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21/01/2026
The Hera Group presents its Business Plan to 2029

Development, resource regeneration, carbon neutrality, resilience, and the creation of shared value for all stakeholders are reconfirmed as the strategic axes underpinning the new Plan

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BUSINESS PLAN TO 2029

  • Gross five-year investments of 5.5 billion euros
  • 9.3% return on net invested capital
  • EBITDA growth to 1.76 billion euros
  • Net profit for Shareholders at 519 million euros, a structural increase* averaging around 6% per year
  • Dividend rises 27% (up to 19 eurocents per share)
  • Net debt/EBITDA steadily below 3x over the plan period, expected at 2.6x in 2029


BUSINESS AND SUSTAINABILITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Maintaining a balanced portfolio of regulated and free-market activities, capable of generating resilient results, and the ability to seize emerging opportunities
  • 2.9 billion euros in investments aligned with the European Taxonomy for sustainable investments (95% of those eligible)
  • Shared value operating investments amounting to 77% of the entire five-year plan
  • 30% increase over the plan period in shared value EBITDA (CSV), which reaches 68% of the EBITDA in 2029
  • 35% reduction in total CO2 emissions by 2029 (compared to 2019) to reach Net Zero by 2050
  • With reference to total investments, 48% will contribute to increasing the resilience of infrastructures, 35% will be allocated to resource regeneration projects and 24% to pursuing carbon neutrality objectives, while 26% will be directed to digitisation and innovation, to achieve the Group's environmental, social and economic objectives
  • Over 11.5 billion euros in economic value distributed over the five-year period 2025-2029 to stakeholders in the areas in which the Group operates


HIGHLIGHTS OF 2025 PRELIMINARY RESULTS

  • EBITDA over 1.53 billion euros
  • Net profit for Shareholders exceeding 460 million euros, up 4%
  • Net debt/EBITDA ratio less than 2.6x
  • Expected dividend of 16 eurocents (+6.7% compared to 2024), higher than expected in the previous Plan

The Hera Group’s Board of Directors, chaired by Executive Chairman Cristian Fabbri, has reviewed the 2025 preliminary results and approved the Business Plan to 2029.
 

Cristian Fabbri, Executive Chairman of Hera Group:

“The new Business Plan confirms our commitment to creating value for all stakeholders. The 5.5 billion euros investment plan, up by around 40% compared to the last five years, supports, also through innovation, sustainable industrial development and the increased resilience of our infrastructures and will allow us to target an EBITDA of 1.76 billion euros by 2029. The improvement in the objectives of the new Business Plan and the positive economic and financial forecasts for the 2025 results allow us to revise the dividend policy upwards by proposing an increase of approximately 7% already from the next dividend, up to 27% in 2029 with a dividend of 19 eurocents per share. The economic value distributed over the 5 years to stakeholders in the areas in which we operate and the contribution of sustainable activities to the Group's EBITDA, which will reach 68%, are also growing to 11.5 billion euros.”

 

Orazio Iacono, CEO of the Hera Group:

"We expect to close 2025 with an EBITDA of more than 1.53 billion euros and a profit attributable to shareholders of more than 0.46 billion euros. Results supported by the growth of all businesses in the portfolio, despite the absence of temporary opportunities that had been seized in 2024. This performance made it possible to finance an increase in capital expenditures while maintaining a net debt/EBITDA ratio of less than 2.6x. This financial flexibility allows us to support investments in the green transition and industrial development. The capital expenditures, earmarked for both regulated and liberalised businesses, will fuel organic growth and will be financed by strong cash generation, which will allow us to maintain a financial leverage in 2029 in line with that of the expected closure in 2025, reconfirming financial soundness and creating additional flexibility to be able to seize future new opportunities".


BUSINESS PLAN TO 2029
Development, resource regeneration, carbon neutrality, resilience and the creation of tangible and sustainable value for the benefit of all stakeholders are reconfirmed as the strategic axes of the new Plan, which also leverages innovation and digitalisation to support the achievement of the Group’s environmental, social and economic objectives. The increasing investments planned over the five-year period, mainly earmarked for development, will also make it possible to further strengthen the assets managed, also to cope with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events related to climate change.

Value creation with the aim of reaching 1.76 billion euros of EBITDA by 2029 with a net profit attributable to Shareholders growing to approximately 520 million euros
The Plan's projects promote structural growth of approximately 350 million euros with an average annual growth rate of around 5%. This growth more than offsets the loss of approximately 180 million euros in non-recurring business opportunities (compared to 2024) and achieves a total EBITDA of 1,760 million euros by 2029, up by 60 million euros compared to the previous Plan target for 2028.
Organic development, which contributes approximately 250 million euros, is the main lever and is fuelled by the development capex plan, both in regulated and liberalised businesses, by commercial development and by the continuous search for efficiencies. Organic growth is also supported by innovative technologies and plant solutions and the use of artificial intelligence.

Focus on sustainable development with a constant growth of shared-value EBITDA, equal to 68% of total EBITDA
The Hera Group has planned initiatives with adequate profitability, consistent with the economic and financial balance and which, in parallel, guarantee to amplify the creation of sustainable value.
Keeping the focus on decarbonisation, circular economy, resilience and innovation, an important evolution of the EBITDA at shared value is expected, which in 2029 will reach 68% of the Group's EBITDA. Over the five-year period, the shared-value EBITDA will increase by 30%, reflecting the growing weight of initiatives that, in addition to contributing to the development of the company, are in line with the objectives of the UN Agenda and with the development of the territory and communities.

Gross investments of 5.5 billion euros with an expected leverage of 2.6x in 2029
During the period 2025-2029, the Business Plan foresees gross investments of 5.5 billion euros, a financial commitment 6% higher than the previous strategic document and 39% higher than the total resources invested in the last 5 years. In addition to the 5 billion euros of investments directly financed by the Hera Group, there are almost 500 million euros of contributions from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) resources and other institutions (PNIISSI, FONI, etc.).
Regulated businesses will absorb 63% of the investment plan (with 3.1 billion allocated to networks, which are confirmed as the most capital-intensive business), while the remaining 37% will fuel the growth of liberalised businesses. Most of the investments (55% or 3 billion) will be for development, while the remaining 2.5 billion will be for maintenance.
 

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Asset Publisher

21/01/2026

The Hera Group presents its Business Plan to 2029

Development, resource regeneration, carbon neutrality, resilience, and the creation of shared value for all stakeholders are reconfirmed as the strategic axes underpinning the new Plan

19/01/2026

Hera Group acquires Sostelia and becomes Italy’s leading player in water treatment

With this integration, the multiutility further strengthens its positioning also in the industrial and civil water treatment sector

15/01/2026

Hera remains a Top Employer: people, skills and innovation to drive the Group’s strategy

For the seventeenth consecutive year, we are confirmed among the leading organisations for human resources management

12/11/2025

Hera Group: BoD approves results for 3Q 2025

The first nine months of the year closed with strong growth in revenue and investments, and with all key operating and financial indicators positive, in line with the first two quarters and the targets set out in the Business Plan

13/10/2025

We’re in the global Top 10 of the Diversity & Inclusion Index - No. 1 among Italian companies

For the tenth consecutive year, we are ranked among the 100 most inclusive companies worldwide

30/07/2025

Hera Group approves results for 1H 2025

The consolidated half-year report at 30 June shows increased net profit and capital expenditures, in line with corporate strategies and the targets contained in the Business plan

22/07/2025

Hera Group acquires Ambiente Energia

This transaction further expands the offer of waste recovery and treatment services to companies in one of the most dynamic areas of the country

17/07/2025

Hera Group: excellent quality of water service confirmed

The results of the incentive mechanism for the integrated water service for the two-year period 2022-2023, recently published by ARERA, show Hera among the top positions in the Italian ranking for both asset and service quality 

14/07/2025

Hera Group on CDP’s «Climate A list»

The recognition awarded by this independent international organisation bears witness to Hera’s concrete commitment to transparency in environmental reporting and to combating climate change

02/07/2025

Herambiente S.p.A. acquires 100% of Aliplast S.p.A.

The Hera Group company concludes its integration of this European leader in recycled plastic, which began in 2017, by purchasing the remaining 20% of the company from Rogroup S.r.l

Search Results

22/10/2020

Beware of fraudulent job offers

It has come to the Hera Group’s attention that individuals misrepresenting themselves as Hera Group’ recruiters and managers have contacted people in order to conduct interviews and offer them fraudulent job opportunities within the Hera Group It has recently come to the Hera Group’s attention that individuals misrepresenting themselves as Hera Group’s recruiters and managers have contacted people in order to conduct interviews and offer them fraudulent job opportunities within the Hera Group. According to what the victims reported, applicants are invited to conduct an interview using an instant messaging application (e.g. Telegram). After being interviewed, victims are offered jobs, usually in a work-at-home mode, may be required to provide personal or financial data and, in certain cases, to pay upfront for related costs such as job training. Also, false recruiters are using fake email addresses that are not associated with the Hera Group but can look similar (such as “@gruppoherausa.com”). Please be advised that the said interviews/job offers are completely false and are not connected with the Hera Group in any way. The Hera Group DO NOT select personnel through text messaging or e-mail communication alone and NEVER, under any circumstances, request payments of any kind in order for applicants to secure a job. The existing legitimate job opportunities within the Hera Group are available at eng.gruppohera.it under section “Working at Hera Group” - “Available Positions”. If you receive a similar request for an interview/a job offer: DO NOT reply; DO NOT send money; DO NOT disclose personal or financial information; Timely report what happened to the competent authorities; Please keep us informed by writing toinfo@gruppohera.it. We take this matter very seriously and we hope that publishing this information could prevent these scams. We have already reported the facts to the competent authorityseeking the identification and punishment of the impostors. Sede Hera Sede Hera Read more Sede Hera Sede Hera 2019-07-18
30/09/2020

With commitment and effort from all, the top international sports events can take place in complete safety

Hundreds of millions of viewers, 2,303 accredited from 70 countries: the numbers of the 2020 UCI World Championship in Imola, the fastest in history One such venture has been completed in just twenty days by Regione Emilia-Romagna, APT Servizi Emilia-Romagna, FCI (Italian Cycling Federation), Comitato Organizzatore di Imola2020 (Imola2020 Organising Committee), Enzo e Dino Ferrari Race Circuit of Imola, supported with coordination by CON.AMI and the main sponsor Hera Group. With 2,303 accredited visitors arriving from 70 countries for these World Championships - including teams, staff, professionals and volunteers, authorised personnel and media (200 official journalists from 20 countries) - Italy and the Emilia Romagna region have skilfully demonstrated how it is possible to stage major international sports events in complete safety, despite Covid-19 and the relevant measures imposed to protect public health. As well as the memorable sporting achievements by top athletes and wonderful landscapes featuring the Emilia-Romagna gullies, the 2020 UCI World Cycling Championships of Imola-Emilia Romagna revealed new scenes to hundreds of thousands of TV viewers. “We are very proud of being part of the team that managed to pull off this amazing feat”, commented Hera Group's Executive Chairman, Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, “and thanks to which the region has received a huge benefit in terms of image and reputation. And we pay our compliments to the champions whose efforts won them the rainbow shirts. The roads on which the race takes place are the very same roads we travel every day to provide our services to citizens and businesses, being fully aware of how important they are for the community, and providing our services with great commitment and dedication. Also on this occasion, we believe we have done a good job, increasing our services to welcome and promote this important event to the best of our abilities.” top international sports events top international sports events Read more /-/hera-group-s-sustainable-energy-at-the-world-cycling-championships Read news stories dedicated to Hera Group’s sponsorship and the races in the World Cycling Championships top international sports events top international sports events 2019-07-18
23/09/2020

Hera Group's sustainable energy at the World Cycling Championships

The multiutility will be present at the Imola Race Circuit with a space dedicated to e-mobility. The environmental services have been improved to ensure the sustainability of the event Bike mobility is the most sustainable type of mobility and the Hera Group fully supports it as main sponsor of the World Road Cycling Championships that are to be held in Imola from 24 to 27 September 2020. But the multiutility has developed numerous sustainable mobility projects ranging from charging points for private and company vehicles, to vehicles that travel with biomethane produced from the separate collection of organic waste by citizens, and even garbage collection trucks powered by the vegetable oils collected in the area in which they operate. These are examples that bear witness to a vision of mobilitythat often goes hand in hand with the concept of circular economy, creating virtuous circuits. Try the E-Bike in the Hera area and find out more about e-charging During the World Cycling Championships, the multiutility will be present at the Enzo e Dino Ferrari Race Circuit, where the races start and finish, with an exhibition space to help the public better understand e-mobility through Hera’s products. In the exhibition area, visitors can try the E-Bikes Hera offers, through its business partnerships, and find out more about the electricity and gas deals and its range of e-mobility products. An initiative that has attracted great interest from customers in recent months. It will be possible to cycle electrically, thanks to the bikes distributed, among others, by a company of Castel San Pietro Terme. Hera’s charging points will also be on display in the exhibition area. The environmental services have been improved to ensure the sustainability of the event For the World Cycling Championships, together with the Administration of Imola, Hera has also improved the waste collection and cleaning services along the race routes to keep the city clean and ensure the sustainability of the event. In particular, specific cleaning operations have been planned along the routes of the time trial races and mass start events: sweeping with a driven sweeper and by an operator before the races and manual cleaning, before and after each race (even in the area around the circuit), collecting waste that has been abandoned or thrown on the ground and cleaning out dumpsters. At Imola, in the Circuit area, dumpsters will be unlocked for use by the public that attends the race. From 24 to 27 September, the times of certain waste collection services will differ, due to traffic restrictions. On 24 and 25 September these changes will also be applied in the municipalities of Borgo Tossignano and Casalfiumanese through which the time trial race route passes. Even in Riolo Terme, where the mass start events will be held on 26 and 27 September, as agreed with the municipal administration, Hera has improved the cleaning services before and after the races along the race route roads and in the neighbouring areas, also collecting waste that may be abandoned or thrown on the ground. The times of the dumpster emptying service will change, and door-to-door collection of paper and cardboard on Saturday will also be brought forward. After the World Championships, the roadside along the race route will be cleaned. “This is the first time that our Group has sponsored a high-level sporting event of this kind - said Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Executive Chairman of the Hera Group - and we are proud that it will be held in one of the territories that made it possible to found this company and, in a setting, that of the race circuit, that will undoubtedly highlight its importance. The roads on which the race take place are the very same roads we travel every day to provide our services to citizens and businesses, being fully aware of how important they are for the community, and providing our services with great commitment and dedication, with the same effort that these great champions will put into tackling gruelling climbs, giving us an incredible show of perseverance. Much of what we do is invisible, but we try to do our work in the best possible way and on this occasion too we will be at work, as always, every day, improving the services to host the many cycling fans, and helping to make this important event sustainable.” World Road Cycling Championships World Road Cycling Championships Read more https://imola-er2020.it/en/homepage-english/ Visit the official website https://youtu.be/NxOjs3EhhXY Watch the new video Press release Hera Group's sustainable energy at the World Cycling Championships World Road Cycling Championships World Road Cycling Championships 2019-07-18
17/09/2020

Fruttagel opts for the Hera Group's multiservice proposal, built around a circular economy

The two companies have signed the Hera Business Solution protocol for managing integrated waste, drinking water, purification and energy efficiency enhancement services. This multiservice proposal is offered to large companies who wish to reach goals in sustainability, which are measurable and increasingly demanding in various areas, making the most of the skills provided by a single partner Circular economy and sustainability are at the heart of the Hera Business Solution protocol, signed today by the Hera Group and Fruttagel, a national leader in the food sector, specialised in the industrial transformation of fresh fruit and vegetables, cereals and beans. Thanks to the Hera Business Solution, a multiservice offer conceived for large companies, the Hera Group will lend its companies’ experience to Fruttagel. The support provided will allow the latter to meet rising and increasingly challenging goals in circularity along its entire production chain, broadening the range of services already provided by the Group and thus allowing it to count on the benefits ensuing from dealing with a single partner. Circular economy, indeed, is a concept often associated only with the waste treatment sector, while actually covering all areas and therefore also concerning the responsible and efficient use of water and energy. Circular economy across the board with Hera Business Solution The Hera Business Solution protocol signed by Hera and Fruttagel is a valid example of an agreement between different sectors of production that aims at providing solutions for both environmental and production issues, fully deserving a place within the circular economy circuit. This collaboration is part of a process already underway with Fruttagel, that uses a few services offered by the Hera Group, for example managing waste, with plans to reduce it and global service solutions to maximise recovery, and the purification plant; supplying drinking water; selling energy and web tools to analyse and manage energy consumption and evaluate its effects; offering data connectivity, internet and data centre services. Now that the Hera Business Solution protocol has been signed, the multi-utility will launch a phase of consulting to draft a monitoring model that covers all Fruttagel’s activities and provides support in reaching environmental sustainability goals in terms of raising consumption efficiency, improving environmental performances and reducing energy and environmental impact. The bar set for these goals will become even higher, owing to the broader range of coordinated services provided by the Hera Group. With the Hera Business Solution, the Hera Group is indeed available as a partner for large industrial groups, with an overall proposal consisting of integrated energy and environmental solutions, sustainable and well-defined for single businesses, taking their own complexity into account. The goal is to set out new opportunities for growth, working alongside companies, to reduce as much as possible costs for the community, the environment and future generations. All of this will involve regenerating natural resources, lengthening the useful life of goods and resources and developing skills for an efficient use of raw materials. The Circular Economy Report, to describe and measure sustainability Measuring and reporting are ever more crucial to remain competitive on the market, in reputational terms as well. In order to present results or previously launched sustainability projects, the Hera Group will lend Fruttagel its consolidated experience in this field, designing and drafting along with this company a report on the sustainability performance reached. The report will be constructed by including indicators concerning the main services acquired/provided, for example recovery in waste managed, greenhouse gasses avoided, renewable energy used and the primary energy saved thanks to efficiency interventions and cogeneration plants. Through these numbers, it will be possible to better analyse these processes and their impact, introduce plans for improvement and transparently report to stakeholders. Firma_accordo_Fruttagel_870.1600351273.jpg Firma accordo Fruttagel Read more Press release Hera Fruttagel Firma accordo Fruttagel Firma accordo Fruttagel 2019-07-18
16/09/2020

Diversity & Inclusion: Hera is 12th among the world's best companies

The Hera Group continues to rise in Refinitiv’s international ranking, the “Diversity & Inclusion Index”, a reference point for investors who look with interest towards the businesses committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and people development This year as well, the “Diversity & Inclusion Index” confirms the Hera Group’s presence among the world’s 25 most interesting companiesfor investors inclined towards companies committed to guaranteeing diversity and inclusion. In the 2020 edition, which examined a broader range of listed companies coming to over 9,000 worldwide, Hera’s score of 77 points made it the second company in Italy and 12th in the world, further improving its position (after ranking 14th in 2019). The Group was furthermore confirmed as the leading multi-utility globally. The “Diversity & Inclusion Index” was conceived and is carried out by the international financial information giant Refinitiv (formerly Thomson Reuters), which analyses corporate performance based on a range of ESG (environmental, social and governance) factors. It mainly focuses on four areas: diversity, inclusion, people development and controversies published in the media. These recognitions prove that our company’s attention towards these issues have made it a pioneer, nationally and internationally. As early as 2009, indeed, our multi-utility signed the Charter for equal opportunity and equality on the workplace, and in 2011 it introduced a Diversity Manager who, supported by a team of employees coming from various areas and companies belonging to the Group, is responsible for planning projects that reflect the company’s policy in valorising diversity, equal opportunity and equality on the workplace. Refinitiv_870.1600240517.png Refinitiv Read more /group_eng/working-at-hera-group/why-work-at-hera/diversity-inclusion Hera's investments in sustainability, diversity and inclusion Press release Hera in DI Index 2020 Refinitiv_110 Refinitiv_110 2019-07-18
11/09/2020

Hera Group is main sponsor of the next Cycling World Championships, which will be held in Imola

From 24 to 27 September, the multiutility will be alongside Emilia-Romagna Region, APT Servizi Emilia-Romagna, FCI and the Imola2020 Organizing Committee The UCI Road World Championships are returning to Italy seven years after the 2013 edition in Florence, Tuscany. The Emilia-Romagna Region, the APT Servizi Emilia-Romagna Tourism Bureau, the FCI (Italian Cycling Federation) and the Imola2020 Organizing Committee, that together with the Main Sponsor Hera Group, have taken on the major challenge of organizing this international event for Elite Men and Women in what is a particularly difficult year. From four quality bid files received, The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) chose that prepared by the Imola 2020 Committee thanks to a road race course that is as spectacular, tough and demanding, and state-of-the-art facilities offering essential required space to comply with the current laws and rules to ensure maximum safety during the current pandemic. From the 24th to the 27th September 2020 the UCI Road World Championships for Elite riders will have its headquarters at Imola’s Enzo e Dino Ferrari Racetrack, a venue that epitomizes Italy’s place in the history of worldwide sport. This premium facility, highlights the excellence of Emilia-Romagna and Italy. “The territory that our company takes care of day in and day out - says Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Executive President of Hera Group - has strong historical and emotional ties with cycling. Therefore, a rendezvous such as the World Cycling Championships has instantly lit up our enthusiasm. We are particularly happy that we will not only be sustaining this effort to the best of our ability but also through our services that will accompany the event to guarantee its sustainability and to help handle the fan flow efficiently. After all”, says Mr. Tommasi, “the pedals of these bikes remind us of the great effort invested by so many champions and are a source of inspiration for those, such as Hera, who strive to constantly propose something new and better, to continue to improve with time and aim for new goals, in the interest above all of the communities served”. “Coming back to Italy with the UCI Road World Championships - emphasizees the UCI President, David Lappartient - is a strong message for cycling and for the country and its people who suffered so much from Covid-19 in the early months of the pandemic. Imola and Emilia-Romagna will provide an extraordinary backdrop for our event that will reveal the best men and women riders in the world on selective courses. Our thoughts go out to Aigle and Martigny in Switzerland who have worked tirelessly for two years and thank you to Italy for accepting the challenge of organising these Championships in such a short time.” Hera Group is main sponsor of the next Cycling World Championships Hera Group is main sponsor of the next Cycling World Championships Read more https://www.uci.org/road/events/uci-road-world-championships Visit the UCI's website Hera Group is main sponsor of the next Cycling World Championships Hera Group is main sponsor of the next Cycling World Championships 2020-05-13
29/07/2020

Hera BoD approves 1H 2020 results

Although feeling the impact of the Coronavirus emergency, the half-year report shows operating-financial indicators rising, thanks to increased efficiency achieved in the Group’s various business areas and the recently enlarged scope of operations. Financial highlights Revenues at 3,402.3 million euro (+0.9%) Ebitda at 559.7 million (+2.5%) Net profit at 174.9 million (+0.6%) Net financial position improves to 3,083.6 million Operating highlights Good contribution coming from both internal growth and the recently enlarged scope of operations, which more than offset the negative effects of the nationwide emergency Further activities introduced to support all stakeholders Solid customer base in energy sectors, with customers increasing sharply to 3.3 million thanks to the recent Ascopiave partnership Today, the Hera Group’s Board of Directors, chaired by Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, unanimously approved the consolidated operating results for the first half of 2020. The positive trend shown by our multi-utility was confirmed, with main operating-financial indicators improving, in spite of a few inevitable negative impacts caused by the health emergency that broke out across the country. In general, the good results reached confirm once again the Group’s valid business model, which balances regulated and free-market activities, along with internal and external growth, creating value for the areas served. Relying on its own financial solidity, Hera continued to proactively introduce, in the second quarter as well, a range of measures aimed at guaranteeing service continuity even while the emergency was still fully underway. Furthermore, support and protection were ensured for all main stakeholders, first and foremost employees, suppliers and customers, through means including favourable conditions for bill payments. Among the major changes in the Group’s scope of operations compared to the first half of 2019, note the acquisition in July of the waste treatment plants belonging to Pistoia Ambiente in Tuscany and, in December, the closing of the partnership between Hera and Ascopiave. This latter transaction led, through EstEnergy, to the birth of the largest energy operator in North-Eastern Italy while at the same time redistributing the respective activities in gas distribution. In recent weeks, lastly, Hera stock was included in the FTSE4Good Index Series, a set of ethical indices conceived by FTSE Russell to bring together the best companies who, around the world, are actively committed to sustainable development. This important recognition came just over one year after Hera was listed on the FTSE MIB. Revenues rise to over 3.4 billion euro In the first half of 2020, revenues amounted to 3,402.3 million euro, up 30.7 million (+0.9%) over the 3,371.6 million seen in the same period of 2019. This growth was mainly due to the changes in the scope of operations, which offset the fall in revenues for trading, production and sales of electricity and gas, heat management and district heating. Revenues also fell in the waste management sector, owing to lower revenues in electricity generation and lower volumes of waste treated. Ebitda increases to 559.7 million euro Ebitda settled at 559.7 million euro, up 13.8 million (+2.5%) compared to the 545.9 million seen at 30 June 2019. In the first half of the year, the health emergency impacted all business areas, bringing about an overall decrease in margins coming to roughly 30 million euro, entirely due to non-recurring effects and in line with the projections communicated in late March, when the year-end report was approved. In spite of this, the changes in the scope of operations, especially the entry of the companies belonging to the EstEnergy Group following the partnership with Ascopiave, along with the numerous measures introduced to enhance efficiency, allowed Hera to offset the negative effects and keep growing, above all in the energy areas. Net profit rises to 174.9 million euro Profits at 30 June 2020 came to 174.9 million, up slightly (+0.6%) compared to the 173.9 million seen at 30 June 2019, while profits pertaining to Group shareholders amounted to 166.2 million euro, in line with the same period in the previous year. These results benefitted from a tax rate coming to 27%, a clear improvement with respect to the 28.7% recorded in the first half of 2019, thanks in particular to the Group’s efforts in sustaining significant investments supporting a technological, digital and environmental transformation, in addition to the positive effects of the measures introduced by the government in the Relaunch Decree. Over 240 million invested, improvement in financial position In the first six months of 2020, the Group’s overall investments amounted to 240.6 million euro, up 16.2% compared to the 207.0 million recorded at 30 June 2019. Operating investments mainly concerned interventions on plants, networks and infrastructures, in addition to investments involved in an intensive meter substitution and in the purification and sewerage area. Total investments also included financial investments coming to 45.5 million. The Group’s net financial position, which reached 3,083.6 million euro at 30 June 2020, showed a 190 million (5.8%) decrease compared to the 3,274.2 million seen at 31 December 2019. This was due to a positive cash generation that entirely financed investments and M&A transactions, and that would also have been able to cover the annual dividend payment, which was postponed by a few weeks simply as a precautionary measure and regularly paid on 8 July. Statement by Executive Chairman Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano “We are satisfied with our ability to protect these half-year results from the negative impact of the Coronavirus emergency. Continuing efforts will be made in pursuing growth during the second half of the year as well, in line with the targets set out in our Business plan, hoping that the external context also moves in the direction of a complete recovery. Our solid growth levers (internal growth and M&As) have allowed us to continue creating value for our shareholders, by paying more than 160 million euro in overall dividends in early July, entirely covered by the cash generation achieved over the period”. Statement by CEO Stefano Venier “Thanks to the numerous initiatives introduced and our growth strategy, we have succeeded in containing the negative financial impact of the Coronavirus emergency within the limit foreseen, at the same time confirming our profitability and financial solidity, as witnessed by the positive figures in the income statement and the decreased net financial position. In addition to meeting our commitments with shareholders and providing continuity in all main services, producing positive effects for our network of service suppliers as well, this solidity allowed us to sustain our stakeholders experiencing difficulty, including customers and suppliers, confirming our close relations with local communities”. PROFIT & LOSS (MLN €) 30/06/2020 INC. % 30/06/2019 INC. % VAR. ASS. VAR.% Sales 3,402.3 3,371.6 +30.7 +0,9% Other operating revenues 222.6 6.5% 249.0 7.4% (26.4) (10.6%) Raw material (1,605.1) (47.2%) (1,699.2) (50.4%) (94.1) (5.5%) Services costs (1,151.0) (33.8%) (1,075.1) (31.9%) +75.9 +7.1% Other operating expenses (32.5) (1.0%) (29.8) (0.9%) +2.7 +9.1% Personnel costs (290.9) (8.5%) (286.6) (8.5%) +4.3 +1.5% Capitalisations 14.3 0.4% 16.0 0.5% (1.7) (10.6%) Ebitda 559.7 16.5% 545.9 16.2% +13.8 +2.5% Depreciation and provisions (264.0) (7.8%) (257.0) (7.6%) +7.0 +2.7% Ebit 295.7 8.7% 288.9 8.6% +6.8 +2.4% Financial inc./(exp.) (56.2) (1.7%) (44.9) (1.3%) +11.3 +25.1% Pre tax profit 239.5 7.0% 244.0 7.2% (4.5) (1.8%) Tax (64.6) (1.9%) (70.1) (2.1%) (5.5) (7.9%) Net profit 174.9 5.1% 173.9 5.2% +1.0 +0.6% Attributable to: Shareholders of the Parent Company 166.2 4.9% 166.2 4.9% +0.0 +0.0% Minority shareholders 8.7 0.3% 7.7 0.2% +1.0 +13.1% BALANCE SHEET (MLN €) 30/06/2020 INC.% 31/12/2019 INC.% VAR. ASS. VAR.% Net fixed assets 6,893.2 113.3% 6,846.3 108.9% +46.9 +0.7% Working capital (172.3) (2.8%) 87.0 1.4% (259.3) (298.0%) (Provisions) (638.7) (10.5%) (649.1) (10.3%) +10.4 (1.6%) Net invested capital 6,082.2 100.0% 6,284.2 100.0% (202.0) (3.2%) Net equity 2,998.6 49.3% 3,010.0 47.9% (11.4) (0.4%) Long term net financial debt 3,370.1 55.4% 3,383.4 53.8% (13.3) (0.4%) Short term net financial debt (286.5) (4.7%) (109.2) (1.7%) (177.3) +162.4% Net financial debts 3,083.6 50.7% 3,274.2 52.1% (190.6) (5.8%) Net invested capital 6,082.2 100.0% 6,284.2 100.0% (202.0) (3.2%) 1H2020_870x320_eng.1596012193-2.jpg 1H results Read more /-/hera-bod-approves-1h-2020-results-1 Press release 1H results 2020-05-13
24/07/2020

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

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 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_870.1595953446.jpg Piazzale kennedy Read more piazzale kennedy 2020-05-13

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