Within the 2024 Ivy aim to get a GOP of 1,3 billion euros and a debt/GOP ratio down to 2,8 times (from 2,9 at the end of 2020). Meanwhile, the dividend will continue to grow up to 12,5 cents per share (while the 2020 coupon is confirmed at 10,5). As for the investments, will reach around 3,2 billion in the next three years (of which 280 million for possible M&A). These are the main numbers of the new one three-year strategic plan approved on Wednesday by the Bolognese multiutility's board of directors.
The numbers, explains the company, are linked to positive results "of the 2020 preliminary results, higher than expected", with a GOP close to 1,12 billion (+3%) and stable investments at 540 million. Hera underlines that the new business plan provides for "investments and actions for the energy transition towards carbon neutrality" and for the environment "towards the circular economy, as well as for technological evolution, in line with European strategies and the objectives of the UN Agenda 2030”.
On the side of the number of energy customers, the goal is to reach 4 million at the end of the plan, against the current 3,5 million.
In detail, the pace of growth of dividends by 2024 it will be in line with that already envisaged in the previous plan, with an increase of 0,5 cents per share each year.
During the three-year period, investments they will average 640 million a year, a volume approximately 40% higher than the average for the last five years.
On the front M&A, Hera believes that there are opportunities linked to "the consolidation of markets that are still too fragmented, the tenders for the renewal of the services under concession, up to the further liberalization of the sale of electricity with the end of the standard offer".
“With our new industrial plan we can capitalize on the efforts made so far and increase our growth targets to 2024 – he says Tomaso Tommasi of Vignano, executive chairman of Hera – In support of our objectives, we have allocated a substantial investment plan to expand our assets and, at the same time, make them increasingly sustainable, in line with the indications of international institutions. We also confirm all our economic-financial policies, starting from the maintenance of a conservative capital profile that allows us to finance any further investment projects not included in the plan".
