Ellomay Capital Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2023

Financial Overview for the Year Ended December 31, 2023

•  Revenues were approximately €48.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately €52.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.  The decrease in revenues mainly results from the decrease in electricity prices in Spain and from a curtailment of the electricity supply from the Company's facilities in Spain to the grid during June 2023 due to maintenance and upgrade work on the main transmission line between Spain and Portugal, which caused a decrease in revenues of approximately €1 million. The Company subsequently implemented a solution aimed at minimizing the impact of future similar curtailments due to maintenance and upgrades to the national grid. The decrease in revenues was partially offset by an increase in revenues from the Company's biogas plants in the Netherlands, resulting mainly from increased production and an increase in the 2023 gas price, and from the connection to the grid of Ellomay Solar (a 28 MW photovoltaic plant in Spain) during June 2022, upon which the Company commenced recognition of revenues.

•  Operating expenses were approximately €22.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately €23.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in operating expenses mainly results from a decrease in payments under the Spanish RDL 17/2022, caused by a reduction in the electricity market price. RDL 17/2022 established the reduction of returns on the electricity generating activity of Spanish production facilities that do not emit greenhouse gases, accomplished through payments of a portion of the revenues by the production facilities to the Spanish government. As a result of the decrease in the electricity market price in Spain during the year ended December 31, 2023, the payments under RDL 17/2022 were lower compared to last year. This decrease in operating expenses was partially offset by increased operating expenses in connection with the Company's biogas operations in the Netherlands caused by higher production and the use of higher quality raw materials, and from the connection to the grid of Ellomay Solar during June 2022, upon which the Company commenced recognition of expenses. Depreciation and amortization expenses were approximately €16 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately €15.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in depreciation and amortization expenses is mainly attributable to the commencement of recognition of results of Ellomay Solar upon connection to the Spanish grid in June 2022.

•  Project development costs were approximately €4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately €3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in project development costs is mainly due to development expenses in connection with photovoltaic projects in the USA, Italy, and Israel.

•  General and administrative expenses were approximately €5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately €5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in general and administrative expenses is mostly due to a decrease in D&O liability insurance costs and to bonuses paid to employees in 2022.

•  The Company's share of profits of equity accounted investee, after elimination of intercompany transactions, was approximately €4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately €1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in share of profits of equity accounted investee was mainly due to the increase in revenues of Dorad Energy Ltd. ("Dorad") due to higher quantities produced and a higher electricity tariff, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses in connection with the increased production and higher tariff.

•  Financing expenses, net, were approximately €3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately €3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in financing expenses, net, was mainly attributable to higher interest expenses in connection with the Company's loans (net of any related SWAP payments) and debentures amounting to an aggregate amount of approximately €11.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately €9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in interest expenses mainly resulted from the issuance of the Company's Series E debentures in February 2023 and from higher interest rates applied to variable interest rate bearing loans. This increase was partially offset by higher interest income due to increased interest rates amounting to approximately €2 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to an amount of approximately €0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, and to higher income resulting from exchange rate differences, of approximately €6.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, mainly in connection with the New Israeli Shekel ("NIS") cash and cash equivalents and the Company's NIS denominated debentures, compared to approximately €6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, caused by the 6.9% devaluation of the NIS against the euro during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a 6.6% appreciation of the NIS against the euro during the year ended December 31, 2022.

•  Tax benefit was approximately €1.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to taxes on income of approximately €1.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2022. The change in tax is mainly due to the substantial decrease in electricity prices in Spain, resulting in lower taxable income of the Company's Spanish subsidiaries.

•  Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax) was approximately €1.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a profit from discontinued operations of approximately €0.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2022.

On December 31, 2023, the Company executed an agreement to sell its holdings in the 9 MW PV plant located in Talmei Yosef, Israel (the "Agreement" and the "Talmei Yosef PV Plant," respectively). The Agreement provides for the sale of the Company's holdings in the Talmei Yosef PV Plant to Greenlight Fund Limited Partnership and Doral Group Renewable Energy Resources Ltd., in equal parts, in consideration for NIS 44.75 million (approximately €11.2 million), with an additional potential payment of up to NIS 4 million in the event the Talmei Yosef PV Plant produces more than 18 million Kwh during 2024. The Agreement further provides for a cutoff date of June 30, 2023, and at closing the parties will determine whether an adjustment to the purchase price is required reflect the Company's entitlement to revenues (net of expenses) up to such date, taking into account the results and the cash held by the project company. The Company does not expect a material adjustment to the purchase price.

In connection with the expected sale of the Talmei Yosef PV Plant, the Company presents the results of the Talmei Yosef PV Plant as discontinued operations and the results for the year and for the three months ended December 31, 2022 are adjusted accordingly. The Talmei Yosef PV Plant is presented in the Company's financial results as a financial asset, in accordance with IFRIC 12 under IFRS, and since its acquisition of the plant, the Company recognized relatively high profits through its ownership. Accordingly, although the consideration expected to be received for the Talmei Yosef PV Plant reflects a market value that is higher than the price invested by the Company in its acquisition, due to the accounting treatment under IFRIC 12, the Company recognized a net loss of approximately €1.8 million in connection with the expected sale.

The Agreement includes customary representations and indemnification undertakings in connection with breaches of representations, which, other than with respect to customary exceptions, are subject to a cap of NIS 9 million and limited to a period of 18 months from the closing date. The consummation of the sale is subject to various customary conditions to closing, including receipt of regulatory approvals and the consent of the financing entity of the Talmei Yosef PV Plant. All conditions to closing are required to be fulfilled within an initial period of 90 days from execution of the Talmei Yosef Sale Agreement, which can be extended to up to 150 days under certain circumstances. The Talmei Yosef PV Plant is located in southern Israel. One of the conditions to closing is the end of the "war" status in southern Israel for a pre-determined period (based on the official definitions published by the Israeli Authorities) and that the Talmei Yosef PV Plant is physically accessible. Based on the circumstances as of the date hereof, this condition is currently fulfilled but there can be no assurance that it will continue to be fulfilled on the expected closing date. The closing of the sale is currently expected during the second quarter of 2024. The Talmei Yosef Sale Agreement further provides that in the event that due to the current war and hostilities in Israel the facility will be damaged or its output will decrease, the buyers will have the right not to consummate the acquisition of the plant. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement is subject to the fulfilment of the conditions to closing as of the date of the closing. These conditions to closing are mostly not within the Company's control or the buyers' control. There can be no assurance as to whether or when the conditions to closing will be satisfied and as to the impact of the war and hostilities in Israel on the ability to consummate the sale and on the final purchase price.

•  Net profit was approximately €0.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately €0.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2022.

•  Total other comprehensive income was approximately €41.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to total other comprehensive loss of approximately €35.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2022. The change in total other comprehensive loss mainly results from changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, including a material increase in the fair value of the liability resulting from the financial power swap that covers approximately 80% of the output of the Talasol PV Plant (the "Talasol PPA").

The Talasol PPA experienced a high volatility due to the substantial change in electricity prices in Europe. In accordance with hedge accounting standards, the changes in the Talasol PPA's fair value are recorded in the Company's shareholders' equity through a hedging reserve and not through the accumulated deficit/retained earnings. The changes do not impact the Company's consolidated net profit/loss or the Company's consolidated cash flows.

•  Total comprehensive income was approximately €41.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to total comprehensive loss of approximately €35.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2022.

•  EBITDA was approximately €18.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately €20.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

•  Net cash from operating activities was approximately €9.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately €11.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

CEO Review Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023

2023 was characterized by a decline in the electricity prices in Europe compared to the prices in 2022. The decrease is mainly evident in Spain, whereas in Italy the prices remained relatively stable. Despite the significant decrease in electricity prices in Spain, the revenues for 2023 did not decrease in the same rate and were approximately €48.8 million, compared to revenues of approximately €52.2 million in 2022. The main reason that the significant decrease in electricity prices in Spain has a relatively small impact on the Company's revenues is that the majority of the electricity the Company sells in Spain is under a long-term PPA. Net profit for 2023 was approximately €0.6 million, compared to approximately €0.1 million for 2022. The EBITDA for 2023 was approximately €18.8 million, compared to EBITDA of approximately €20.8 million in 2022. The decrease in the EBIDTA for 2023 was mainly due to a loss from discontinued operations in the amount of approximately €1.8 million that was recorded in connection with the expected sale of the Talmei Yosef facility. Although the consideration expected to be received for the Talmei Yosef project reflects a market value that is higher than the price invested by the Company in its acquisition, because the Talmei Yosef facility is treated as financial asset under IFRIC 12, the Company recorded a loss in connection with the expected sale.

The Dorad power station presented an increase in revenues and net income during 2023, and the net income of Dorad for 2023 was approximately €53 million.  

The development and construction activities of solar projects in the USA are advancing rapidly and the construction of the first two projects, with an aggregate capacity of approximately 27.5 MW, commenced in early 2024. Two additional projects with an aggregate capacity of approximately 22 MW are expected to commence construction in May 2024 and additional projects scheduled for construction in 2025 are under development.

In Italy, the construction of a solar project with a capacity of 18 MW (ELLO 10) commenced, in addition to solar projects with a capacity of approximately 20 MW who have finished construction. Of the 20 MW that have finished construction, 5 MW were connected to the grid during the first quarter of 2024 and an additional 15 MW are expected to connect to the grid shortly. Therefore, the additional income from sales of electricity in Italy will only be reflected in 2024.

At the end of 2023 an agreement for the sale of the Talmei Yosef PV project was executed, the cutoff date for the transaction was set at June 30, 2023. The Company maintained the rights to a portion of the land in Talmei Yosef, which will be used to construct projects under development (the Talmei Yosef Project and the Talmei Yosef Storage Project in Batteries noted below) that are currently not recorded as fixed assets in the Company's financial statements. Due to the expected sale, the financial results of the Talmei Yosef PV plant are presented as discontinued operations in the Company's financial results for 2023.

The Company's operations concentrate on three main fields:

-  Construction of New Projects: solar projects in the USA, solar projects in Italy, and a pumped hydro storage project in the Manara Cliff in Israel.

-  Initiating and Developing of New Projects: solar projects in Italy, Spain, USA and Israel.

-  Management, Operation and Improvement of Generating Projects: in Israel (solar), Spain (solar) and the Netherlands (bio-gas).

Activity in Spain:

During 2023, the Talasol solar project (300 MW, Company's share is 51%) produced revenues from the sale of electricity and green certificates of approximately €25 million, slightly below the expected revenues due to a maintenance event in the main distribution line that caused a loss of revenues of approximately €1 million. As a result of the event a system was installed that significantly limits the possibility that such an event will recur in the future. Talasol is a party to a financial hedge of its electricity capture price (PPA). Approximately 80% of its production (75% based on P-50) are sold under this agreement for a fixed price. The remaining electricity produced by Talasol is sold directly to the grid, at spot prices.

During 2023, the Ellomay Solar project (28 MW) produced revenues from the sale of electricity and green certificates of approximately €4 million.

Activity in Italy:

The Company has approximately 505 solar MW projects under advanced development stages, of which licenses have been obtained for approximately 203 MW. Projects with an aggregate capacity of approximately 20 MW have finished construction, of which 5 MW was connected during the first quarter of 2024 and an additional 15 MW will be connected within a few weeks. The construction works of ELLO 10 (18 MW) commenced and the completion of the construction is expected in the third quarter of 2024.

Activity in Israel:

The Manara Pumped Storage Project (Company's share is 83.34%): The Manara Cliff pumped storage project, with a capacity of 156 MW, is in advanced construction stages. The Iron Swords War, which commenced on October 7, 2023, stopped the construction work on the project. The project has protection from the state for damages and losses due to the war within the framework of the tariff regulation (covenants that support financing). The project was expected to reach commercial operation during the first half of 2027 and the continuation of the Iron Swords war will case a delay in the date of operations. The Israeli Electricity Authority currently approved a postponement of eight months of the dates for the project. The Company and its partner in the project, Ampa, invested the equity required for the project (other than linkage differences), and the remainder of the funding is from a consortium of lenders led by Mizrahi Bank, at a scope of approximately NIS 1.18 billion.

Development of Solar licenses combined with storage:

1.  The Komemiyut Project: intended for 21 solar MW and 50 MW / hour batteries. The sale of electricity will be conducted through a private supplier. Commencement of construction is planned for the third quarter of 2024.

2.  The Qelahim Project: intended for 21 solar MW and 50 MW / hour batteries. The sale of electricity will be conducted through a private supplier. Commencement of construction is planned for the fourth quarter of 2024.

With respect to projects 1 and 2, the Company waived the rights it won in the tender process no. 1 for battery storage and elected to transition to the regulation that enables direct sale to end customers.

3.  The Talmei Yosef Project: intended for 10 solar MW and 22 MW / hour batteries. The request for zoning approval was approved in the fourth quarter of 2023.

4.  The Talmei Yosef Storage Project in Batteries: there is a zoning approval for approximately 400 MW / hour. The project is designed for the regulation of high voltage storage.

5.  The Company also has approximately 46 solar MW under preliminary planning stages.

Dorad Power Station (Company's share is approximately 9.4%): the gas flow from the Karish reservoir that began in November 2022 reduced the gas costs of Dorad. Dorad benefited from the increase in the TAOZ and the production component compared to the same period last year. In addition, the Israeli Electricity Authority's resolution in connection with the changes of the hourly tariffs, which entered into force in January 2023, means an extension of the "summer" period (a month was added to the "summer" season in which the tariffs are higher), the elimination of the "GEVA" (average consumption) hours and the change in the "PISGA" (peak) hours in the intermediate seasons to the afternoon and evening. As a result, Dorad provides availability to the system manager for the "SHEFEL" (low) period, which is longer and the demand of the system manager is higher. As a result of the continuous operations of the power plant, the maintenance expenses decreased and the hours of operation increased, increasing production and the revenues and profit. Moreover, the Israeli government decided to increase the power station by an additional 650 MW and the National Infrastructure Committee approved the TTL/11/B plan – expansion of the Dorad power station.

In June 2023, an arbitration award was given that, among other issues, obligated Zorlu and Edeltech to refund approximately $130 million to Dorad and to pay the derivative plaintiffs NIS 20 million as reimbursement of legal expenses. Appeals on the arbitration award were submitted by both parties and the appeal process was agreed in advance and is expected to end in the second quarter of 2024.

Activity in the Netherlands:

In connection with the military conflict in Ukraine and the stoppage of Russian gas supply to Europe, there are substantial changes in the field of biogas in the Netherlands and Europe. Europe in general and the Netherlands specifically have set ambitious goals for increasing gas production from waste. Various incentives are being considered, the main one is increasing the price of the green certificates. The price of these certificates has increased from approximately 13–15 euro cents per cubic meter to around 45 euro cents per cubic meter. The prices of green certificates continue to rise and the expectation is that the price will reach approximately 60 euro cents per cubic meter in 2024. 

The Company estimates that with the increasing importance of the biogas field, this field entered into a new era. In the Netherlands, new legislation was adopted that obliges the gas suppliers to incorporate green gas in a scope of up to 20% of the amount supplied by them, valid commencing January 1, 2025. This legislation and the growing demand for green certificates derived from the biogas industry, is expected to add and significantly improve the results of the biogas segment of the Company.

Activity in Texas, USA:

During the first quarter of 2024, the construction of the initial two projects, with an aggregate installed capacity of approximately 27.5 MW DC commenced, expected completion date is in September 2024. Two additional projects with an aggregate installed capacity of approximately 22 MW DC are expected to commence construction in May 2024. The estimated capital cost for the first two projects is approximately $30-$32 million, of which the Company's share is expected to be approximately $19-$21 million. The estimated capital cost for the two additional projects is approximately $24-$26 million, of which the Company's share is expected to be $15-$17 million. The remaining capital costs are expected to be covered by tax equity partners. The Company is developing additional projects scheduled for construction in 2025.    

Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures

EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure and is defined as earnings before financial expenses, net, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The Company presents this measure in order to enhance the understanding of the Company's operating performance and to enable comparability between periods. While the Company considers EBITDA to be an important measure of comparative operating performance, EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or other statement of operations or cash flow data prepared in accordance with IFRS as a measure of profitability or liquidity. EBITDA does not take into account the Company's commitments, including capital expenditures and restricted cash and, accordingly, is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be available for discretionary uses. Not all companies calculate EBITDA in the same manner, and the measure as presented may not be comparable to similarly-titled measure presented by other companies. The Company's EBITDA may not be indicative of the Company's historic operating results; nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. The Company uses this measure internally as performance measure and believes that when this measure is combined with IFRS measure it add useful information concerning the Company's operating performance. A reconciliation between results on an IFRS and non-IFRS basis is provided on page 19 of this press release.

About Ellomay Capital Ltd.

Ellomay is an Israeli based company whose shares are registered with the NYSE American and with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "ELLO". Since 2009, Ellomay Capital focuses its business in the renewable energy and power sectors in Europe, the USA and Israel.

To date, Ellomay has evaluated numerous opportunities and invested significant funds in the renewable, clean energy and natural resources industries in Israel, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Texas, USA, including:

•  Approximately 35.9 MW of photovoltaic power plants in Spain and a photovoltaic power plant of approximately 9 MW in Israel;

•  9.375% indirect interest in Dorad Energy Ltd., which owns and operates one of Israel's largest private power plants with production capacity of approximately 850MW;

•  51% of Talasol, which owns a photovoltaic plant with a peak capacity of 300MW in the municipality of Talaván, Cáceres, Spain;

•  Groen Gas Goor B.V., Groen Gas Oude-Tonge B.V. and Groen Gas Gelderland B.V., project companies operating anaerobic digestion plants in the Netherlands, with a green gas production capacity of approximately 3 million, 3.8 million and 9.5 million Nm3 per year, respectively;

•  83.333% of Ellomay Pumped Storage (2014) Ltd., which is involved in a project to construct a 156 MW pumped storage hydro power plant in the Manara Cliff, Israel;

•  Ellomay Solar Italy One SRL and Ellomay Solar Italy Two SRL that are constructing photovoltaic plants with installed capacity of 14.8 MW and 4.95 MW, respectively, in the Lazio Region, Italy;

•  Ellomay Solar Italy Four SRL, Ellomay Solar Italy Five SRL, Ellomay Solar Italy Seven SRL, Ellomay Solar Italy Nine SRL and Ellomay Solar Italy Ten SRL that are developing photovoltaic projects with installed capacity of 15.06 MW, 87.2 MW, 54.77 MW, 8 MW and 18 MW, respectively, in Italy that have reached "ready to build" status; and

•  Fairfield Solar Project, LLC, Malakoff Solar I, LLC, Malakoff Solar II, LLC, Mexia Solar I, LLC, Mexia Solar II, LLC, and Talco Solar, LLC, that are developing photovoltaic projects with installed capacity of 13.44 MW, 6.96 MW, 6.96 MW, 5.2 MW, 5.2 MW and 9.7 MW respectively, in the Dallas Metropolitan area, Texas, and have reached "ready to build" status.

For more information about Ellomay, visit http://www.ellomay.com.

Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company's plans and objectives, expectations and assumptions of management are forward-looking statements. The use of certain words, including the words "will," "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by the Company's forward-looking statements, including changes in electricity prices and demand, regulatory changes, the impact of the war and hostilities in Israel and Gaza, increases in interest rates and inflation, changes in the supply and prices of resources required for the operation of the Company's facilities (such as waste and natural gas) and in the price of oil, the impact of the continued military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, technical and other disruptions in the operations or construction of the power plants owned by the Company and general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates, including Israel, Spain, Italy and the United States. These and other risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business are described in greater detail in the filings the Company makes from time to time with Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:
Kalia Rubenbach (Weintraub)
CFO
Tel: +972 (3) 797-1111
Email: kaliaw@ellomay.com

Ellomay Capital Ltd. and Its Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
	December 31,
	2023	2022	2023
	Unaudited	Audited	Unaudited
	€ in thousands		Convenience Translation  into US$ in thousands*
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	51,127	46,458	56,548
Marketable securities	-	2,836	-
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