Quarterly Report • Nov 11, 2021
Quarterly Report
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Group adjusted EBITDA 6 % higher year on year // Exceptional energy trading performance // Earnings forecast for fiscal 2021 confirmed: Group adjusted EBITDA of €3.0 billion to €3.4 billion expected // RWE secures sites for two new North Sea wind farms
| 1 | Combined review of operations | 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Major events | 3 | |
| Commentary on reporting | 5 | |
| Business performance | 7 | |
| Outlook for 2021 | 17 | |
| 2 Interim consolidated financial | ||
| statements (condensed) | 18 | |
| Income statement | 18 | |
| Statement of comprehensive income | 19 | |
| Balance sheet | 20 | |
| Cash flow statement | 22 |
3 Financial calendar 2021 / 2022 23
| RWE Group – key figures1 | Jan – Sep 2021 |
Jan – Sep 2020 |
+/– | Jan – Dec 2020 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power generation | GWh | 118,691 | 101,529 | 17,162 | 146,775 |
| External revenue (excluding natural gas tax / electricity tax) |
€ million | 13,253 | 9,392 | 3,861 | 13,688 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | € million | 2,397 | 2,261 | 136 | 3,286 |
| Adjusted EBIT | € million | 1,339 | 1,182 | 157 | 1,823 |
| Income from continuing operations before tax | € million | 3,459 | 1,948 | 1,511 | 1,265 |
| Net income | € million | 2,808 | 1,597 | 1,211 | 1,051 |
| Adjusted net income | € million | 1,026 | 794 | 232 | 1,257 |
| Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations |
€ million | 3,421 | 1,768 | 1,653 | 4,125 |
| Capital expenditure | € million | 2,800 | 1,662 | 1,138 | 3,358 |
| Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets |
€ million | 2,763 | 1,562 | 1,201 | 2,285 |
| Financial assets | € million | 37 | 100 | – 63 | 1,073 |
| Free cash flow | € million | 1,213 | 427 | 786 | 1,132 |
| Number of shares outstanding (average) | thousands | 676,220 | 624,308 | 51,912 | 637,286 |
| Earnings per share | € | 4.15 | 2.56 | 1.59 | 1.65 |
| Adjusted net income per share | € | 1.52 | 1.27 | 0.25 | 1.97 |
| 30 Sep 2021 | 31 Dec 2020 | ||||
| Net debt | € million | 2,866 | 4,432 | – 1,566 | |
| Workforce2 | 18,902 | 19,498 | – 596 |
1 Some prior-year figures restated due to a change in the recognition of renewable energy tax benefits in the USA (see commentary on page 6). 2 Converted to full-time positions.
2 Interim consolidated financial statements (condensed)
3 Financial calendar 2021 / 2022
RWE secures two locations for new wind farms in German North Sea. In an invitation to tender by the German Network Agency in September, RWE placed the winning bid for a site in the North Sea, officially called N-3.7. This allows us to build a wind farm with an installed capacity of 225 MW. We made a zero-cent bid to secure the area, which means that we will sell the electricity generated there without a minimum price guaranteed by the state. N-3.8, a second North Sea area earmarked for a 433 MW wind farm, was also auctioned off in the tender process. The winning bid was placed by French energy group EDF, but it had to pass on the location to a joint venture between Northland Power and RWE. This is because together with our Canadian partner, we had pre-developed the site and therefore had a step-in right. Now we must deliver the project at the conditions in EDF's winning bid; the company submitted a zero-cent bid.
Partial sale of Texan wind farm West Raymond completed. In July, our new Texan wind farm West Raymond put its net installed capacity of 240 MW into commercial operation. Shortly thereafter, we sold shares accounting for a total of 75 % of the wind farm. The purchasers were a subsidiary of the Canadian energy utility Algonquin Power & Utilities and the UK investor Greencoat, which acquired stakes of 51 % and 24 %, respectively. A corresponding contract was concluded in December 2020. The agreement also stipulated that Algonquin and Greencoat receive interests of 51 % and 24 % in the Texan onshore wind farms Stella (201 MW), Cranell (220 MW) and East Raymond (200 MW). These transactions were concluded in January 2021. As we retain a shareholding of just 25 % in the wind farms, they are no longer fully consolidated and are accounted for using the equity method instead. However, RWE remains the operator of the wind farms.
US wind farm Cassadaga starts commercial operation. This past summer, we completed yet another large-scale onshore wind farm called Cassadaga, which is located in the US state of New York. The 37 turbines have been running commercially since August and account for a combined capacity of 125 MW. Cassadaga is our 29th onshore wind farm in the USA. Our capital expenditure on the project exceeded US\$200 million.
RWE sells small hydropower plants to KELAG. Austrian energy utility KELAG acquired twelve French and seven Portuguese hydro assets from us, which have a total installed capacity of 62 MW (RWE's pro-rata share). We also sold a number of wind turbines in Portugal with a combined capacity of 3 MW to KELAG. A corresponding agreement was reached at the end of last year. We transferred the French plants in April 2021, and the Portuguese assets followed in September. KELAG is a leading hydropower producer. We currently hold a 37.9 % stake in the company.
Frimmersdorf lignite-fired power station shut down for good. The Frimmersdorf lignite power plant in Grevenbroich (near Cologne) has been shut down for good. The last two units P and Q, with a net installed capacity of 284 MW and 278 MW, were on stand-by until 30 September this year. As of 1 October 2017, they had been designated as operating reserve for a period of four years, during which they were unable to participate in the market, as their capacity had to remain available to ensure security of supply when necessary. This obligation has since expired. The approximately 30 affected employees now work for the adjacent Neurath power station or have retired. Three of RWE's lignite blocks are still on security stand-by: Niederaussem E and F (until 30 September 2022) as well as Neurath C (until 30 September 2023).
Major events occurring in the period from January to July 2021 were presented in the interim report on the first half of 2021.
1 Combined review of operations Major events
2 Interim consolidated financial statements (condensed)
3 Financial calendar 2021 / 2022
RWE sets the stage to expand renewable energy in Greece. In early October, we set up a joint venture with energy group Public Power Corporation (PPC) to realise solar projects in Greece. We and PPC own 51 % and 49 % of the new company, respectively. Our partner is the country's largest power utility and will contribute photovoltaic projects with up to 940 MW of capacity to the joint venture. RWE will bring a project pipeline of a similar size to the table. The undertakings are in various stages of development. Based on current plans, the first farms will be commissioned in 2023.
RWE and Shell are stepping up their collaborative efforts to build a European hydrogen economy. Representatives from both companies recently signed a corresponding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). It envisages us jointly developing projects to produce, use and sell hydrogen. RWE and the British-Dutch energy group are already working together in this area. The companies are partners in consortiums implementing trailblazing hydrogen projects: AquaVentus in Germany and NortH2 in the Netherlands, on which we provide commentary on pages 31 et seq. of the 2020 Annual Report. RWE and Shell intend to take the next step and initiate large-scale projects in the United Kingdom for the production of green hydrogen using offshore wind energy. The MoU also encompasses measures to decarbonise gas and biomass-fired power stations within the RWE Group. To this end, we will explore carbon capture and storage as well as electricity generation using hydrogen.
Group structure features five segments. In our financial reporting, we divide the RWE Group into the five following segments: (1) Offshore Wind, (2) Onshore Wind / Solar, (3) Hydro / Biomass / Gas, (4) Supply & Trading and (5) Coal / Nuclear. Segments (1) to (4) represent our core business. This is where we want to grow. In (5), we have pooled our German power generation from coal and nuclear fuel, which will lose importance due to exit roadmaps established by the government.
The individual segments comprise the following activities:
Group companies with cross-segment tasks, such as the Group holding company RWE AG, are stated as part of the core business under the 'other, consolidation' line item. This also applies to our stakes of 25.1 % in German transmission system operator Amprion and 15 % in E.ON. However, the dividends we receive from E.ON are recognised in the financial result. Furthermore, 'other, consolidation' contains consolidation effects.
2 Interim consolidated financial statements (condensed)
3 Financial calendar 2021 / 2022
Changed recognition of tax benefits in the USA. At the start of this fiscal year, we changed the way in which we account for tax benefits we receive for US wind and solar projects. As set out on page 37 of the 2020 Annual Report, renewable energy is subsidised via tax credits in the USA. Furthermore, plant operators can benefit from accelerated depreciation, referred to as tax benefits. Until 2020, we recognised them in taxes on income. By contrast, the benefits of tax credits are considered in other operating income. For the sake of consistency, we have now also applied this approach to tax benefits. It has a positive impact on adjusted EBITDA. To ensure comparability, we restated the prior-year figures. More information can be found on pages 35 et seqq. of the interim report on the first half of 2021.
Forward-looking statements. This interim statement contains forward-looking statements regarding the future development of the RWE Group and its companies as well as economic and political developments. These statements are assessments that we have made based on information available to us at the time this document was prepared. Despite this, actual developments can deviate from the developments expected at present, for instance if underlying assumptions do not materialise or unforeseen risks arise. Therefore, we cannot assume responsibility for the correctness of forward-looking statements.
| Power generation January – September |
Renewables | Pumped storage, batteries |
Gas | Lignite | Hard coal | Nuclear | Total1 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GWh | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Offshore Wind | 4,683 | 4,998 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 4,683 | 4,998 |
| Onshore Wind / Solar | 11,823 | 12,107 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 11,823 | 12,107 |
| Hydro / Biomass / Gas | 5,673 | 4,216 | 1,291 | 1,502 | 39,367 | 34,904 | – | – | 5,110 | 2,244 | – | – | 51,569 | 43,033 |
| of which: | ||||||||||||||
| Germany2 | 1,445 | 1,415 | 1,291 | 1,502 | 4,573 | 6,313 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 7,439 | 9,396 |
| United Kingdom | 367 | 388 | – | – | 25,905 | 17,047 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 26,272 | 17,435 |
| Netherlands | 3,824 | 2,396 | – | – | 5,867 | 8,470 | – | – | 5,110 | 2,244 | – | – | 14,801 | 13,110 |
| Turkey | – | – | – | – | 3,022 | 3,074 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 3,022 | 3,074 |
| Coal / Nuclear2 | 15 | 14 | – | – | 96 | 599 | 32,133 | 23,434 | 1,109 | 1,893 | 17,126 | 15,579 | 50,616 | 41,391 |
| RWE Group | 22,194 | 21,335 | 1,291 | 1,502 | 39,463 | 35,503 | 32,133 | 23,434 | 6,219 | 4,137 | 17,126 | 15,579 | 118,691 | 101,529 |
1 Including production volumes not attributable to any of the energy sources mentioned (e. g. electricity from waste-to-energy plants).
2 Including electricity purchased on the basis of long-term agreements from generation assets not majority-owned by RWE. In the first three quarters of 2021, these purchases amounted to 1,409 GWh in the Hydro / Biomass / Gas segment and 980 GWh in the Coal / Nuclear segment.
Electricity generation up 17 %. In the first three quarters of 2021, we produced 118,691 GWh of electricity, 17 % more than in the same period last year. The biggest gain was recorded by our German lignite-fired power plants, which benefited from favourable market conditions. One contributing factor was the resurgence of electricity consumption following the coronavirus pandemic and a decline in wind energy volumes caused by the weather. This explains why our UK gas power stations were also used more than in 2020 despite a substantial increase in fuel prices, whereas gas-fired production dropped in Germany and in the Netherlands. Our Dutch power plants Amer 9 and Eemshaven, which run on biomass and hard coal, nearly doubled output. At Eemshaven, this was in part due to the station's return to full availability after being damaged in a fire last year. Our German nuclear power plants also posted a rise thanks to a reduction in maintenance outages.
Volumes were adversely affected by the discontinuation of the commercial operation of the Ibbenbüren B (794 MW) and Westfalen E (764 MW) hard coal-fired power stations and the shutdown of the Niederaussem D (297 MW) lignite unit at the end of 2020. Electricity generation from our wind turbines declined by 5 %. Unfavourable wind conditions in Northern and Central Europe as well as in parts of the USA were the main reason. A positive effect was felt from the increase in our stake in the Rampion offshore wind farm (400 MW) in the UK from 30.1 % to 50.1 % as of 1 April 2021, resulting in its full consolidation in our accounts. Moreover, we commissioned a number of large onshore wind farms in the USA and started putting electricity into the grid from the Triton Knoll offshore wind farm (857 MW) in the UK, which is still under construction.
3 Financial calendar 2021 / 2022
| Power generation from renewables January – September |
Offshore wind | Onshore wind | Solar | Hydro | Biomass | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GWh | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Germany | 1,213 | 1,438 | 646 | 851 | 2 | 2 | 1,445 | 1,352 | – | 3 | 3,306 | 3,646 |
| United Kingdom | 3,333 | 3,383 | 1,093 | 1,554 | – | – | 114 | 135 | 253 | 253 | 4,793 | 5,325 |
| Netherlands | – | – | 504 | 554 | 15 | 7 | 19 | 9 | 3,805 | 2,387 | 4,343 | 2,957 |
| Poland | – | – | 748 | 717 | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 749 | 718 |
| Spain | – | – | 661 | 611 | 80 | 36 | 26 | 24 | – | – | 767 | 671 |
| Italy | – | – | 693 | 654 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 693 | 654 |
| Sweden | 137 | 177 | 201 | 259 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 338 | 436 |
| USA | – | – | 6,642 | 6,522 | 252 | 214 | – | – | – | – | 6,894 | 6,736 |
| Australia | – | – | – | – | 153 | 22 | – | – | – | – | 153 | 22 |
| Rest of the world | – | – | 16 | 21 | 72 | 32 | 70 | 117 | – | – | 158 | 170 |
| RWE Group | 4,683 | 4,998 | 11,204 | 11,743 | 575 | 314 | 1,674 | 1,637 | 4,058 | 2,643 | 22,194 | 21,335 |
External revenue 41 % up year on year. Our external revenue grew by 41 % to €13,253 million (excluding natural gas tax / electricity tax). Revenue from our main product, electricity, totalled €11,103 million. This 35 % year-on-year increase was due to the rise in generation volumes and higher realised prices. Given that electricity from our power stations is largely sold externally by RWE Supply & Trading, the aforementioned factors were mainly reflected in revenue of the Supply & Trading segment. Our gas revenue more than tripled to €1,007 million. The main driver was the rise in wholesale gas prices to record levels during the year. Higher demand for gas in our key European markets driven by the economy and weather came to bear here. In addition, strong growth in demand for energy in Asia made imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe much more expensive.
The percentage of consolidated revenue accounted for by coal-fired generation and other coal products is a key figure increasingly considered by sustainable investors. In the reporting period, this quota was 21 % (previous year: 24 %).
| External revenue € million |
Jan – Sep 2021 |
Jan – Sep 2020 |
+/– | Jan – Dec 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offshore Wind | 383 | 234 | 149 | 332 |
| Onshore Wind / Solar | 1,672 | 1,325 | 347 | 1,855 |
| Hydro / Biomass / Gas | 879 | 754 | 125 | 1,056 |
| Supply & Trading | 9,664 | 6,494 | 3,170 | 9,597 |
| Other | 3 | 8 | – 5 | 9 |
| Core business | 12,601 | 8,815 | 3,786 | 12,849 |
| Coal / Nuclear | 652 | 577 | 75 | 839 |
| RWE Group (excluding natural gas tax / electricity tax) |
13,253 | 9,392 | 3,861 | 13,688 |
| Natural gas tax / electricity tax | 177 | 150 | 27 | 208 |
| RWE Group | 13,430 | 9,542 | 3,888 | 13,896 |
| External revenue by product € million |
Jan – Sep 2021 |
Jan – Sep 2020 |
+/– | Jan – Dec 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity revenue | 11,103 | 8,195 | 2,908 | 11,701 |
| of which: | ||||
| Offshore Wind | 382 | 234 | 148 | 332 |
| Onshore Wind / Solar | 1,538 | 1,222 | 316 | 1,676 |
| Hydro / Biomass / Gas | 577 | 484 | 93 | 684 |
| Supply & Trading | 8,405 | 6,084 | 2,321 | 8,775 |
| Core business | 10,902 | 8,024 | 2,878 | 11,468 |
| Coal / Nuclear | 201 | 171 | 30 | 233 |
| Gas revenue | 1,007 | 317 | 690 | 534 |
| of which: Supply & Trading | 1,006 | 313 | 693 | 529 |
| Other revenue | 1,143 | 880 | 263 | 1,453 |
| RWE Group (excluding natural gas tax / electricity tax) |
13,253 | 9,392 | 3,861 | 13,688 |
| Internal revenue € million |
Jan – Sep 2021 |
Jan – Sep 2020 |
+/– | Jan – Dec 2020 |
| Offshore Wind | 538 | 683 | – 145 | 959 |
| Onshore Wind / Solar | 186 | 206 | – 20 | 304 |
| Hydro / Biomass / Gas | 3,310 | 2,187 | 1,123 | 3,144 |
| Supply & Trading | 3,429 | 2,105 | 1,324 | 2,778 |
| Other, consolidation | – 6,789 | – 4,852 | – 1,937 | – 6,803 |
| Core business | 674 | 329 | 345 | 382 |
Coal / Nuclear 2,910 2,135 775 3,075
| Adjusted EBITDA1 € million |
Jan – Sep 2021 |
Jan – Sep 2020 |
+/– | Jan – Dec 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offshore Wind | 656 | 738 | – 82 | 1,069 |
| Onshore Wind / Solar | 36 | 373 | – 337 | 523 |
| Hydro / Biomass / Gas | 430 | 382 | 48 | 621 |
| Supply & Trading | 609 | 399 | 210 | 539 |
| Other, consolidation | – 54 | – 12 | – 42 | – 25 |
| Core business | 1,677 | 1,880 | – 203 | 2,727 |
| Coal / Nuclear | 720 | 381 | 339 | 559 |
| RWE Group | 2,397 | 2,261 | 136 | 3,286 |
1 Some prior-year figures restated due to a change in the recognition of renewable energy tax benefits in the USA (see commentary on page 6).
Adjusted EBITDA up 6 % to €2.4 billion. In the first three quarters of 2021, we registered adjusted earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortisation (adjusted EBITDA) of €2,397 million (previous year: €2,261 million). €1,677 million of this was attributable to our core business (previous year: €1,880 million) with the remaining €720 million coming from the Coal / Nuclear segment (previous year: €381 million). Adjusted EBITDA rose by 6 % compared to the first nine months of 2020. This was primarily due to the exceptional trading performance by RWE Supply & Trading. Moreover, we benefited from improved margins in power production from lignite and nuclear fuel. This was contrasted by significant one-off charges in the Onshore Wind / Solar segment due to an extreme cold snap in Texas this February, which resulted in unscheduled plant outages and forced us to fulfil existing electricity supply obligations through expensive purchases on the market.
The following is a breakdown of earnings by segment:
| Adjusted EBIT1 € million |
Jan – Sep 2021 |
Jan – Sep 2020 |
+/– | Jan – Dec 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offshore Wind | 325 | 461 | – 136 | 697 |
| Onshore Wind / Solar | – 258 | 87 | – 345 | 138 |
| Hydro / Biomass / Gas | 202 | 134 | 68 | 283 |
| Supply & Trading | 574 | 367 | 207 | 496 |
| Other, consolidation | – 53 | – 13 | – 40 | – 25 |
| Core business | 790 | 1,036 | – 246 | 1,589 |
| Coal / Nuclear | 549 | 146 | 403 | 234 |
| RWE Group | 1,339 | 1,182 | 157 | 1,823 |
1 Some prior-year figures restated due to a change in the recognition of renewable energy tax benefits in the USA (see commentary on page 6).
Adjusted EBIT 13 % up on prior year. The Group's adjusted EBIT advanced by 13 % to €1,339 million (previous year: €1,182 million). This figure differs from adjusted EBITDA in that it does not include operating depreciation and amortisation, which amounted to €1,058 million in the period under review (previous year: €1,079 million).
| Reconciliation to net income1 € million |
Jan – Sep 2021 |
Jan – Sep 2020 |
+/– | Jan – Dec 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted EBITDA | 2,397 | 2,261 | 136 | 3,286 |
| Operating depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses |
– 1,058 | – 1,079 | 21 | – 1,463 |
| Adjusted EBIT | 1,339 | 1,182 | 157 | 1,823 |
| Non-operating result | 2,050 | 1,161 | 889 | – 104 |
| Financial result | 70 | – 395 | 465 | – 454 |
| Income from continuing operations | ||||
| before tax | 3,459 | 1,948 | 1,511 | 1,265 |
| Taxes on income | – 632 | – 524 | – 108 | – 376 |
| Income from continuing operations | 2,827 | 1,424 | 1,403 | 889 |
| Income from discontinued operations | – | 221 | – 221 | 221 |
| Income | 2,827 | 1,645 | 1,182 | 1,110 |
| of which: | ||||
| Non-controlling interests | 19 | 48 | – 29 | 59 |
| Net income / income attributable | ||||
| to RWE AG shareholders | 2,808 | 1,597 | 1,211 | 1,051 |
1 Some prior-year figures restated due to a change in the recognition of renewable energy tax benefits in the USA (see commentary on page 6).
The reconciliation from adjusted EBIT to net income was characterised by one-off effects, which had a positive net impact. We have presented the development of the items in the reconciliation statement in the following passages.
| Non-operating result1 € million |
Jan – Sep 2021 |
Jan – Sep 2020 |
+/– | Jan – Dec 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disposal result | 21 | 24 | – 3 | 13 |
| Effects on income from the valuation of derivatives and inventories |
2,142 | 1,271 | 871 | 1,886 |
| Other | – 113 | – 134 | 21 | – 2,003 |
| Non-operating result | 2,050 | 1,161 | 889 | – 104 |
1 Some prior-year figures restated due to a change in the recognition of renewable energy tax benefits in the USA (see commentary on page 6).
The non-operating result, in which we recognise factors which are not related to operations or the period being reviewed, amounted to €2,050 million compared to €1,161 million in the same period last year. Its components developed as follows:
| Financial result € million |
Jan – Sep 2021 |
Jan – Sep 2020 |
+/– | Jan – Dec 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interest income | 238 | 266 | – 28 | 283 |
| of which: E.ON dividend | 186 | 182 | 4 | 182 |
| Interest expenses | – 244 | – 231 | – 13 | – 296 |
| Net interest | – 6 | 35 | – 41 | – 13 |
| Interest accretion to non-current provisions | – 100 | – 186 | 86 | – 255 |
| of which: interest accretion to mining provisions |
– 76 | – 143 | 67 | – 186 |
| Other financial result | 176 | – 244 | 420 | – 186 |
| Financial result | 70 | – 395 | 465 | – 454 |
Our financial result improved by €465 million to €70 million. In detail, the following changes occurred:
• The 'other financial result' increased by €420 million to €176 million, mainly due to interest claims relating to a tax refund for earlier assessment periods. Moreover, last year's result was curtailed by a one-off effect: during the turmoil on the financial markets caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we suffered significant losses on investments in securities in March 2020.
Income from continuing operations before tax grew by €1,511 million to €3,459 million. Our effective tax rate dropped by 9 percentage points to 18 % predominantly due to the aforementioned tax refund for earlier years. A counteracting effect was felt from an increase in our deferred tax liabilities caused by the UK Parliament adopting a higher corporation tax rate with effect from 2023.
There was no income from discontinued operations in the current fiscal year. For the first nine months of last year, we disclosed an amount of €221 million, which came from our stake in Slovak energy utility VSE. The shareholding was sold to E.ON in August 2020.
Non-controlling interests in income decreased to €19 million (previous year: €48 million). The sale of our shareholding in VSE played a major role here as well: last year, the company's co-owners were allocated a profit of €34 million.
The RWE Group's net income totalled €2,808 million (previous year: €1,597 million). This corresponds to earnings per share of €4.15 (previous year: €2.56). The number of RWE shares outstanding, which is the basis for calculating this key figure, was 676.2 million. It rose by 61.5 million as a result of our capital increase in August 2020. In the first three quarters of last year, the average number of shares totalled 624.3 million.
| Reconciliation to adjusted net income January – September 2021 € million |
Original figures |
Adjustment | Adjusted figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted EBIT | 1,339 | – | 1,339 |
| Non-operating result | 2,050 | – 2,050 | – |
| Financial result | 70 | – 179 | – 109 |
| Taxes on income | – 632 | 447 | – 185 |
| Income | 2,827 | – 1,782 | 1,045 |
| of which: | |||
| Non-controlling interests | 19 | – | 19 |
| Net income / income attributable | |||
| to RWE AG shareholders | 2,808 | – 1,782 | 1,026 |
Adjusted net income grows to €1,026 million. Adjusted net income amounted to €1,026 million (previous year: €794 million). It is calculated by deducting the non-operating result as well as major special items in the financial result from net income according to IFRS. Instead of the actual tax rate, we applied a rate of 15 %, which is oriented towards the expected medium-term tax burden. The positive development of adjusted net income resulted in part from the good operating earnings. Another factor was the significant improvement of the adjusted financial result compared to last year's figure (– €231 million).
| 2 |
|---|
| Interim consolidated financial statements |
| (condensed) |
| Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment and on intangible assets1 € million |
Jan – Sep 2021 |
Jan – Sep 2020 |
+/– | Jan – Dec 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offshore Wind | 1,459 | 473 | 986 | 756 |
| Onshore Wind / Solar | 1,003 | 845 | 158 | 1,154 |
| Hydro / Biomass / Gas | 137 | 95 | 42 | 153 |
| Supply & Trading | 29 | 32 | – 3 | 43 |
| Other, consolidation | – | – 1 | 1 | – |
| Core business | 2,628 | 1,444 | 1,184 | 2,106 |
| Coal / Nuclear | 135 | 118 | 17 | 183 |
| RWE Group | 2,763 | 1,562 | 1,201 | 2,2852 |
1 Table only shows cash investments.
2 Including a – €4 million consolidation effect between the core business and the Coal / Nuclear segment.
| Capital expenditure on financial assets1 € million |
Jan – Sep 2021 |
Jan – Sep 2020 |
+/– | Jan – Dec 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offshore Wind | – 2 | 34 | – 36 | 520 |
| Onshore Wind / Solar | 14 | 24 | – 10 | 408 |
| Hydro / Biomass / Gas | 6 | 115 | – 109 | 115 |
| Supply & Trading | 19 | 15 | 4 | 18 |
| Other, consolidation | – | – 90 | 90 | 11 |
| Core business | 37 | 98 | – 61 | 1,072 |
| Coal / Nuclear | – | 2 | – 2 | 1 |
| RWE Group | 37 | 100 | – 63 | 1,073 |
1 Table only shows cash investments.
Capital expenditure much higher than in 2020. The RWE Group invested €2,800 million in the period under review (previous year: €1,662 million). A total of 88 % of this capital spending was dedicated to the Offshore Wind and Onshore Wind / Solar segments. We spent €2,763 million on property, plant and equipment as well as intangible assets, 77 % more than in the same period last year (€1,562 million). The single-largest capex project was the construction of the Triton Knoll wind farm in the UK North Sea with a capacity of 857 MW, which will start operating commercially in 2022. Substantial funds also went into the new offshore wind farms Kaskasi near Heligoland (342 MW) and Sofia off the east coast of England (1,400 MW), which are scheduled to be completed by 2022 and 2026, respectively. In addition, in February 2021, we secured the rights to develop new offshore wind areas in the UK North Sea, for which we had to make an advance payment to the relevant administrative authority (see page 8 of the interim report on the first half of 2021). Our capital expenditure on financial assets totalled €37 million and was thus of minor significance (previous year: €100 million).
Operating cash flow improved substantially. At €3,421 million, our cash flows from operating activities were much higher than last year's reference figure (€1,768 million). This development was driven by a recent steep rise in the price of electricity, fuel and CO2 certificates. RWE typically concludes a large volume of forward transactions with these commodities in order to reduce earnings risks. We have to pay an initial margin for exchange-traded derivatives. On top of that, we receive or pay variation margins during the contractual period, depending on how the market values of the derivatives change. However, collateral must be pledged for over-the-counter derivative transactions. In the period being reviewed, we received substantial variation margins, which are recognised in our operating cash flow. This was contrasted by significant cash outflows for initial margins and collateral, which have been considered in cash flows from financing activities.
| Cash flow statement1 € million |
Jan – Sep 2021 |
Jan – Sep 2020 |
+/– | Jan – Dec 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds from operations | 6,532 | 1,823 | 4,709 | 4,108 |
| Change in working capital | – 3,111 | – 55 | – 3,056 | 17 |
| Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations |
3,421 | 1,768 | 1,653 | 4,125 |
| Cash flows from investing activities of continuing operations |
– 2,446 | – 1,962 | – 484 | – 4,278 |
| Cash flows from financing activities of continuing operations |
– 2,201 | 1,119 | – 3,320 | 1,769 |
| Effects of changes in foreign exchange rates and other changes in value on cash and cash equivalents |
45 | – 23 | 68 | – 34 |
| Total net changes in cash and cash equivalents |
– 1,1812 | 902 | – 2,083 | 1,582 |
| Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations |
3,421 | 1,768 | 1,653 | 4,125 |
| Minus capital expenditure | – 2,800 | – 1,662 | – 1,138 | – 3,358 |
| Plus proceeds from divestitures / asset disposals |
592 | 321 | 271 | 365 |
| Free cash flow | 1,213 | 427 | 786 | 1,132 |
1 All items solely relate to continuing operations; some prior-year figures restated due to a change in the recognition of renewable energy tax benefits in the USA (see commentary on page 6).
2 Including €17 million in cash and cash equivalents attributable to an asset group that is held for sale and is thus not considered in net debt.
Investing activities of our continuing operations resulted in cash outflows of €2,446 million (previous year: €1,962 million). This was primarily attributable to our capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment as well as on financial assets. Furthermore, we made an extraordinary addition to plan assets used to meet pension obligations of €1,091 million. This was contrasted by proceeds from the sale of marketable securities. Additional cash inflows came from the disposal of stakes in the US wind farms Stella, Cranell, East Raymond and West Raymond as well as of small run-of-river power stations in France and Portugal.
Financing activities of continuing operations led to a cash outflow of €2,201 million (previous year: €1,119 million). As mentioned earlier, we had to provide security by way of initial margins and collateral in the period under review. In addition, we paid €575 million and €119 million in dividends to shareholders of RWE AG and minority shareholders. This was contrasted by bank loans taken out and commercial paper issued. Furthermore, we placed a €500 million green bond in June.
Due to the presented cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, our cash and cash equivalents dropped by €1,181 million.
Deducting capital expenditure from cash flows from operating activities and adding to it proceeds from divestitures and asset disposals results in free cash flow. At €1,213 million, this figure was far above last year's level (€427 million).
| 2 |
|---|
| Interim consolidated financial statements |
| (condensed) |
| Net debt € million |
30 Sep 2021 | 31 Dec 2020 | +/− |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | 3,576 | 4,774 | – 1,198 |
| Marketable securities1 | 3,799 | 4,517 | – 718 |
| Other financial assets | 10,453 | 2,507 | 7,946 |
| Financial assets | 17,828 | 11,798 | 6,030 |
| Bonds, other notes payable, bank debt, commercial paper |
4,300 | 2,160 | 2,140 |
| Hedging of bond currency risk | 15 | 31 | – 16 |
| Other financial liabilities | 7,621 | 3,038 | 4,583 |
| Financial liabilities | 11,936 | 5,229 | 6,707 |
| Minus 50 % of the hybrid capital recognised as debt | – 283 | – 278 | – 5 |
| Net financial assets (including correction of hybrid capital) |
6,175 | 6,847 | – 672 |
| Provisions for pensions and similar obligations | 2,131 | 3,864 | – 1,733 |
| Surplus of plan assets over benefit obligations | – 348 | – 172 | – 176 |
| Provisions for nuclear waste management | 6,119 | 6,451 | – 332 |
| Provisions for dismantling wind farms | 1,139 | 1,136 | 3 |
| Net debt | 2,866 | 4,432 | – 1,566 |
1 Excludes our 15 % stake in E.ON because our mining provisions and the assets covering them are disregarded when calculating net debt.
Significant drop in net debt. As of 30 September 2021, our net debt totalled €2,866 million. This was €1,566 million less than the amount on our books at the close of last year. The high level of free cash flow was the main reason. Another debt-reducing effect came from a market-driven increase in the discount rates we use to calculate the present value of pension obligations because it resulted in a decline in provisions for pensions. The extraordinary funding of the plan assets we use to meet pension obligations did not affect net debt because this caused our provisions for pensions and our financial assets to decrease to the same extent. Conversely, profit distributions of €694 million had a debtincreasing effect.
| Forecast € million |
2020 actual1 | Current outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Adjusted EBITDA | 3,286 | 3,000 – 3,400 |
| of which: | ||
| Core business | 2,727 | 2,150 – 2,550 |
| of which: | ||
| Offshore Wind | 1,069 | 1,050 – 1,250 |
| Onshore Wind / Solar | 523 | 50 – 250 |
| Hydro / Biomass / Gas | 621 | 500 – 600 |
| Supply & Trading | 539 | Significantly above 350 |
| Coal / Nuclear | 559 | 800 – 900 |
| Adjusted EBIT | 1,823 | 1,500 – 1,900 |
| Adjusted net income | 1,257 | 1,050 – 1,400 |
1 Some figures restated due to a change in the recognition of renewable energy tax benefits in the USA (see commentary on page 6).
RWE confirms earnings forecast. Our outlook on earnings for the current fiscal year is identical to the one we published in mid-August on page 25 of the interim report on the first half of 2021. Therefore, we still expect to outperform our March forecast (see pages 67 et seq. of the 2020 Annual Report). We anticipate that the Group will post adjusted EBITDA of between €3,000 million and €3,400 million, with €2,150 million to €2,550 million coming from the core business. Our earnings forecast is summarised in the table above.
Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment up on 2020. We also uphold our forecast in relation to capital spending. Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment and intangible assets will be much higher than in 2020 (€2,285 million). Focal points of investment are wind and solar projects in the USA and Europe. We plan to invest €200 million to €300 million outside the core business in the Coal / Nuclear segment. This expenditure has primarily been earmarked to maintain our power plants and opencast mines.
Leverage factor: RWE will remain below 3.0 cap. An important indicator of our financial strength is the ratio of net debt to the adjusted EBITDA of our core business, also referred to as the leverage factor. We set the upper limit for this key figure at 3.0, which we also expect to comply with in 2021.
Dividend target: €0.90 per share. The Executive Board of RWE AG aims to pay a dividend of €0.90 per share for fiscal 2021. This represents an increase of €0.05 relative to the dividend for 2020, reflecting the bright earnings prospects of our core business.
2 Interim consolidated financial statements (condensed) Income statement
3 Financial calendar 2021 / 2022
| € million | Jul – Sep 2021 | Jul – Sep 20201 | Jan – Sep 2021 | Jan – Sep 20201 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue (including natural gas tax / electricity tax) | 4,855 | 2,963 | 13,430 | 9,542 |
| Natural gas tax / electricity tax | – 50 | – 46 | – 177 | – 150 |
| Revenue2 | 4,805 | 2,917 | 13,253 | 9,392 |
| Cost of materials | – 3,909 | – 1,615 | – 10,239 | – 5,262 |
| Staff costs | – 656 | – 517 | – 1,872 | – 1,647 |
| Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses | – 362 | – 388 | – 1,872 | – 1,122 |
| Other operating result | 2,114 | 92 | 3,767 | 712 |
| Income from investments accounted for using the equity method | 60 | 76 | 200 | 256 |
| Other income from investments | – 36 | 3 | 152 | 14 |
| Financial income | 167 | 622 | 1,314 | 1,584 |
| Finance costs | – 246 | – 713 | – 1,244 | – 1,979 |
| Income from continuing operations before tax | 1,937 | 477 | 3,459 | 1,948 |
| Taxes on income | – 529 | – 53 | – 632 | – 524 |
| Income from continuing operations | 1,408 | 424 | 2,827 | 1,424 |
| Income from discontinued operations | 171 | 221 | ||
| Income | 1,408 | 595 | 2,827 | 1,645 |
| of which: non-controlling interests | 32 | 11 | 19 | 48 |
| of which: net income / income attributable to RWE AG shareholders | 1,376 | 584 | 2,808 | 1,597 |
| Basic and diluted earnings per share in € | 2.03 | 0.91 | 4.15 | 2.56 |
| of which: from continuing operations in € | 2.03 | 0.65 | 4.15 | 2.26 |
| of which: from discontinued operations in € | 0.26 | 0.30 |
1 Some prior-year figures restated due to a retroactive change in the recognition of renewable energy tax benefits in the USA (see commentary on page 6).
2 A presentation of revenue by product and segment can be found on pages 8 et seq.
2 Interim consolidated financial statements (condensed) Statement of comprehensive income
3 Financial calendar 2021 / 2022
| Amounts after tax – € million | Jul – Sep 2021 | Jul – Sep 20201 | Jan – Sep 2021 | Jan – Sep 20201 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | 1,408 | 595 | 2,827 | 1,645 |
| Actuarial gains and losses of defined benefit pension plans and similar obligations | 22 | – 479 | 827 | – 376 |
| Income and expenses of investments accounted for using the equity method (pro rata) | – 1 | – 2 | – 27 | |
| Fair valuation of equity instruments | 309 | – 91 | 609 | 21 |
| Income and expenses recognised in equity, not to be reclassified through profit or loss | 331 | – 571 | 1,434 | – 382 |
| Currency translation adjustment | – 15 | 84 | 86 | – 439 |
| Fair valuation of debt instruments | – 5 | 10 | – 17 | 7 |
| Fair valuation of financial instruments used for hedging purposes | – 6,226 | – 424 | – 5,142 | – 146 |
| Income and expenses of investments accounted for using the equity method (pro rata) | 2 | 13 | – 2 | |
| Income and expenses recognised in equity, to be reclassified through profit or loss in the future | – 6,244 | – 330 | – 5,060 | – 580 |
| Other comprehensive income | – 5,913 | – 901 | – 3,626 | – 962 |
| Total comprehensive income | – 4,505 | – 306 | – 799 | 683 |
| of which: attributable to RWE AG shareholders | – 4,540 | – 317 | – 883 | 671 |
| of which: attributable to non-controlling interests | 35 | 11 | 84 | 12 |
1 Some prior-year figures restated due to a retroactive change in the recognition of renewable energy tax benefits in the USA (see commentary on page 6).
2 Interim consolidated financial statements (condensed) Balance sheet
3 Financial calendar 2021 / 2022
| Assets | 30 Sep 2021 | 31 Dec 20201 | 1 Jan 20202 |
|---|---|---|---|
| € million | |||
| Non-current assets | |||
| Intangible assets | 5,840 | 4,899 | 4,777 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 19,832 | 17,902 | 19,016 |
| Investments accounted for using the equity method | 2,881 | 3,276 | 3,252 |
| Other non-current financial assets | 4,964 | 4,237 | 4,337 |
| Receivables and other assets | 3,968 | 3,707 | 3,668 |
| Deferred taxes | 702 | 397 | 680 |
| 38,187 | 34,418 | 35,730 | |
| Current assets | |||
| Inventories | 5,564 | 1,632 | 1,585 |
| Trade accounts receivable | 4,485 | 3,007 | 3,621 |
| Receivables and other assets | 89,878 | 12,531 | 15,310 |
| Marketable securities | 3,506 | 4,219 | 3,258 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 3,576 | 4,774 | 3,192 |
| Assets held for sale | 427 | 1,061 | 1,274 |
| 107,436 | 27,224 | 28,240 | |
| 145,623 | 61,642 | 63,970 |
1 Some prior-year figures restated due to a retroactive change in the recognition of renewable energy tax benefits in the USA (see commentary on page 6) and retroactive adjustments to the first-time consolidation of operations which RWE acquired from Nordex in 2020; information on the transaction with Nordex is presented on pages 43 and 110 of the 2020 Annual Report.
2 Some prior-year figures restated due to a retroactive change in the recognition of renewable energy tax benefits in the USA (see commentary on page 6) and retroactive adjustments to the first-time consolidation of the acquired E.ON operations (see commentary on pages 108 et seq. of the 2020 Annual Report).
2 Interim consolidated financial statements (condensed) Balance sheet
3 Financial calendar 2021 / 2022
| Equity and liabilities | 30 Sep 2021 | 31 Dec 20201 | 1 Jan 20202 |
|---|---|---|---|
| € million | |||
| Equity | |||
| RWE AG shareholders' interest | 14,836 | 16,916 | 16,617 |
| Non-controlling interests | 1,822 | 790 | 502 |
| 16,658 | 17,706 | 17,119 | |
| Non-current liabilities | |||
| Provisions | 17,087 | 19,470 | 18,937 |
| Financial liabilities | 5,214 | 3,951 | 3,924 |
| Other liabilities | 2,279 | 2,152 | 2,144 |
| Deferred taxes | 1,249 | 1,862 | 2,197 |
| 25,829 | 27,435 | 27,202 | |
| Current liabilities | |||
| Provisions | 3,531 | 3,004 | 2,638 |
| Financial liabilities | 6,707 | 1,247 | 1,689 |
| Trade accounts payable | 3,698 | 2,387 | 2,987 |
| Other liabilities | 89,108 | 9,282 | 11,825 |
| Liabilities held for sale | 92 | 581 | 510 |
| 103,136 | 16,501 | 19,649 | |
| 145,623 | 61,642 | 63,970 |
1 Some prior-year figures restated due to a retroactive change in the recognition of renewable energy tax benefits in the USA (see commentary on page 6) and retroactive adjustments to the first-time consolidation of operations which RWE acquired from Nordex in 2020; information on the transaction with Nordex is presented on pages 43 and 110 of the 2020 Annual Report.
2 Some prior-year figures restated due to a retroactive change in the recognition of renewable energy tax benefits in the USA (see commentary on page 6) and retroactive adjustments to the first-time consolidation of the acquired E.ON operations (see commentary on pages 108 et seq. of the 2020 Annual Report).
2 Interim consolidated financial statements (condensed) Cash flow statement
| € million | Jan – Sep 2021 | Jan – Sep 20201 |
|---|---|---|
| Income from continuing operations | 2,827 | 1,424 |
| Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses / write-backs | 1,751 | 1,072 |
| Changes in provisions | 28 | – 232 |
| Deferred taxes / non-cash income and expenses / income from disposal of non-current assets and marketable securities | 1,926 | – 441 |
| Changes in working capital | – 3,111 | – 55 |
| Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations | 3,421 | 1,768 |
| Cash flows from operating activities of discontinued operations | 50 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | 3,421 | 1,818 |
| Cash flows from investing activities of continuing operations2 | – 2,446 | – 1,962 |
| Cash flows from investing activities of discontinued operations | – 76 | |
| Cash flows from investing activities | – 2,446 | – 2,038 |
| Cash flows from financing activities of continuing operations | – 2,201 | 1,119 |
| Cash flows from financing activities of discontinued operations | 7 | |
| Cash flows from financing activities | – 2,201 | 1,126 |
| Net cash change in cash and cash equivalents | – 1,226 | 906 |
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates and other changes in value on cash and cash equivalents | 45 | – 23 |
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | – 1,181 | 883 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of reporting period | 4,774 | 3,212 |
| of which: reported as 'Assets held for sale' | 20 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of reporting period as per the consolidated balance sheet | 4,774 | 3,192 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of reporting period | 3,593 | 4,095 |
| of which: reported as 'Assets held for sale' | 17 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of reporting period as per the consolidated balance sheet | 3,576 | 4,095 |
1 Some prior-year figures restated due to a retroactive change in the recognition of renewable energy tax benefits in the USA (see commentary on page 6).
2 After an extraordinary transfer to plan assets in the amount of €1,091 million (prior-year period: €97 million).
| 15 November 2021 | Capital Market Day |
|---|---|
| 15 March 2022 | Annual report for fiscal 2021 |
| 28 April 2022 | Annual General Meeting |
| 29 April 2022 | Ex-dividend date |
| 03 May 2022 | Dividend payment |
| 12 May 2022 | Interim statement on the first quarter of 2022 |
| 11 August 2022 | Interim report on the first half of 2022 |
| 10 November 2022 | Interim statement on the first three quarters of 2022 |
This document was published on 11 November 2021. It is a translation of the German interim statement on the first three quarters of 2021. In case of divergence the German version shall prevail. All events concerning the publication of our financial reports and the Annual General Meeting are broadcast live on the internet and recorded. We will keep the recordings on our website for at least twelve months.
RWE Aktiengesellschaft
RWE Platz 1 45141 Essen Germany
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