Press releases

The consolidated quarterly report at 31 March shows improvement in the main operating and financial indicators. Growth in investments and the reduction of financial debt also continued. sede Hera 110x150.jpg centrata Revenues at 4,321.3 million euro (+28.3%) Ebitda at 418.0 million euro (+0.2%) Net profit for shareholders at 153.7 million euro (+7.4%) Gross operating investments at 191.6 million euro (+22.2%) gNet financial debt improves to 3,896.9 million euro, with net debt/Ebitda at 2.45x Today, the Hera Group’s Board of Directors, chaired by Executive Chairman Cristian Fabbri, unanimously approved the consolidated results at 31 March 2025. The first quarter of 2025 closed with growth in operating results and investments, and a degree of financial solidity showing further improvement compared to the end of 2024. This good performance was driven by the Group’s multi-business strategy, balanced between regulated and free-market activities, and its usual focus on sustainability. Cristian Fabbri, Executive Chairman of the Hera Group: “In the first quarter we achieved solid growth in our financial results, further strengthening of our capital position. Ebitda rose to 418 million euro, with a structural increase in margins in all business areas, which offset the end of the non-recurring items. Gross operating investments were fully self-funded, thanks to the increase in cash flows, and exceeded 190 million euro, up by more than 22%: capital expenditures to further improve the resilience of assets in the integrated water cycle grew by 57%, while those going to upgrade plant equipment in waste treatment increased by 40%. The value creation at the basis of our industrial strategy was also confirmed by the increase in return on invested capital, which rose to 10.3%.” Orazio Iacono, CEO of the Hera Group: “The results achieved by the Hera Group in the first quarter of 2025 confirm our ability to pursue our path of growth, even in a complex macroeconomic scenario, keeping our focus on resilience, sustainability and innovation and confirming the solidity of our business model. The good operating and financial performances led to an increase of 7.4% in net profit attributable to shareholders, which rose to 153.7 million euro at 31 March 2025. Our positive cash generation, was able to fully cover the increase in both working capital and capital expenditures and also contributed to further improving financial flexibility, bringing the net debt/Ebitda ratio to 2.45x, lower than the leverage at the end of 2024, representing a strength for pursuing future external growth opportunities." Revenues at over 4.3 billion In the first quarter of 2025, revenues amounted to 4,321.3 million euro, up 28.3% compared to 3,368.6 million euro in the same period of 2024, mainly due to higher energy commodity prices and an increased energy customer base (adding almost 1 million customers equal to +20%). Higher revenues were also seen in the waste management area, due, for example, to the growth of the industrial market, thanks to development in remediation activities, and in the public lighting business, due to the progress made in work done for the energy requalification of public lighting systems. Ebitda rises slightly to 418.0 million Ebitda at 31 March 2025 came up at 418.0 million euro, up slightly (+0.2%) from 417.1 million euro in the first quarter of 2024, confirming strong resilience against macro scenario turbulence. This result indicates that the solid structural growth achieved by all business areas was able to offset the end of the contribution related to temporary opportunities that arose in the same period in 2024. Ebit and pre-tax result increase Ebit at 31 March 2025 rose to 247.2 million euro, up slightly (+0.5%) from 245.9 million euro in the first quarter of 2024. Lower provisions in last resort markets offset higher depreciation related to development capital expenditures, which increased the value of the Group’s assets particularly in regulated sectors and waste treatment, and the new customer acquisition activities in the energy sector. The pre-tax result was also up, amounting to 234.0 million euro (+9.9%) compared to 212.9 million euro at 31 March 2024, due in particular to greater efficiencies in financial management as a result of the optimisations undertaken during the previous year. Net profit for shareholders rises to 153.7 million The solid operating and financial performances allowed net profit to rise to 163.8 million euro (+6.8%), compared to 153.3 million euro at 31 March 2024. Net profit attributable to the Group’s shareholders also rose to 153.7 million euro (+7.4%), compared to 143.1 million euro at 31 March 2024. These results confirm the value creation objectives set out in the Business plan. Gross operating capital expenditures increase, and Group financial solidity maintained The Group’s operating capital expenditures, including capital grants, reached 191.6 million euro (+22.2%), compared to 156.8 million euro at 31 March 2024. This increase was mainly due to the water cycle and waste management areas. The total amount of net financial debt improved, reaching 3,896.9 million euro, down 67 million euro compared to the figure seen at 31 December 2024, thanks to the positive cash generation that was able to fully cover the increase in working capital and capital expenditures. The net debt/Ebitda ratio also improved compared to the end of 2024, standing at 2.45x in the first quarter of 2025. Financial solidity was reinforced with a flexibility that will allow the Group to continue to seize further growth opportunities, both organic and M&A, on top of those not included in the Business plan. Gas Ebitda for the gas area, which includes natural gas distribution and sales, district heating and energy efficiency services, showed an upward trend, reaching 187.3 million euro (+1.8%) compared to 184.0 million euro at 31 March 2024. This result was due to the positive performance of traditional sales markets, which more than offset the lower contribution coming from last resort markets, and regulated gas distribution revenues, impacted by the redetermination of tariffs for distribution and metering services for the period 2020-2025, the increased RAB for Group-owned assets and the effect of inflationary increases. In the first quarter of 2025, gross investments in the gas area amounted to 38.4 million euro, relating to gas distribution networks and plants, the acquisition of new customers in sales, and district heating services. The main interventions in district heating include the CAAB Pilastro interconnection in Bologna and the works for the construction of the hydrogen production plant in Trieste, while at the same time the Hydrogen Valley project in Modena is ongoing. The number of gas customers stood at 2 million. The gas area accounted for 44.8% of Group Ebitda. Electricity Ebitda for the electricity area, which includes services in electricity distribution, sales and generation, as well as public lighting, came to 60.8 million euro, as against 71.2 million euro in the same period of 2024. This result is the outcome of higher Ebitda in electricity distribution, following tariff updates and the development capital expenditures executed, as well as the end of some temporary opportunities related to the Safeguarded electricity service. The number of electricity customers increased by 48.9% compared to the same period in 2024, exceeding 2.6 million, due to the acquisition in July 2024 of residential customers in the Gradual Protection Service, business development in the free market, and the increase in customers in the safeguarded market as a result of the new tender for the period 2025-2026, confirming the Group competitive capacity. As regards public lighting, more than 42,000 lighting points were acquired in 19 new municipalities, mainly in Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Lombardy, Umbria, and Sardinia during the first quarter of 2025. The percentage of lighting points using LED bulbs also continued to grow, confirming the Group’s constant focus on an increasingly efficient and sustainable management. In the first quarter of 2025, the total gross capital expenditures made in this area amounted to 26.4 million euro, mainly in electricity distribution for the maintenance and upgrading of plants and distribution networks in the Modena, Imola, Trieste and Gorizia areas, and improvements in asset resilience. The electricity area accounted for 14.5% of Group Ebitda. Water cycle At 31 March 2025, Ebitda for the integrated water cycle area, which includes aqueduct, purification and sewerage services, rose to 71.2 million euro, up (+8.9%) from 65.4 million euro in the same period of 2024. This growth was mainly due to the higher investments made with measures aimed at promoting and enhancing interventions for the sustainability and resilience of the areas served. In the first quarter of 2025, investments made in the water cycle area, including capital grants, rose by 27.5 million euro to 75.8 million euro (46.9 million in aqueducts, 20.7 million in sewerage and 8.2 million in purification), mainly aimed at upgrading infrastructures to make them even more efficient, to ensure service quality and continuity, improve resilience and thus mitigate the impacts of climate change. Investments in the aqueduct were aimed at upgrading and renewing the distribution network; in the sewerage sector, in addition to maintenance work to upgrade the network in several of the areas served, construction began on the southern basins in Rimini as part of the seawater protection plan (PSBO); in the purification sector, note the upgrading and expansion of the Lugo and Ravenna purification plants. The integrated water cycle area accounted for 17% of Group Ebitda. Waste Ebitda for the waste management area, which includes services in waste collection, treatment and recovery, rose to 91.6 million euro (+2.2%), as against 89.6 million euro at 31 March 2024. This good performance was due to the diversification of both the offer and the customer base and the increase in volumes and services, in both the recovery and industrial markets, partially thanks to the acquisition of 70% of TRS Ecology, with a portfolio of over 2,700 customers, and the development of the remediation business through Group subsidiary ACR Reggiani. As of January 2025, Herambiente was also awarded the tender to manage the Montale (Pistoia) waste-to-energy plant. In the first quarter of 2025 as well, the Hera Group continued to pursue the main initiatives set out in the Business plan with a view to the circular economy, for example the inauguration in Imola (Bologna) of FIB3R, the first plant of its kind in Europe capable of regenerating carbon fibre on an industrial scale. Sorted waste collection at 31 March 2025 rose to 75.5%, up 1.4% compared to the same period in 2024. In the first quarter of 2025, gross investments made in the waste management area increased to 31.7 million euro, up 40.3% year-on-year, mainly for the development, the optimisation and the upgrading of waste treatment plants. The waste management area accounted for 21.9% of Group Ebitda. Download the press release Hera Group approves results for 1Q 2025.pdf 2025-05-14 12:24:00 sede Hera 110x150.jpg

The Group’s process of industrial growth continues, closing 2024 with key operating-financial indicators and investments rising, continuing to successfully seize market opportunities and generate value for the local areas served and all stakeholders sede Hera 110x150.jpg centrata The Hera Extraordinary and Ordinary Shareholders Meeting, chaired by Executive Chairman Cristian Fabbri, met this morning in Bologna to approve the 2024 financial statements and payment of a dividend increasing to 15 eurocents per share, in line with what had been previously announced when the 2028 Business Plan was presented, due to the significant results achieved. Also presented to Shareholders Meeting was the Sustainability reporting which, as of this year, is an integral part of the consolidated and separate financial statements at 31 December 2024, as required by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) 2022/2464/EU. Among the various resolutions passed, the Shareholders Meeting also approved an amendment to the Articles of Association, in compliance with Legislative Decree 125/2024 implementing the CSRD. Amendment of Article 29 of the Articles of Association: new position of Manager responsible for Sustainability reporting As part of the European Green Deal, in order to strengthen companies’ reporting obligations, Legislative Decree 125/2024 introduced the possibility of establishing the position of the Sustainability reporting manager. The Shareholders Meeting therefore approved the amendments of the Articles of Association aimed at regulating the procedures for appointment and the requirements concerning experience and professionalism for this new figure, in compliance with current legislation. 2024 financial statements approved with further growth in key indicators The Shareholders Meeting approved the 2024 financial statements, which indicate increases in the main operating and financial indicators and investments. The creation of value for all stakeholders and the Group’s solid equity once again prove the validity of its multi-business model and its ability to combine corporate growth and sustainable development. Among the main results: adjusted Ebitda rose to 1,587.6 million euro (+6.2%), mainly showing internal and structural growth, and the adjusted net profit attributable to shareholders increased sharply, reaching 494.5 million euro (+31.8%). Total operating investments grew to 860.3 million euro (+5.5%), an increase that demonstrates the ongoing focus on developing, enhancing and strengthening the resilience of assets under management, whose resistance was confirmed even during the extreme weather and climate phenomena that hit Emilia-Romagna last autumn. Net debt stood at 3,963.7 million euro, as against 3,827.7 million euro at 31 December 2023, mainly as a result of growth in investments and M&A transactions, including the acquisition of 70% of TRS Ecology. The Group’s financial strength was fully confirmed, with the net debt / Ebitda ratio* at 2.50x, an improvement on both the third quarter of 2024 and the figure seen at 31 December 2023. These results prove, once again, the validity of the management policies implemented by the Group, whose solid equity and financial flexibility have enabled it to continue on its path of industrial growth, by increasing investments, successfully seizing market opportunities and continuing to generate value for the benefit of all stakeholders. Payment of a dividend increasing to 15 euro cents per share approved The Ordinary Shareholders Meeting approved the Board of Directors’ proposal to pay a dividend coming to 15 eurocents per share, up 7.1% compared to the last dividend paid. The ex-dividend date was set at 23 June 2025, with payment as of 25 June 2025. The dividend will be paid to shares recorded on 24 June 2025. The entire dividend policy for the next few years will benefit from this increase, which once again confirms the Group’s strong focus on generating value for shareholders. This rise is also consistent with the remuneration policy set out in the 2024-2028 Business plan, which foresees growth in dividends coming to 17 eurocents per share by 2028, with net profit per share increasing by an average of 6% each year. Sustainability reporting: growth in shared value Ebitda and investments During the presentation of the 2024 financial statements, the Hera Group’s Sustainability reporting was also put to the attention of the Shareholders Meeting. In accordance with the CSRD and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), as of this year it is an integral part of the Directors’ report and contains all information needed to understand the company’s impact on sustainability issues and how they affect its performance and results. As confirmation of Hera’s commitment to sustainability and creating value in the areas served, in 2024 shared-value Ebitda (CSV Ebitda), referring to business activities that also meet the sustainability objectives of the Global Agenda, rose to 856.6 million euro, up 10% from 776.0 million euro in 2023, and equivalent to 54% of the Group’s total Ebitda. This result is in line with the significant increase CSV Ebitda expected in the Business plan, projected to reach over 1,100 million euro in 2028, equivalent to 66% of the Group’s total Ebitda, along a path that generates concrete benefits for the communities served, alongside the company’s own development. This is also confirmed by the economic value distributed to stakeholders in the local areas in which Hera operates, which reached 2.1 billion euro in 2024. Shared-value investments also rose, up from 558.4 million euro in 2023 to 655.1 million euro in 2024, and accounting for about 76% of total gross operating investments. Moreover, 90% of the investments eligible for the Taxonomy of environmentally sustainable activities are already aligned with the criteria of this European regulation, and are thus able to make a substantial contribution to environmental goals including climate change mitigation, circular economy, water resource protection and pollution prevention. Other resolutions approved The Shareholders Meeting, in its ordinary session, approved the report on the remuneration policy and compensation paid, in line with international best practices. A supplement to the remuneration of KPMG, the external auditing firm, was also approved due to changes in the scope of business, regulatory changes and revised auditing standards compared to those in force in 2022, when KPMG was appointed for the period 2024-2032. Lastly, the Shareholders Meeting approved the renewal of the Board of Directors’ authorisation to purchase treasury shares (and procedures for their management), for an amount of up to 240 million for 18 months, with the revocation of last year’s resolution for the portion not executed. The renewal of the authorisation to use treasury shares was requested in order to pursue the purposes permitted by regulations and accepted market practices, in order to increase the creation of value, within the scope of transactions carried out by Group companies as well, for which investment opportunities may arise, and for transactions involving the issue of financial instruments. Download the press release Shareholders Meeting 2025.pdf 2025-04-30 12:57:00 sede Hera 110x150.jpg

The plant, installed on an area of 9 hectares, has a 9 MW capacity and produces energy corresponding to the annual consumption of 5,000 households. When fully operational, it will save almost 6 thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. foto per sito.jpg centrata Clean energy from the sun in the countryside of Bondeno, near Ferrara. A large photovoltaic park for the production of renewable electricity has now become operational, built by the Hera Group. The works, which began last September thanks to an investment by the Group coming to approximately 7 million euro, are indeed finished and the production of entirely green energy, to be fed into the grid or destined for energy-intensive companies in the area, is already a reality. The new photovoltaic plant, which has 12,880 solar panels installed on a 9-hectare plot, has a capacity of 9 megawatts. The expected electricity production is roughly 13,500 MWh per year, corresponding to the annual consumption of 5,000 households. When fully operational, the plant will allow a saving in terms of carbon dioxide released into the environment equivalent to almost 6 thousand tonnes per year. This intervention is part of Hera’s investment plan to promote the generation of renewable electricity, with the aim of making a concrete contribution to the decarbonisation of consumption, accompanying the areas served along the ecological transition. This project, built on private land and in agreement with the municipal administration, will allow the town of Bondeno to obtain a share of the value of the energy produced each year to be used for environmental impact mitigation measures such as energy efficiency programmes, dissemination of renewable energy sources, and raising public awareness on environmental issues. “This project is an integral part of our distributed energy generation model, where renewable energy production is close to those who consume it, from citizens to businesses,” explains Orazio Iacono, CEO of the Hera Group. “Our role is indeed to support the decarbonisation processes of communities, from promoting energy efficiency to creating renewable energy production plants, creating a system “tailored” to the local area, in which production and consumption are interconnected. Only with innovation and investment in primary infrastructures can we build a more competitive future based on green energy: this is the reason for the creation of the energy parks in Bologna and Faenza and the agrivoltaic plant in Cesena, working with the newco Horowatt, in addition to this one in the Ferrara area. Lastly, the progressive electrification of the customer base and the supply of energy from renewable sources, including photovoltaics, along with the exclusive use of renewable energy for the Group’s internal consumption, are among the levers for achieving the Net Zero by 2050 target, an objective included in our Climate transition plan.” “Energy is a central issue in the daily lives of families and businesses and must receive the close attention of every authority and all actors in the sector,” comments the Mayor of Bondeno, Simone Saletti. “Obtaining 2.8% of the value of the energy obtained from all active photovoltaic systems, provided for by our regulations, as a municipality we will be able to carry out further renewable and sustainable energy implementation projects throughout the entire local area.” The Municipal Councillor for the Environment, Marco Vincenzi, adds: “We are collaborating with the Hera Group on projects that are important not only from the point of view of renewable energy, as important as it is. I would like to recall, for example, the company’s direct commitment to the future “Cavaliera” water treatment plant for better management of the waters of the Po river, and the non-recuring maintenance work for which we have had an agreement with the administration for some time”. Pannelli Bondeno.jpg 2025-04-04 foto per sito (1).jpg