiday postcard of millions of tourists, both Italian and foreign. To date, more than 5 thousand m2of coastline have been "freed" from swimming bans, and the construction work is now 90% complete. By 2024, all 11 drains discharging into the sea will have been eliminated. The most important phases of Rimini's Seawater Protection Plan 2013: Start of work on the PSBO (Rimini Seawater Protection Plan) 2014: Rimini Isola sewer decontamination 2015: Doubling of the Santa Giustina treatment plant 2016: Start-up of the Piazzale Kennedy construction site Other measures carried out in recent years: 1. Testing of the North backbone 2. Construction of the hospital tank 3. Reconversion of the Rimini Marecchiese treatment plant 4. Construction of the first and second portions of the South backbone 5. Burial of the Ausa canal 6. Separation of the sewerage networks in North Rimini July 2019: Completion of the first waterfront terrace in Piazzale Kennedy July 2020: Completion of the second waterfront terrace and total reopening of Piazzale Kennedy Piazzale kennedy 2020-05-13 Read more piazzale_kennedy_870.1595953446.jpg After many months of relentless work, we have reached another milestone of the Seawater Protection Plan, the major water work that will eliminate drains discharging into the sea. Below the new waterfront terrace, two tanks the size of 20 Olympic-size pools are in place to keep watch over the sewage system piazzale kennedy
15/07/2020

The 2020 Integrated Governance Index: Hera once again on the podium for sustainable finance

Integrated Governance 110x Turning sustainability into a lever for financial and business strategy is rewarding. It is indeed rewarding for the Hera Group, which for the third year running claimed the top step of the podium in the sustainable finance category of the 2020 Integrated Governance Index, an authoritative model for analysing the degree to which ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) factors are integrated within a company's strategy. These factors, alongside the traditional business objectives the company pursues, address social and environmental and governance aspects. Once again, this award attests to the multiutility's competence and focus on sustainability as a factor that contributes to creating shared value not only for the company but above all for the communities and local areas it serves. The latter are both at the heart of the company's growth strategy and are priorities in defining its financial and investment actions. Sustainability at the heart of the multiutility's strategy The multiutility was the first company in Italy to issue a green bond, as early as 2014, followed by a second similar bond in 2019. Two years ago, furthermore, Hera launched its first sustainable revolving line of credit, introducing a bonus mechanism for reaching specific environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. These include, for example, further reducing the carbon footprint for energy production, attaining new energy efficiency targets, and improving separate waste collection. Moreover, the Hera Group provides public utility services to 4.4 million citizens: creating shared value and positive side-effects for the communities it serves is a duty and a priority. This is one of the reasons why, for some years now, the Group has decided to measure and publicly release, in its annual sustainability report, the portion of its EBITDA generated by businesses that meet the sustainability goals set out in the UN’s 2030 Agenda. This “shared value” EBITDArose to Euro 422.5 million in 2019, coming to 39% of its total EBITDA, and its new target is set at 42% for 2023, as defined in the Business Plan. The Integrated Governance Index The Integrated Governance Index (IGI) is the only project that quantitatively measures the degree to which ESG factors are integrated into a company’s management model (integrated governance). Developed by ETicaNews, with the scientific and legal support of associations and specialised advisors, this year marks the Index’s fifth edition. This year the businesses invited by IGI to participate included the top 100 listed companies in Italy, businesses that publish a non-financial statement, and the country’s top 50 non-listed companies, setting a record for the number of companies analysed. The 2020 Integrated Governance Index: Hera once again on the podium for sustainable finance 20200715_IGI_2020.1595590785.pdf 2020-05-13 Read more igi_870.1595590784-2.jpg For the third consecutive year, the multiutility took the number one spot in the survey area on the integration of ESG factors into the company's finance. A pioneer in this field with the launch of the first Italian green bond and the first sustainable revolving credit line, Hera has always considered sustainability to be at the heart of its business strategies Press release igi_110.1595590787-2.jpg
18/06/2020

Hera acquires an additional 2% of Ascopiave share capital

sede_hera_110 Today, Hera acquired 4,688,231 Ascopiave shares from A2A, equivalent to 2% of the share capital, for a price set at 3.905 euro per share and a total of roughly 18.3 million euro. The shareholding acquired, which arose out of a market opportunity, follows up on the similar transaction seen on 31 January 2020. In the present case as well, it was carried out jointly with Asco Holding, in order to reinforce the previously existing partnership with EstEnergy. sede_hera_870 2020-06-18 sede_hera_870.1592478679.jpg The operationd, which arose out of a market opportunity, follows up on the similar transaction seen on 31 January 2020 /-/hera-acquires-an-additional-2-of-ascopiave-share-capital-1 Press release sede_hera_110
22/05/2020

Questions about Door-to-door separate waste collection? Alexa answers with Il Rifiutologo

Alexa After 400,000 downloads, Il Rifiutologo App, created by the multiutility to help customers with separate waste collection, now enters a new phase and for the first time can talk. The App talks through Alexa, the artificial intelligence created by Amazon to give a voice to the smart devices that we all have now. You can now add Il Rifiutologo on your Alexa app, who acts as the “friend” you can ask for basic information about the waste collection service provided by Hera Group in your municipality. The features of the first version, that are already operational, allow Alexa to give you the door-to-door waste collection schedule for the week, and answer more specific questions, for example about a particular type of waste. How to download the App and how it works Activating Il Rifiutologo is fast and simple. Simply download and open Amazon’s Alexa app, access “Skills and games” on the menu in the top left hand corner and enter the words Il Rifiutologo. Otherwise, simply connect to the Amazon site by typing “Il Rifiutologo Skill” in the search bar on the web page. Once you have enabled the Skill, simply say, “Alexa, open Il Rifiutologo”. On the first access, the personal assistant will ask you for your address in order to access the information for the collection method of that particular area. Now enable the voice command and say "Alexa, ask Il Rifiutologo...”, followed by the information you need. Waiting for the next versions... And it doesn't end here, because the future releases will feature new developments. Gradually Alexa will become a real expert in separate waste collection, together with the other functions of Il Rifiutologo such as the most popular function, which associates each material to the correct waste collection method. In addition to the “Where do I throw it?” feature, which helps you improve the quality of you separate waste collection, other skills will be added, including notifications that anticipate your requests, reminding you, for example, when to put out specific waste for collection. Alexa 2018-05-17 Read more Alexa Hera Group continues to focus on innovation and digitalisation: Alexa - Amazon's artificial intelligence - now interacts with Il Rifiutologo, the multiutility’s App that helps citizens with separate waste collection. The door-to-door function, that reminds the user on what days different materials are collected in its municipality, is already active. More functions will be coming soon centrata Alexa
13/05/2020

Hera BoD approves 1Q 2020 results

1Q_2020_eng_110 Financial highlights Revenues at 2,055.8 million euro (+5.9%) Ebitda at 349.2 million euro (+5.6%) Net profit at 130.3 million euro (+0.5%) Net financial position at 3,229.1 million euro Operating highlights Good contribution to growth coming from main businesses, the energy and waste management sectors in particular Solid customers base in energy sectors, with a strong rise to 3.3 million customers, thanks to the recent partnership with Ascopiave A wide range of activities introduced to protect and sustain all stakeholders, first and foremost customers, with favourable conditions granted for paying bills Today, the Hera Group’s new Board of Directors, which came into office on 29 April 2020 and is chaired by Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, unanimously approved the Group’s consolidated operating results for the first quarter. Improvement was seen over the same period in 2019, thanks to the contribution coming from internal growth and M&As, which proved able to more than offset the effects of the mild winter temperatures and the health emergency that has struck the country. The financial solidity that has always marked this multi-utility saw further improvement during the quarter, and allowed many measures to be proactively introduced, quite early, when the emergency had not yet affected the areas served. These measures are aimed at ensuring not only continuity in the Group’s services, but also support and protection for all stakeholders, above all employees, suppliers and customers, for example in the favourable conditions granted for paying bills. In general, the results reached confirm the validity of the Group’s business model, which balances regulated and free market activities and, in line with the indications provided in the Business plan, promotes growth, sustainability and innovation, which have proven to be effective competitive levers in creating value for the areas served and all stakeholders. The main changes in the Group’s scope of operations compared to the first quarter of 2019 include the acquisition last May of Cosea Ambiente, the company that manages the urban and assimilated waste service owned by 20 municipalities in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine area, including a ten-year grant for managing the Cosea Consorzio landfill in Gaggio Montano; the acquisition in July of Pistoia Ambiente’s waste treatment plants in Tuscany; and, lastly, in December the finalisation of the partnership between Hera and Ascopiave, which acting through EstEnergy created the largest energy operator in North-Eastern Italy and at the same time led to a reorganisation of the two Groups’ gas distribution activities. Revenues reach over 2 billion euro In the first quarter of 2020, revenues amounted to 2,055.8 millioneuro, up compared to the 1,940.4 million seen in the same period of2019. This result was largely sustained by changes in the scope of operations, which more than offset lower revenues for electricity and gas trading, production and sales, heat management and district heating, as well as commissions in the water service. Revenues in the waste management sector increased. Ebitda rises to 349.2 million euro Ebitda went from 330.8 million euro in the first three months of 2019 to 349.2 millionat 31 March 2020, showing an 18.4 million(+5.6%) increase. This growth in Ebitda is due in particular to the performance seen in the energy areas, which were up by 17.2 million euro overall, mainly owing to the entry of the companies belonging to the EstEnergy Group, as well as the waste management area, while the water cycle area showed a slight drop. Operating result increases and pre-tax profit remains stable The net operating result also increased to 211.7 millioneuro at 31 March 2020, up compared to the 205.0 million seen at the same date in2019 (+3.3%). A 7.6 million euro change occurred in financial operationsat 31 March 2020, coming to 28.7 millioneuro, mainly due to the imputed costs involved in the put option concerning the amount held by Ascopiave and lower profits from joint ventures, mainly due to the consolidation of EstEnergy. Pre-tax profits came to 183.0 millioneuro, essentially in line with the 183.9 million seen in the first three months of2019. Net profit rises to 130.3 million (+0.5%) Net profit at 31 March 2020 increased to 130.3 millioneuro, up 0.5% over the 129.7 million seen one year earlier. Profits pertaining to Group Shareholders, instead, came to 124.4 millioneuro, with a slight increase compared to the 124.2 millionrecorded for the first quarter of2019. These results bear the effects of a28.8% tax rate, an improvement compared to the 29.5% seen one year earlier, thanks in particular to the Group’s commitment to making investments in technological and digital transformation, along the lines of Utility 4.0. Over 118 million in investments; net financial position improves Overall investments in the first three months of 2020 amounted to 118.6 millioneuro, as against 92.7 millionin the same period of the previous year, and mainly went towards interventions on plants, networks and infrastructures, in addition to investments concerning an intensive meter substitution and the purification and sewerage areas. Total investments also include financial investments coming to 27.2 million. Thanks to a positive cash flow generation, net financial debt, coming to 3,229.1 millioneuro, showed a roughly 45 millioneuro drop compared to December 2019. The Net debt/Ebitda ratio settled at 2.93x, confirming the Group’s financial solidity (2.44x excluding the EstEnergy put option). The average time to maturity of overall debt is more than 6 years. Profit & Loss (m €) 31/03/2020 Inc.% 31/03/2019 Inc.% Ch. Ch.% Sales 2,055.8 1,940.4 +115.4 +5.9% Other operating revenues 109.0 5.3% 121.0 6.2% (12.0) (9.9%) Raw material (1,035.4) (50.4%) (1,024.6) (52.8%) +10.8 +1.1% Services costs (627.2) (30.5%) (556.7) (28.7%) +70.5 +12.7% Other operating expenses (12.5) (0.6%) (13.1) (0.7%) (0.6) (4.6%) Personnel costs (147.3) (7.2%) (142.9) (7.4%) +4.4 +3.1% Capitalisations 6.8 0.3% 6.7 0.3% +0.1 +1.5% Ebitda 349.2 17.0% 330.8 17.0% +18.4 +5.6% Depreciation and provisions (137.5) (6.7%) (125.8) (6.5%) +11.7 +9.3% Ebit 211.7 10.3% 205.0 10.6% +6.7 +3.3% Financial inc./(exp.) (28.7) (1.4%) (21.1) (1.1%) +7.6 +36.1% Pre tax profit 183.0 8.9% 183.9 9.5% (0.9) (0.5%) Tax (52.7) (2.6%) (54.3) (2.8%) (1.6) (2.9%) Net profit 130.3 6.3% 129.7 6.7% +0.6 +0.5% Attributable to: Shareholders of the Parent Company 124.4 6.0% 124.2 6.4% +0.2 +0.2% Minority shareholders 5.9 0.3% 5.5 0.3% +0.4 +7.3% Balance Sheet (m €) 31/03/2020 Inc.% 31/12/2019 Inc.% Ch. Ch.% Net fixed assets 6,876.5 108.7% 6,846.3 108.9% +30.2 +0.4% Working capital 96.8 1.5% 87.0 1.4% +9.8 +11.3% (Provisions) (650.0) (10.3%) (649.1) (10.3%) (0.9) +0.1% Net invested capital 6,323.3 100.0% 6,284.2 100.0% +39.1 +0.6% Net equity 3,094.2 48.9% 3,010.0 47.9% +84.2 +2.8% Long term net financial debt 3,379.7 53.4% 3,383.4 53.8% (3.7) (0.1%) Short term net financial debt (150.6) (2.4%) (109.2) (1.7%) (41.4) +37.9% Net financial debts 3,229.1 51.1% 3,274.2 52.1% (45.1) (1.4%) Net invested capital 6,323.3 100.0% 6,284.2 100.0% +39.1 +0.6% Hera BoD approves 1Q 2020 results 2020-05-13 Read more 870x320_eng.1589362662.jpg The consolidated quarterly report at 31 March shows growth in results, thanks to the contribution coming from the Group's main business areas. Value continues to be created in the areas served, while Hera has proactively introduced numerous measures supporting stakeholders while facing the Covid-19 emergency currently affecting the country. /-/hera-bod-approves-q1-2020-results Press release 1Q_2020_eng_110
04/05/2020

Together to move forward. Hera Group's measures to protect against the Covid and to support the community

Together to move forward We have also activated a COVID-19 insurance policy for all employees of the Hera Group who are infected, bearing the corresponding cost. Insurance policy 2020-04-09 scudo.1584484923.png We are regularly providing most of our local services. We have also put special measures in place to protect the health of our customers and employees.We recommend using telephone and online contact channels, including the My Hera app. Families and businesses facing financial hardship are able to ask us for payment extensions and instalments on their bills sinistra Together to move forward
29/04/2020

Hera Shareholders Meeting: top executive management confirmed and 10 cent dividend approved

President_and_CEO_110 The ordinary and extraordinary sessions of the Hera Shareholders' Meeting were held in Bologna this morning. Following the resolutions approved, the Meeting appointed the members of the Board of Directors and the Board of Statutory Auditors for the next three years. Furthermore, the 2019 financial statements were approved, as was the ensuing payment of a dividend coming to 10 cents per share. Financial statements approved, with strong growth in results In the ordinary session, the Meeting approved the 2019 financial statements, whose results showed further improvement over the previous year, more than offsetting the significant impact of another partial reduction in incentives for waste to energy plants and lower margins from safeguarded customers. The partnership with Ascopiave, which was finalised in December 2019 and led to the creation of the main energy operator in North-Eastern Italy, will contribute to results as of the beginning of the current year. Go-ahead given to a 10 cent/share dividend payment The Meeting thus approved the Board of Directors' proposal to pay a 10 cent/share dividend, reflecting the intention previously announced in the Business plan. The coupon date has been set at 6 July 2020, with payment as of 8 July 2020. The overall 2019 return for Shareholders thus came to 50%, owing to the annual dividend approved and the increase in the value of Hera stock during 2019, sustained by results exceeding expectations and its inclusion in the FTSE MIB index. Further confirmation was thus given to the Group's commitment towards creating value for allstakeholders, with the Business plan calling for a transparent dividend policy, increasing to 12 cents in 2023. The sustainability report: shared value Ebitda at 422.5 million The 2019 sustainability report was also presented during the Meeting. This document shows that the Group's improvement in operating-financial results is accompanied by an increased creation of shared value and positive effects for the areas served, in the interests of local communities and, more generally, all stakeholders, in line with the United Nations' Global Goals. In particular, in 2019 the Hera Group's shared value Ebitda came to 422.5 million euro, accounting for 39% of overall Ebitda (+13% over the 375.2 million seen the previous year). This result perfectly reflects the projections included in the Business plan, which expects this figure to reach 42% in 2023. Appointment of the Board of Directors Furthermore, the members of the Board of Directors were chosen for the next three years (until the Shareholders Meeting called to approve the 2022 financial statements). The results of the vote led the following to be appointed: Majority list (representing Hera's public shareholders agreement): Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Stefano Venier, and the independent directors Gabriele Giacobazzi, Monica Mondardini, Fabio Bacchilega, Danilo Manfredi, Lorenzo Minganti, Manuela Cecilia Rescazzi, Marina Vignola, Alessandro Melcarne and Federica Seganti. Minority list: the independent directors Erwin Paul Walter Rauhe, Paola Gina Maria Schwizer, Alice Vatta, Bruno Tani. The CVs of the new directors are available on the webpage: Shareholder's meetings Appointment of the Board of Statutory Auditors As regards the Board of Statutory Auditors, the following were appointed: Majority list (representing Hera's public shareholders agreement): Marianna Girolomini, Antonio Gaiani (standing auditors), Valeria Bortolotti (alternate auditor). Minority list: Myriam Amato (Chairman), Stefano Gnocchi (alternate auditor). The CVs of the new auditors are available on the webpage: Shareholder's meetings Presence of women in the BoD and the Board of Statutory Auditors The composition of the corporate governance bodies fully respects the content of Law no. 160, 27 December 2019, effective as of 1 January 2020. Replacing the previous Law no. 120 (2011), this law raised the percentage of members from at least one third to two fifths as regards both administration and control bodies, and increased the period in which the new criterion for subdivision is valid to six consecutive mandates. The number of women in the Board of Directors comes to 6 members out of 15, and in the Board of Statutory Auditors comes to 1 standing auditor out of 3. As regards the Board of Statutory Auditors, Communication Consob no. 1 of 30 January 2020 clarified, in fact, that in appointing control bodies made up of three standing auditors, the amount required is to be rounded down to the nearest whole number. Chairman and CEO confirmed The inaugural meeting of Hera's new Board of Directors, appointed during the morning by the Shareholders Meeting, was held in the afternoon in Bologna. This body proceeded to appoint its Chairman, Vice Chairman and CEO. Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano was confirmed as Hera's Chairman, acting as executive administrator. Born in Brescia, he has been at the head of the Hera Group since its creation in 2002, after gaining considerable experience in the telecommunications and utilities sectors. Gabriele Giacobazzi was appointed as Hera's (non-executive) Vice Chairman. Born in Modena, he is the President of Italy's Association of Engineers and adjunct professor at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia's Faculty of Engineering. The offices he has previously held include President of the Politecnica cooperative, in the planning sector, and he has also chaired the Oice, the National association of planning organisations, affiliated with Confindustria. Stefano Venier was confirmed as CEO. Born in Udine and at Hera since 2004, in the past he held the office of General Director for Development and Market. Previously, Venier covered positions involving increasing responsibility in the Eni Group and within a leading international consulting firm, for which he acted as Vice Chairman for Energy & Utilities from 2002 to 2004. The confirmation of the Executive Chairman and the CEO bears witness to the continuity seen in the Group's governance, which is one of the Hera Group's main strong points. President_and_CEO_870 2020-04-29 Further Information Tomaso_Tommasi_di_Vignano_Stefano_Venier_870.1588159615.jpg The Group continues along its path of growth, creating value for shareholders and local areas. Continuity in governance, with the new Board of Directors confirming Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano as Executive Chairman and Stefano Venier as CEO /-/hera-shareholders-meeting-top-executive-management-confirmed-and-10-cent-dividend-approved-1 /group_eng/corporate-governance/shareholders-meetings /documents/1514726/4210686/Financial+results+as+of+31_12_2019.pdf/ca71a0b9-a147-d1af-4660-7e0a8c6f7b6b?t=1629971549137 /documents/1514726/4185885/Sustainability_report_2019_Highlights.1587713100.pdf/bdb93dd1-fef6-23cb-1d83-1b1d2daf7979?t=1595941322823 Press release Visit the section dedicated to the Shareholders' Meeting 2019 Financial Results 2019 Sustainability Report Highlights President_and_CEO_110
15/04/2020

Shareholders' Meeting 2020: find out how to participate

assemblea_soci_110 Due to the ongoing health emergency, the Hera Group Shareholders' Meeting, confirmed for 29 April, 2020, won't be held in the usual modalities. However, we have prepared all the instructions and procedures so that members can take advantage of the voting right. We therefore invite the shareholders to send their voting instructions, regarding each item on the agenda, to an Appointed representative, who will act on them during the Meeting. On this page, it's possible to find everything required to proceed in addition to a few tools intended to make the necessary procedures simpler to comprehend. We remind that this participation procedure demands earlier deadlines respect to the ones used in the past. assemblea_soci_870 /group_eng/corporate-governance/shareholders-meetings 2020-04-15 For further information assemblea_870x320_eng.1587045076.jpg Due to the health emergency, this year the Meeting won't be able to see the physical presence of the members. To take advantage of the voting right, all legitimate shareholders must send the proxy and the voting instructions to the Designated Representative as soon as possible. The deadline for submitting the form is Monday 27 April. /group_eng/corporate-governance/shareholders-meetings Find out how to participate assemblea_soci_110
09/04/2020

Hera Group's financial statement 2019 is online: check it out!

BE_2019_ENG_110 Just a few days after the approval of the financial results as at 31 December 2019, Hera Group's financial statement 2019 can today be consulted in full online. In just a few clicks, you can browse the various sections, read the comments of the Executive Chairman Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano and of the Chief Executive Officer Stefano Venier, and consult the data that bear witness to the work of all business areas. The graphic layout guarantees a simple and instant user experience, with numerous interactive graphs regarding the main economic indicators, benchmarks and the goals for 2023. It also enables users to compare the latest results with those of the previous year, and provides useful information for all stakeholders, for example about Stock market trends and relations with shareholders. Investor Case is a useful tool for those interested in investing into Hera, with data that provide a general overview ofbusiness, of growth factors and of the Group's sustainable approach, from the viewpoint of shared value. These two themes are precisely the focus that enriches the web version of the financial statements 2019. In fact, sustainability and shared value are the two pillars on which the Group strategy is built, combining economic and financial targets with environmental and social goals, in keeping with the objectives of the UNAgenda 2030. More specifically, five aspects of Group management are analysed in terms of sustainability: returns on investment, green finance, crisis management, payment system and proxy advisor management. The web version of the Financial statements 2019 is therefore the fruit of the commitment to absolutely transparent accounting, and details a year closed with improved performance, confirmation of a development programme now 17 years in progress. Development that continues to balance internal and external growth, with the achievement of major economies of scale and greater synergies, thanks to a multi-business strategy which has proved a winner over the years. BE_2019_ENG_870 https://eng.gruppohera.it/group/investor_relations/financial_results_presentations/be2019/ 2020-04-10 To find out more be_870x320_eng.1586514890.jpg The result of our commitment to reporting with transparency, the online version of the Financial Statements tells about 17 years of continuous growth, with the improvement of the main economic-financial and sustainability indicators /documents/1514726/4210686/Financial+results+as+of+31_12_2019.pdf/ca71a0b9-a147-d1af-4660-7e0a8c6f7b6b?t=1629971549137 /-/hera-group-approves-results-at-31-12-2019 Consult the version of performance Y2019 Go to the press release about performance Y2019 BE_2019_ENG_110
25/03/2020

The Hera Group approved the financial statement results

Financial results as at 31 December 2019 Turnover at 7,443.6 million euro (+12.3%) Ebitda at 1,085.1 million euro (+5.2%) Net profits at 402.0 million euro (+35.5%) Proposed dividends at 10 Euro cents per share The Hera Group closed 2019 with growing results, validated by the Board of Directors on 25 March and pending approval by the Shareholders' Meeting scheduled for the end of April. The partnership with Ascopiave, completed last December and responsible for the creation of the largest energy operator in the North-Eastern Italy, will be consolidated in the results of 2020. The Group’s path of development, in its 17 years of life, continues to combine internal and external growth, reaching significant economies of scale and increasing synergies, thanks to a multi-business industrial strategy that over time has proven to be a winning strategy for Hera, now Italy’s leading multi-utility by capitalisation. The improvement in operating-financial results goes hand in hand with the growing creation of shared value, which has long become the thermometer of the company's progress towards sustainability. Good contribution to growth coming from business areas, especially the gas, water and waste management sectors Positive results thanks to both internal and external growth Sharp rise in energy customers, which reach roughly 3.3 million thanks to the partnership with Ascopiave Sorted waste increases to an average of 64.6% across the areas served Improvement in all sustainability indicators, with shared value Ebitda growing to 422.5 million euro (+13%) “These results - commented the Executive Chairman Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano commented - demonstrate the merits of Hera’s multi-utility formula which, in a year made difficult by factors including a significant negative impact in the safeguarded customer segment, was able to deploy a wide range of development projects that guaranteed, quarter after quarter, positive growth in all activities. Our expectations were thus outperformed and, at the same time, our track record with 17 years of uninterrupted growth was confirmed, further improving our financial solidity in a year in which unprecedented efforts were seen in capital expenditures. In 2019, furthermore, two fundamental targets included in the business plan to 2022 were reached in advance: the finalised transaction with Ascopiave led the Hera Group to amply meet its objective of 3 million energy customers and, with our enlarged set of waste treatment plants, we were fully able to grasp the positive market trends seen as of 2019”. "The growth achieved with these results - added the CEO Stefano Venier - is also characterized by the creation of value. A value that continues to progress towards a greater sharing and in respect of 11 out of 17 fundamental goals defined by the UN. The progress made by this value shows that it is increasingly shared, respecting 11 out of the 17 fundamental goals defined by the UN. The Group’s risk profile, now more important than ever, continues to be extremely conservative, and has allowed the Group to continue expanding through a transaction, involving Ascopiave, that brought us among the highest-ranking companies in Italy for energy sales, only behind the two ex-incumbent energy groups. These are solid grounds, therefore, on which to rely in difficult moment, such as the one currently witnessed due to COVID-19, with respect to which we were able to activate, in a short period of time, all measures necessary to guarantee that our activities are not interrupted and health protection is provided for our employees and for all our stakeholders, along with proactive assistance for all our customers, whether households or companies”. Financial results as at 31 December 2019 2020-03-25 For further informations be_870x320_eng.1585142936 (1).jpg 17 years of continuous growth, with the improvement of the main economic-financial and sustainability measures. /-/hera-group-approves-results-at-31-12-2019 /group_eng/investors Press release Investor Relations Financial results as at 31 December 2019
04/03/2020

Legality and transparency: Hera has achieved ISO 37001 certification

Legality and transparency The sustainable growth of companies is often threatened by the risk of corruption. Thanks to the new UNI ISO 37001 standard, all companies and organizations have an additional tool to actively contribute to the fight against corruption. The directive, which is adhered to on a voluntary basis, provides for a certification issued only in the presence of certain characteristics. The Hera Group has obtained the important certification after a careful study conducted by company working groups on some areas of intervention. With the involvement of the company structures that operate on sensitive processes, it was possible to guarantee compliance with the requirements of the standard. As required by UNI ISO 37001, the Group has therefore defined a specific Anti-corruption Policy, a Training Plan and a Compliance Function coinciding with the Supervisory Body. We therefore continue in the wake already traced by the Code of Ethics, which contains the commitments and responsibilities that those who work at Hera assume in the context of every company activity and in the relationship with colleagues. The achievement of this certification further enhances the effectiveness of the tools already present in the multiutility to counter any cases of corruption, including the 231 Organization and Management Model which governs the liability of entities for administrative offenses resulting from a crime. "This important result - underlines the Internal Auditing Director of the Hera Group, Antonella Esposito - further strengthens the objectives of excellence that the Group has always pursued and targets the constant commitment of each employee in the prevention of corruption". Legality and transparency 2020-03-25 For further informations 870x320_C.1582791414.1599117168 (1).png It represents a further tool for the fight against corruption /group_eng/corporate-governance/internal-auditing Visit the web page dedicated to the Internal Auditing Department Legality and transparency
24/02/2020

Hera Group: protection measures against the coronavirus

All services are operating normally. In any event, customers are advised to prefer the use of phone and online contact methods, including the My Hera app With reference to protection measures against the coronavirus (COVID-2019), the Hera Group reports that all services managed in the country are operating normally, as are the emergency services. All local offices are open as normal, though customers are invited to give preference to contact by phone and online, visiting the branch offices only if necessary. For any matters to be processed, note that the toll-free Customer Service numbers operate from Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 22:00, Saturdays 08:00 to 18:00 (800.999500 for domestic utilities, 800.999700 for non-domestic utilities), whilst the online services and the My Hera app operate 24/7. As the multiutility's key assets are its personnel and their protection is a priority, additional protective measures have been implemented to limit the spread of the virus. In addition to the instructions to contact the number 1500 for all health-related information and 112 for healthcare assistance requests in the event of obvious symptoms, the company has disseminated Ministry of Health communications containing the conduct to adopt, posted on all noticeboards and on the company Intranet, and a dedicated e-mail address has been set up to which employees can write to obtain information and clarifications. As a precautionary measure, all cleaning activities at head offices and branches are being intensified. Employees who are pregnant or who suffer from immune depression, and anyone with breathing difficultiesor flu symptoms, even if mild, or who have come into contact with persons who could have contracted the virus, are invited to contact their GP to consider absence from work.Again as a precautionary measure, all employees are invited to reduce business travel to areas close to those affected by Authority measures, where possible giving preference to meetings via video-conferencing or phone links. Suppliers are invited to abide by these measures adopted by the company. 20200224_Hera_Group_protection_measures_against_the_coronavirus.1583164102.pdf 2020-02-24 All services are operating normally. In any event, customers are advised to prefer the use of phone and online contact methods, including the My Hera app Read more together_110.1588000544.png
31/01/2020

Hera acquires 2.5% of Ascopiave's share capital from Amber

sede_Hera_110 Hera acquires 2.5% of Ascopiave's share capital from Amber. The shareholding purchase operation, which arose from a market opportunity, was shared with Asco Holding. It further reinforces the partnership launched with the transaction finalised last December and will be followed by a similar transaction by Ascopiave. sede_Hera_870 20200131Hera_acquires_2.5_of_Ascopiave_s_share_capital.1580457785.pdf 2020-01-31 sedeHera_870.1580456290.jpg The operation arose from a market opportunity, shared with Asco Holding sede_Hera_110
31/01/2020

Hera among the contributors of the SDG Action Manager

SDG_Action_110 Hera is part of the international team which collaborated in the conception and design of SDG Action Manager, the tool launched on 29 January 2020 by the United Nations Global Compact and BLAB with the aim of involving all cultural and business sectors in the building a Common Global Agenda, to improve people's lives and save our planet. SDG Action Manager offers a transversal way, to every type of business, an opportunity to know, manage and directly improve sustainability performance. The tool brings together the characteristics of B Lab's B Impact Assessment, the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals UN agenda, and enables commercial activities to self-evaluate themselves in a dynamic way, arriving at a comparative analysis and a subsequent improvement. The international team also includes 2 other Italian companies, Enel and Chiesi Farmaceutici, also included, like the Hera Group, among 65 stakeholders who stand out for good industry practices: 30 business companies with competence in corporate sustainability and 36 bodies of the civil society, UN organizations and academia. SDG_Action_870 2020-01-31 Read more sdg_870.1580463032.jpg The tool provides all types of business an opportunity to learn about, manage, and directly improve their sustainability performance https://bcorporation.net/welcome-sdg-action-manager Visit B Corporation website SDG_Action_110
30/01/2020

The Hera Group is once again a Top Employer

TE_2020_110 Never change a winning team. On the contrary: invest in it, to make it bigger and stronger. The Hera Group knows this well, and continues to dedicate resources, attention and commitment to its 9,000 employees. All of this has been certified, for the eleventh consecutive time, by the Holland-based Top Employers Institute, which has been researching quality standards in people practices since 1991. Hera has once again been recognised for its strategy, focused on people, and its best practices in terms of welfare, workplace environment, development and training. Top Employers is one of the most prestigious awards in this area, internationally. The exacting process through which companies are selected and certified is based on data analyses and detailed assessments concerning: investments in training and development, welfare policies and on-boarding for new hires, careful planning of selection processes and career paths, strategies aimed at increasing talent, corporate culture and a constructive workplace. Attention towards human resources is a key part of the Hera Group's strategic management. After all, the rapid changes seen in its external context, with factors including the environment, society, markets and technology, call for businesses to become increasingly agile, geared towards continuous improvement and able to do business while pursuing goals that are in the common interest. The Group's organisational procedures themselves are highly innovative, based on getting all employees involved, so that they can give meaning to their concrete operations, in line with the company's purpose. In so doing, Hera relies on a few of the best practices that have distinguished it for some time. Most importantly, "Hextra", the integrated corporate welfare plan intended for all Group employees (with investments reaching 4.9 million euro in 2019), which is characterised by an amount of monetary resources that can be "customised" by each worker, based on their own needs, as well as the possibility of converting part of their bonus for results into further welfare benefits. In order to improve work quality and agility, offices and workplaces have been made increasingly comfortable, functional and collaborative. As early as 2017, smart working was introduced, which, after a trial phase that produced positive and significant results, now involves over 1,500 employees. The Group's commitment to guaranteeing equal opportunity, along with inclusion and diversity valorisation, remains constantly present, as is proved by its recent inclusion in the 2020 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index and the Refinitiv (priorly Thomson Reuters) "Diversity & Inclusion Index", which in 2019 saw Hera rank third in Italy and fourteenth worldwide, furthermore qualifying as the leading multi-utility overall. These are important results, considering that diversity and inclusion is an increasingly central issue for the international financial community, with investors becoming more interested in listed companies with excellent policies in this area. TE_2020_870 20200130_Top_Employers_2020.1580396096.pdf 2020-01-30 Read more top_employer_2019_870x320.1580396135.png The Group has been certified for the eleventh consecutive year, rewarding a strategic management that focuses on people and gets them involved in pursuing shared goals. Investments in welfare, training, diversity and innovation continue https://www.top-employers.com/en/ /group_eng/working-at-hera-group Visit Top Employers website Visit the "Working in Hera Group" web area Further Informations TE_2020_110
22/01/2020

Hera among the 10 Italian companies included in the "Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index"

ede_hera_110 The "Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index" (GEI) has included Hera, together with nine other important Italian companies such as Mediobanca, Snam, Acea, Enea, Intesa Sanpaolo and Unicredit, among the 325 most committed companies, globally, in the promotion of gender equality through the development of dedicated policies and projects and transparency in the dissemination of information. The index, presented as part of the World Economic Forum in Davos, in Switzerland, from 21 to 24 January 2020, assesses the financial performance of companies active in terms of equality, and measures their tangibility through five parameters: female leadership and talent enhancement, gender pay equality, inclusive culture, rigid harassment policy and corporate recognition for women. sede_hera_870 2020-01-22 Further informations Hera_870.1579685805.jpg The index, presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos, brings together the 325 companies globally most committed to promoting gender equality policies https://www.bloomberg.com/company/press/bloombergs-2020-gender-equality-index-expands-to-include-325-public-companies-globally/ Read the news ede_hera_110
20/01/2020

Hera Group promotes Circular View by Silvia Camporesi

Hera Group promotes Circular View by Silvia Camporesi Silvia Camporesi - BIOGRAPHY Silvia Camporesi was born in 1973 in Forlì. With a degree in philosophy, she uses the languages of photography and video to develop stories inspired by ancient myths, literature, religions and real life. In recent years her work has focused on the Italian landscape. Since 2004 she has held solo exhibitions in Italy - Dance dance dance at the MAR in Ravenna in 2007, Planasia at the European Photography Festival in Reggio Emilia in 2014, Genius Loci at the MAC in Lissone in 2017 - and abroad - À perte de vue at the Chambre Blanche in Quebec in 2011; 2112, Saint James Cavalier in Valletta in 2013; Atlas Italiae exhibited at the Abbaye de Neumünster in Luxembourg in 2015, and Art Musings in Mumbai in 2017 and Desfours Palace in Prague in 2018. Group exhibitions she has participated in include: Italian camera, Isola di San Servolo, Venice in 2005; Con gliocchi, con la testa, col cuore at MART in Rovereto in 2012; Italy inside out at Palazzo della Ragione, Milan in 2015; Extraordinary Visions at MAXXI in Rome in 2016 and at the Kolkata Centre in Kolkata in 2019, and The Quest of Happiness at Serlachius Museums in Mantta, Finland. In 2007 she won the Celestial Award for Photography; she was among the finalists of the Talent Prize in 2008 and the Terna Award in 2010; she won the Francesco Fabbri award for photography in 2013, the 2015 Artefiera Rotary Award, and the 2016 BNL Award. She has published five books: La Terza Venezia (Trolley, 2012); Journey to Armenia (Quaderni di Gente di Fotografia, 2014), Atlas Italiae (Peliti Associati, 2015), Il mondo è tutto ciò che accade (Danilo Montanari Editore, 2019) and Doppio sguardo (Contrasto Books, 2019). She complements her artistic work with teaching. Her works are present in public and private collections, among which: MAXXI, Rome; MART, Rovereto; BNL Group, Milan. Hera Group promotes Circular View by Silvia Camporesi 2019-07-23 870x500_eng.1579256714.jpg After the SCART exhibition in 2018 and the Gasometro M.A.N. n.3 exhibition by Carlo Valsecchi in 2019, the Hera Group promotes Circular View by Silvia Camporesi, curated by Carlo Sala, from 24 January to 24 February 2020 at Spazio Carbonesi, Bologna. Hera Group promotes Circular View by Silvia Camporesi
10/01/2020

Hera Group approves Business Plan to 2023

Business_plan_110 Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Hera Executive Chairman The goals set out in the Business plan we are presenting today are in line with our history: for 17 years, we have been growing uninterruptedly, creating value for the areas in which we operate and for all stakeholders, beginning with our shareholders. This value translates into concrete benefits, concerning for example the investments made in services and plants, which become assets of the area itself, and in the activities in which Hera involves citizens, institutions, workers, suppliers and members of the third sector, acting as an “enabler” for their own growth. Our Plan is able to rely on both a solid initial basis – with preliminary year-end results 3% higher than expected – and significant growth in 2020, sustained among other things by the transaction with Ascopiave, which will now begin to contribute to our results. Stefano Venier, Hera CEO Our Business plan’s orientations, just like the initiatives carried out by Hera in previous years, reflect our growing attention towards sustainable development, circular economy and decarbonisation. Within the Group, sustainability is built into our corporate strategies themselves: by 2023, 42% of Ebitda will involve “shared value”, that is, projects that respond to the goals contained in the Un Agenda. In this area, investments will come to over 950 million euro over the period covered by the Plan, of which 330 million to make our cities increasingly smart, thanks to innovation and technological evolution, or again projects promoting energy efficiency, recovery and reuse of materials, air quality and network resilience, in order to face climate change. What’s more, we are looking even farther into the future, with the objective of reducing the impact of our activities up to 2030, in all areas in which we operate. Preliminary results for 2019 show Ebitda at 1,081 million; a new Plan to accompany development Today, the Hera Group's Board of Directors, chaired by Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, approved the Business plan to 2023. The year-end projections confirm results exceeding expectations, due to both the highly positive results seen in the third quarter report at 30 September 2019, and the performances projected for the last quarter of the year. Ebitda is expected to reach roughly 1,081 million euro, up 4.85% compared to the 1,031.1 million seen in 2018, with the Net debt/Ebitda ratio settling at roughly 2.5, before including the financial impact of the Ascopiave transaction, which brings this indicator to roughly 3.05. The scenario: options for growth, along with a range of opportunities Even within a complex national economic scenario, marked by limited prospects for growth, Hera intends to continue along its path of development and maintain the resilience it has shown over time in this type of context. This will be achieved by relying on its noteworthy available asset portfolio, the skills of its employees, the diversified portfolio mix and the opportunities now emerging in its various business areas. The growing attention shown by European institutions towards promoting sustainable growth, with interventions such as the recent "A European Green Deal" program, will give further value to the goals already pursued by the Group in recent years, in terms of sustainability, innovation and circularity in its business management models. In regulated sectors, growth opportunities are linked to the reassignment of concessions through tenders and ongoing changes in Arera tariff regulation which, as of 2020, will be responsible for the waste management sector as well. In free market waste management activities, the persistent shortcomings in waste treatment plants on a national and European level sustains a positive trend in prices and demand, going to the advantage of operators provided with adequate infrastructures. As regards free market energy sales, over the period of time covered by the Plan, new yearly/two-year tenders for assigning last resort services are expected to be held and a process of liberalising protected electricity customers "maggior tutela" is expected to be gradually introduced. Growth, risk management and circular economy: the three pillars of the new Business plan In such context, Hera has defined its Plan to 2023 by elaborating marketing and industrial growth strategies based on an increasingly sustainable business model, making the most of the opportunities offered by new technologies and digital evolution. The new strategic document aims at leveraging upon the competitive advantages of its multi-utility portfolio: a wide service portfolio marked by a significant amount of regulated services; solidity in assets and finance; an ability to fund significant investments; a corporate environment and experience geared towards efficiency and innovation; and the investments constantly made in training its roughly 9,000 employees. In particular, the Group has set out its Plan to 2023 by following 3 strategic directives: industrial growth, risk management. Attention towards sustainability remains a fundamental aspect of the Group's strategy, reflecting the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda that concern the Group's activities (covering 11 of the UN's 17 SDGs): almost 3/4 of the growth expected over the period covered by the Plan will be sustained by projects that respond to this "call to action". Almost 2.9 billion euro in investments; solidity confirmed in assets and finance The new Business plan foresees investments coming to roughly 2.9 billion euro, of which roughly 2 billion will go towards maintenance of currently owned plants and 900 million in plant expansion. In particular, investments for internal plant development are expected to rise, now coming to 540 million, 120 more (+30%) than in the previous plan. The attention that Hera has shown over time to the solidity of its assets and its financial balance has allowed to include projects for expansion through M&As in its new strategic document, in addition to the ones already finalised over the previous year, including the partnership with Ascopiave. At the same time, space to manoeuvre remains, as does the flexibility required to grasp any additional opportunities for external growth in the upcoming years, not included in the current Plan. Leader in the waste management area, thanks to sorted waste, solutions for waste transportation and outstanding projects for a circular economy Increases are also expected for Ebitda in the waste management area, which will go from 252 million in 2018 to 307 in 2023, with 618 million in investments expected between 2019 and 2023. In this sector, the Group aims at confirming its commercial and technological leadership in the integrated waste cycle, thanks to its avant-garde set of plants which are in line with European best practices, which will be further developed in the years to come with the goal of increasing resource protection and maximising reuse. One example comes from biomethane production plants. The experience acquired from the Sant'Agata Bolognese (BO) plant - which transforms the organic portion of sorted waste into compost and biomethane which fuels buses, taxis and private vehicles - will lead new projects to be introduced in areas served by the Group, supporting the model of a circular economy. In particular, over the period covered by the Plan, the Voltana anaerobic digester, located in the area surrounding Ravenna, will also be partially reconverted to produce biomethane. Within 2023 the Hera Group furthermore expects an additional rise in sorted waste in the areas served, up from the 62.5% seen in 2018 to 75% in 2023. The Group's objective is to improve its quality as well, thanks to numerous campaigns designed to raise awareness and initiatives meant to get citizens involved. The circular model, indeed, in addition to the appropriate type of plants, also requires coherent individual and collective behaviour. A larger and better amount of sorted waste leads to further circular business opportunities. One example can be seen in the partnership between Hera and Eni intended to produce biofuel from waste oil brought by citizens, which is expected to be extended to other areas served by the Group, outside Emilia-Romagna, where the pilot project took place. 2020-01-09 Further informations Business plan to 2023 In light of the positive preliminary results for 2019, showing higher growth than expected in the previous Plan, and the M&A transactions carried out, the Group has presented its new five-year strategic document. This reflects its commitment towards further industrial development, sustained by investments, innovation and an eye to sustainability. Hera has confirmed its role as a "local multi-utility", capable of creating value for the areas in which it operates and for all stakeholders /-/hera-group-approves-business-plan-to-2023-1?inheritRedirect=true http://investornews.gruppohera.it/en/?n=179 /group_eng/investor-relations/hera-strategy/ Press release Newsletter: business plan to 2023 Strategy and Business Plan centrata Read more bp_2023_110x150.1578647530.png
19/12/2019

Partnership between Hera and Ascopiave now operational in the energy sales sector

GH-ASCOPIAVE_110 The Hera Group and Ascopiave S.p.a. have finalised the transaction that formalises, as of today, the birth of the largest operator in the energy sector in North-Eastern Italy, with over one million customers, while at the same time redefining gas distribution between the two partners. Today's closing, which follows up on the framework agreement signed on 30 July and the subsequent approvals granted by the appropriate authorities and bodies, involves an exchange of assets having an equal value between the Hera Group and Ascopiave, in energy sales on the one hand, and gas distribution on the other. The economic aspects of the transaction did not change with respect to what had been made public previously, except for adjustments in the closing date included in last July's framework agreement, and settlements defined for governance and management options for Ascopiave's shareholdings in EstEnergy and Hera Comm. This transaction is an important step along the evolution of the Hera Group and Ascopiave's business portfolios, and fully respects the orientations in development approved by their respective Boards of Directors. The Hera Group, indeed, will achieve the goal set out in its Business plan to 2022 in advance, reaching roughly 3.3 million customers in energy sales. Ascopiave, instead, will implement its own strategic repositioning plan, through a sales agreement with a leading figure and a consolidation of its own position in the core business of gas distribution. As regards energy sales, EstEnergy will manage commercial activities in the Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Lombardy regions, with over one million customers (including roughly 795,000 gas contracts and roughly 265,000 electricity contracts). More specifically, the new company, whose value before the transaction came to 191.7 million euro, now includes the sales companies of the Ascopiave Group (Ascotrade S.p.a., Ascopiave Energie S.p.a. and Blue Meta S.p.a. as well as the joint ventures Asm Set S.r.l. and Etra Energia S.r.l.) and a shareholding in Sinergie Italiane S.r.l., for an overall value of 474.2 million euro, as well as those of the Hera Group (Hera Comm Nord-Est S.r.l), whose value comes to 159.0 million euro. The Hera Group holds 52% of the share capital of the new EstEnergy, while 48% is held by Ascopiave (which purchased this amount for a price of 395.9 million euro, based on the total equity value of EstEnergy, equivalent to 824.9 million euro). The Board of Directors is made up of 5 members, 3 appointed by Hera and 2 by Ascopiave, in line with the Shareholders Agreement signed today. The members, appointed today, are, for the Hera Group: Stefano Venier, CEO of the Hera Group; Cristian Fabbri, Group Market Manager and CEO of Hera Comm, who will also act as CEO of the new EstEnergy; Isabella Malagoli, Director of Sales and Marketing at Hera Comm. Ascopiave's members are: Giovanni Zoppas, CEO of Thelios, who will also act as Chairman, and Nicola Cecconato, Chairman and CEO of Ascopiave Group. As regards the reorganisation of gas distribution, Ascopiave purchased from the Hera Group, for a price set at 168 million euro, an area of concessions comprising roughly 188,000 users in the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions, which as of 31 December 2019 will come together in the newly created company named AP Reti Gas Nord-Est. Thanks to this transaction, the Ascopiave Group will manage roughly 775,000 users and a network with a total length of over 12,000 Km, thus consolidating its position in the national ranking. Lastly, as indicated in the agreement signed in late July, 3% of the share capital of Hera Comm was purchased by Ascopiave today, for a price of 54 million euro. Furthermore, Chairman and CEO Nicola Cecconato was appointed in the company's Board of Directors. Furthermore, as part of the overall redefinition of energy sales activities, Hera Comm directly acquired 100% of the share capital of Amgas Blu, a company entirely held by Ascopiave, which operates in the province of Foggia and has roughly 50,000 customers, for a price of 42.5 million euro. GH-ASCOPIAVE_870 20191219_closing_Gruppo_Hera_e_Ascopiave_eng_final.1576776341.pdf 2019-12-19 hera_ascopiave_870.1576776340.jpg The transaction between the two companies, finalised today, marks the birth, through EstEnergy, of the largest energy operator in North-Eastern Italy, whose BoD was also appointed. Ascopiave acquires new assets in gas distribution, reinforcing its position in the sector and reaching 775,000 users served. The Hera Group now has roughly 3.3 million energy customers overall Read more GH-ASCOPIAVE_110
12/12/2019

The Hera Group is a "champion" in energy efficiency

FIRE_prize_110 The Hera Group has been recognized among the Italian companies most capable of promoting the rational use of energy. This was decided by the highest national body in the sector: the FIRE (Italian Federation for the Rational Use of Energy), which for the past three years has established the FIRE - Energy Manager Award. The Hera Group has now participated for the first time and immediately took the podium, thus obtaining an important recognition, on an equal footing with two other Italian companies, active in the civil and tertiary sectors. The award ceremony took place on 11th December 2019 in Milan, during the Enermanagement XII, a conference dedicated to energy management, resource management and the core business, at the end of a round table in which Hera Group experts also participated. The award assigned to the Hera Group is of great value, as it recognizes the attention and commitment that the company has always placed in the efficient use of energy in all its activities, starting with the overall goal of reducing its own energy consumption of 5% by 2020, with a saving of over 8 million euro compared to 2013 energy expenditure. FIRE_prize_870 20191212_FIRE_prize_press_release.1576150016.pdf 2019-12-12 Further informations 374AD479_008F_4660_8E5F_7F9B04C4C001.1576150015.jpeg The multi-utility received the FIRE - Energy Manager 2019 award, one of the most coveted awards in the sector at national level. The prize was awarded based on the activities carried out internally within the company to promote the rational use of energy /group_eng/sustainability/thematic-reports/value-to-energy Examine the report "Value to energy" Read more FIRE_prize_110

Pre-Footer Standard

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