Press releases

The merger leads to the strengthening of Acantho's position in the IT-TLC sector: thanks to Asco TLC's cutting-edge skills and infrastructure, the digital company expands its assets and services, becoming a multi-regional operator able to provide its customers with more innovative, efficient, reliable and competitive solutions, both in terms of cost and sustainability. Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg The Hera Group and the Ascopiave Group have today approved the merger of Asco TLC into Acantho at the extraordinary shareholders' meetings of the subsidiaries held today. The expected contribution to the growth of Acantho's EBITDA, and thus to the Hera Group's consolidated EBITDA as parent company, is at least EUR 4 million, to which the resulting synergies will be added. The merger follows the acquisition of 92% of Asco TLC finalised by Acantho and Ascopiave on 14 March 2023 and the previous awarding of the public tender procedure called by Asco Holding. Asco TLC, a company active since 2001 in the provision of ICT services mainly to corporate customers and public administrations, has a significant proprietary territorial network, located in the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions for more than 2,200 km of fibre optic backbones, 56 radio links and 24 xDSL exchanges in unbundling, and provides its services to more than 2,700 customers. Acantho, the digital company controlled by the Hera Group, with over 7,000 customers, started over two decades ago, the development of a proprietary ultra-wideband fibre optic network, stretching over 238.000 km, and provides, also to the parent company and other companies, data centre, telephony and connectivity services, in particular with solutions in primary and secondary data centre management, networks connecting offices, internet access, fixed and mobile telephony, Internet of Things (IoT) applications for distribution network and meter management, radio infrastructure for meter and network node remote reading, network remote control platforms and digital transformation. There has always been a constant focus on sustainability by Acantho, which self-produces 30% of its data centre's energy needs, with a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The merger by incorporation of Asco TLC into Acantho represents for the Hera Group and the Ascopiave Group a strategic step in the evolution of the business portfolio in the IT-TLC sectors, in line with their respective industrial plans. Moreover, it will allow the birth of a multi-regional player with significant operational and commercial synergies and important benefits also for customers, who will receive a dedicated communication as soon as the effective date of the merger will be defined, approximately in autumn 2023. The expected industrial benefits of the merger Thanks to the integration of Asco TLC's infrastructural assets and cutting-edge skills into Acantho, the Hera Group expects to expand its range of services in the information technology and telecommunications sector, with consequent commercial development, particularly in its reference territory, with a high industrial density, where it already operates with other businesses. The transaction is part of the multi-utility's development path, which aims to provide its customers with increasingly broader, more efficient, innovative and competitive solutions in terms of both costs and sustainability. In particular, the merger will bring added value to supply relations with the citizens and companies of the territories served, enabling the Hera Group to offer business proposals at the technological frontier, integrated and flexible to the various needs of customers and stakeholders, including connectivity, telephony and data centre services of high performance and reliability, also guaranteed by high seismic-resistance structures, and state-of-the-art anti-flooding, fire-fighting and alarm systems. "The incorporation of Asco TLC into Acantho, and therefore within the Hera Group, gives us the opportunity to make the most of the potential and specialist excellence of the two companies. In addition, the operational integration of the IT-TLC business activities of our multi-utility and Ascopiave will lead us to consolidate the proposal of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services on the territory, with an increasingly tailor-made and flexible offer for customers, including the same companies controlled by the two groups. The sharing of assets, skills and solutions will also enable us to be able to respond more effectively and efficiently to the main trends in the ICT market, which is moving towards a greater demand for advanced products and integrated security services, both at network and systems level," said Alessandro Aiello, General Manager of Acantho. "The transaction we have concluded today will make it possible to harness, in the most effective way, the potential industrial synergies arising from the integration of the companies involved, in an increasingly competitive market context that requires a continuous improvement of commercial proposals for local authorities, companies and users," said Nicola Cecconato, Chairman, CEO and General Manager of the Ascopiave Group. See the press release 20230727_Merger ASCO TLC into Acantho.pdf 2023-07-27 17:30:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg

The consolidated half-year report at 30 June shows growth in all main operating-financial indicators, confirming Hera’s financial solidity and once again demonstrating the effectiveness of the choices made by management. The Group continues to pursue the goals set out in its Business Plan, combining corporate growth and sustainable development, with value created for all stakeholders, first and foremost the local communities served. Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg Financial highlights Ebitda* at 718.3 million euro (+13.8%) Net profit attributable to shareholders* at 187.7 million euro (+2.4%) Overall investments rise to 403.4 million euro (+22.4%) Net debt at 4,145.7 million euro, down by 104.1 million euro compared to the 31/12/22 figure, with net debt/Ebitda* ratio at 3x Business highlights Significant contribution to growth from the energy sectors, the waste management area and the water business Ongoing growth in the energy customer base, which rose to over 3.7 million, up 7.9% in 12 months Further development of initiatives for the energy transition and the circular economy, thanks to state-of-the-art plants and increasingly green services Today, the Board of Directors of the Hera Group, chaired by Cristian Fabbri, unanimously approved the consolidated results for the first half of 2023. The first half of the year ended with operating results and investments up compared to the previous year, although in the first months of 2023 some of the served areas were affected by extreme weather phenomena and the uncertain global context continues to generate volatility in commodity prices, a generalised rise in inflation and an increase in the interest rates. The consolidated half-year report at 30 June, indeed, shows positive operating and financial performances, demonstrating once again the Group’s financial solidity and strength of its business model, balanced between internal and external growth and between regulated and free market activities. In addition to creating value for all stakeholders, the increase in operating investments compared to the first half of 2022 provides evidence of Hera’s ongoing focus on improving and strengthening the resilience of the assets it manages, with positive impacts on the quality and continuity of services in the areas in which it operates. Cristian Fabbri, Executive Chairman of the Hera Group: “The first half of 2023 closed with substantial growth in results, with Ebitda reaching 718.3 million euro, up 13.8%, mainly due to the overall contribution coming from the energy area, which also saw an increase in services for decarbonisation, while growth in the waste management area confirms our commitment to the circular economy. The results for this half-year see us moving rapidly towards achieving the goals set out in our Business Plan and are the fruit of our consolidated multi-business strategy, which has always been geared towards combining corporate growth with the sustainable development of the local ecosystem. This is additionally confirmed by the 22% rise in investments, both for developing the Group’s industrial assets and for M&As that focus on growth towards the ecological transition, innovation and resilience. Our business model is capable of continuously innovating while maintaining strong local roots, and has allowed us to once again respect the commitments made to our shareholders, to whom a dividend up by 4.2% was paid last month, consistent with what was announced during the presentation of the Business Plan to 2026.” Orazio Iacono, CEO of the Hera Group: “The consolidated half-year financial report at 30 June shows significant growth in Ebitda, with a contribution coming from all business areas, in particular the energy sector with 239 million euro (+30%) and the waste management area with 162.9 million euro (+8%), and increased investments and M&A transactions, amounting to over 400 million euro. All of this was made possible by a significant cash generation and a solid financial position. The financial structure was further reinforced during the first half of the year by sustainable sources of financing on favourable terms, including the issue of a sustainability-linked bond, a new revolving credit line and a recent EIB loan. These initiatives allowed us to maintain our net debt/Ebitda ratio at roughly 3x, in line with the previous half-year and the targets defined.” Revenues at 8.3 billion In the first half of 2023, revenues amounted to 8,297.5 million euro, as against 8,896.0 million euro at 30 June 2022, mainly due to the drop in energy commodity prices and lower volumes of gas sold, as a result of the mild weather in the first half of the year. Revenues related to the higher volumes of electricity sold, instead, were up, thanks to commercial development actions, Consip tenders and the lots awarded in the protected and gradual protection services, as well as higher revenues from energy services, in which opportunities related to energy efficiency incentives in residential buildings and increased activities in value-added services for customers remained. A positive contribution also came from revenues in the waste management sector, due to increased treatment activities and acquisitions in the industry market. Ebitda* rises to 718.3 million euro Ebitda* for the first half of 2023 rose to 718.3 million euro (+13.8%), compared to 631.2 million euro at 30 June 2022. This increase is mainly due to the overall contribution coming from the energy areas, amounting to 68.1 million euro, and the positive performance of the waste management area, up by 12.2 million euro. Also note the resilience shown by Ebitda for regulated network services, with particular reference to gas distribution and the integrated water cycle, thanks to the increase in recognised revenues and operating efficiencies that offset the higher costs related to inflation. Net operating result* grows The net operating result* at 30 June 2023 rose to 374.7 million euro, up 11.9% compared to the 334.9 million euro seen one year earlier. This performance remained positive even after higher depreciation and amortisation, due to the significant increase in investments, and conservative provisions for bad debts, due to the increased turnover in last resort markets. Financial charges increased, mainly due to the medium- and long-term credit lines stipulated in 2022 and the significant change in the interest rate scenario, which saw a significant increase in the cost of money. Net profit attributable to shareholders* up to 187.7 million euro Net profit* rose to 208.0 million euro (+3.1%), compared to 201.7 million euro in the first half of 2022, with a tax rate coming to 26.8%. Net profit attributable to Group shareholders* totalled 187.7 million euro, up (+2.4%) from 183.3 million euro at 30 June 2022. Strong growth in operating investments and Group solidity reinforced In the first half of 2023, the Hera Group made investments and corporate acquisitions totalling 403.4 million euro (+22.4% compared to the same period in 2022). Operating investments, including capital grants, amounted to 318.4 million euro, up by 31.3 million euro compared to the previous year (+10.9%), and were mainly related to the development of plants, networks and infrastructures. In addition, regulatory upgrading mainly concerned gas distribution, with a large-scale meter replacement, and the purification and sewerage area. The total amount of net financial debt came to 4,145.7 million euro, down 104.1 million euro compared to the figure seen at 31 December 2022, even after the payment of dividends. As proof of the Group’s financial solidity, the net debt/Ebitda* ratio stands at 3x, in line with its long-standing prudential policy. The Group’s financial structure has now been further reinforced and optimised, partly as a result of the liability management operations completed in the first half of the year, to enable Hera to handle any potencial new tensions in the energy markets and guarantee continuity in operations and a significant amount of investments. Gas Ebitda* for the gas area, which includes natural gas distribution and sales, district heating and energy services, amounted to 293.1 million euro in the first half of 2023, compared to 299.3 million euro at 30 June 2022. The factors responsible for this result mainly lie in the particularly mild winter and consumption habits that became more attentive to energy saving. This decrease was partly offset by a rise in volumes sold on the last resort market. The contribution coming from energy services, aimed at reducing customers’ consumption, in particular from activities supported by energy efficiency incentives such as the 110% super-bonus, still showed growth. In the first half of 2023, investments made in the gas area amounted to 89.3 million euro, up by 23.9 million euro compared to the previous year. In particular, higher investments were made in gas distribution for plants and networks in the new municipalities awarded with the ATEM Udine2 tender, while in gas sales they were aimed at acquiring new customers. In district heating and energy services, investments (mainly for new plants and network extensions) also increased overall. The number of gas customers reached almost 2.1 million, with a slight increase (0.5%) compared to the previous year. The gas area accounted for 40.8% of Group Ebitda. Electricity Ebitda for the electricity area, which includes electricity generation, distribution and sales, rose to 114.4 million euro, as against 40.1 million euro in the same period of 2022, showing significant growth (+185.3%) both in terms of margins and volumes sold to end customers, mainly due to commercial development in the free market. In addition to this, Group subsidiary Hera Comm was awarded, through tenders, 10 lots nationwide: 4 in the Consip EE20 tender for supplying public administrations in 2023, 3 in the gradual protection service to SMEs for the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2024 in nine regions of Italy, 2 in the safeguarded service for the two-year period 2023-2024 in four regions of Italy, and 1 in the gradual protection service to micro-businesses for the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2027. Margins for services aimed at promoting the decarbonisation of customers’ consumption, involving installations of photovoltaic systems, electric mobility and air conditioning systems, also continued to increase. The acquisition of 60% of the company F.lli Franchini, finalised in late June, was aimed at further increasing decarbonisation services for the industrial customer segment, as was the start-up of a partnership with the Orogel Group for developing an agro-voltaic plant serving the Cesena production plant. In the first half of 2023, investments made in the electricity area amounted to 48.3 million euro, up by 16.3 million euro compared to the previous year. As regards distribution, investments mainly concerned non-recurring maintenance and upgrading on plants and networks in the Modena, Imola, Trieste and Gorizia areas. The large-scale meter replacement continued, as did works to improve the resilience of the infrastructure. In the sales area, investments in activities related to acquiring new customers increased. The customer base indeed recorded significant growth compared to the same period of 2022, reaching over 1.6 million (+16.7%). The electricity area accounted for 15.9% of Group Ebitda. Water cycle Ebitda for the integrated water cycle area, which includes aqueduct, purification and sewerage services, stood at 128.6 million euro at 30 June 2023, slightly up (+2.6%) from the 125.3 million euro seen in the first half of 2022. In the first half of 2023, net investments in the water cycle area amounted to 81.2 million euro (58.8 million in the aqueduct, 23.7 million in sewerage and 10.5 million in purification), which went towards extensions, reclamations and upgrading on networks and plants, as well as for regulatory activities, mainly in the purification and sewerage areas. The main interventions include, in the aqueduct area, ongoing reclamation activities on networks and connections related to Arera’s Resolution 917/2017 on the regulation of the technical quality of the service, with specific modernisation and upgrading interventions intended to counter the risks of water shortages caused by increasingly frequent droughts. The integrated water cycle area accounted for 17.9% of Group Ebitda. Waste In the first half of 2023, Ebitda for the waste management area increased to 162.9 million euro (+8.1%), up from the 150.7 million euro recorded at 30 June 2022. Ebitda for waste treatment services amounted to 134.6 million, while Ebitda for environmental services including collection and sweeping amounted to 28.2 million euro, mainly due to the beginning of new concessions. In particular, margins coming from energy management increased, due to both a greater contribution from the Modena and Trieste waste-to-energy plants and the hedges made on energy sales, and a positive performance shown by commercial activities. The consolidation of existing commercial relationships, and the development of the customer portfolio, also benefited from the M&A transactions concluded in the last 12 months. Note in particular the recent expansion of the scope of operations in the environmental remediation and industrial waste global service sectors, thanks to a partnership with the Modena company A.C.R. di Reggiani Albertino S.p.A.®. In a context characterised by decreasing inflation, declining industrial production and increased competitive pressure in the markets served, the Group proved able to consolidate its leadership, especially in the industrial market and in reclamation, and achieve a significant amount of growth in this sector. All of this is thanks to Hera’s valid management policies and its set of plants, which continues to constitute a distinctive strategic asset, also considering that it works towards the ecological transition of the communities served. The protection of environmental resources was a priority objective in the first half of 2023 as well, as was the maximisation of their reuse. This is proven by the special attention dedicated to increasing sorted waste collection, which in the first half of 2023 rose to 70.4%, up 4% compared to June 2022. Investments made in the waste management area amounted to 48.5 million euro and were mainly related to maintenance and upgrading of waste treatment and storage plants, optimising collection centres and equipment, as well as investments for the transaction with ACR. The waste management area accounted for 22.7% of Group Ebitda. See the press release Press release H1 2023.pdf 2023-07-26 13:13:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg

Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg The EIB loan will help improve the resilience of the integrated water cycle, energy efficiency and the management of environmental services in the areas served by Hera. Operations in the water sector will strengthen existing infrastructure, promote the reuse of water resources, and ensure the quality and continuity of service in the event of drought and extreme weather events. In the energy sector, the development of photovoltaic power plants — including small-scale ones — will enable renewable energy generation, while the installation of second-generation smart meters will improve energy efficiency. In the environmental sector, the construction and strengthening of plants will improve processing, recycling, and recovery capacity. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted a €460 million loan to Hera Group, one of Italy’s 40 largest companies by market capitalisation (part of the FTSE MIB) operating in over 300 Italian municipalities. The main goals of the financing are to strengthen the resilience of integrated water services, increase the production of renewable energy, foster energy efficiency, decarbonisation and the circular economy, and bolster waste processing and collection, all in order to support Hera Group’s areas of operation on their path to a sustainable environmental transition and help combat climate change. This EU bank loan will finance over 60 Hera Group projects aligned with the EU taxonomy and in line with the objectives of the UN 2030 Agenda, helping the communities served by the Italian multi-utility on their path to a green transition closely connected to local society and industry. The EIB financing will therefore cover almost 60% of the total value of these investments (over €800 million) already planned by the company in its 2022-2026 industrial plan. Operations will mainly take place in Emilia-Romagna, but also in other areas served such as Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. In concrete terms, the EU bank resources will contribute to improving integrated water services via operations to further cut losses and renew rainwater collection and wastewater treatment facilities. Hera Group will increase its capacity for processing, recycling, and recovering waste by renovating existing collection centres and building new, cutting-edge plants for recycling plastic and carbon fibre and for the pre-treatment and storage of industrial waste. The EIB financing will also enable Hera Group to install over 370 000 second-generation smart meters in the regions concerned, as well as develop district heating and combined heat and power systems and build photovoltaic plants — even small-scale ones — to increase renewable energy production. Almost 40% of the EIB-financed investments will be made in the parts of Emilia-Romagna that were hit the hardest by the recent floods. The financed operations will improve the resilience of water services to future extreme weather events, including via the construction of underground rainwater collection tanks in areas of the Romagna coast subject to high hydrogeological risk. Elsewhere, a number of measures will be taken to make the sewerage network more resilient to flooding. The financing announced today is part of the REPowerEU initiative supported by the EIB, which will invest an additional €30 billion over the next five years to unlock €115 billion, promoting the green transition and gradually reducing Europe's dependence on fossil fuels. “This operation is a concrete example of the EIB’s commitment to promoting the sustainability, efficiency, and resilience of water, energy, and waste management infrastructure in Italy and across Europe,” said EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti. “The EIB loan will also back Hera Group's efforts to strengthen the services provided in the parts of Emilia-Romagna affected by flooding to improve prevention and the resilience of water services to future natural disasters.” “This financing from the EIB — a longstanding and steadfast partner of Hera Group — will give major impetus to our strategic plan and confirms our commitment to sustainable development in the regions where we operate, particularly with reference to the goals of decarbonisation, the circular economy, innovation, and resilience, in line with our company’s mission,” added Hera Group CEO Orazio Iacono. “It is a key component of our financial strategy that, as well as further expanding the range of innovative products and instruments adopted by the group, will also help support the 2022-2026 development plan, confirming the sound nature of our business and our financial flexibility.” Strong EIB support for Italy’s water sector The EIB is the EU climate bank and one of the world's largest lenders to the water sector, with over 1 600 projects and around €80 billion in funding granted since 1958. Italy was the biggest beneficiary of EIB resources for the water sector from 2016 to 2022. The EIB financed 40 operations in the country during this period, providing a total of €2.9 billion and helping to unlock about €8.9 billion in investment. Background information European Investment Bank (EIB) The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It provides long-term financing for sound investments that contribute to EU policy. The Bank finances projects in four priority areas: infrastructure, innovation, climate and environment, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Between 2019 and 2022, the EIB Group provided €45 billion in financing for projects in Italy. Hera Group Hera Group is a major Italian multi-utility operating in the environment, energy and water sectors. Its 9 000 employees work daily to meet the complex needs of almost 5 million residents mainly in Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Marche, Tuscany and Abruzzo. Listed on the stock exchange in 2003, it is one of Italy’s 40 biggest companies by market capitalisation (it is part of the FTSE MIB), and entered the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, World and Europe in 2020. www.gruppohera.it Press contact BEI: Lorenzo Squintani, l.squintani@eib.org, tel.: +352 4379 82528, mobile: +39 366 57 90 312 Website: www.eib.org/press — Press Office: +352 4379 21000 — press@eib.org HERA GROUP: Cecilia Bondioli, cecilia.bondioli@gruppohera.it, mobile +39 320 4790622 Press Office: +39 051.287595 - ufficiostampa@gruppohera.it See the press release 20230713 Pr EIB provides €460 million to Hera Group to boost the green transition.pdf 2023-07-17 11:40:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg

This transaction, strongly linked to the local social and industrial fabric, represents a major new commitment made by the Group to promote the energy transition and decarbonisation in the areas it serves. Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg Only two months after the establishment of Horowatt, a NewCo between Hera Group and Orogel that within 2024 will create an innovative and sustainable agrivoltaic plant in the agricultural cooperative’s Cesena facilities, Hera’s programme for developing cutting-edge integrated solutions in the field of clean energy is making rapid progress. This morning, Hera Group finalised the acquisition of Tiepolo Srl, owned by Combigas and Greenfield Renewables (each one holding 50% of the shares), which has developed a project for constructing a solar park in Bondeno (Ferrara) capable of meeting the needs of over 5,000 households. The plant, which will have a capacity of 8.9 megawatts and will generate approximately 13 GWh/year when fully operational, is one of the Hera Group’s numerous projects aimed at producing renewable energy and already included in the Business Plan to 2026, to support citizens, businesses and public administrations in the decarbonisation and electrification of their consumption. In order to make a significant contribution to reducing climate-changing gas emissions in all localities served and accompany them towards carbon neutrality, the Group has not only allocated significant investments for the energy transition in its Business Plan, but has also set up a new business unit entirely dedicated to renewable energy production and energy management. “For the Hera Group, combating climate change is crucial and translates into a strong focus on the energy transition in all strategic areas of development outlined in our Business Plan to 2026”, comments Orazio Iacono, CEO of the Hera Group. “These concrete initiatives promote renewable energy sources, from photovoltaics to new models of distributed power generation and from hydrogen to biomethane, which will play an increasingly important role in the process towards the decarbonisation and energy security of our country. Once again, Hera’s contribution will be crucial for the sustainable development of all local areas in which we operate.” See the press release 20230706_Hera Group acquires Tiepolo to build photovoltaic power station.pdf 2023-07-06 10:58:00 Nuova_Palazzina_110x150.1533218221.jpg