Iberdrola, Enel and EDP, along with other European energy groups, have sent a letter to the European Commission and the European Parliament calling for more ambitious objectives with respect to renewable energies in the EU.
Víctor Peiro (GVC Gaesco) | The emerging markets are performing well this year and so the context is favourable for revisiting the privatisation process in those countries. Brazil is set to sell off a raft of different assets, including state-owned utility Electrobrás. Several big Spanish companies could be interested in acquiring these assets.
Spain’s big utility companies have accused the Energy Ministry of “driving investors away” with their strategy of revealing the next milestones in the energy reform to the large investment banks. The main electricity firms (Iberdrola, Endesa, Gas Natural and REE) saw almost 3 billion euros shaved off their market capitalisation in just one day.
Iberdrola is sounding out possible acquisition opportunities in the European energy sector and Innogy is on its radar. According to financial sources, the Spanish firm could be interested in launching a bid for the German utility company.
Iberdrola is preparing itself to enter the Italian electricity trading market before current year ends, in which the company will offer its own tariffs in the distribution segment. They will compete with operators such as Enel, Eni and Edison and expect to reach a market share of 5%-7% in next six years, namely a million of customers in 2020 and three millions in 2023. Iberdrola is not considering any acquisitions in order to carry out this strategic move.
Iberdrola’s stock had a good performance this year despite the difficult conditions faced by the group in two of its main markets (the UK and Spain). The negative effect was mainly on the generation and supply side as earnings in this segment decreased by 32%: the UK’s earnings contracted by 75% and the Spanish by 19%. As pointed by Carax- Alphavalue “this was due to lower plant operations (load factor) with contracting margins added to low hydro production and higher transmission costs
The Basque region-based industries, like the automotive and aerospace, are global and cutting hedge. They export between 70% and 90% of their production, achieving surpluses for the region’s trade balance, of some 5 billion euros in one of the last few years.
Neoenergia’s shareholders (Banco de Brasil, Previ and Iberdrola) have reached an agreement for Neoenergia to incorporate Elektro’s business and activity. This operation was on the cards and will be very positive for Iberdrola and its stock price
British prime minister Theresa May could put a cap on the increase in electricity and gas prices in the UK, while also cutting water and gas charges, if she is re-elected. This sort of measure could affect Iberdrola’s UK business, which accounts for 25% of group EBITDA.
Iberdrola has warned of the risk Donald Trump’s administration poses to renewables’ growth plans in the US. Iberdrola says Trump could freeze or eliminate the CPP (Clean Power Plan) designed by Obama. This envisaged investments of $8.5 billion a year until 2030. But for now, these changes in US policy have not altered Iberdrola’s growth outlook.