par ENGIE (EPA:ENGI)
ENGIE 9M 2023 results
Press release
7 November 2023
ENGIE 9M 2023 results
Continued strong operational and financial performance
Guidance upgraded
Business highlights | Financial performance |
• Record level of renewable assets under construction at the end of September at 7.6 GW • Confirmation of the target of 4 GW of additional capacity on average per year between 2023 and 2025 | • EBIT of €8.0bn excluding Nuclear, up 28% organically, driven mainly by GEMS and Renewables • Strong growth in CFFO1 driven by improvement in Working Capital Requirements and higher EBITDA Growth capex up 27 |
• % to €4.6 billion
• Acceleration in battery storage following the • Solid balance sheet with economic net debt to acquisition of Broad Reach Power in the United EBITDA ratio at 2.8x States
• Net financial debt at €24.6bn, up €0.5bn, economic • Strengthening of biomethane platform in Europe net debt up €3.1bn to €41.9bn with the acquisition of Ixora Energy in the United
Kingdom • FY 2023 guidance upgraded, with NRIgs2 expected
in the range of €5.1-5.7bn. Dividend policy reaffirmed • Good progress on LTO project, on track to sign related agreements with Belgian Government in Q4
Key financial figures as at 30 September 2023
In € billion | 30 Sep 2023 | 30 Sep 2022 | Δ 2023/22 gross | Δ 2023/22 organic |
Revenue | 61.8 | 69.3 | -10.9% | -10.2% |
EBITDA (ex. Nuclear) | 11.1 | 9.3 | +19.1% | +19.5% |
EBITDA | 11.9 | 10.7 | +12.0% | +12.3% |
EBIT (ex. Nuclear) | 8.0 | 6.3 | +27.4% | +27.9% |
Capex3 Cash Flow From Operations Net financial debt | 6.3 13.0 24.6 | 5.2 | +20.6% | |
8.4 | +54.4% | |||
€+0.5bn versus 31 December 2022 | ||||
Economic net debt | 41.9 | €+3.1bn versus 31 December 2022 | ||
Economic net debt / EBITDA | 2.8x | In line with 31 December 2022 |
Catherine MacGregor, CEO, said: “In the first nine months of the year, ENGIE once again achieved a very good financial performance with EBIT up 28 % and strong cash generation. Convinced that flexible assets are essential to building a resilient low-carbon system, we have decided to accelerate our development in battery storage activities, through the acquisition of Broad Reach Power, a US-based company. We have great ambitions for these activities, which fit perfectly into our integrated model. ENGIE also secured its growth in Renewables with 7.6 GW under construction at the end of September, reinforcing our confidence that we will achieve our target of
4 GW of installed capacity on average per year until 2025. Our balanced and selective growth targets are the
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N.B. Footnotes are on page 7
ENGIE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
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perfect fit to the new environment of persistent volatility in energy markets and higher interest rates. The excellent momentum of our activities confirms the differentiating advantage of our integrated model for implementing an affordable and desirable energy transition for all.”
2023 guidance upgraded
Due to the continued good performance in our market-exposed activities and reduced risks as we approach the end of the year, ENGIE upgrades its 2023 Net Recurring Income group share (NRIgs) guidance which is now expected to be in the range of €5.1 to €5.7 billion, compared to the previously announced range of €4.7 to €5.3 billion. EBIT excluding Nuclear is now expected to be in the indicative range of €9.0 to €10.0 billion (versus €8.5 to €9.5 billion previously).
ENGIE is committed to a strong investment grade credit rating and continues to target a ratio below or equal to 4.0x economic net debt to EBITDA over the long-term. The Group reaffirms its dividend policy, with a 65% to 75% payout ratio based on NRIgs, and a floor of €0.65 per share for the 2023 to 2025 period.
Detailed guidance key assumptions are on appendix 3.
Successful roll-out of the strategic plan
Renewables
ENGIE added 1.2 GW of renewable capacity in the first nine months of 2023, including 0.5 GW in Europe (mainly in France), 0.5 GW in Peru and Brazil as well as 0.1 GW in the United States. The Group signed a total of 2 GW of PPAs, of which 1.5 GW with a duration longer than five years.
As at 30 September 2023, the Group reported 7.6 GW of capacity under construction from 68 projects, with 4.6 GW entered into construction over the first nine months of 2023. In the third quarter, the Group launched the construction of the Assurua wind farm in Brazil with an installed capacity of 846 MW, three solar PV projects in the United States totalling 730 MW as well as a 400 MW solar PV project in India.
In the third quarter, ENGIE completed the dismantling of the Karstädt-Waterloo wind farm in Germany. Twenty wind turbines were dismantled after two decades of operation and replaced by seven new turbines, each with a capacity of 6.2 MW. Through this repowering, ENGIE expanded the wind farm installed capacity from 26 MW to 43.4 MW which now generates four times as much energy on the same site.
The Group confirms the objective to add 4 GW on average per year of renewable capacity until 2025, despite identified challenges in the supply chain.
Networks - Renewable gas
Biomethane development in France continued its progress with an annual production capacity of up to 10.3 TWh connected to ENGIE networks, an increase of 2.6 TWh compared to 30 September 2022.
In the third quarter, ENGIE enlarged its biomethane presence in Europe with the acquisition of Ixora Energy Ltd, a leading biomethane producer based in the United Kingdom since 2017. This strategic move marks the addition of three new production units to the portfolio. Located in Devon and Somerset, these units offer a production capacity of 160 GWh/year.
In September, ENGIE inaugurated HyPSTER, the first renewable hydrogen storage demonstrator in a salt cavern in France. The objective of the project is to test the production and storage of hydrogen on an industrial scale, as well as the technical and economic replicability on other sites in Europe, paving the way for the creation of an industrial sector.
Flex Gen - Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
In the third quarter, ENGIE signed a binding agreement for the acquisition of 100% of Broad Reach Power (BRP), a Houston-based company specialized in battery storage. This acquisition includes 350 MW of operational assets, 880 MW of assets under construction with commissioning expected before the end of 2024, 1.7 GW of advanced stage projects as well as a significant pipeline of projects under development. The transaction will strengthen ENGIE's position as a leader in the energy transition in the United States, where the Group already had significant positions through its renewable assets, battery storage and its energy management platform. With an impact on net debt of $1.6 billion and a front-loaded investment program in 2024, the acquired assets will contribute to significant EBITDA growth in 2024 and around $100 million per year growth from 2025 onwards. BRP will be accretive to net earnings as of 2025.
Energy Solutions
Energy Solutions has achieved major wins in District Heating and Cooling (DHC), on-site generation and sustainable mobility. In the third quarter, ENGIE successfully tested, for the first time in the world, the injection of 100% hydrogen into a gas turbine to produce electricity on the site of a paper mill near Limoges. This world first paves the way for the rapid decarbonization of industrial sites with high CO2 emissions.
Disciplined capital allocation
In the first nine months of 2023, gross Capex amounted to €6.3 billion. Growth Capex amounted to €4.6 billion, of which 83% in Renewables, Energy Solutions and Flex Gen, in line with ENGIE’s strategic roadmap with strong acceleration expected by year end.
Performance plan
Performance plan results were positive at €57 million during the first nine months of the year, with operational excellence across GBUs partly offset by an increase in support function costs driven by an inflationary context. The Group is closely monitoring loss-making activities to accelerate their contribution to the performance plan.
Belgian nuclear agreement
As announced at the end of June, the Group confirms that the full and definitive agreements4 related to the
10-year extension of Tihange 3 and Doel 4 nuclear reactors, as well as to all obligations related to nuclear waste, are expected to be signed in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Progress on key ESG targets
During the first nine months of 2023, greenhouse gas emissions from energy production stood at 40 million tons.
The share of renewables in ENGIE's portfolio increased from 38% at the end of 2022 to 40% at the end of September 2023, mainly thanks to the addition of 1.2 GW of renewable capacity in the first nine months of the year.
ENGIE is the leading corporate issuer of green bonds in the world with two issues carried out since 1 January 2023 for a total amount of €5.1 billion. Since 2014, ENGIE has issued €20 billion in green bonds.
9M 2023 financial review
Revenue at €61.8 billion was down 10.9% on a gross basis and 10.2% on an organic basis.
EBITDA (ex. Nuclear) at €11.1 billion, was up 19.1% on a gross basis and up 19.5% on an organic basis. EBIT (ex. Nuclear) at €8.0 billion was up 27.4% on a gross basis and up 27.9% on an organic basis.
– Foreign exchange: a net effect of €-14 million driven by the depreciation of the US dollar and the UK pound sterling partly offset by the appreciation of the Brazilian real and the Australian dollar.
– Scope: net effect of €-3 million.
– French temperature: compared to average, the temperature effect was a negative €80 million, generating a positive year-on-year variation of €15 million compared to 9M 2022 across Networks, Retail and GEMS.
EBIT contribution by activity: growth mainly driven by GEMS and Renewables
In € million | 30 Sep 2023 | 30 Sep 2022 | Δ 2023/22 gross | Δ 2023/22 organic | o/w normative temp. effect (France) vs. 9M 2022 |
Renewables | 1,517 | 1,044 | +45.3% | +43.0% | |
Networks | 1,729 | 1,765 | -2.0% | -1.7% | +7 |
Energy Solutions | 144 | 263 | -45.3% | -45.2% | |
Flex Gen | 1,066 | 1,016 | +5.0% | +7.6% | |
Retail | 700 | 620 | +13.0% | +14.7% | +7 |
Others | 2,833 | 1,563 | +81.2% | +81.7% | +1 |
of which GEMS | 3,342 | 1,998 | +67.2% | +67.3% | +1 |
EBIT ex. Nuclear | 7,990 | 6,271 | +27.4% | +27.9% | +15 |
Nuclear | 332 | 984 | -66.2% | -66.2% |
|
EBIT | 8,322 | 7,254 | +14.7% | +15.0% | +15 |
Renewables: strong growth mainly driven by higher captured prices and volumes in Europe as well as contribution of new capacity commissioned
Renewables reported a 43.0% organic EBIT growth driven by a positive price effect with higher captured prices for French hydro and a better hydrology in France and Portugal. EBIT variation year on year also benefited from the 2022 buybacks, the contribution of new capacity commissioned mainly in the US, Europe and Latin America, as well as a one-off related notably to the hydro concession extension of Estreito in Brazil. These positive effects largely offset higher profit sharing on CNR hydro production in France.
Networks: lower distributed volumes in France partly offset by growth in Latin America
Networks EBIT was down 1.7% on an organic basis. French Infrastructure EBIT was impacted by lower distributed volumes and higher energy and staff costs driven by inflation. These effects were partly offset by additional revenues from capacity subscribed for gas transit between France and Germany, a favourable environment in storage activities in the UK and Germany as well as tariff increases in Germany and Romania. Outside Europe, EBIT increased organically mainly due to the full commissioning of power transmission lines in Brazil and stronger performance of gas transmission assets in Latin America.
Energy Solutions: impacted by provisions on specific contracts in the US, but strong performance of other activities
Energy Solutions EBIT was down 45.2% on an organic basis, mainly due to contract provisions related to cost overruns in the construction of two cogeneration plants in the US. Excluding this one-off, EBIT was up 14% organically driven by margin improvement and developments in energy performance management activities, higher contributions from cogeneration units in France as well as operational performance and contribution from new commissioning in local energy networks. These positive effects were partly offset by strikes in France during the first semester of 2023 and the introduction of an income tax in the UAE impacting Tabreed’s contribution.
Flex Gen: solid performance driven by recovery in Chile partly offset by lower ancillaries and spreads in Europe
Flex Gen reported a 7.6% organic EBIT growth. This increase was mainly driven by the improvement in Chile with lower sourcing prices and reduction of short positions. EBIT also benefited from two favourable comparison effects as the Group recognised an extraordinary tax in Italy in 2022 and was also impacted by the cost of unplanned outages on French gas assets. Overall growth was partly offset by lower spreads for European gas assets and ancillary services, which were at very high levels in the first nine months of 2022.
Retail: strong performance due to higher margins in Europe and favorable effect on hedging portfolio, partly offset by negative volume effects due to climate
Retail EBIT was up +14.7% on an organic basis. This increase was mainly driven by higher margins in Europe as well as positive effect of hedging portfolio optimization. These positive effects were partly offset by a negative volume effect due to mild climate, with reversal of long positions sold at high prices in 2022.
Others: significant contribution from GEMS in H1 2023, with performance slowing down in Q3 2023 as anticipated
GEMS EBIT amounted to €3,342 million, up 67.3% on an organic basis, driven by H1 2023 effects:
- the negative impact related to Gazprom contracts considering the risk of physical gas disruption in H1 2022, which did not repeat in 2023,
- the strong performance of energy management activities in Europe, which benefited from good market conditions, although less favorable than in 2022,
- the gradual normalization of market conditions, leading to reversal of market reserves mainly,
- the good performance of the B2B business, in a market environment that allows full valuation of the cost
of risk,
- the effect of deals signed in 2022 at good conditions which materialized at delivery date.
In the third quarter, GEMS’ contribution decreased significantly compared to last year, as expected, due to a very elevated basis of comparison, the reduction of volumes and margins since the summer, positive timing effects in the first semester that have partly reversed in Q3, as well as the contribution from high-margin transactions lockedin during 2022 which materialize at delivery date that have been smoothed over time.
Nuclear: higher taxes and net impact of decommissioning partly offset by higher captured prices
Nuclear EBIT was down 66.2% on an organic basis. EBIT was negatively impacted by the phase-out of the Doel 3 reactor in September 2022 and the Tihange 2 reactor in February 2023, and the nuclear inframarginal tax.
The inframarginal tax in Belgium expired on 30 June 2023. Belgian nuclear EBIT was also negatively penalized by a higher depreciation expense following the CPN triennial revision which led to a slight increase of the dismantling assets. These negative effects were partly offset by higher captured prices and higher availability for Belgian assets at 87.2%.
Strong balance sheet and liquidity
Cash Flow From Operations amounted to €13.0 billion, up €4.6 billion compared to 9M 2022. This increase was mainly supported by an improvement in change in Working Capital Requirements (€+2.9 billion) as well as EBITDA growth (€+1.3 billion).
Working Capital Requirements was positive at €2.6 billion, with a positive year-on-year variation of €2.9 billion mainly driven by price effects due to gas withdrawal at higher prices (€+3.4 billion), unbilled energy volumes (€+2.0 billion), the net positive timing effect on tariff shields (€+1.6 billion) mostly in France, partly offset by the negative impact on net receivables (€-2.1 billion) and margin calls (€-1.7 billion).
Liquidity stood at €25.5 billion as at 30 September 2023, including €17.6 billion of cash5.
Net financial debt stood at €24.6 billion, up €0.5 billion compared to 31 December 2022. This increase was mainly driven by:
- capital expenditure over the period of €6.3 billion,
- dividends paid to ENGIE SA shareholders and to non-controlling interests of €4.0 billion, - Belgian nuclear phase-out funding and expenses6 of €2.6 billion,
- other elements of €0.5 billion. These elements were partly offset by:
- Cash Flow From Operations of €13.0 billion,
- disposals of €0.1 billion.
Economic net debt stood at €41.9 billion, up €3.1 billion compared to 31 December 2022, mainly due to the increase in Asset Retirement Obligation provisions (€+4.9 billion, mainly the increase of nuclear provisions following the agreement reached with the Belgian State) and higher financial net debt (€+0.5 billion), partly offset by the change in nuclear provisions assets related to additional funding (€-2.3 billion).
Economic net debt to EBITDA ratio stood at 2.8x, in line with the ratio as of 31 December 2022, and in line with the target ratio below or equal to 4.0x.
On 12 May 2023, S&P reaffirmed its BBB+ long-term issuer rating and short-term issuer rating at A-2, with a stable outlook.
On 13 July 2023, Moody’s confirmed its Baa1/P-2 senior unsecured rating, with a stable outlook.
On 18 July 2023, Fitch reaffirmed its long-term issuer rating at A-, and short-term rating at F1, with a stable outlook.
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The presentation of the Group’s 9M 2023 financial information used during the investor conference is available to download from ENGIE’s website:Financial results 2023 (engie.com)
UPCOMING EVENTS
22 February 2024 | Publication of FY 2023 financial results |
30 April 2024 | Annual General Meeting |
17 May 2024
Footnotes | Publication of Q1 2024 financial information |
1 Cash Flow From Operations: Free Cash Flow before maintenance Capex and nuclear phase-out expenses 2 Net recurring income Group share
3 Net of sell down, US tax equity proceeds, including net debt acquired
4 Conditional agreements, in particular, on the approval by the European Commission under state aid and the adoption of legislative amendments relating to the Belgian nuclear legal and regulatory framework
5 Cash and cash equivalents plus liquid debt instruments held for cash investment purposes minus bank overdrafts
6 Synatom funding previously reported in gross Capex and waste/dismantling expenses previously reported in CFFO
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Important notice
The figures presented here are those customarily used and communicated to the markets by ENGIE. This message includes forward-looking information and statements. Such statements include financial projections and estimates, the assumptions on which they are based, as well as statements about projects, objectives and expectations regarding future operations, profits, or services, or future performance. Although ENGIE management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and ENGIE shareholders should be aware that such forward-looking information and statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties that are generally difficult to predict and beyond the control of ENGIE, and may cause results and developments to differ significantly from those expressed, implied, or predicted in the forward-looking statements or information. Such risks include those explained or identified in the public documents filed by ENGIE with the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF), including those listed in the “Risk Factors” section of the ENGIE (ex GDF SUEZ) Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on March 9, 2023 (under number D.23-082). Investors and ENGIE shareholders should note that if some or all of these risks are realised they may have a significant unfavourable impact on ENGIE.
About ENGIE
Our group is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. Together with our 96,000 employees, our customers, partners and stakeholders, we are committed to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions. Inspired by our purpose (“raison d’être”), we reconcile economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on our key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to our customers.
Turnover in 2022: 93.9 billion Euros. The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main financial indices (CAC 40, Euronext 100, FTSE Euro 100, MSCI Europe) and non-financial indices
(DJSI World, Euronext Vigeo Eiris - Europe 120/ France 20, MSCI EMU ESG screened, MSCI EUROPE ESG Universal
Select, Stoxx Europe 600 ESG-X)
ENGIE HQ Press contact:
Tel. France: +33 (0)1 44 22 24 35
Email: engiepress@engie.com
Investor relations contact:
Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 22 66 29
Email: ir@engie.com
APPENDIX 1: CONTRIBUTIVE REVENUE BY ACTIVITY
Revenue at €61.8 billion was down 10.9% on a gross basis and 10.2% on an organic basis.
Contributive revenue, after elimination of intercompany operations, by activity:
Revenue In € million | 30 Sep 2023 | 30 Sep 2022 | Gross variation | Organic variation |
Renewables | 4,117 | 3,646 | +12.9% | +11.3% |
Networks | 5,000 | 5,025 | -0.5% | +1.7% |
Energy Solutions | 8,116 | 7,904 | +2.7% | +4.5% |
Flex Gen | 3,802 | 5,384 | -29.4% | -28.1% |
Retail | 12,261 | 10,736 | +14.2% | +14.9% |
Others | 28,408 | 36,675 | -22.5% | -22.1% |
of which GEMS | 28,336 | 36,582 | -22.5% | -22.1% |
ENGIE ex. Nuclear | 61,704 | 69,371 | -11.1% | -10.4% |
Nuclear | 95 | (27) | - | - |
ENGIE | 61,799 | 69,344 | -10.9% | -10.2% |
Revenue for Renewables amounted to €4,117 million, +12.9% on a gross basis and +11.3% on an organic basis. The gross increase included scope out effects. Organically, activity increased in France mainly due to higher achieved prices and volumes for hydro.
Revenue for Networks amounted to €5,000 million, -0.5% on a gross basis and +1.7% on an organic basis. Gross increase included positive foreign exchange effects mainly in Latin America and scope out effects in Argentina. Organically, revenue increased driven by auctions of capacities for gas transport and favourable market for storage activities in Germany and in the UK partly offset by lower distributed volumes in French distribution.
Revenue for Energy Solutions amounted to €8,116 million, +2.7% on a gross basis and +4.5% on an organic basis. The gross increase included positive foreign exchange effects notably in the United States. Organically, activity increased in Europe mainly driven by Germany.
Revenue for Flex Gen amounted to €3,802 million, -29.4% on a gross basis and -28.1% on an organic basis. Limited impact from foreign exchange due to offsetting effects in UK and Latin America. The organic change is explained by Europe, mainly due to lower ancillaries partly offset by higher spreads captured. In Latin America, revenue increased due to indexation of PPA contracts in Chile and higher generation and prices in Peru.
Revenue for Retail amounted to €12,261 million, +14.2% on a gross basis and +14.9% on an organic basis. Organically, the increase was mainly driven by higher commodity prices offset by lower gas and power volumes due to sobriety and decrease of gas portfolio.
Revenue for Others amounted to €28,407 million. The decrease compared to last year was mainly driven by GEMS, essentially impacted by a negative net impact of commodity prices and lower delivered volumes.
Nuclear reported almost no external revenue post-elimination of intercompany operations.
APPENDIX 2: EBIT MATRIX
9M 2023 In € million | France | Rest of Europe | Latin America | Northern America | AMEA | Others | Total |
Renewables | 471 | 193 | 707 | 151 | 21 | (27) | 1,517 |
Networks | 1,117 | 10 | 613 | (4) | (6) | 1,729 | |
Energy Solutions | 183 | 102 | (2) | (140) | 33 | (32) | 144 |
Flex Gen | 561 | 159 | 34 | 334 | (22) | 1,066 | |
Retail | 560 | 90 | 68 | (18) | 700 | ||
Others | 9 | 2,824 | 2,833 | ||||
of which GEMS |
|
|
|
|
| 3,342 | 3,342 |
ENGIE ex. Nuclear | 2,332 | 957 | 1,477 | 50 | 457 | 2,719 | 7,990 |
Nuclear |
| 332 | 332 | ||||
ENGIE | 2,332 | 1,289 | 1,477 | 50 | 457 | 2,719 | 8,322 |
9M 2022 In € million | France | Rest of Europe | Latin America | Northern America | AMEA | Others | Total |
Renewables | 104 | 200 | 621 | 107 | 22 | (10) | 1,044 |
Networks | 1,269 | 14 | 487 | (2) | (3) | 1,765 | |
Energy Solutions | 189 | 58 | (5) | 1 | 39 | (19) | 263 |
Flex Gen | 672 | (19) | 33 | 307 | (15) | 1,016 | |
Retail | 507 | 92 | 6 | 25 | (10) | 620 | |
Others | 4 | 1,559 | 1,563 | ||||
of which GEMS |
|
|
|
|
| 1,998 | 1,998 |
ENGIE ex. Nuclear | 2,068 | 1,035 | 1,129 | 143 | 393 | 1,502 | 6,271 |
Nuclear | 984 | 984 | |||||
ENGIE | 2,068 | 2,019 | 1,129 | 143 | 393 | 1,502 | 7,254 |
APPENDIX 3: 2023 GUIDANCE UPGRADED - KEY ASSUMPTIONS & INDICATIONS
• Guidance and indications based on continuing operations
• No change in accounting policies
• No major regulatory or macro-economic changes
• Inframarginal rent caps based on current legal texts
• Full pass through of supply costs in French B2C retail tariffs
• Average temperature in France
• Average hydro, wind, and solar productions
• Average forex:
o €/USD: 1.08 o €/BRL: 5.46
• Belgian nuclear availability: c. 90% in 2023, based on availabilities
• Contingencies on Belgian nuclear operations of €0.1 billion in 2023
• Market commodity prices as at 31 August 2023
• Recurring net financial costs of €(2.2)-(2.4) billion
• Recurring effective tax rate: 24-27%