This strong result reflects the record investments made by the group.
The company invested €3.054 billion in the first six months, up 23.2% year on year, 88% of which was allocated to renewable energy projects, and transmission and distribution network assets (48% the former and 40% the latter). This amount represents the group’s largest investment figure over a six-month period. In addition, over the past 18 months, Iberdrola’s investment totaled €8.375 billion, another record figure for the company.
Group Chairman Ignacio Galán explained that “this double-digit growth highlights the success of our business model, based on a commitment to clean energy, regulated assets with stable and predictable returns, and a well-judged geographical diversification.”
From investments during the first half, he highlighted the 68% rise in clean generation investments, as reflected by the good progress of works at East Anglia One offshore wind farm in the North Sea.
Due to this investment, the company expects 5,250 MW of new capacity to be commissioned during 2019, out of which 75% will come on stream in the second half of the year. The acceleration in the pace of investment signals that the target of developing 13,000 MW in new capacity during the 2018 to 2022 period will be exceeded. This would mean an increase in the group’s installed capacity of more than 40% relative to the start of the Plan.
The increase in investments is also a response to the business opportunities presented by the transition to a low carbon economy.
Decarbonisation strategies are being implemented in both the US and Europe. These include the EU’s Clean Energy for All Europeans package, Spain’s Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan, the UK’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Plan and the New York Climate and Community Protection Act, among other initiatives.
At the same
time there are opportunities in offshore wind and network infrastructure
in US, UK and Brazil. Mexico is also seeking to commission 70,000 new
megawatts of capacity by 2033.
Good operating performance of international businesses
Operating performance of Iberdrola’s international businesses was very positive, as reflected by revenue increasing to €18.28 billion in the six months to the end of June – up by 3.9% from the first half of 2018. Gross margin also improved, by 7.3%, to reach €8.23 billion.
Gross operating profit (EBITDA) reached €4.989 billion for the half-year, representing an increase of 12.5%. This result was driven by positive performances in US, Mexico and Brazil, and the contribution of the Wikinger offshore wind farm, comfortably offsetting the decline in contribution from the Networks and Renewables businesses in Spain and the Generation and Retail business in the UK.
By business area, Networks posted EBITDA of €2.593 billion, up by 8.6%, driven by Brazil and US, which saw operating results growing by 36.1% and 10.7% respectively. The UK also improved, growing by 4.3%. In Spain, EBITDA shrank by 6.4%.
Generation and Retail EBITDA stood at €1.182 billion for the January to June period, up 34.8% from same period of 2018. This growth was largely due to generation output increase in Spain (+27.4%), enhanced revenue in Mexico. The good performance in these two countries offsets the lesser contribution of the retail business in the United Kingdom as a consequence to the complex operating environment in that country.
Renewables posted €1.165 billion EBITDA, down by
1.6%, affected by lower wind and hydro production in Spain resulting
from meteorological conditions, which translate into a 22.6% decline in
operating profit. However, the business performed well in Brazil
(+21.5%), the UK (+4%) and Mexico, which increased its output thanks to
the commissioning of new photovoltaic capacity. Also significant was the
contribution of Wikinger offshore wind farm, improving the performance
of Iberdrola Energía Internacional[1]. The Group’s renewable capacity now exceeds 30,300 megawatts (MW).
Constant improvement of financial strength
During the first half of the year, Iberdrola continued to implement its financing strategy, with €5.5 billion of new resources, focusing on sustainable and green formats that amounted to €4 billion. The group continues to be world leader in the placement of corporate green bonds. This has also contributed to the improvement of the group’s financial solidity.
Iberdrola’s cash generation for the period grew by 11.1% to €3.88 billion.
Thus,
the group has improved all its financial ratios. Average cost of
borrowing was reduced by six basis points to 3.43%. The ratio of net
debt to EBITDA came to 3.67 at the end of the period and the ratio of
cash generation to net debt increased to 21.2%.
Improved full-year guidance
“I’m pleased to confirm that we are delivering on our Strategic Outlook faster than expected, which allows us to announce an upward revision of our full-year net profit guidance higher than 10%,” said Ignacio Galán.
This revision in guidance follows the solid results for the first six months, the commissioning of new capacity as well as cost savings.
The company now expects to achieve low double-digit percentage growth in net profit for 2019, rather than the high single-digit increase previously forecasted.
