Earnings call transcript: Snam Q4 2024 sees strong EBITDA growth, strategic advances

Snam (SRG.MI) delivered robust financial results in Q4 2024, with a notable increase in adjusted EBITDA and net income, alongside strategic operational advancements. According to InvestingPro analysis, while the company maintains strong operational metrics with a healthy gross profit margin of 53.9%, its overall Financial Health Score stands at 1.72, indicating potential areas for improvement. The company’s stock remained stable post-announcement, reflecting confidence in its growth trajectory and strategic initiatives.

Key Takeaways

• Adjusted EBITDA rose by 13.9% year-over-year to €2,753 million.
• Net income increased by 10.4% to €1,289 million.
• Total investments surged by 31% compared to 2023, reaching €2.9 billion.
• Significant advancements in LNG capacity and biometan plant connections.
• Positive outlook with 2025 EBITDA guidance set at €2.85 billion.

Company Performance

Snam’s performance in Q4 2024 highlights its resilience and strategic foresight amid a dynamic energy sector. The company achieved significant growth in EBITDA and net income, driven by increased investments and operational efficiencies. This performance aligns with broader industry trends, where energy infrastructure players are capitalizing on rising global gas demand, particularly in Asia. For deeper insights into Snam’s financial health and growth prospects, InvestingPro subscribers can access comprehensive analysis including over 30 key financial metrics and exclusive ProTips.

Financial Highlights

• Adjusted EBITDA: €2,753 million (+13.9% YoY)
• Adjusted Net Income: €1,289 million (+10.4% YoY)
• Total Investments: €2.9 billion (+31% vs 2023)
• Net Debt: €16.2 billion
• Dividend: €0.2905 per share for 2024

Outlook & Guidance

Snam’s forward guidance for 2025 includes an EBITDA target of €2.85 billion and net income guidance of €1.35 billion. The company also plans to maintain a disciplined approach to debt, with net debt expected to rise to €18.4 billion. Additionally, Snam has committed to a 4% annual growth in dividends, with a maximum payout ratio of 80%.

Executive Commentary

CEO Stefano Venier emphasized the company’s strategic management during the energy crisis, stating, "Since the onset of the energy crisis in 2022, we have successfully managed the emergency by leveraging our assets and capabilities." CFO Luca Passa reiterated Snam’s long-term commitment, noting, "Our commitment is there, long standing and also plain up until 2050." Venier also expressed confidence in future growth, highlighting, "We enjoy strong visibility over future growth."

Risks and Challenges

• Regulatory changes could impact operational flexibility and financial performance.
• Fluctuations in global gas demand may affect revenue projections.
• Rising debt levels could constrain future investment capabilities.
• Geopolitical tensions may disrupt supply chains and market stability.
• Environmental regulations could impose additional compliance costs.

By focusing on strategic investments and operational efficiencies, Snam positions itself as a leader in the energy infrastructure sector, poised to capitalize on emerging market trends and demand growth.

Full transcript - Seritage Growth Properties (SRG) Q4 2024:

Conference Operator, Corusco: Good afternoon. This is the Coruscio conference operator. Welcome and thank you for joining the Snam Full Year twenty twenty four Consolidated Results Conference Call. As a reminder, all participants are in listen only mode. After the presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

At this time, I would like to turn the conference over to Ms. Francesca Pezzoli, Head of Investor Relations of Snam. Please go ahead, madam.

Francesca Pezzoli, Head of Investor Relations, Snam: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the presentation of NAM full year twenty twenty four consolidated results approved by the Board today. The presentation will be hosted by Snam’s CEO, Stefano Venier and by Snam’s CFO, Luca Passa. In the presentation, Stefano will provide an overview of the strong financial and industrial results delivered over the last two years, the most relevant achievements on our ambition to build the Pan European Multimolecules infrastructure player and key market highlights of the period. Luca will provide the financial performance overview, which has been remarkable as well, the emission reduction progresses and the 2025 guidance. Then back to Stefano for closing remarks and finally the Q and A session.

I will now hand over to Stefano.

Stefano Venier, CEO, Snam: Thanks, Francesca, and good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Over the past years, we made significant progress in strengthening security of supply while reducing our carbon footprint, leading the way toward a decarbonized energy system and establishing the foundations for long term growth and decarb opportunities. During this period, we conducted M and A activities coherent with our asset footprint to bolster a systemic approach to the energy system. Concurrently, we worked with our associates to support their growth and maximize their value and implemented asset rotation in line with our strategic focus on key energy corridors in Europe and the Med area. We achieved a double digit growth in an environment marked by fluctuating gas demand and prices, changes in gas flows and rising interest rates.

The energy market and geopolitical situation continue to be unsettled, emphasizing the need for reliable, affordable and prospectively decarbonized energy supply. These accomplishments were achieved while providing attractive remuneration to shareholder and maintaining full financial flexibility. Since the beginning of the energy crisis, Snam has achieved significant milestones and delivered remarkable results. On the operational front, focusing on national infrastructure, first, we have continued to develop and renew our network with a future proof approach. Second, on LNG, capacity has tripled from six to 19 BCM, the Pioambino Terminal and the Ravenna Terminal has been set up and additionally, OLT capacity has increased to five BCM from the 3.7 BCM bcm and soon we will follow the Adriatic LNG.

Third, on storage capacity, this has been increased organically to 17 bcm, thanks to enhanced performance driven by the new investments. With the integration of Edisons which recently closed, the total capacity will reach 18 Bcm, corresponding to more than 17% of the European capacity percent, of course, of the European capacity. The Snam Group will operate 12 storage sites in Central And Northern Italy near main consumption hubs. Financial metrics show strong double digit growth with 2024 EBITDA up 23% versus 2022 or plus million and net profit rising 11% despite the higher interest rate cycle. Capital expenditure have increased by 50% compared to 2022, ’3 times the pre crisis average of billion per year, totaling billion over the period of between 2022 and 2020.

The proposal of ADNOC gas pipelines brings the total asset rotation to almost billion between acquisitions and divestitures. Despite the challenging condition, including a reshuffle of gas flows, we have reduced our Scope one and two emissions by a remarkable 28% in 2024 versus 2022. Page four. We are progressing on our strategy to build a pan European multi molecule infrastructure operator. Starting from gas infrastructure, the first phase works of the Adriatic line have fully started.

Works are on track. We have upgraded export to Austria from six to nine BCM per year and contracted more than 200 connection of new Biometan plants to our network. On storage, we have offered reverse flow services during winter season and storage level is currently at 45%. On LNG, the re gasification vessel BW Singapore successfully completed its mooring about eight kilometers offshore Ravenna in line with the planned schedule. Operations are set to start at the April.

In 2024, approximately 150 LNG cargoes arrived to Italy, covering 25% of gas demand and providing larger diversification as one third of the volumes came from United States, One Third from Qatar, One Fourth from Algeria and the rest from the rest of the world. Moving on the other side on energy transition. Renovid backlog reached $1,400,000,000 up 17% year on year as the company is repositioning its business toward long term energy performance contracts with public authorities and large industrial clients. On Biomethin, nine plants won the tariff auctions launched by the GSC, about 20 megawatt, 100% of the plants submitted and 14 additional were submitted in January. Towage to Coridon and CCS were confirmed, as you know, as project of common interest and the H2 backbone was awarded $24,000,000 of grants in the last CEF, Connecting European Facilities round.

CO2 injection has been performing in Ravenna and we are planning some further months of operation, thanks to the very good performance posted. The project is set to become one of the world’s largest CO2 storage site as it moves to industrial phase. On Page five, let’s now focus on two key strategic lever of our framework that are sustainability and innovation. When it comes to sustainability, we have a comprehensive approach fully integrated into our business operations. In 2024, we achieved several significant milestones.

Let me mention some. We managed to greatly reduce our Scope one and two emissions and received the UNIP gold standard for the fourth consecutive year. Second, additionally, our capital expenditure were well aligned with EU taxonomy and sustainable development goals, accounting for 3165% of the total, respectively. Wilstah sustainable finance represent now 84% of the total. Third, we published our first transition plan and we maintain our leadership in the ESG ratings.

We will propose to the next AGM the approval of an employee stock ownership plan for the period twenty twenty five-twenty twenty seven, enabling employees to invest in NAM and share long term value generated by the company. Moving now to innovation, we have a dual track approach focusing on proven and explorative innovation. In 2024, we have invested approximately million in proven innovation as the rollout of the asset control room continues and SnamTech advanced analytics for predictive maintenance implemented. Our goal with this investment is to drive operational excellence and sustainability by increasing digitalization, the IoT deployment and leveraging the use of IE. On May, we will present our first innovation plan aimed at addressing the strategic level of transformative innovation, an ambitious moment of reflection on the future evolution of Snam Journey over the next decade.

On Page six, a quick summary. In 2024, we have delivered an adjusted EBITDA in excess of $2,075,000,000 up 14% year on year. The adjusted net income at $1,289,000,000,000 dollars is well above the guidance of $1,230,000,000,000 dollars provided during the strategic client presentation on January 22, mainly thanks to better than expected contribution of associates and lower financial charges. The investments at billion are up 31% versus 2023. This is a touch below the guidance of billion as some investments in the Ravenna break quarter slipped to 2025.

As a result, the tariff RAB reached billion. Dollars The net debt was $16,200,000,000 2 percent ahead of the guidance and financial ratio stands significantly below the rating agency’s thresholds. It will be proposed a final dividend distribution of per share to the shareholders meeting that combined with the interim dividend distributed in January 25 brings the total dividend for 2024 to $0.2905 per share. On the regulatory front, 2024 marked the first year of implementing the base ROSS, the regulation by expenditure and service targets for gas transport resulting in a more positive cash conversion ratio. The WACC formula was updated, as you know, for the next three years’ period, providing future visibility across all regulated businesses.

Then moving to output based incentives, we have proposed three additional ones focused on service quality, asset resilience and sustainability, and we will suggest the extension of the asset health methodology to storage. Then now on M and A, in December 24, we successfully finalized the increase of our stake in Adriatic LNG to 30%, taking an industrial role in the asset and strengthening our position in the LNG sector, specifically in the Italian territory. March 25 saw the completion of two transactions. First, the acquisition of Edison Storage further solidifying our footprint in the energy storage market and second, the sale of AdNOC’s stake to Lunate for million that will generate a 14.5% internal return rate of return. This transaction underscores a strategic approach to our associate portfolio, focusing on key energy corridors, as I said, for Italy and Meld.

On finance, in 2024, we have issued our inaugural green bond, hybrid instrument and SLB in sterling. Then global gas demand was up 3% in 2024, driven by Asia, while Italy demand was stable at 62 bcm. Interestingly, European gas demand soared by 10% year on year in the period November, February with low wind speed and low hydro availability as key driver, which led to a surge in gas fired power generation. This confirms our view of the growing relevance of gas and storage in a less predictable power market. Let me now focus a bit more on gas supply and demand on Page seven.

With regard to gas supply and demand, Italian full year 2024 reached around 62 bcm, 0.5 more than 2023, broadly stable versus previous year. This was driven by civil sector, up by around 3% due to a slightly colder weather and to the end of demand containment measures in place at the beginning of 2023. The thermoelectric sector, down by 1.4% year on year, driven by rising hydroelectric production plus 11.6 terawatt hours around 2.16 bcm equivalent and increasing renewable generation, partly counterbalanced by increasing electricity demand and lower utilization of coal and other fossil fuels. The industrial sector substantially was in line. In 2024, around 25% of gas demand was met by LNG despite reduced volumes due to the maintenance period on ALT and Panigalea terminals.

In early twenty twenty five, gas demand increased by 8.8%, driven mainly by a 20% rise in the thermoelectric sector due to the lower imports and decreased renewables and a 4% rise in the civil sector due to slightly colder weather. Higher demand was met by pipeline and LNG growth, aided by the full operation of the ALT terminal, bringing to 30% of the import the LNG contribution in the first two months of twenty twenty five. Now I will hand over to Luc for an overview of the full year results. Thanks, Stefano,

Luca Passa, CFO, Snam: and good afternoon, everybody. Let’s now move to Slide number eight for a brief overview of the key full year 2024 financial results. Adjusted EBITDA is up 13.9% compared to 2023, thanks to tariff wrap growth, the impact of WACC uplift, Ross introduction on transport, MPO and Bino FSRU full year contribution. Adjusted net income stands at EUR1.289 billion, well above the guidance, mostly thanks to better than expected associates contribution and slightly lower financial charges despite slower decline of interest rates. Total investments are up by 31% compared to the previous year, a touch below our guidance due to a postponement of some investment related to Ravenna breakwater.

Finally, net debt is $16,200,000,000 lower than our guidance of 16.5 due to a slightly lower CapEx level already commented and the earlier than expected cash in related to the Adriatic Line project, REpower EU grant. Moving to slide number nine. Out of the total CapEx of $2,900,000,000 for full year 2024, ’30 ’1 percent EZU taxonomy aligned and includes. With regards to the gas infrastructure, H2 ready replacement, dual fuel compressor station, Biometan plant connection, Ravenna Breakwater and the construction of our new headquarter. As for the energy transition businesses, 100% of H2 and CCS, a large part of Biometan depending on the plants setting our standards and energy efficiency excluding generation.

SDG alignment is instead 65%, of which the majority goes towards SDG seven, nine and thirteen, respectively, affordable and clean energy, industry innovation and infrastructure and climate action. Specifically, investments related to the FSRU are aligned with SDG seven as they promote affordable energy and enhance supply security in today’s volatile scenario. Almost 50% of CapEx are development investments underpinning the industrial growth phase of the company. Let’s now look in more detail at the RAB evolution on Slide number 10. Our tariff RAB saw a significant increase in 2024, up 5.8% compared to 2023.

This growth was mainly driven by CapEx and inflation impact. In particular, transport throughout benefited from investment related to the Ravenna Quirigia project, which involves a Mi Romagna market in Abruzzo regions as it aims to replace gas pipelines in areas affected by ground instability. In addition, investments raised in the Pumbina FSRU connection enter into the tariff ramp. Storage RUB increased, thanks to the performance of plating and maintenance investments and LNG RUB grew as a result of the PNB and FSRU mooring investments and drydock. As for 2025, we guidance of EUR25.8 billion, up 9% versus 2024, including around EUR500 million related to the Edison storage acquisition.

Let’s now move to full year 2024 EBITDA analysis on Slide 11. EBITDA for the period was €2,753,000,000 plus 13.9% compared to last year or plus EUR $336,000,000. The growth is mainly attributable to regulatory items for a total of around EUR $240,000,000 related to WACC increase for around million and the loss effect, especially Fast Money, on transport for million. The regulated revenues increased for around EUR 162,000,000. Fionbi and FSRU started operation from July 2023 and contributed positively by EUR 51,000,000.

In details, the regulated revenues growth was driven by transport and storage revenue increased by around million, of which million on transport and 40 on storage the recovery of 2023 LNG extra revenues for €29,000,000 and higher allowed OpEx mainly due to inflation these effects were partially counterbalanced by output base reduction of around EUR 41,000,000 versus last year, mainly attributable to the storage service that in 2023 benefited from the 2022 short term auctions and booked at the end of twenty twenty three and by the expected phase out of input based incentives. The increase in gas infrastructure fixed costs, which is EUR 28,000,000, is mainly attributable to the labor costs in Ashparks due to new highs and the labor inflation. Worth mentioning that considering the twenty twenty one-twenty twenty four period, our fixed costs have increased less than inflation on a like for like basis. The difference in other items includes provisions on gas infrastructure. With regard to the Energy Transition businesses, the end of the superb bonus incentive on energy efficiency drove its contribution to EUR 12,000,000, along with the consolidation of eight megawatt of biometan plants with just marginally positive contribution combined with the carbonation projects led to a significant slightly positive contribution of EUR 1,000,000 in 2024.

Moving to Page 12. In 2024, our associates contributed to the group net income by EUR $326,000,000, up 3.5% of which $234,000,000 related to international associates and 92,000,000 to the Italian associates. In details, TAP inflation adjusted tariff led to a slightly higher contribution compared to the previous year. In 2024, TFP covered 17% of headwind demand, maintaining its position as the second largest import route via pipeline. The ongoing 1.2 Bcm expansion is expected to be operational by 2026.

Teregare performance is in line with expectation. The year on year growth is due to an updated WACC and higher RUB increase, partially offset by higher OpEx. Worth mentioning that the new corporate tax recently introduced in France do not impact Teregga. Sea corridor performance is broadly in line with the previous year despite lower impulse volumes from Algeria, thanks to a better product mix, with approximately 21 BCM transported towards Italy to represent the main supply source in 2024. Testfall over contribution is due to lower auction premium on LNG imports and exports to Bulgaria, moving back towards historical trends after an extraordinary 2023.

Despite this, Greek demand rose by 1.4 BCM to six BCM in total in 2024, driven by the core phase out with an increased power generation from gas. Greece is advancing in the energy transition with DESPA as part of the H2 and CCS project that were included in the sixth PCI list. Admiral performance is in line with expectation, as already commented, consistently with the clusterization presented in our business plan, we just closed the disposal of our minority stakes in the company, crystallizing a very compelling internal rate of return. Interconnector contribution remains in line with the early regulatory cap. The The capacity is almost 50% booked until 2026.

EMG performance benefits mostly from positive non recurring items related to the previous years. The asset is operating above expectation and close to maximum capacity. Moving to Austria. GCA’s performance has been impacted by lower bookings and above all higher revenues recorded in 2023 boosted by the recovery of the previous year’s energy costs. Opposite trends for TEG’s contribution that increased due to higher volumes from Parvisio coupled with short terms more revenue bookings and secondly, lower D and A recalculation of the impairment allocation in the fourth quarter of twenty twenty four.

The new reference price methodology in Austria embeds volume risk sterilization from 2025, providing visibility for the period twenty twenty five-twenty twenty seven. Let’s now move to net income analysis on slide number 13. Adjusted net income for the period was EUR $1,289,000,000 plus 10.4% compared to 2023 due to higher D and A by EUR 79,000,000 following rising investments and EUR 20,000,000 write down million gas in production. Net financial expenses higher by EUR 110,000,000, mainly as a result of higher net cost of debt, which moved from 2% in 2023 to approximately 2.5% in 2024, driven by the increase in interest rates, partially counterbalanced by positive income from active cash management and optimization of financial sources. This was mitigated by the increase in capitalized financial expenses and the proceeds resulting from the time value effect on superb bonus credits.

A higher contribution from associates, as already commented, which was the result of higher international associates contribution for EUR 5,000,000 and higher Italian associates for EUR 6,000,000 Higher taxes due to the higher EBIT and tax rate increased from 25% in 2023 to 25.5% in 2024, mainly as a result of the termination of the so called eight Italian fiscal benefit. Reported net income for the period was EUR 1,259,000,000.000. The delta vis a vis adjusted is mainly attributable to Biometan business for $50,000,000 mostly related to charges for a settlement agreement, amended previous agreements charges related to the Austin Associates for the reimbursement of the twenty thirteen-twenty twenty for premium to volume risk exposure partially counterbalance by the adjustment related to TAG for $27,000,000 mainly attributable to 2023 lower the premium to volume risk exposure, partially counterbalance by the adjustment related to TAG for 27,000,000 mainly attributable to 2023 lower depreciation, insurance reimbursement related to OLT maintenance for €17,000,000 and ad hoc discount rate effect for €8,000,000 Despite the sale of our minority stake in AdNOC, whose twenty twenty five full year contribution was expected to be million, we confirm our 2025 net income guidance of around EUR1350 billion.

The reconsolidation effect will be offset by several items such as consolidation of Amazon storage earlier than initially expected, slightly better default on output based incentives, lower than expected net financial expenses. Turning now to the cash flow on Slide 14. Funds from operations for the period amounted to €2,239,000,000 and were only partially absorbed by €425,000,000 of working capital. This was mainly driven by regulatory working capital with around $400,000,000 absorption due to the balancing and settlement activity, of which about $130,000,000 related to an increase in balancing item receivables, approximately $230,000,000 related to the cash deposit decrease due to gas price reduction versus 2023 around positive $120,000,000 related to the full service receivable decrease and about $60,000,000 negative related to the settlement activity and finally, about 45,000,000 negative on tariff related items. Net investment for the period amount to February including around 160,000,000 of Adriatic LNG Cashout and around 126,000,000 of Adriatic Line grants prepayment.

Other outflows were rate of repayments of dividends for €946,000,000 and the hybrid instrument Cashion for €976,000,000 resulting in a change in debt of about €968,000,000 On Slide 15, due to the earlier discussed cash flow changes, net debt increased to EUR 16,200,000,000.0 at the December 2024. The net cost of debt moved to 2.5 percent, while the fixed to floating mix stands at 81%, nineteen %. Sustainable finance reached 84% of committed financing, nearing the 85% target set for 2027. The goal for 2029 is now 90%. Snam has been honored with the prestigious Sustainable Issue of the Year award by IFR, a leading law of publication in capital markets, a recognition of the company’s unwavering dedication to the energy transition and its adoption of innovative sustainable financial instruments.

Funding for the year was completed in September with the issuance of $1,000,000,000 of aggregate bond following $2,300,000,000 of senior bond successfully executed earlier in the year, including $500,000,000 of inaugural agreement bond, $1,000,000,000 of sustainability linked and about million of floating rate notes. The last month of the year, we have been dedicated to pre funding activities for 2025 with approximately billion issued in November in a dual tranche SLB format being €750,000,000 at seven years and 600,000,000 sterling at twelve years, further enhancing diversification of sources, while being the first Italian Dutch corporate issuing on MOT, which is the Italian Exchange for Fixed Income Instruments. Finally, in December, billion of sustainability linked revolving credit facility has been signed, replacing existing pool facility of $3,200,000,000 and $700,000,000 of bilateral SCF lines. The easing of steps forward were made in terms of sustainability disclosure, I’m now on Slide 16. In October 2024, we presented our first transition plan, which outlines in a comprehensive and systematic way the company’s objective, actions and resources aimed at driving the company’s efforts towards a low carbon economy system.

As part of our climate strategy, we are strongly committed in reducing scope one and two emissions with a target to reduce them by 40% in 02/1930, ’50 percent in 02/1932 and achieve carbon neutrality by 02/1940. Moreover, we are committed to reach net zero across all scope by 02/1950. The risk assessment carried out based on long term energy scenarios, providing the most recent outlook on the Italian energy demand, corroborates the resilience of those NAM assets and multimodal business model. We also signed the opportunity of the CSRD not as a compliance exercise, but as a chance to further improve our disclosure, internal processes and organization. The consolidated sustainability reporting for the financial year 2024 represents a specific section of the management report and has been prepared in accordance with the legislative decree number one hundred and twenty five of September twenty twenty four and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards.

The document links relevant sustainability topics emerging from the double materiality analysis to relevant impact, risk opportunities, including policies, objectives and actions. It comprises information related to the TFFD recommendation and SARSB and the Oil and Gas Midstream Sector indicators. Let’s now examine the CO2 emission performance within our regulated target perimeter on Slide 17. Top one and two emissions, which include gas combustion at compressor station and metal leakage, decreased by 16% compared to 2023 and over twenty eight percent from the 2022 baseline. These achievements exceeded our expectation, and we have already surpassed 2025 target.

This was mainly driven by the methane emission reduction, down 16% from last year and 62% from the twenty fifteen UNEP commitments and dispatching optimization. Additional unpredictable and not fully repeatable factors like reduced use of the energy intensive North African backbone also contributed. Scope three emissions fell by 10% compared to 2023 and fifteen percent from the 2022 baseline due to lower emission intensity in the supply chain and reduced emission from subsidiaries. We will continue our efforts to reduce emissions as outlined in our transition plan. And I’m now moving to Slide number 18 on 2025 guidance.

Based on a solid set of 2024 results, we confirm the guidance provided at the strategic plan presentation on the January 22. In 2025, CapEx will reach $2,900,000,000 mainly driven by gas infrastructure investment, which include, among others, the Adria decline, the Ravenna break quarter and Biometan Connections. We expect EBITDA of around €2,850,000,000 mainly driven by RAP growth and the Ravenna FSRU and Edison storage sites entering into the perimeter, partially counterbalanced by the WACC decline. In terms of net income, we expect around EUR 1,350,000,000.00 despite the sale of our state in ADNOC, driven by EBITDA performance, higher contribution from associates partially counterbalanced by higher D and A. While on net debt, we have updated our guidance to $18,400,000,000 down from $18,600,000,000 including also Edison Storage cash out and the Arno Cushing with a stable net cost of debt of 2.5 percent.

The dividend policy envisions 4% dividend annual growth with a maximum 80% payout. And now let me hand over to Stefano for the closing remarks.

Stefano Venier, CEO, Snam: Thank you. Thank you, Luca. My closing remarks will be very short. I think in conclusion, this 2024 has been another year of growth and overperformance versus the guidance we released. Since the onset of the energy crisis in 2022, we have successfully managed the emergency by leveraging our assets and capabilities while paving the way for a more resilient energy system.

At the same time, we have achieved significant progress on the delivery of our strategy to build a multi molecule infrastructure and define a very clear future strategic priorities to pursue. Our strategic framework has evolved over time with the two business levers, gas infrastructure and energy transition, becoming increasingly interconnected and meshed. Furthermore, we are promoting a pan European multi molecule vision across our portfolio of associates that makes Snam as the most important and the leader in Europe, not only because of the Italian assets, but also for the European presence we have. We enjoy strong visibility over future growth, and we can leverage on sound financial flexibility. This enables us to offer growing and sustainable shareholder return.

So Dan, thank you very much for your attention. And as a reminder, we will present the first quarter twenty twenty five results very soon on the May 8. Now we are available to take your questions. Thank you very much.

Conference Operator, Corusco: Thank you. This is the Corusco conference operator. We will now begin the question and answer The first question is from Sara Lester, Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead.

Sara Lester, Analyst, Morgan Stanley: Thank you very much. I just have one question, please. And it’s a high level strategic question. As you talked a bit about in the presentation, we’re seeing climate policy uncertainty and potential watering down of climate commitments around the world. And this has escalated since your January update.

So I’m interested whether you see this as presenting upside risk for gas networks and potential upside risk to the longer term gas network CapEx program for Snam? Thank you.

Luca Passa, CFO, Snam: Hi, Sara. I mean, regarding the evolution around climate commitments, I mean clearly we cannot comment on others in terms of actions as well as what is the stance of regulators, both, I would say, this side of the pond and I would say the other side of the Atlantic. What I can comment is clearly that as you saw also in this presentation, our commitment is there, long standing and also I would say, it’s plain up until 02/1950. Therefore, for us, it’s a commitment in reducing emission across our scope up until reaching basically net zero by 02/1950. Now in terms of potential increase of investments given a different approach from either countries or regulators, clearly, we will assess what is the stance.

We do not expect in the area where we operate, which is Europe, being a pan European operators, to have, let me say, radical changes vis a vis the trajectory which the European Commission, European Union has taken in the past. Therefore, for us, it’s an opportunity clearly to continue investing in infrastructure, which will transport more and more, I would say, green molecules in the next, I would say, few decades.

Conference Operator, Corusco: The next question is from Alberto D’Antonio, Exane BNP Paribas. Please go ahead.

Alberto D’Antonio, Analyst, Exane BNP Paribas: Hi, good afternoon and thank you so much for taking my questions. I have two questions. The first one is on regulation. Maybe if you can update, how do you see the situation regarding then, cross integral regulation that, I guess, that the consultation paper should be published anytime soon. What do you expect if you have a timeline and what are the conversations with the regulator?

And also, if you have any further visibility regarding a potential change in the deflator? Thank you so much.

Luca Passa, CFO, Snam: I don’t

Stefano Venier, CEO, Snam: know if I have much information to provide you with respect to these two points. Let me start from the deflator. As you know, the process has ended and now the authority has to take its own final decision. So we are all waiting to see what will be the final decision. As I said, I can reconfirm that the expectation is toward the shift from deflator to the inflation, European inflation index and that’s what we might expect just because there are strong fundamentals that support this type of swing and but we don’t have right now any further indication about the time when the authority will release this decision.

We hope it’s going to be soon. With respect to Ross Integrale, again, we are expecting this first consulting document coming out in the next weeks or eventually months, couple of months. It will be a more comprehensive document. We are waiting to see on how to, let’s say, some of the issues will be addressed within this new document, this new version that takes also as, let’s say, a conclusion of the first year of application of the partial growth.

Conference Operator, Corusco: The next question is from Bartek Kubitsky with Bernstein. Please go ahead.

Bartek Kubitsky, Analyst, Bernstein: Hello. Good afternoon. Thank you for the presentation. Three maybe issues I would like to discuss and ask. Firstly, you mentioned about the storage incentive asset health related sorry, asset health related incentives on the storage assets.

I just wonder if this is something new and it’s already in your business plan. And how should we think about this in terms of like size? Shall we look at this in the same way as we look at the incentives on the transport asset? And consequently, would it also lead to lower CapEx in the future because you will try to optimize the way how you are running the assets right now? Secondly, on the AdNOC transaction, if we look at the sort of implied PE multiple on this, it’s below 10 times.

I just wonder how would you defend this multiple and how shall we put this 10 times PE in the context of your associates portfolio? And maybe the last one, if we look at this ten year development plan Terna published last week, we are talking about 40 gigawatts of data center connection requests in Italy. So just thinking, if there is indeed more data centers coming, if there is some kind of electricity consumption increase, which will require more power production, especially for from reliable sources, how do you think the gas assets in Italy will perform? I’m talking about, A, of course, gas fired power generation assets and B, consequently, what will be the impact on your gas network assets as well? Thank you very much.

Stefano Venier, CEO, Snam: I’ll take the first and the third and then I leave the second to Luca. The first one is on storage and the asset health. We haven’t included the, let’s say, the effects of the possible introduction of the asset health methodology to the storage simply because it sounds as you know, there is a consulting document out from the authority and we will put this proposal in this consulting document. So the process just started, but I think it’s important because what we deem is the fact that this methodology worked very well for the transportation and for some of the investments we need to do on the storage, it can work very well as well in terms also in terms of return. Of course, this will be proportional to the asset base and the RAB related to the storage and the amount of CapEx we have for the substitution of some parts of those storage in the business it in the business plan we just presented to the market January.

With respect to the turn up plan and the estimates about the demand of reliable energy for due to the data centers, I think we only have two reliable sources. One is gas and the other one is nuclear. Whilst nuclear is in the planning of the energy policy of the country, I think in the meantime, the sole reliable is gas combined cycle gas turbines. What is the implication on the transportation? I think will make the assets more needed for transportation.

And I would say also more needed the storage capacity because as we have seen with rising demand and the higher penetration of renewables, the instability of the energy system becomes much, much more important than the sole solution we have for offsetting this volatility and maintaining the electricity system stable is to use the thermal generation via gas. But this is something that you cannot schedule. So you need from one day to the other. And if you can’t rely on a very, let’s say, sizable storage system, you can’t have that gas available for the combined cycle gas turbine. That is the story we have seen in Germany and partly we have seen in Italy in February when the use of storages increased by 22% year on year because of the larger use of thermal generation.

So I think the flexibility that gas pipelines and storage facility provides combined with the thermal gen the gas turbines will make a difference to fulfill this additional demand. I don’t know frankly what is the source of the estimates of Terna, but if the number is correct, I think it could be only a benefit for us.

Luca Passa, CFO, Snam: And Bartek, Hesposa, sorry, for the annual disposa, basically, we let me say, reason more in terms of what is the return for the investment. As you know, we entered this investment in 2021. We managed to basically recover most of our amount basically through dividends in terms of investment. So the option for us was either remaining invested with an internal rate of return of around 12.5% or selling to an external shareholder, although he’s a local player, is the Fundrunate, basically making 200 basis points of increased IRR. And clearly, given that it’s not a strategic portion for us, that is basically the decision that we made.

Let me also add that clearly the cash flows of Arnaud are guaranteed for twenty years from 2021. Hence, we will be approaching, let me say, the end of the maturity in the coming years. Therefore, we extracted most of the value. Let me also add that we made a capital gain that was in excess of $120,000,000 Therefore, I think for us it was the right basically option to choose.

Conference Operator, Corusco: The next question is from Marcin Wojtal, Bank of America. Please go ahead.

Bartek Kubitsky, Analyst, Bernstein: Thank you so much for taking my questions. I’ve got two. So firstly, given the recent increase in interest rates, could you perhaps indicate where do you see your WACC for 2026 based on the mark to market, if you could perhaps provide some indication. And my second question relates to Slide number 13. You just mentioned that there were some write downs on gas infrastructure.

Could you just confirm to what extent that was material and what is the reason for these write downs? Thank you.

Luca Passa, CFO, Snam: Okay. For the mark to market that we run on a weekly basis, as you can imagine with the interest rate volatility is now approaching 10 basis points lower than the current basically WACC, therefore very far from the trigger. Clearly, we are monitoring these variables throughout the year, but we don’t expect clearly what to be triggered because we’re going in the opposite direction, actually closing the gap to the current 5.5 on transport in terms of WACC because interest rates have moved, but also the premium has slightly moved, therefore, in the right direction in the sense of confirming the existing WACC. Then when it comes to Slide 13, the write down that I mentioned was for EUR 20,000,000. Those are related to projects which started that from an ECB perspective were not deemed to be finalized and therefore we decided to basically end this project taking basically date this year.

In terms of evolution of write down, we do not expect to have further write down in the coming years.

Conference Operator, Corusco: The next question is from Javier Suarez, Mediobanca. Please go ahead.

Marcin Wojtal, Analyst, Bank of America: Hi, everyone, and thank you for the presentations. Two questions remaining. The first one is high profile is on the your latest view on gas demand evolution in 2025 and also the view year view on the current level of gas storage at 46% as we speak and how that compare with historical average. So these high profile indication on demand and level of storage could be appreciated. And then on the at the disposal of Atnoc, the company has maintained EPS guidance.

If you can elaborate more on the offsetting factors that you are considering. I’m particularly interested on your expectations for output based incentive in 2020 and 2025 and if there is also consideration of lower financial expenses apart from obviously the cash in from the disposal. Thank you.

Stefano Venier, CEO, Snam: With respect to the projections of gas demand for 2025, of course, as you have seen in our chart in the first two months, we have this 8% increase. I think we’re going to see, let’s say, a growth also in March. Probably with respect to the 62,000,000,000 cubic meter we had that we posted in 2024, we will end up a couple of BCM more than last year, two, three with respect. And if we consider the storage situation, of course, there is a withdraw, additional withdraw on the storage reservoir during the winter because of colder winter, but specifically from more demand for thermal generation. And as far as Italy, as you know, we are 10% more than the rest of Europe.

We are hovering around 45% as of today. And what we do expect is to have at the end of the month when the winter season ends, a total amount of gas in the storages around three Bcm on top of the 4.6 Bcm that is the storage the strategic storage capacity, so globally 7.6, seven point seven. That means that with respect to last year, for instance, we will have to, let’s say, fulfill the storages by a bit less than three Bcm more than last year, globally around 10 BCM during the summer. This is the target to fulfill also the 90% fulfillment that is recommended by the EU. These are basically the numbers we have to deal with in the next summer.

Of course, for that, let’s say, additional volumes, we can count on the full operation of the Alta, as we said, because this facility is back on stream. This startup with some contribution from Ravenna and also, let’s say, the right balancing in the different flows from pipelines.

Luca Passa, CFO, Snam: As for the measures, in order to offset loss of income around ADNOC, first, we have a quarter still of ADNOC basically in 2025, which is in the range between 5,000,000 and 7,000,000. Therefore, the three levels that I mentioned to recover the rest are clearly the consolidation of Ennososja one month earlier than expected. We closed the transaction the March 3 for, therefore, higher consolidation of $4,000,000 We expect a better default output base. In the guidance, we have $85,000,000 of output base for 2025, of which the default part is only $7,000,000 here. As you might recall, in 2024, we’ve done almost $20,000,000 Therefore, we think we can have a better performance on the forward base.

And then when it comes to lower than expected net financial expenses besides the cash in, therefore, lower debt around the period, clearly, we are working in order to basically reduce our net average cost of debt for the full year, which is expected to be 2.5%. And given the amount and the volume that we are expecting for this year, a marginal improvement recovers basically the rest.

Stefano Venier, CEO, Snam: Javier, I have also one information you asked me to answer that what was the average storage fulfillment in the last five years in Europe. It hovered in between 40% to 60%.

Conference Operator, Corusco: Ms. Bassoli, gentlemen, there are no more questions registered at this time. I turn the conference back to you for any closing remarks.

Stefano Venier, CEO, Snam: So then, thank you very much to everyone for attending this conference call and good evening.

Conference Operator, Corusco: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining. The conference is now over. You may disconnect your telephones.

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