A2A closes the first 9 months of 2021 with revenues of 6.45 billion euros, + 34% compared to the first nine months of 2020 and a net profit that leaps to 394 million euros, + 81% compared to last year (218 million euros in the first nine months of 2020). The gross operating margin is 959 million euros, up by 137 million euros, + 17% compared to the first nine months of 2020 (822 million euros) “thanks to significant organic growth and M&A transactions” the group announced .
Investments amounted to 640 million euros, + 55% compared to the same period of the previous year, while the net financial position at 3,782 million euros, an increase of 310 million euros compared to 31 December 2020. Net of changes perimeter and the impact of the new Esma orientation (totaling 441 million euros), PFN is up by 131 million euros and stands at 3,341 million euros.
The company also recorded + 14% the installed capacity from renewable sources (hydroelectric, photovoltaic and wind), equal to 2,235 MW, compared to the corresponding period of 2020, while the Group’s emission factor is down by 26%, which stands at 316g CO2 / kWh compared to 2017, the reference year for the Science Based Targets Initiative.
“2021 is expected to end with record economic and financial results. The gross operating margin, in particular, will be between € 1,320 million and € 1,340 million (including approximately € 15 million of positive non-recurring items)”.
“The excellent results at the end of September – it is highlighted – confirmed the solidity of the strategic approach, given with the 2021-2030 Plan, focused on the energy transition and the circular economy, macro trends that will continue to strengthen also in future years and in which the Company will continue to play a leading role. These macro trends, the sustained energy scenario, the positive effects expected from the NRP, the good economic growth expected also in our country allow A2A to look to the future with tranquility and optimism ” .
The investments, the group recalls, “already foreseen in the plan in sustained growth, will reach one billion euros in the current year, increasing by 40% compared to the previous year, to which will be added the external growth operations concluded during the year. . The change in NFP, expected to increase, will be substantially attributable to the extraordinary transactions concluded during the year and to the growth in investments “.
“In the company, the focus on sustainability is becoming more and more transversal, the direction is very clear and recognized. We have a + 14% capacity compared to last year from renewable sources, this is a very clear signal, there had never been such an important growth year by year on renewables in A2a. ”This was stated by the managing director of A2A, Renato Mazzoncini.
“The part that has grown enormously is the development part – observed the CEO – we have grown by 70% compared to last year, it is all fuel for the development of the company in the coming years”. In addition, he added, “the fact that we build new infrastructures will generate development in the coming years.
High bills? “It would take a crystal ball, – says Mazzoncini – it depends on many factors” but “the energy scenarios tell us that compared to the incredible madness of August, the values have dropped and will continue to fall, it is expected that at the end of the thermal season higher than in 2019 but nothing comparable with what has been seen in recent months “.
“The forward scenarios 2022-2023 – he remarked – are in a realignment with the rising gas and energy prices but not crazy”. To this, he explained, “add the interventions of the government that is working on the issue, we need to see what they decide to do”. “I would expect bills a little more expensive but if we refer to the announced increases of 40% we expect much lesser effects.”
“The results are all good, we have brought 999 new people to the company, we have managed to digitize 100% of our employees, all the business units are doing well and it is a sign of excellent health of the company”. Mazzoncini continued: “The acceleration on investments is very visible – he explained again -. We have confirmed the guidance at 1 billion Capex”.
On the partnership with Ardian “we are moving forward and we plan to close all the technical part by this year. We are doing the due diligence and should close in the first week of December”. “It will be necessary to close all the agreements – he stressed – because we intend to present the update of the industrial plan within the first quarter of next year and the aim would be to present it with the joint venture operation with Ardian already included. So I would say that we are in in line with the goals we have set ourselves “.
“In the first 9 months of 2021 we continued with our significant industrial and economic growth, marked by sustainability and ecological transition. We record the increase of all financial indicators and the record of investments over the period; we have given a further acceleration to the our installed capacity from renewable sources and reduced the Group’s emission factor “.
“Our commitment remains focused on the energy transition and the circular economy – underlines the CEO – to ensure an important contribution to the achievement of the decarbonisation objectives and to create infrastructures necessary to fill the plant engineering gap in some territories. Strategic assets that will allow our country to remain protected from market turbulence and the consequent increase in the cost of energy, for the benefit of citizens “.
In the first nine months of the year “net profit is higher than the historical annual maximum we had reached in 2019, we are aiming for a year that will break all records”. “2021 is expected to end with record economic and financial results. The gross operating margin, in particular, will be between € 1,320 million and € 1,340 million (including approximately € 15 million of positive non-recurring items)”.
“The excellent results at the end of September – it is highlighted – confirmed the solidity of the strategic approach, given with the 2021-2030 Plan, focused on the energy transition and the circular economy, macro trends that will continue to strengthen also in future years and in which the Company will continue to play a leading role. These macro trends, the sustained energy scenario, the positive effects expected from the NRP, the good economic growth expected also in our country allow A2A to look to the future with tranquility and optimism ” .
The investments, the group recalls, “already foreseen in the plan in sustained growth, will reach one billion euros in the current year, increasing by 40% compared to the previous year, to which will be added the external growth operations concluded during the year. . The change in NFP, expected to increase, will be substantially attributable to the extraordinary transactions concluded during the year and to the growth in investments “.
Source-www.adnkronos.com