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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

Operating and financial highlights

  • Revenue rises to 9,365.6 million euro (+10.6%)
  • EBITDA stable at 1,037.2 million euro
  • Net profit for the period up to 324.6 million euro (+4%)
  • Gross operating investments at 666.8 million euro (+18.8%) 
  • Net financial position at 4,147.2 million euro and net financial position/EBITDA ratio at 2.6x, an improvement compared to September 2024
  • Return on invested capital increases, with ROI at 9.9% 

Key industrial guidelines

  • Organic growth of the multi-business portfolio. The strong performance of the water and waste sectors offsets the absence of the temporary opportunities seized in 2024 within the energy segment.
  • Expansion of the operational scope. Strengthening continues through M&A and joint venture initiatives (Ambiente Energia, CircularYard) and through the full consolidation of subsidiaries EstEnergy, Hera Comm, and Aliplast via the acquisition of minority interests.
  • Value creation capacity. Solid operating performance and efficient financial management support earnings growth and the profitability of invested capital.
  • Ample room for development. Cash generation and financial flexibility provide the basis for new organic and external growth initiatives, consistent with the objectives of the Business Plan.

Today, the Hera Group’s Board of Directors, chaired by Executive Chairman Cristian Fabbri, unanimously approved the consolidated quarterly report at 30 September 2025, which confirms a positive structural performance and strong growth in revenues and investments compared to the same period of the previous year. 

 

Cristian Fabbri, Executive Chairman of the Hera Group:

“Over the past nine months, leveraging cash generation and our strong financial flexibility, we have focused on the Group’s structural growth: we have doubled our operating investments aimed at development, increasing investments by almost 20% in both regulated sectors and free-market businesses. We furthermore completed a number of M&A transactions and repurchased the minority stakes in EstEnergy, Aliplast and, at the beginning of October, Hera Comm, all of which are now 100% owned. These persistent growth drivers, combined with the strength of our multi-business portfolio, enabled us to offset the loss of certain temporary opportunities and resulted in an increase in return on equity, now close to 10%. These results demonstrate that we are fully on track to achieve the objectives set out in our Business Plan.”

 

Orazio Iacono, CEO of the Hera Group:

“Strong operating performance and steps towards financial optimisation supported growth in net profit attributable to Shareholders, which rose by 4.2%. The macroeconomic scenario remains complex, but signs of stabilisation in the energy market, combined with our ability to generate cash flow and margins – with the net debt/EBITDA ratio at 2.6x – now allow us to pursue development opportunities with even greater momentum. One non-negotiable principle remains at the heart of our industrial strategy: sustainability must go hand in hand with competitiveness. All our investments in technologies and services aim to strengthen this connection, improving resilience, innovation and the quality of our offer. Only in this way can we reconcile the Net Zero 2050 target with the growth of local areas and the well-being of communities.”

 

Double-digit growth in revenue, at 9.4 billion euro
At 30 September 2025, the Hera Group’s revenue amounted to nearly 9.4 billion euro (9,365.6 million euro), increasing by more than 894 million euro compared to the same period in 2024, up +10.6%, mainly linked to the increase in energy commodity prices and the higher value of gas and electricity volumes traded.

EBITDA stable at 1,037 million euro
EBITDA for the first nine months of 2025 remained substantially stable with respect to the previous year, amounting to 1,037.2 million euro. Lower margins in the energy areas (–23.3 million euro) were offset by positive results in the water cycle and waste management services. The comparison with 2024 should however take into account the 85 million euro in extraordinary margins recorded that year, linked to temporary non-recurring opportunities (mainly last resort markets and eco-bonuses). Adjusted for these effects, EBITDA at 30 September 2025 shows structural growth coming to 9%, supported by contributions from all the Group’s core businesses, exceeding the 7% average annual growth rate forecast in the Business Plan for the period to 2028.

Profit before income tax above 457 million euro
Ebit for the first nine months stood at 519.9 million euro, down slightly (-0.5%) compared to the same period in 2024, mainly due to the increase in depreciation and amortisation linked to new investments in regulated sectors and waste treatment, while provisions decreased thanks to the normalisation of the energy market. Effective operational and financial management, which saw a 27.5 million euro reduction in expenses thanks to a rationalisation of the debt structure and a reduction in IAS expenses, led to a profit before income tax of 457.2 million euro, up 5.5% compared to the 433.5 million euro seen at 30 September 2024. 

Net Profit up 4%
Despite the increased tax rate, at 29% (vs 28% the previous year), net profit at 30 September 2025 reached 324.6 million euro, up 4% compared to 312.1 million euro in the same period of 2024. At the same time, net profit attributable to Group Shareholders also grew, reaching 294.7 million euro (+4.2% compared to 282.9 million euro at 30 September 2024).

Strong growth in operating investments and confirmation of the Group’s financial solidity
At 30 September 2025, operating investments, including capital grants (34.2 million), amounted to 666.8 million euro, up by almost 106 million compared with the same period in 2024 (+18.8%). The areas that benefited most from development and regulatory compliance measures were the integrated water cycle (over 243 million euro in investments, 68 million euro more than the figure seen at 30 September 2024), the waste management area (almost 30 million euro more over one year) and the gas area (+11 million). 

 

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Asset Publisher

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

25/06/2025

Hera Group approves Code of Conduct for suppliers

The Code reinforces Hera’s commitment to promote a more responsible supply chain, aligning it with the company’s sustainability principles and ethics

18/06/2025

Hera Group ranks 2nd in the ESG Identity Corporate Index 2025 (ex IGI)

On the tenth anniversary of the ESG Identity Corporate Index, Hera also received recognition for performance and continuity as Strongest Performer, Best Finance Identity and Best Transition Identity among Large Cap companies.

14/05/2025

Hera Group BoD approves results for 1Q 2025

Improvement in the main operating and financial indicators. Growth in investments and the reduction of financial debt also continued

Search Results

27/06/2016

The birth of Inrete, the Hera Group gas and electricity distribution company

A wholly owned subsidiary of the multi-utility, the company will be operational from 1 July 2016 The Board of Directors of Hera S.p.A. today approved, with effect from 1 July 2016, the transfer of the gas and electricity distribution line of business to the company Inrete Distribuzione Energia, a wholly owned subsidiary of the multi-utility. This marks the completion of the "unbundling" process required by Italian legislation governing the sector (AEEGSI Resolution 296/2015) in order to separate the management of regulated business activities (gas and electricity distribution) from the management of liberalised activities (production, sale and procurement). Distributing gas and electricity in the Emilia-Romagna region, Inrete will serve more than 1.1 million gas users in 140 municipalities, with a gas network covering approximately 14,000 km, and more than 260,000 electricity users in 29 municipalities, with an electricity network of over 10,000 km. In line with the approach always followed by the Group, Inrete will continue to work with commitment in the field of safety and network control, with the aim of confirming the highest possible standards of service quality, consistently above the minimum levels demanded by the Authority. Inrete will draw on the multi-utility's innovative Remote Control Technology Centre, a structure at the cutting edge within Europe. Based in Forlì, this provides integrated management of all the gas plants and networks, as well as receiving and coordinating emergency calls. Similar services for all Inrete's electricity plants and networks will be provided by the Group's Electricity Remote Control Operations Centre in Modena. Alessandro Baroncini, former Director of Energy Networks at the parent company, has been appointed as Inrete's Chief Executive Officer. 870.1467015950.jpg Inrete pic.1466602715.bmp Inrete 2014-03-19
20/06/2016

Hera Is Top Women-Friendly Company

The Maria Bellisario Foundation has awarded the multi-utility company with the Golden Apple for Women-Friendly Company. Here are the motivations for this award which recognises the Group's dedication to promoting equal opportunities in the work place. The Hera Group takes the podium for the value it places on female workers: this was the important outcome of the XXVIII edition of the Maria Bellisario "Donne ad Alta Quota" (high-flying women) Award which presented the multi-utility company with the Golden Apple for the "Women-Friendly Company" category. A prestigious award, with Hera selected unanimously by the Bellisario Foundation's awarding commission for its important and innovative policies and strategies to promote the growth and well-being of women in the company. Diversity management, fighting discrimination and support for families: these are the main fronts on which the Group has been working for years to promote the value of a company culture that, rooted in present challenges, always achieves excellence, from all perspectives. And everything starts with equal opportunities. Whilst the utility sector, due to the characteristics of the services provided, has historically seen a prevalently male workforce, the percentage of female employees on permanent contracts in 2015 is at a healthy 23.7%, compared to a national average for the sector, not rising above 16.5% (2010 ISTAT data). This has been a long-term process for Hera, launched back in 2009 with the signing of the "paper for equal opportunities and equality in the workplace". Together with other entities, both public and private, Hera undertook to fight against all forms of discrimination in the workplace. Another fundamental step was the introduction in 2011 of the Diversity Manager, Susanna Zucchelli, supported by an "entirely female" working group made up of women holding very different roles united by the shared objective of further developing and consolidating equal opportunities whilst also managing and promoting diversity. Hera runs many initiatives which consolidate diversity management: from company nurseries and intercompany nurseries, with long opening hours to support the careful balance of home and work life, to provisions regarding family leave, not only available for maternity and paternity but also for those who need to assist other family members or elderly relatives. A particularly good example is "the smooth return to work policies" project, founded and realised by Hera and aimed at improving the management of family leave. This project also saw investment from the Prime Minister's Office, due to the innovative and socially important nature of the approaches employed. "The Golden Apple of the Bellisario Award presented to Hera for the Women-Friendly Company category makes us hugely proud because it represents a recognition of the long and methodical commitment which we have maintained for years in terms of time, enthusiasm, resources and ideas, involving companies of all different levels" - declared Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Chairman of the Hera Group. "Our attention to women in the workplace is not our only commitment in terms of personnel policies and diversity management, but this certainly represents an important moment, also because of the genuinely original talent that female employees demonstrate in their work." "A talent that we support through a series of articulated measures aimed at translating rights into practices, to help women in the performance of their daily work and in the management of their time." 870Bellisario.1466439403.png USEFUL LINKS 110.1466439405.png 2014-03-19
11/05/2016

Hera Board of Directors approves 1st quarter 2016 results

The interim results at 31 March show positive figures and growth in all main indicators, despite a difficult first quarter, affected by the lesser revenues in gas, electricity and water distribution caused by recent regulatory changes. Financial highlights Revenues at € 1,235.4 million (-5.8%) EBITDA at € 278.4 million (+0.4%) Net profit post minorities at € 91.2 million (+5.3%) Net debt improves, reaching € 2,504.5 million Operational highlights Management focus on extracting efficiencies and synergies Simultaneously, commercial expansion into new markets continues Solid customer base in energy markets, with approximately 2.2 million customers Good contribution to growth coming from the electricity business Today, the Hera Group’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the consolidated financial statements at 31 March 2016, which confirm the trend of growth in all main indicators, in spite of a difficult first quarter. On the one hand, organic growth aimed at achieving efficiencies and synergies, along with complementary efforts towards market expansion, succeeded in compensating for 75% of the cut in remuneration for regulated activities; on the other, M&A operations, involving above all acquisitions made in late 2015, contributed to growth in results. Note in particular that, with reference to legislative decree 25/2016, an implementation of Directive 2013/50/EU (so-called Transparency Directive), the Hera Group has voluntarily decided to publish its interim financial statements, as in the past, taking into account the high value given to communicating with the stakeholders. This decision may be modified in the future, based on changes in regulations. Revenues amounting to € 1,235.4 million In the first quarter of 2016 revenues came to € 1,235.4 million, dropping compared to the € 1,311.9 million seen in the corresponding period of 2015. The reasons for this decrease include lesser volumes of gas sold, owing to particularly mild temperatures; lesser revenues in electricity and gas sales and trading following a drop in the price of raw materials; the impact on regulated gas, electricity and water cycle services caused by the new method for calculating return on invested capital. These negative effects were only partially compensated by an increase in revenues due to greater volumes of electricity sold and higher revenues due to an increase in disposed waste. EBITDA rises to € 278.4 million EBITDA went from € 277.2 million after the first three months of 2015 to € 278.4 million at the end of March 2016, showing a growth of € 1.2 million (+0.4%). This result is particularly significant if one recalls that it was achieved in the first quarter, the period of the year in which decreases in WACC for gas, electricity and water distribution have, due to seasonal factors, a greater negative impact on revenues and EBITDA, reaching – in the case at hand – € 9.5 million (respectively: 3.9 in gas, 0.7 in electricity and 4.9 in water). The increase in EBITDA was mainly sustained by energy activities, which maintained their margins and more than compensated for the performance of regulated activities. Growth in Ebit and pre-tax profits, improvement in liability management Ebit at 31 March 2016 came to € 170.8 million, up compared to the € 170.1 million seen in the first quarter of 2015 (+0.4%), in spite of higher depreciation due to changes in the operating area, partially compensated by lesser provisions. Liability management improved by € 3.7 million, coming to € 25.7 million at the end of the first quarter (-12.6% compared to the same period in 2015), thanks in particular to lower average debt and greater efficiency in rates. In light of this situation, pre-tax profits went from € 140.7 million in the first three months of 2015 to € 145.1 million in the first quarter of 2016, showing a further increase in the rate of growth (+3.1%). Increased net profits post minorities, reaching € 91.2 million (+5.3%) Net profits recorded an increase of 4.7%, going from € 92.5 million in the first three months of 2015 to € 96.8 million in the corresponding period in 2016, on account of a reduction of the tax burden leading to a tax rate of 33.3% (an improvement compared to the 34.3% applied in the same period in 2015, thanks to the benefits obtained in 2016 deriving from the application of the “patent box” and tax credits for research and development, in addition to tax concessions for maxi amortisations). Profits post minorities came to € 91.2 million, rising by € 4.6 million on the first three months of 2015 (+5.3%), due among other things to reduced minority interests, mainly caused by the complete acquisition of Akron and Romagna Compost. Over 70 million of capital expenditure, reduction of net debt In the first three months of 2016, the Group’s operating capex amounted to 73 million, including 4.5 million in capital grants, with an increase on the same period in 2015 (€ 64.1 million), as foreseen by the business plan. These investments mainly concerned interventions on plants, networks and infrastructures, in addition to regulatory upgrading above all in the gas area, due to a massive meter substitution, and water purifying and sewerage plants. Net debt reduced by no less than € 147 million, going from 2,651.7 in 2015 to 2,504.5 at 31 March 2016 (-5.6%). This result, which is partially natural, tied to seasonal factors in the gas business, was sustained by both a reduction in working capital, owing to a continuous and constant attention in trade receivables management, and the generation of a higher operating cash flow. The debt/equity ratio thus dropped below 0.96x, showing an improvement in financial solidity. Gas EBITDA for the gas business, which includes services in distribution and sales of natural gas and LPG, district heating and heat management, reached € 128.7 million in the first quarter of 2016, with a slight growth compared to the € 128.4 seen at 31 March 2015, thanks to greater margins for activities in sales and trading and greater margins for district heating and heat management services. These positive effects more than compensate for the lesser volumes of gas sold on account of mild temperatures, and the € 3.9 million drop in gas distribution revenues, an effect of the WACC reduction. The gas area accounted for 46.2% of Group EBITDA. Water cycle EBITDA for the integrated water cycle business, which includes aqueduct, purification and sewerage services, went from € 50.5 million in the first three months of 2015 to € 49.8 million in the first quarter of 2016. This result was impacted above all by € 4.9 million in lesser revenues for delivery, an effect of the WACC reduction, which in turn were almost entirely compensated by the operational efficiencies created. The integrated water business accounted for 17.9% of Group EBITDA. Waste management EBITDA for the waste business, which includes services in waste collection, treatment and disposal, went from € 64.9 million in the first quarter of 2015 to € 62.4 million in the corresponding period in 2016. Among the factors with a negative influence, particular attention must go to the tariffs for waste collection and street sweeping, which have not as yet been updated and are currently under local authorities’ approval. As regards activities in waste recycle, treatment and disposal, results were equal to those seen in the previous year, thanks to the contribution obtained from acquisitions carried out in 2015, which compensated for the temporary stall in landfills currently being enlarged, the reduction in prices for energy certificates, and the lower amount of green certificates for the Ferrara WTE plant. Good results were seen in sorted waste, which rose to 56.2%, compared to 55.2% in the first three months of 2015, thanks to the many projects implemented across all geographical areas served. The waste business accounted for 22.4% of Group EBITDA. Electricity EBITDA for the electricity business, which includes services in electricity production, distribution and sales, rose from € 29.3 million in the first quarter of 2015 to € 33.2 million at 31 March 2016 (+13.3%), thanks above all to greater margins both in sales and trading activities and in electricity generation. This increase was only partially reduced by lesser revenues in the regulated distribution service, coming to € 0.7 million. In this area, furthermore, an increase in both customers (almost 60,000 more than in 2015) and volumes sold was seen, thanks among other things to reinforced commercial initiatives. The electricity business accounted for 11.9% of Group EBITDA. The person responsible for drafting the company’s accounting statements, Luca Moroni, declares, pursuant to article 154-bis paragraph 2 of the TUF, that the information contained in the present press release corresponds to the documentation available and to the account books and entries. The interim financial statements and related materials are available to the public at the Company Headquarters and on the website www.gruppohera.it. Unaudited extracts from the Interim Financial Statements at 31 March 2016 are attached. PROFIT & LOSS (M€) MAR 2016 INC% MAR 2015 INC.% CH CH % Sales 1,235.4 1,311.9 -76.5 -5.8% Other operating revenues 73.7 6.0% 71.4 5.4% +2.3 +3.2% Raw material (608.5) -49.3% (702.3) -53.5% -93.8 -13.4% Services costs (281.7) -22.8% (266.6) -20.3% +15.1 +5.7% Other operating expenses (12.1) -1.0% (9.9) -0.8% +2.2 +22.2% Personnel costs (132.9) -10.8% (131.4) -10.0% +1.5 +1.1% Capitalisations 4.6 0.4% 4.1 0.3% +0.5 +12.1% Ebitda 278.4 22.5% 277.2 21.1% +1.2 +0.4% Depreciation and provisions (107.6) -8.7% (107.1) -8.2% +0.5 +0.5% Ebit 170.8 13.8% 170.1 13.0% +0.7 +0.4% Financial inc./(exp.) (25.7) -2.1% (29.4) -2.2% -3.7 -12.6% Pre tax profit 145.1 11.7% 140.7 10.7% +4.4 +3.1% Tax (48.4) -3.9% (48.2) -3.7% +0.2 +0.4% Net profit 96.8 7.8% 92.5 7.0% +4.3 +4.7% Attributable to: Shareholders of the Parent Company Minority shareholders 91.2 5.6 7.4% 0.5% 86.6 5.9 6.6% 0.4% +4.6 -0.3 +5.3% -4.8% BALANCE SHEET (M€) MAR 2016 INC% MAR 2015 INC.% CH CH % Net fixed assets 5,509.0 108.0% 5,511.3 106.9% (2.3) 0.0% Working capital 105.0 2.1% 157.0 3.0% (52.0) (33.1%) (Provision) (512.7) 10.1% (513.5) (9.9%) +0.8 (0.2%) Net invested capital 5,101.3 100.0% 5,154.8 100.0% (53.5) (1.0%) Net equity (2,596.8) 50.9% (2,503.1) 48.6% (93.7) +3.7% Long term net financial debt (2,746.5) 53.8% (2,743.6) 53.2% (2.9) +0.1% Short term net financial debt 242.0 (4.7%) 91.9 (1.8%) +150.1 +163.3% Net financial debts (2,504.5) 49.1% (2,651.7) 51.4% +147.2 (5.6%) Net invested capital (5,101.3) 100.0% (5,154.8) 100.0% +53.5 (1.0%) 1Q 2016 centrata 1Q 2016 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION /documents/1514726/4210758/Hera_Group_Consolidated_quarterly_report_as_at_31_march_2016.1462960176.pdf/dcbc0211-3b72-fa0c-3a16-e9a3b70afea4?t=1597911168892 Financial report as at 31/03/2016 /-/hera-board-of-directors-approves-1st-quarter-2016-results-1?inheritRedirect=true Press release /documents/1514726/4210758/Hera_Newsletter_Q1_2016.1462957906.pdf/2d938b8c-ba16-4e50-6a1e-888659f993b2?t=1597911167130 Newsletter as at 31/03/2016 /documents/1514726/4210758/Dati_finanziari_ed_operativi_di_sintesi_1Q_2016_eng.1462877519.xls/f1199f02-3765-b6f0-acd6-6714dac6f163?t=1597911166445 Financial data as at 31/03/2016 Hera Board of Directors approves 1st quarter 2016 results Hera Board of Directors approves 1st quarter 2016 results 2014-03-19
28/04/2016

Hera Shareholders' Meeting: dividend at 9 cents

The Hera Shareholders' Meeting was held in Bologna this morning, with both ordinary and extraordinary sessions. Approval of the financial statements and the sustainability report. Dividend at 9 cent./share In the ordinary session the Meeting approved the financial statements and the sustainability report for 2015, along with the Board of Directors’ proposal to pay dividends of 9 euro cents per share, matching those paid in the previous financial year, as priorly announced in the business plan to 2019. In particular, the 2015 financial year closed with positive economic results and a rise in all main indicators, thanks to the Group’s solid business model and a good operational, financial and fiscal management: revenue reached € 4,487.0 million (+7.1% over the previous year), EBITDA settled at € 884.4 million (+1.9%) and net profit post minorities came to € 180.5 million (+9.5%). The ex coupon date was set at 20 June 2016, with payment beginning on 22 June 2016. The dividend paid, based on the price of Hera stock at 31/12/2015, corresponds to an annual return of approximately 3.7%. Amendment of article 4 of the Articles of Association In the extraordinary session the Meeting approved amendments to article 4 of Hera’s Articles of Association, consisting in an explicit statement that Hera S.p.A.’s company purpose also includes the possibility of engaging in activities involving management and/or supply of integrated energy services. The activities in question are already practiced by the Company, but this must now be specified in the Articles of Association in order for Hera S.p.A. to obtain certification pursuant to UNI CEI 11352 regulations. This is because legislative decree 102/14, which implements EU directive 2012/27, requires companies, as of July 2016, to obtain this certification in order to be qualified to carry out a number of activities in the field of energy efficiency promotion, such as energy diagnosis, and to obtain white certificates. Other resolutions approved The Shareholders’ Meeting, in addition to the report on corporate governance and compensation policy, lastly approved the renewal of the Board of Directors’ authorisation to purchase treasury shares (along with the conditions of their disposal), for a maximum exchange value of € 180 million, for 18 months. This authorisation was requested so as to pursue the goals allowed by current regulations and accepted market practices, among which investment opportunities involving the use of treasury shares to increase the creation of value and possible acquisitions of stakeholdings that also include share exchanges. sito_1.1461855533.jpg centrata Shareholders' meeting 2016 For further information /-/hera-shareholders-meeting-dividend-at-9-cents-1?inheritRedirect=true Press release /group_eng/governance Corporate Governance sede hera piloni.png Shareholders' meeting 2016 2014-03-19
22/03/2016

Hera Group approves results as at 31/12/2015

Growth in all main indicators, thanks to the Group's solid business model. Internal and external growth confirmed as the key factors of development. Proposed dividends set at 9 euro cents per share. The year comes to a close with growth in all main indicators, thanks to the Group’s solid business model and its constantly and continuously improving operational, financial and fiscal management. Internal and external growth confirmed as the key factors of development. Proposed dividends set at9 euro cents per share, as forecasted by the business plan. Financial Highlights Revenue at € 4,487.0 million (+7.1%) EBITDA at € 884.4 million (+1.9%) Adjusted net Group profits at € 202.6 million (+11.8%) Net profit post minorities at € 180.5 million (+9.5%) Net debt at € 2,651.7 million Proposed dividends confirmed at 9 cents/euro per share Operational Highlights Growth remains driven by continuous improvement in operational, financial and fiscal management Excellent performance in the gas area, due to greater volumes sold Solid customer base in energy markets, with approximately 2.2 million customers Today, the Hera Group’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the consolidated economic results as at 31 December 2015, along with the Sustainability Report. The 2015 financial year concluded for the Hera Group with all main indicators up from 2014. These positive results are the fruit of a solid business model that has always been distinguished by its balanced multi-service portfolio, focused on core activities, continuous improvement in efficiency across all fields and synergies extracted from integrations. On the one hand the Group’s multi-business strategy guarantees a balanced range of economic and financial actions; on the other, a combination of two forms of leverage, internal growth and M&A, has allowed it to continue to expand in spite of an increasingly challenging scenario from an economic, regulatory and competitive point of view. The results reached confirm, furthermore, the Group’s attention towards the various facets of sustainability: environmental, social and economic. Our purely economic results are in fact flanked by data that bears witness to a reduction in environmental impact, an increase in sorted waste, greater care towards energy efficiency and continuous improvement in customer service, all of which provides further confirmation of the company’s attention towards all stakeholders and the localities in which it operates. Waste Management The waste management business EBITDA, which includes waste collection, treatment and disposal services, reached € 230 million compared to € 241.8 million in 2014. Results in the field of sorted urban waste are positive, with further progress from 54.0% in 2014 to 55.4% in 2015. In addition to a qualitative and quantitative improvement in gathering, activities in the waste management area were focused on increasing the efficiency of and enlarging the plant base, to complete the Group’s presence in new national markets with demand and prices in continuous expansion. In particular, the market position and the new plants deriving from the acquisition in late 2015 of Waste Recycling in Tuscany and some activities of Geo Nova in the Veneto region will fully contribute to operating results in 2016. Water The integrated water cycle business, which includes aqueduct, purification and sewerage services, recorded an EBITDA of € 232.5 million (+7.1%) compared to € 217.1 million in 2014. Net investments in the integrated water cycle area amounted to € 114.9 million, with an increase of € 21.3 million on the previous year. Including capital grants, investments in this area came to € 127.2 million, of which € 59.1 million in aqueducts, € 34.3 million in sewerage and € 33.8 million in purification. The integrated water cycle area accounts for 26.3% of Group EBITDA. Gas The gas business EBITDA, which includes services in natural gas distribution and sales, district heating and heat management, rose to € 295.8 million (+7.2%) from € 276 million in 2014. This result was obtained above all thanks to an increase in volumes of natural gas sold to final customers (332.1 million m3). In 2015, investments in the gas area came to € 86.5 million, with an increase of € 7.4 million compared to 2014. Electricity The electricity business, which includes services in electricity production, distribution and sales, recorded an EBITDA of € 104.7 million, with an improvement of € 4 million compared to the 2014 data. This result was reached thanks to the efficiency enhancement initiatives introduced and the greater volumes sold to end customers. Driven above all by growth in the free market area, the number of electricity customers reached over 850,000 (+7.7% compared to 2014), confirming the trend seen in recent years, mainly due to a reinforcement of commercial action. “The year came to an end with positive results and a rising trend, in line with our history. Confirming the validity of our multi-business model, this allows us to put to the Shareholders’ Meeting a payment of dividends per share in line with both the previous year and that which we had announced in our business plan” affirms Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Executive Chairman of Hera. “External growth was concentrated in late 2015 on mono-business enterprises whose contribution will become fully visible in the 2016 results, leading the Hera Group to widen its reference markets. We continue, concurrently, to analyse the best opportunities among multi-utilities bordering on the geographical areas in which we operate, to increase synergies and create ever greater value for our shareholders.” “Thanks to our commitment to innovation and greater efficiency in operational and financial structure management, the Hera Group has been able to generate sufficient financial resources to self-finance both its own activities and an enlargement of its operating area”, explains Stefano Venier, CEO at Hera. “These results are all the more appreciable considering that they are accompanied by a creation of value for the entire area in which we operate, amounting to €1.6 billion, and an increase in customer and employee satisfaction, as testified this year as well by surveys carried out by third parties, and the improvement of the various indicators of social and environmental sustainability that appear in the Sustainability Report, approved today by the Board of Directors”. For further information /-/hera-group-approves-results-as-at-31/12/2015-1?inheritRedirect=true Press release Financial Results 2015 Financial Results 2015 2014-03-19
22/02/2016

"A Well of Science" is 10 years old and it is putting the brains of young people to work in order to change the world

Global warming, air quality, the production of renewable energy, the use of water are just some of the energy and economic environmental emergencies to think about in"A Well of Science", the scientific discovery programme entirely dedicated to high schools and colleges, promoted by Hera Group under the patronage of the Emilia-Romagna Local Educational Authority. Global warming, air quality, the production of renewable energy, the use of water are just some of the energy and economic environmental emergencies to think about in"A Well of Science", the scientific discovery programme entirely dedicated to high schools and colleges, promoted by Hera Group under the patronage of the Emilia-Romagna Local Educational Authority. The initiative is celebrating its tenth birthday with two months of meetings with more than thirty experts, including exponents from the field of popular science, university lecturers and journalists, to promote the culture of science among young people through an innovative, simple and interactive approach to grab their attention and steer them towards building a better future. This year the "A Well of Science" project aims to familiarise students with therevolutionary power of ideas. The subject that will be discussed is the current and important topic of natural resources and their use on a global scale: it will be an opportunity to take an in-depth look at the most innovative ideas on managing resources, examining at the most daring and visionary international case histories in the field of energy, water and environmental research. After the first stage in Modena on 22 February, the project will involve young people from Ferrara, Bologna, Rimini, Cesena, Faenza, Forlì, Ravenna, ending up in Imola on 20 April. Some numbers From the first editions the "Well" has attracted very keen participation from students, which is continuing to grow year on year. The figures bear witness to this participation. In 2015, 52 schools were involved with a total of 14,000 students taking part, while this year 58 scientific high schools and colleges will be participating, with the project going into 600 classrooms and involving 16,000 students. The 10th edition of "A Well of Science" is brought about with the collaboration of ComunicaMente, the University of Bologna and the Immaginario Scientifico Science Centre of Trieste. unpozzodiscienza_banner_box_laterale.1456314723.png Un Pozzo di scienza - Decima edizione https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms_xzu1oC5w#prettyPhoto Pozzo scienza 2016 Business Plan 110x150 2015-11-11
11/01/2016

Hera Group Approves Business Plan to 2019

A Plan once again envisaging growth, aimed at a 2019 EBITDA of over € 1 billion. The Hera Group's Board of Directors approved its Business Plan to 2019. A Plan oriented towards growth, thanks to the solid positioning of the Group - whose activities are concentrated in areas it has uninterruptedly covered since it was established - aimed at creating value within its current operating area and making the most of future prospectives for sector consolidation. The strategies that have guided the Group until present have been reconfirmed, with a focus above all on expansion and efficiency, as a response to today's challenging scenario, without neglecting the cornerstones of innovation and excellence. From an operating and financial point of view, for 2019 the Plan foresees a total revenue of over € 5.8 billion compared to € 4.7 billion in 2014, an EBITDA of € 1,030 million against the € 868 million recorded in 2014. The ratio of net debt to EBITDA, which is already among the best in the industry, is expected to decrease to 2.9x (vs. 3.04x in 2014), confirming the Group's sustainable growth in terms of financial strength, with an increase in cash flow. Moreover, the Business Plan to 2019 confirms that one of the strategic elements at the root of Hera's business model is sustainability, in all its aspects: environmental, social and economic. The strictly economic objectives are flanked by targets such as reduced environmental impact, greater attention towards energy efficiency and a continual improvement of customer service, fully aware of the important role played by the company across its operating area. Operating and financial highlights 2019 EBITDA: € 1,030 million Capital expenditures and financial investments: € 2.2 billion Net debt/EBITDA by 2019: 2.9x Operating highlights Group strategy based on a balanced mixture of organic growth and M&As 4 priorities: growth, efficiency, excellence and innovation Confirming current concessions as the outcome of gas distribution tenders in reference areas Target of over 2.3 million energy customers by 2019 Sustainability as the main strategic element underlying Hera's business model piano_industriale_870x320_1452532780.1452676785.png Business Plan_870x320 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION /group_eng/investors Investor Relations /-/hera-group-approves-business-plan-to-2019-1 Press release Results for the third quarter of 2015 Business Plan 110x150 2015-11-11
11/11/2015

Hera's Board of Directors approves the results for the third quarter of 2015

The financial report as of 30 September 2015 showsimprovement in all the main indicators, thanks to internal growth, external growth and the synergies deriving from integration M&A Financial highlights Revenues of € 3,246.4 million (+8.5%) EBITDA of € 640.2 million (+2.2%) Net profit post minorities at € 125.0 million (+12.3%) Net debt stable at € 2,638.6 million Operational highlights Benefits deriving from the consolidation ofAmga Udine Excellent performance of the gas business, also in relation to greater volumes sold Good contribution of the water business to growth The Board of Directors of the Hera Group approved today unanimously the consolidated financial statements as of 30 September 2015, which show positive and growing results in all its figures, including net profit, thanks to the good performance of the Hera perimeter alone, external growth with the merger of Amga Udine (dated 1 July 2014) and the extraction of synergies from integration activities, thus contributing to improve the Group’s financial strength. Gas For the period ended 30 September 2015, EBITDA in the gas business - which includes distribution and sales of gas methane, LPG, district heating and heat management – stood at € 203.6 million, +11.8%, compared to € 182.2 million at 30 September 2014. The excellent performance of the gas business was due to greater volumes sold, the consolidation of Amga Udine and the default gas contract awarded to Hera Comm for two years starting 1 October 2014 in Emilia Romagna, Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Toscana, Umbria and Marche. The segment accounted for 31.8% of the Group’s EBITDA, reflecting an increase on the comparable period of 2014. Water In the first nine months of 2015, this segment – which includes aqueduct, purification and sewerage services - grew on the comparable year earlier period, both in absolute terms and in terms of contribution to the Group’s EBITDA. EBITDA rose from € 165.2 million at 30 September 2014 to € 174.7 million at 30 September 2015 (+5.7%), benefitting in particular from the coming into force of the new water tariff method set by AEEGSII for the 2014-2015 period and the efficiency improvement activities undertaken by the Group. The segment accounted for 27.3% of the Group’s EBITDA. Waste management EBITDA for the waste management business – which includes waste collection, treatment and disposal – went from € 176.5 million for the period ended 30 September 2014 to € 172.5 million for the period ended 30 September 2015 (-2.3%). This decline, which reflects a slight improvement on the comparable figure for the first quarter 2015, was due mainly to the lower number of landfills available, which had an impact on volumes processed; this effect was partly offset by positive trends in the waste treatment market prices and the improved efficiency of waste collection. The percentage of sorted waste collection in the geographies served by the Group was up again, as it went from 52.8% for the first nine months of 2014 to 54.9% at 30 September 2015, thanks to the large number of projects implemented in the different areas. The segment accounted for 26.9% of the Group’s EBITDA. Electricity EBITDA for the electric energy business – which includes production, distribution and sales of electricity - went from € 87.3 million for the first nine months of 2014 to € 74.7 million for the nine months ended 30 June 2015. The lower EBITDA (-14.5%) was due mainly to non-recurring effects, such as lower extraordinary revenues from the regulated distribution business determined bythe specific equalization effect occurred in the area of Gorizia in 2014. In the first nine months of 2015, volumes of elecricity sold rose thanks to a larger marketing effort and higher consumption, especially in the summer months. Margins in commercial activities improved while the contribution from the market for dispatching services was down. The segment accounted for 11.7% of the Group’s EBITDA. 9M 2015 centrata 9M 2015 110x150.1447241996.jpg 2015-11-11

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