Investor Presentation • Jan 31, 2022
Investor Presentation
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Gas distribution activities represent the core business of the Group, currently leader in the North-East and 5th largest operator at a national level
Energy Service Company (ESCo) controlled by the Group (district heating and energy efficiency)
Portfolio of investments in retail companies (EstEnergy ed Hera Comm)
Water Management Services
Technological partnership in the Integrated Water Service business, synergistic with the other Group activities
Recent acquisition of hydroelectric and wind plants to diversify the Group's activities and increase the production of clean energy
The plan envisages a growth path that will allow to increase company profitability, maintaining a balanced financial structure and a stable and profitable dividend distribution
The economic-financial objectives are combined with those of the main stakeholders and are integrated with the social and environmental goals
Ascopiave Group's strategy is based on sustainable growth, developing resources and competences in order to seize the opportunities generated by new market trends
The «Sustainable Development Goals» identified by Ascopiave through dialogue with its Stakeholders are the elements on which the Group's sustainable growth path is founded
The sustainability path undertaken by Ascopiave is inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) connected on the one hand to its business activities (SDGs 6, 7, 8 and 9) and on the other to the impact and effects that the Group has on the environment in which it operates (SDG 11, 12 and 13). In this context, the 2030 Agenda calls upon every business to be an activator of changes and to create sustainable ecosystems both locally and globally, instead of only focusing on the business itself, a concept which is deeply entrenched in Ascopiave's strategy.
3
Group consolidation
Current territorial presence
75% 14% 5%6% #PDR Ascopiave customers 20211
Regional distribution of
Veneto Lombardy Friuli Venezia Giulia Other regions
Competitive context in Veneto2
Ascopiave Group – Operating data 20211
Ascopiave Group – Strategic Plan 2021-2025 10 Notes: 1Preliminary. Source: 2Ascopiave elaboration on sector information and Mi.SE data 31.12.2012.
Consortium to acquire A2A assets
July 2021: Call for tender for the sale of minority stakes in the A2A gas network
Establishment of a consortium formed by Ascopiave (58%), ACEA (28%) and Iren (14%) to participate in the tender
December 2021: Signing of an agreement with A2A for the acquisition of the related assets
Expected closing: within the 1st half of 2022
Within 12 months of closing: Allocation of the assets among the consortium members is foreseen according to the respective perimeter of interest
Key highlights of the operation
Ascopiave Group + A2A Assets1 - Operating data 20212
398 445 492 541
398 445 492 541
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Ascopiave Group – Strategic Plan 2021-2025 11 Notes: 1Pro forma data by estimating Ascopiave's share of A2A assets in the acquisition perimeter, consolidated at 100% (including the share pertaining to minority interests); 2Preliminary. Source: 3Ascopiave elaboration on sector information and Mi.SE data 31.12.2012.
777 776
777
+114
2
1
EBITDA
Constancy of economic results and cash flows guaranteed by the stability of the regulation and increase in EBITDA supported by the growth in the number of customers served over the years
Return on invested capital 20212
Ascopiave achieves excellent profitability of operational management, confirmed by a return on investment (ROI) higher than the rate of return envisaged by the regulator (regulatory WACC)
Ascopiave Group – Strategic Plan 2021-2025 12 Notes: 1Titoli di Efficienza Energetica – Energy Efficiency Certificates; 2Preliminary; 3EBIT adj. (adjusted for the amount of license fees paid to local authorities and for the alignment between accounting and tariff depreciation) / RAB.
EstEnergy – Operating data 20211 Extraordinary transaction completed with Hera in December 2019
Dividend distribution
€ ▪ Annual distribution of 100% of generated profits
In 2020 Ascopiave subscribed an EstEnergy capital increase for 32.5m€ to service the tax relief of the higher value of the equity investments it acquired compared to the net book value. The benefits for Ascopiave will be represented by higher dividends in the years 2023-2032. If the put option is exercised, the benefits not yet obtained will be recognized as a supplement to the price.
Option that can be fully or partially exercised between December 2021 and December 2026
1. Maximisation of the strike price
2. Reinvestment of the proceeds from the sale
The plan assumes a partial and limited exercise of the put options on investments in order to finance the planned investment plan
Ascopiave is active in the Water Management Service in the Province of Bergamo, through the subsidiary Cart Acqua. Following the acquisition at the end of 2020, a path to activate synergies with the gas distribution activity managed in the same geographical area was started
Synergistic activities activated
• Sharing of the technological platform for the management of the data flow detected by smart meters
• Integration at the level of the IT system used for the management of active users
Ascopiave Group – Strategic Plan 2021-2025 15
December 2021: acquisition of the portfolio of 6 hydroelectric plants from the EVA Group in Lombardy and Piedmont. All plants operate under an incentive scheme (Feed in tariff) with an average maturity beyond 2033
January 2022: acquisition of the 79.74% stake in Eusebio Energia S.r.l., owner of a portfolio of 21 hydroelectric plants in Lombardy and Veneto and 1 wind farm (14 turbines of 1 MW each) in Campania
The low debt in relation to the risk profile of the assets held allows to seize new investment opportunities in line with the strategic pillars
Ascopiave underwrote a bond loan through a private placement "shelf program" with Pricoa Capital Limited to ensure additional funding for the Investment Plan
Key elements that lead to the operation:
Main features of the shelf program:
Residual amount to be issued by 2024: ̴ 151 m€
Ascopiave is committed to the fight against climate change and intends to contribute to the decarbonisation goals defined at national and European level, through initiatives aimed, for example, at reducing CO2 emissions and reducing the use of plastic in company offices
Ascopiave promotes the improvement of the social quality standards of corporate activity with initiatives and policies that promote social values in its organisation and in favor of the local community, for example through training and inclusion programs for employees
Ascopiave, as a listed company, is aligned with the Best Practices of the sector in the composition of its Board of Directors and its Board of Statutory Auditors, respecting for example the legislation on gender equality. The new edition of documents such as the Code of Ethics, Remuneration Policy, Articles of Association, Management and Coordination Guidelines, envisages sustainable success as a key principle.
ESG linked loan: credit lines with a rate linked to the achievement of specific targets of some ESG indicators.
2020: First ESG linked loan with Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. for a total amount of € 50 million and a duration of 3 years
2021: Green loan with Mediobanca S.p.A. for an amount of € 20 million and a duration of 5 years, aimed at covering investments in renewable energy.
In 2021, Ascopiave established the Sustainability Committee which supports the Company in assessing and making decisions on environmental sustainability, energy transition and strategies for combating climate change.
Ascopiave Group has always paid great attention and commitment to environmental issues, with the aim of minimising the environmental impact of its activities
Renewable energy sources: thanks to a 380 kW photovoltaic system and a geothermal system, we guarantee a significant reduction in pollution and consumption at the company headquarters. Ascopiave also entered the business of renewable energy production, investing in the hydroelectric sector (27 plants with a nominal installed power of 48.5 MW) and in the wind sector (1 plant of 14 MW).
CO2 emission reduction: for some time we have been implementing the best technologies for constant monitoring of consumption and instilling sustainable behaviors
Plastics: drastic reduction in the consumption of plastic bottles at the offices thanks to the installation of various dispensers in common areas and the distribution of reusable bottles to each employee, pursuant to Legislative Decree 196/21 (in implementation of EU Directive 2019/904)
District heating/cogeneration: Through the management of 3 cogeneration plants with adjoining district heating networks serving about 700 civil-, commercial- and public customers and some heating systems serving condominiums, we contribute to the improvement of air quality in urban centers
TEE Management: Through the subsidiary Asco Energy (ESCo), Ascopiave manages the procurement of the Group's energy efficiency certificates in the most effective way
Cafeteria service: Availability of the canteen service with a focus on the provision of sustainable menus with the aim of reducing the use of water related to the production and consumption of food and CO2 emissions
Ascopiave Group promotes the involvement of personnel in the achievement of sustainability goals and values the contribution of people in a context of mutual trust and collaboration
Sustainability Report: During 2021, activities aimed at publishing the 2021 Sustainability Report were launched, expanding the involvement of the Stakeholders compared to previous versions
Formation: Ascopiave promotes the professional skills of its employees through training and continuous growth, also in order to increase the current digital skills of the staff
Inclusivity: the Group, following an inclusive approach, is sensitive to the issues of equal opportunities both for the management and for the selection of personnel, focusing on a minimum recruitment quota of 65% under 35
Work/life balance: Ascopiave pays particular attention to the work / life balance of its employees: in particular, with a 2nd level contractual agreement, the company provides flexibility in the entry and exit of the working day
Maternity: for working mothers with children up to 11 years of age, Ascopiave allows part-time work and / or have a more conciliatory working schedule
Extension of the company green spaces: the company roofs were converted in gardens, for a total of 28,000 square meters of outdoor greenery equipped with an intelligent irrigation system and a rainwater collection system
Expected gas consumption Italy1
Ascopiave Group – Strategic Plan 2021-2025 24 Source: 1Snam-Terna Scenario 2021 – Scenario NT Italia (based on the forecasts of the final version of the PNIEC 2019 taking into account the European Development Plan TYNDP 2022); 2Biomethane and hydrogen.
Hydrogen is an efficient vector that can be produced with zero emissions from RES by electrolysis. In the long term, green hydrogen will constitute a valid alternative to natural gas, especially for the decarbonisation of the hard-to-abate sectors.
Biomethane is a renewable energy source that will already be able to provide a sustainable alternative to natural gas in the medium term. It is obtained by upgrading the biogas generated by the anaerobic digestion of biomass, thus promoting the reuse of waste and the circular economy.
Programmable electricity generation
Possibility of storage and transport with existing gas networks
Application in light of the integration with the electricity network (e.g. power-to-gas-to-power)
Significant contribution to the reduction of emissions
Ascopiave Group – Strategic Plan 2021-2025 25 Source: 1Snam-Terna Scenario 2021 – Scenario NT Italia (based on the forecasts of the final version of the PNIEC 2019 taking into account the European Development Plan TYNDP 2022).
The gas distribution sector recorded a gradual consolidation, favored by:
No. of gas distribution operators in Italy2
The energy system transformation scenario will require a renewal of the sector, in terms of:
✓ To safely allow the distribution of gas with increasing percentages of hydrogen
✓ Through operational efficiency measures aimed at greater sustainability of the activities
The current regulation of the sector guarantees stability and containment of risks while the regulatory changes expected by ARERA are aimed at improving the efficiency of total costs and favoring innovation and solutions aimed at decarbonisation
Strategic pillars Quantitative
projections
Shareholder remuneration
1. Awarding of a significant number of tenders of minimum territorial scope (ATEM) 2. M&A of small to medium-sized companies operating in the gas distribution sector 3. Establishment of partnerships aimed at joint participation in tenders
Selection criteria for ATEM of interest
The definition and implementation of the strategy depends on the timing of publication of the tender notices and any delays in the deadlines. This implies the need to establish an order of strategic priority and a continuous updating of decisions regarding participation in future tenders
1. Priority to development in the North-East region, consolidating the current leadership position
3. Participation in tenders in currently managed ATEM and in other contestable ATEM
Thanks to its characteristics and track record, Ascopiave is a credible counterpart in possible acquisitions and/or partnerships in the gas distribution sector
The entry into activities with synergies with respect to the core business allows Ascopiave to maximise the value generated by the Group, exploiting and enhancing the internal competences
The diversification strategy undertaken by Ascopiave foresees the investment of approximately € 258m by 2025 to support projects related to renewables, green gas, energy efficiency and water service
Ascopiave Group – Strategic Plan 2021-2025 36 Note: 1The indicated EV value corresponds to the entire value of the assets, including the exercise price of the put option of the shareholding (20.26% of the capital) held by the minority shareholders of Eusebio Energia S.r.l. (15 € M).
Growth Diversification Efficiency Innovation
@ 2025
Priority of dispatching of non-programmable RES compared to traditional sources
Central role of renewable sources in the context of the ongoing energy transition (expected coverage of 55% of electricity consumption by 2030 on a national basis through RES vs 35% in 2017)1
Forecast in the PNRR of the reform aimed at simplifying the authorization procedures for renewable plants, in continuity with the provisions of the Simplification Decree
Possibility of leveraging competences in terms of remote management of infrastructures, developed in the core business
▪ Structuring of a plant portfolio, preferably under an incentive scheme, through M&A operations and greenfield developments ▪ Consolidation of management competences through external growth and/or partnership agreements with specialised operators ACTION PLAN ~132 m€ cumulated investments @ 2025 ~12 m€ EBITDA generated @ 2025 ~80,5 MW Installed capacity
R
▪ Possibility of drawing on public support (subsidized funds, loans, contributions, both at national and European level). In the PNRR, reforms aimed at promoting the competitiveness of hydrogen are envisaged
Growth Diversification Efficiency Innovation
▪ Possibility of structuring medium / long-term supply contracts with final consumers (e.g. transport)
Expected significant development of RES, enabling the production of hydrogen. By 2030, the installation of electrolysis capacity for ca. 5GW1
Ability to leverage the consolidated skills gained in the management of gas networks, also in light of blending
▪ Presence of ten-year incentives (ca. 0.6€/Scm) on biomethane production for transport (up to production of 1.1 mScm by 2022)
Forecast in the PNRR of a new regulation aimed at promoting the production and consumption of renewable gas
Infrastructural complementarity with gas distribution networks
*It is expected that the biomethane initiative will be fully operational starting from 2028, generating from that moment an EBITDA equal to approximately 2 m €/year and therefore does not fall within this strategic plan
Growth Diversification Efficiency Innovation
▪ Primary role in reducing emissions, at the heart of national and European policies (the PNIEC sets an annual savings target of 0.8% in terms of primary energy, corresponding to a cumulative savings of 51 Mtoe1 in 2021-2030)
E
▪ Possibility of leveraging internal competences in terms of energy service management, as well as corporate services
▪ Focus on areas where the core business is located ▪ Supervision of energy services aimed at Business customers and Public Administration, both through ESCo contracts, Project Financing and public tenders ACTION PLAN ~10 m€ cumulated investments @ 2025
▪ Consolidation of internal competences and preparation for potential growth for external lines (through M&A) aimed at sharing know-how and achieving economies of scale
~1.5 m€ EBITDA generated @ 2025
R
▪ Regulated activity with return on invested capital through a tariff mechanism defined by the sector Authority - ARERA (WACC for the regulatory period 2020-2023 equal to 5.24%)
▪ High potential need for investments in the sector in order to reduce the infrastructure gap and contain water losses (60% of the national water network is over 30 years old and 25% over 50 years old, while the losses exceed 40%)1
Growth Diversification Efficiency Innovation
▪ Growing trend in investments (+ 24% in 7 years from 2011 to 2017) with forecast for the two-year period 2018 - 2019 of an annual amount of ca. 3.5 billion €2
Ascopiave has achieved appreciable results in terms of management efficiency, implementing organisational and technological solutions functional to the purpose
Historical costs per customer1
Starting from 2016, an extensive process of reorganisation of the distribution activities was launched which involved all the companies of the Group:
This has allowed the optimisation of the use of resources, allowing the internalisation of many contracted activities to third parties in order to reduce management costs and increase the possibility of making investments
Ascopiave Group – Strategic Plan 2021-2025 43 Notes: 1 Indexed costs based on the costs recorded in 2017, which incorporate both the general costs of the distribution companies and the costs for Corporate services; 2Preliminary.
Improving operating and economic efficiency is at the heart of Ascopiave's management policies which intends to follow up on the excellent results achieved over the last few years
Plan
goals
Growth Diversification Efficiency Innovation
| Efficiency initiatives | |
|---|---|
Ascopiave Group – Strategic Plan 2021-2025 45 Notes: 1Point-to-Point; 2of which 1.0 m€ already completed in 2021; 3of which 0.5 m€ already completed in 2021.
Growth Diversification Efficiency Innovation
The plan includes investments and initiatives aimed at improving corporate efficiency through greater sustainability in both environmental and social activities
Staff training: target of 15 hours/year of training per employee by enriching the training offer in e-learning mode and offering online training content, collected within a structured platform
Asset renewal: conversion of the first six gas compression plants into gas / electric hybrids and start of energy efficiency initiatives on existing assets
Sustainable vehicles: company fleet renewal according to the highest industry standards, also experimenting with the use of vehicles powered by alternative fuels
Renewable power: further increase in the photovoltaic power installed at the company headquarters (+96%) which will allow a saving, in terms of tonnes of CO2 avoided from 2021 to 2025, equal to 608 tonnes
Reduction of CO2 and CH4 emissions: through the implementation of interventions to improve the efficiency of the preheating in the REMI cabins and the adoption of innovative methods for the research of CH4 dispersions in the networks
long term goals
Interventions with immediate positive effects on income:
Strategic investments:
| Efficiency | Recovery | distribution system |
detection | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimisation of the pre-heating system with high-efficiency cogeneration, heat pumps, photovoltaic and solar thermal intended to reduce the energy consumption of REMI cabins |
Implementation of turbo expansion combined with high efficiency cogeneration (CAR) |
Bi-directional REMI cabins to ensure capacity and continuity in the injection of "green" gases into the distribution grid, in particular biomethane for which several connection requests have recently been received for the currently managed network |
Through the use of vehicles equipped with special equipment and sensors which, with the help of sophisticated analysis software, guarantee a sensitivity of detection of the presence of gas in the air three times higher than traditional methods |
Cumulated | |
| Cumulated investments |
~4.2 m€1 | ~4.3 m€ | ~2.5 m€ | ~1.5 m€2 | investments @ 2025 ~12.4 m€ |
| Expected benefits |
▪ Significant reduction in operating costs ▪ Contribution ▪ Reduction of CO2 |
to TEE obligations emissions |
▪ Adjustment of the network for the future injection of "green" gases ▪ Lower connection and operating costs for "green" gas producers |
▪ Improvement of safety conditions ▪ Reduction of leak reporting by third parties ▪ Maintenance planning improvement ▪ Reduction of CH4 emissions into the atmosphere |
Ascopiave Group – Strategic Plan 2021-2025 48 Note: 1of which 0.4 m€ already completed in 2021; 2 Investments already completed in 2021.
Strategic pillars Quantitative projections
Shareholder remuneration
The plan projections have been elaborated and defined taking into consideration both the main risk elements typical of the reference sectors, and the characteristics of Ascopiave
▪ Achievement of reasonable growth targets through M&A and diversified asset investment initiatives
Cumulative net investments1 @ 2025
in case ATEM tenders are awarded (Scenario B)
Ascopiave Group – Strategic Plan 2021-2025 52 Note: 1Net of possible divestments; 2 Impianto di derivazione d'utenza – User connecting gas pipes; 3Gruppo di riduzione finale – Final pressure reduction station.
The implementation of the initiatives considered will lead, over the plan horizon, to a progressive and stable growth of the value generated in terms of EBITDA
in case ATEM tenders are awarded (Scenario B)
Thanks to a continuous reduction of its consumption (-4% p.a.), the Ascopiave Group will be able to save approx. 7 kton CO2 emissions over the time horizon of the Strategic plan (scope 1 and 2)
The diversification of Ascopiave in the clean energy production sector, once fully operational, will contribute to an average annual reduction of emissions equal to approx. 84 kton of CO2 . A further contribution in terms of CO2 savings is expected thanks to the initiatives related to Green Hydrogen and Biomethane.
| m€ | 1 2021 |
2025 Scenario A | CAGR | 2025 Scenario B | CAGR | Δ | 2025 Scenario B vs A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | 131 | 228 | 15% | 256 | 18% | 28 | 12% | |
| EBITDA | 66 | 102 | 11% | 118 | 15% | 16 | 15% | |
| EBIT | 31 | 39 | 6% | 47 | 11% | 8 | 20% | |
| Net financial income2 |
23 | 23 | 0% | 17 | -7% | -5 | -24% | |
| Net income | 44 | 46 | 1% | 46 | 1% | 0 | 0% |
Ascopiave Group – Strategic Plan 2021-2025 57 Notes: 1Preliminary; 2 Income from equity investments net of financial charges on debt.
Ascopiave Group – Strategic Plan 2021-2025 58 Notes: 1Preliminary; 2Ratio between debt and net equity; 3Net Financial Position.
Ascopiave's strategy aims to create value for its stakeholders, distributing the wealth produced to contribute to the economic and social growth of the context in which the Group operates
Added value1 created by Ascopiave's activities over the course of the 2021-25 strategic plan (Scenario A)
Ascopiave Group – Strategic Plan 2021-2025 59 Notes: 1The added value is determined by the value generated in the reference period and partly redistributed, in various forms, to the Group's stakeholders.
Strategic pillars Quantitative projections
Shareholder remuneration
Ascopiave is focused on cost of capital efficiency and financial flexibility in order to create value for shareholders in the long term
Equity management
Use of financial leverage to cover the needs of planned investments
1. Efficiency of the financial structure and cost of capital 2. Financial flexibility
Value creation for shareholders
Stock performance (ASC.MI) on the stock exchange from 01.01.2016 to 31.12.2021
In the 2016-2020 period, Ascopiave distributed ordinary dividends totalling approximately 190 m€ (annual average: 21.4 c€/share1 ), thanks to:
Ascopiave expects to distribute a dividend growing from
16.5 c€/share in 2021 to 18.5 c€/share in 2025 (+12%)
Dividend distributed by Ascopiave and historical dividend yield 2016-20 and prospective 2021-25
Ascopiave Group – Strategic Plan 2021-2025 63 Notes: 1The annual average dividend and the dividend yields were calculated considering only the ordinary dividend; 2Dividend approved and distributed during 2026 with reference to the year 2025.
Ascopiave Group is a consolidated entity active in a regulated market and with a track record of business growth
The strategy that will guide the Group's action in the coming years is based on growth of the core business, diversification into new synergistic activities, economic efficiency and innovation
The investment plan, about 600 million euros in the more prudent context, is equally intended for the current perimeter and for the expansion of company activities
The expected results lead to sustainable growth capable of creating value for shareholders and other main stakeholders
The plan provides for the distribution of a remunerative and growing dividend for the period to the benefit of the Group's shareholders
SCENARIO B
| Parameter | Hypothesis | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflation | 1.2% - average annual inflation over the entire plan horizon |
||
| Real pre-tax WACC (RAB distribution) |
6.3% - rate recognised in the year 2021 and for the entire plan horizon 5.6% - rate recognised in the year 2022 and for the remaining plan horizon |
||
| Tariff operating costs |
X-Factor currently provided by regulation | ||
| Tariff capital costs | Continuity of the cost recognition methodology (actual costs in distribution, maintenance of depreciation rates, etc.) |
||
| EstEnergy result |
In line with the forecasts of the company's plan | ||
| Dividends from other investments |
Equal to dividends distributed in 2020 | ||
| Tax Rate | 28.2% - IRES and IRAP rates, constant throughout the plan horizon |
||
| Cost of debt | 0.8% - Average annual passive rate over the entire horizon of the plan |
||
| Dividends | 16.5 c€ in 2021, up by 0.5 c€/year in subsequent years |
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