Earnings Release • Mar 28, 2024
Earnings Release
Open in ViewerOpens in native device viewer

28 March 2024 6:15 PM - Regulated information: 2023 Results

28 March 2024 6:15 PM - Regulated information: 2023 Results
| Key financial data ___________ 3 | |
|---|---|
| Key events ____________ 4 | |
| On deck 24/7 for security of supply _______ 4 | |
| Additional transmission capacity __________ 4 | |
| Hydrogen and CO2 backbones take shape ___________ 5 | |
| First steps towards underground hydrogen storage _____ 5 | |
| Fluxys hydrogen and Fluxys c-grid candidate network operators ____ 6 | |
| Strong partners for a solid hub ____________ 6 | |
| Using sea water to reduce our CO2 emissions __________ 7 | |
| Fluxys Belgium – 2023 results (according to Belgian standards): proposed allocation of profit ____________ 7 |
|
| Financial outlook for 2024 __________ 8 | |
| External audit __________ 9 | |
| Contact _______________ 9 | |
| About Fluxys Belgium _____________ 10 | |
| Annex _______________ 11 |

28 March 2024 6:15 PM - Regulated information: 2023 Results
| Income statement | (in thousands of EUR) | 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating revenue | 592,788 | 912,559 | |
| EBITDA* | 285,809 | 323,167 | |
| EBIT* | 129,570 | 147,305 | |
| Net profit | 77,423 | 83,728 | |
| Balance sheet | (in thousands of EUR) | 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 |
| Investments in property, plant and equipment for the period | 167,654 | 105,525 | |
| Total property, plant and equipment | 1,873,286 | 1,855,375 | |
| Equity | 613,413 | 643,617 | |
| Net financial debt* | 219,404 | 493,800 | |
| Total consolidated balance sheet | 3,358,616 | 3,406,570 |
*For definitions and reasons for using these indicators, see the annex.
Fluxys Belgium generated turnover of EUR 592.8 million in 2023. This represents a decrease of EUR 319.8 million compared with 2022, when turnover stood at EUR 912.6 million. This change is in line with the tariff methodology. The exceptional solidarity contribution of EUR 300 million in 2022 was not repeated in 2023. As a result, there was no impact on revenue in 2023 as there was in 2022.
The consolidated net profit decreased by EUR 83.7 million in 2022 to EUR 77.4 million in 2023, a drop of EUR 6.3 million. This change in the net profit was due mainly to the reduction in the fair margin set out in the tariff methodology for the LNG terminal.

28 March 2024 6:15 PM - Regulated information: 2023 Results
The 2020-2023 tariff methodology (established by the regulator, CREG) applies the principle that all reasonable costs, including interest and fair compensation, are covered by the regulated income. In addition, there are various incentives to control costs and guide and control aspects of company performance. By strictly controlling its operating costs, combined with significant efforts to improve efficiency, Fluxys Belgium has managed to achieve most regulatory objectives and to book those incentives in a period of major operational challenges.
In 2023 investments in property, plant and equipment totalled EUR 167.7 million, compared with EUR 105.5 million in 2022. Of this amount, EUR 50.4 million was spent on LNG infrastructure projects, EUR 9.1 million on storage-related projects and EUR 106.3 million on transmission-related projects, including EUR 51.3 million for the Desteldonk-Opwijk pipeline, which is ready to be used to carry hydrogen as soon as the market is ready.
Throughout the year all our teams did everything they could to support security of supply in North-West Europe. The geopolitical situation resulting from the war in Ukraine has profoundly changed the dynamics on the gas markets and the direction of flows in Europe. In addition to supplying Belgium, suppliers continued to carry large quantities of natural gas to the Netherlands and Germany via the Belgian grid. At the same time, our underground storage facility in Loenhout got completely filled, enabling to go into the winter with a maximum buffer. In other words, our Belgian grid once again confirmed its role as an energy hub for Europe, with Zeebrugge as an important gateway.
Speed and adaptability are the watchwords when it comes to supporting the new supply situation in Europe. We reinforced the Zeebrugge-Brussels corridor with an

28 March 2024 6:15 PM - Regulated information: 2023 Results
additional pipeline to carry more natural gas inland from Zeebrugge while maintaining high flows to neighbouring countries. The Desteldonk-Zele section of the new pipeline commissioned in late 2023. Moreover, the pipeline has been designed to carry hydrogen as soon as the market is ready for it. This multi-molecule pipeline is our first concrete step in speeding up the energy transition.
We aim to help industry decarbonise as much as possible. We are making every effort to offer the first transmission capacity for hydrogen and/or CO2 in 2026. After another year of intensive consultations with the industry, we are fully preparing the next steps and the newly constructed infrastructure on the Zeebrugge-Brussels axis for security of supply constitutes the first 44 kilometres of the future hydrogen backbone in Belgium. As for CO2, we are also working on a backbone for transporting captured CO2 to subsea storage facilities and sites where it will be reused. In addition to building backbones for hydrogen and CO2 we are also fully committed to developing terminals for importing carbon-neutral molecules and exporting CO2.
Our expertise, innovative strength and existing infrastructure are vital building blocks for the future energy system. Wherever possible we will repurpose our 4,000 km of pipelines so they can carry hydrogen and CO2. We are also running hydrogen injection tests to determine whether our unique underground storage facility in Loenhout can contribute to the hydrogen economy. Today it is a massive buffer for natural gas, in the future possibly for hydrogen.

28 March 2024 6:15 PM - Regulated information: 2023 Results
The federal Hydrogen Act, passed in July, regulates the appointment of the system operator responsible for planning, developing and operating the hydrogen transmission system in Belgium. In line with the Hydrogen Act, we founded our subsidiary Fluxys hydrogen, which has submitted its candidacy to serve as the operator of the hydrogen network. The federal government is expected to appoint the system operator in the first months of 2024. The regions are setting up a regulatory framework for CO2 transmission activities. In anticipation of this, together with Pipelink, Socofe and SFPIM, we founded our subsidiary Fluxys c-grid, a separate company ready to be a candidate for the planning, development and operation of the CO2 transmission infrastructure on Belgian territory.
Strong partnerships and connections with neighbouring countries are essential for the development of open-access transmission infrastructure for both hydrogen and CO2. Together with OGE and Wintershall Dea in Germany we are exploring a cross-border pipeline for the transmission of CO2. With OGE we are also looking at a cross-border hydrogen connection between Belgium and Germany. With British National Gas we are working also in the context of the energy transition. And with Dutch hydrogen system operator Hynetwork Services we are looking into the possibilities to link our respective hydrogen networks. By connecting our hydrogen and CO2 grids with those of neighbouring countries, we are developing our country as a multi-molecule hub for the economy in both Belgium and North-West Europe.

28 March 2024 6:15 PM - Regulated information: 2023 Results
Our goal is to be climate-neutral in 2050. The first milestones are to halve our greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 compared to 2017 and to achieve a 67% reduction in 2030. In 2023 at our LNG terminal in Zeebrugge we commissioned three additional open-rack vaporisers (ORVs) that use heat from seawater to regasify LNG. These ORVs replace traditional heating units, resulting in much more efficient energy consumption and significantly lower CO2 emissions at the terminal.
Fluxys Belgium NV/SA's net profit was EUR 79.5 million, compared to EUR 84.0 million in 2022.
At the Annual General Meeting on 14 May 2024, Fluxys Belgium will propose a gross dividend of EUR 1.40 per share.
Taking into account a profit of EUR 93.1 million carried over from the previous financial year and a withdrawal of EUR 27.5 million from the reserves, the Board of Directors will propose to the Annual General Meeting that the profits be allocated as follows:
If that profit allocation proposal is adopted, the total gross dividend for the 2023 financial year will be EUR 1.40 per share. This amount will be payable from 22 May 2024 onwards.

28 March 2024 6:15 PM - Regulated information: 2023 Results
Under the 2024-2027 tariff methodology, the net profit from Belgian regulated activities is determined based on various regulatory parameters, including equity invested, financial structure and incentives.
The federal energy regulator, the CREG, approved in 2023 new transmission and storage tariffs for the 2024-2027 regulatory period. For transmission tariffs, the 10% tariff reduction dating from July 2022 will be extended to the 2024-2027 regulatory period. Storage tariffs are down 20% compared to 2023 tariffs. These tariff reductions have no impact on the profits of the Fluxys Belgium group.
The favourable development in transmission tariffs is mainly due to additional capacity sales to support security of supply in Germany and the Netherlands. Market conditions were also more favourable than expected for storage, resulting in higher-thanexpected revenues. As provided for in the regulatory framework, these additional revenues are set aside in the adjustment account and are gradually returned to the market via a tariff reduction and via investments aimed at strengthening security of supply and supporting the energy transition.
In February 2024, Fluxys Belgium and CREG agreed to propose to the market, via a public consultation, adaptations to the tariff methodology for the natural gas transmission system, the natural gas storage facility and the LNG facility for the 2024- 2027 regulatory period.
The tariff methodology, adopted in June 2022, provides for the use of a risk-free rate of 1.68% to calculate the margin for the four years of the 2024-2027 regulatory period. In the current context of high volatility in interest rates, an overall upward trend over the past two years and particularly high inflation in 2022, a number of changes are needed in order to guarantee operators a fair remuneration on capital invested in regulated assets, and to enable them to make the investments necessary to carry out their missions.

28 March 2024 6:15 PM - Regulated information: 2023 Results
The public consultation on changes to the tariff methodology will be held from 14 March to 14 April 2024. The impact of these proposed changes will be covered by the adjustment account. The tariffs set by CREG for the period 2024-2027 therefore remain unchanged at this stage.
Geopolitical developments Based on the information available at the time of this report, it is extremely difficult to anticipate the impact of the war in Ukraine. In light of the current understanding of the situation, the essential nature of the company's activities and its regulatory framework, at present we do not anticipate the war and the current resulting measures and market developments having any significant negative impact on the consolidated result of the Fluxys Belgium group in 2024.
The auditor confirmed that its audit work, which has been substantially completed, has not revealed any significant correction that should be made to the accounting information included in this press release.
Financial and accounting data: Filip De Boeck +32 2 282 79 89 - [email protected]
Press Office: +32 471 95 00 24 • [email protected]

28 March 2024 6:15 PM - Regulated information: 2023 Results
Fluxys Belgium is a Euronext-listed subsidiary of energy infrastructure group Fluxys. The company is headquartered in Belgium, has 900 employees and operates 4,000 kilometres of pipelines, a liquefied natural gas terminal with an annual regasification capacity of 174 TWh and an underground storage facility.
As a purpose-led company, Fluxys Belgium together with its stakeholders contributes to a better society by shaping a bright energy future. Building on the unique assets of its infrastructure and its commercial and technical expertise, Fluxys Belgium is committed to transporting hydrogen, biomethane or any other carbon-neutral energy carrier as well as CO2, accommodating the capture, usage and storage of the latter.

28 March 2024 6:15 PM - Regulated information: 2023 Results
| Consolidated balance sheet | (in thousands of EUR) | |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 | |
| I. Non-current assets | 2,073,059 | 2,061,085 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 1,873,286 | 1,855,375 |
| Intangible assets | 27,238 | 22,864 |
| Right-of-use assets | 28,580 | 30,020 |
| Equity-accounted investments | 50 | 50 |
| Other financial assets | 111,210 | 111,171 |
| Other amounts receivable | 21,496 | 15,144 |
| Other non-current assets | 11,199 | 26,461 |
| II. Current assets | 1,285,557 | 1,345,485 |
| Inventory | 50,443 | 62,656 |
| Finance lease receivables | 1,644 | 2,094 |
| Income tax receivable | 7,071 | 2,429 |
| Trade and other receivables | 102,056 | 164,299 |
| Short-term deposits | 32,998 | 26,113 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1,068,227 | 1,070,708 |
| Other current assets | 23,118 | 17,186 |
| Total assets | 3,358,616 | 3,406,570 |

| Consolidated balance sheet | (in thousands of EUR) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 | ||
| I. Equity | 613,413 | 643,617 | |
| Equity attributable to shareholders of the parent company |
612,625 | 643,617 | |
| Share capital and share premiums | 60,310 | 60,310 | |
| Retained earnings and other reserves | 552,315 | 583,307 | |
| Minority interests | 788 | 0 | |
| II. Non-current liabilities | 2,297,633 | 2,061,275 | |
| Interest-bearing liabilities | 1,070,311 | 1,115,772 | |
| Regulatory obligations | 1,039,716 | 746,809 | |
| Provisions | 3,939 | 4,127 | |
| Provisions for employee benefits | 48,455 | 47,444 | |
| Other non-current financial liabilities | 4,010 | 3,575 | |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 131,202 | 143,548 | |
| III. Current liabilities | 447,570 | 701,678 | |
| Interest-bearing liabilities | 55,336 | 56,269 | |
| Regulatory obligations | 219,122 | 188,485 | |
| Provisions | 291 | 0 | |
| Provisions for employee benefits | 3,508 | 3,543 | |
| Current tax liabilities | 4,248 | 1,020 | |
| Trade and other liabilities | 118,956 | 444,533 | |
| Other current liabilities | 46,109 | 7,828 |

| Total equity and liabilities 3,358,616 3,406,570 |
|---|
| Consolidated income statement | (in thousands of EUR) | |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 | |
| Sales and services | 592,788 | 912,559 |
| Gas sales relating to balancing operations and operational needs |
160,761 | 278,566 |
| Other operating income | 19,594 | 16,212 |
| Consumables, merchandise and supplies used | -8,895 | -5,582 |
| Gas purchases relating to balancing operations and operational needs |
-157,389 | -275,178 |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | -179,845 | -465,521 |
| Employee expenses | -135,240 | -132,931 |
| Other operating expense | -5,965 | -4,958 |
| Depreciation | -166,894 | -168,051 |
| Provisions | -745 | 6,993 |
| Impairment losses | 11,400 | -14,804 |
| Profit from operations | 129,570 | 147,305 |
| Change in value of financial instruments | 262 | -1,298 |
| Financial income | 37,606 | 4,589 |
| Financing expenses | -70,777 | -40,805 |
| Pre-tax profit | 96,661 | 109,791 |
| Income tax expenses | -19,238 | -26,063 |
| Net profit for the period | 77,423 | 83,728 |

| Fluxys Belgium share | 77,423 | 83,728 |
|---|---|---|
| Minority interest share | 0 | 0 |
| Basic earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the parent company in EUR |
1.1019 | 1.1916 |
| Diluted basic earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the parent company in EUR |
1.1019 | 1.1916 |
| Statement of consolidated comprehensive income | (in thousands of EUR) | |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 | |
| Net profit for the period | 77,423 | 83,728 |
| Items not subsequently reclassified in the income statement |
||
| Revaluations under defined benefit plans | -13,394 | 22,905 |
| Income tax expense on other comprehensive income |
3,348 | -5,726 |
| Other comprehensive income | -10,046 | 17,179 |
| Comprehensive income for the period | 67,377 | 100,907 |
| Fluxys Belgium share | 67,377 | 100,907 |
| Minority interest share | 0 | 0 |
| Statement of changes in consolidated equity | (in thousands of EUR) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share capital | Share premiu ms |
Unavailable reserves | Retained earnings | Employee benefits reserves |
Other comprehens ive income |
Equity attributable to shareholders of the parent company |
Minority interests |
Total equity | ||
| I. CLOSING BALANCE AS AT 31/12/2021 |
60,272 | 38 | 54,072 | 521,796 | 3,496 | 0 | 639,674 | 0 | 639,674 |

| 1. Comprehensive income for the period |
83,728 | 17,179 | 100,907 | 100,907 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2. Dividends distributed | -96,964 | -96,964 | -96,964 | ||||||
| II. CLOSING BALANCE AS AT 31/12/2022 |
60,272 | 38 | 54,072 | 508,560 | 20,675 | 0 | 643,617 | 0 | 643,617 |
| 1. Comprehensive income for the period |
77,423 | -10,046 | 67,377 | 67,377 | |||||
| 2. Dividends distributed | -98,369 | -98,369 | -98,369 | ||||||
| 3. Capital increases | 788 | 788 | |||||||
| III. CLOSING BALANCE AS AT 31/12/2023 |
60,272 | 38 | 54,072 | 487,614 | 10,629 | 0 | 612,625 | 788 | 613,413 |

| Consolidated cash-flow statement (indirect method) | (in thousands of EUR) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 | ||
| I. Cash and cash equivalents, opening balance | 1,070,708 | 366,931 | |
| II. Net cash flow from operating activities | 356,266 | 1,008,653 | |
| 1. Cash flow from operations | 345,568 | 1,041,092 | |
| 1.1. Profit from operations | 129,569 | 147,305 | |
| 1.2. Adjustments for non-cash items | 447,983 | 631,460 | |
| 1.2.1. Depreciation | 166,894 | 168,051 | |
| 1.2.2. Provisions | 745 | -6,993 | |
| 1.2.3. Impairment losses | -11,400 | 14,804 | |
| 1.2.4. Other adjustments for non-cash items | 640 | -626 | |
| 1.2.5. Increase (decrease) in regulatory debt | 291,104 | 456,224 | |
| 1.3. Change in working capital | -231,984 | 262,327 | |
| 1.3.1. Decrease (increase) in inventory | 23,644 | -38,433 | |
| 1.3.2. Decrease (increase) in tax assets payable | 901 | -956 | |
| 1.3.3. Decrease (increase) in trade and other receivables | 62,264 | -73,838 | |
| 1.3.4. Decrease (increase) in other current assets | -7,628 | -153 | |
| 1.3.5. Increase (decrease) in tax liabilities payable | 1,070 | -126 | |
| 1.3.6. Increase (decrease) in trade and other liabilities | -333,230 | 371,252 | |
| 1.3.7. Increase (decrease) in other current liabilities | 20,995 | 4,581 | |
| 2. Cash flow from other operating activities | 10,698 | -32,439 | |
| 2.1. Current taxes paid | -26,600 | -36,732 | |
| 2.2. Interest received on investments, cash and cash equivalents |
36,689 | 4,053 | |
| 2.3. Other inflows (outflows) relating to other operating activities |
609 | 240 | |
| III. Net cash flow from investing activities | -177,564 | -124,784 | |
| 1. Acquisitions | -185,595 | -145,118 | |
| 1.1. Payments made for the acquisition of tangible and intangible assets |
-184,776 | -116,916 |

| 1.2. Payments made for the acquisition of other financial assets |
-819 | -28,202 |
|---|---|---|
| --------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------ | --------- |
| 31/12/2023 31/12/2022 |
|---|
| 2. Disposals 14,916 707 |
| 2.1. Inflows relating to the transfer of tangible and 2.916 707 intangible assets |
| 2.2. Inflows relating to the disposal of other financial assets 12,000 0 |
| 3. Increase (-) / Decrease (+) in short-term deposits (1) -6,885 19,627 |
| IV. Net cash flow from financing activities -181,183 -180,092 |
| 1. Cash flow received relating to financing 1,238 601 |
| 1.1. Inflows from the issue of equity instruments 788 0 |
| 1.2. Inflows from financial leases 450 601 |
| 2. Repaid cash flow relating to financing -49,411 -48,455 |
| 2.1. Repayment of debts relating to a rental contract -5,048 -5,060 |
| 2.2. Repayment of other financial liabilities -44,363 -43,395 |
| 3. Interests -34,641 -35,274 |
| 3.1. Interest paid relating to financing -34,680 -35,330 |
| 3.2. Interest received relating to financing 39 56 |
| 4. Dividends paid -98,369 -96,964 |
| V. Net movement of cash and cash equivalents -2,481 703,777 |
| VI. Cash and cash equivalents, closing balance 1,068,227 1,070,708 |
| Consolidated income statement Fluxys Belgium in thousands of EUR |
31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Profit from operations | 129,570 | 147,305 |
| Depreciation | 166,894 | 168,051 |
| Provisions | 745 | -6,993 |
| Impairment losses | -11,400 | 14,804 |
| Profit from equity-accounted companies | 0 | 0 |

| Consolidated income statement Fluxys Belgium in thousands of EUR |
31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Profit from operations | 129,570 | 147,305 |
| Profit from equity-accounted companies | 0 | 0 |
| Dividends from non-consolidated companies | 0 | 0 |
| EBIT in thousands of EUR | 129,570 | 147,305 |
| Fluxys Belgium consolidated balance sheet in thousands of EUR |
31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Non-current interest-bearing liabilities | 1,070,311 | 1,115,772 |
| Current interest-bearing liabilities | 55,336 | 56,269 |
| Short-term deposits (75%) | -24,749 | -19,585 |
| Cash and cash equivalents (75%) | -801,170 | -578,031 |
| Other financial assets (75%) | -80,324 | -80,625 |
| Net financial debt in thousands of EUR | 219,404 | 493,800 |
Building tools?
Free accounts include 100 API calls/year for testing.
Have a question? We'll get back to you promptly.