RCS - DONG Energy A/S - DONG Energy Q2 2017 Results <Origin Href="QuoteRef">DENERG.CO</Origin>

Oersted A/SAnnouncement

10/08/2017 07:09

RNS Number : 5898N
DONG Energy A/S
10 August 2017
DONG Energy
10 August 2017
Strong strategic progress and raised outlook for the year
Full-year EBITDA outlook raised from DKK 15-17 billion to DKK 17-19 billion
Growth in underlying operating profit (EBITDA) of 74% in Q2 2017
Agreement on divestment of the upstream oil and gas business to British INEOS
Agreement on farm down of 50% of the German offshore wind farm Borkum Riffgrund 2 to Global Infrastructure Partners
First power from Race Bank and inauguration of the Burbo Bank Extension and Gode Wind offshore wind farms
Partnership agreement with US-based Dominion Energy on offshore wind project in Virginia
 Operating profit (EBITDA) increased by DKK 1.8 billion and amounted to DKK 4.4 billion in Q2 2017
 Underlying operating profit (EBITDA) rose by 74% due to higher earnings from ramp up of new offshore wind farms as well as high wind energy content. Furthermore, earnings increased from partnership agreements as Q2 2017 was positively impacted by gains related to the farm down of 50% of Race Bank
 Return on capital employed (adjusted ROCE, last 12 months) was 18% compared with 15% at the end of June 2016
 Cash flow from operating activities amounted to DKK -1.8 billion in Q2 2017, a decrease of DKK 3.1 billion compared with the same period last year. The decrease was primarily due to early settlement of intra-group hedging contracts related to the oil and gas business as well as more funds tied up in working capital due to a high level of construction activity on offshore wind farms
 Gross investments totalled DKK 4.3 billion and related primarily to the construction of Walney Extension, Race Bank and Hornsea 1 in the UK as well as Borkum Riffgrund 2 in Germany
 Net debt increased by DKK 3.8 billion in Q2 2017 and amounted to DKK 10.3 billion by the end of June 2017.
Financial performance
Financial results (DKK million)
Q2 2017
Q2 2016
%
H1 2017
H1 2016
%
EBITDA
4,442
2,615
70%
7,730
9,700
(20%)
Underlying EBITDA
4,442
2,554
74%
7,730
6,619
17%
Profit (loss) for the period from cont. operations
2,506
673
272%
3,720
5,653
(34%)
Profit (loss) for the period from discont. operations
2,484
479
419%
3,910
715
447%
Profit (loss) for the period
4,990
1,152
333%
7,630
6,368
20%
Cash flows from operating activities
(1,848)
1,215
n.a.
(960)
9,576
n.a.
Gross investments
(4,287)
(2,340)
83%
(6,789)
(5,571)
22%
Divestments
160
(46)
n.a.
225
1,903
(88%)
Free cash flow
(5,975)
(1,171)
410%
(7,524)
5,908
n.a.
Net interest-bearing debt
10,332
3,821
170%
10,332
3,821
170%
FFO/adjusted net debt
47%
57%
(10%p)
47%
57%
(10%p)
Adjusted ROCE
18%
15%
3%p
18%
15%
3%p
Commenting on the interim financial report, Henrik Poulsen, CEO and President, said: 
"H1 showed strong strategic progress supplemented by good financial and operating results.
Our expectations for partnership income in H2 2017 have increased, as we have entered into an agreement to divest of 50% of Borkum Riffgrund 2 in 2017 instead of 2018. This means that we have raised our outlook for the Group's operating profit (EBITDA) for 2017 to DKK 17-19 billion from previously DKK 15-17 billion, corresponding to an underlying growth of 18-32%. 
In May and June, we inaugurated the UK offshore wind farm Burbo Bank Extension and the German offshore wind farms Gode Wind 1 and 2. Furthermore, in May we produced the first power from Race Bank, which is expected to be commissioned in Q1 2018.
Our offshore wind farms under construction are progressing according to plan. We are also continuing our efforts to expand our portfolio of offshore wind projects for construction after 2020. 
In July, we entered into a partnership agreement with the US-based energy company Dominion Energy concerning a development project off the coast of Virginia. The project will initially involve construction of a 12MW demonstration plant, which may pave the way for future cooperation on further offshore wind development in Virginia.
We expect to submit a bid in the UK auction for the Hornsea 2 project on 14 August, and we expect to know the outcome of the auction in September. The deadline for submitting bids in the auction in Massachusetts, USA, is in the second half of December this year, and we expect to know the outcome of this auction in mid-2018 at the latest.
We expect to commission the first commercial REnescience plant in Northwich in the UK, turning unsorted waste into green energy and recyclable materials, during Q3 2017. The plant is still in the ramp up phase, and the coming months will be devoted to optimising and monitoring production and quality, while working to mature additional REnescience projects. Our pipeline focuses on opportunities in the UK, the Netherlands and Malaysia.
On 24 May, we announced an agreement to divest our oil and gas business to the British chemical company INEOS. The agreement is awaiting approval by the authorities in Norway, Denmark and the UK as well as other third parties. We expect the transaction to be closed by the end of Q3.
Within one to two years we will likely have excess investment capacity compared to the target rating of BBB+/Baa1, assuming the current dividend policy, the current farm down model, the current Wind Power build out plan as well as the ambition of a 1 GW per year offshore wind build out from 2021-2025 are continued. The likely excess investment capacity materialises as more and more Wind Power assets come on line and start generating cash flow and has recently been positively impacted by the experienced decline in the build out cost per MW (LCoE).
Value-enhancing, green growth opportunities beyond the current investment plan will thus be explored against tight strategic and financial criteria. This could naturally include additional opportunities within offshore wind - which remains our core focus - as well as other renewable technologies and within our downstream, customer-facing business. All of this supporting DONG Energy's vision to play a leading role in the energy transformation.
After the farm down of Borkum Riffgrund 2 and the expected farm downs of Walney Extension and Hornsea 1, we will only consider farm downs subject to substantial value creation and risk diversification.
Any excess financial headroom will be returned to shareholders in a disciplined manner through increased annual dividends and/or share buybacks.
In recent years, our employees have made an outstanding contribution to transforming DONG Energy from a Danish company primarily focused on gas, oil and coal to being a global leader in renewable energy. They continue to pursue profitable, long-term growth and deserve huge recognition for their entrepreneurial spirit, diligence and hard work."
Outlook for 2017
On 7 August 2017, we raised our EBITDA guidance (business performance) from DKK 15-17 billion to DKK 17-19 billion. This corresponds to an underlying growth of 18-32%. 
The outlook for gross investments is unchanged relative to the annual report for 2016 and is still expected to amount to DKK 18-20 billion.
Significant events after the interim financial report for Q1 2017:
 In May, we achieved first power at Race Bank and inaugurated the Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm. In June, we inaugurated the Gode Wind 1 & 2 offshore wind farms
 In May, we entered an agreement to divest the upstream oil and gas business to British INEOS
 In June, we decided to convert the Asns Power Station from coal to wood chips. The conversion is expected to be completed by the end of 2019
 In July, together with Siemens, we agreed to divest A2SEA to Belgian GeoSea
 In July, we entered a strategic partnership with Dominion Energy to construct two 6MW turbines off the coast of Virginia, which may pave the way for future cooperation
 In August, we signed an agreement to divest 50% of Borkum Riffgrund 2
Conference call
In connection with the presentation of the interim financial report, a conference call for investors and analysts will be held on Thursday, 10 August 2017 at 10:00 CET:
Denmark: +45 35 44 55 83
UK: +44 (0) 203 194 0544
USA: +1 855 269 2604
The conference call can be followed live:
http://www.dongenergy.com/conferencecall
Presentation slides will be available prior to the conference call:
http://www.dongenergy.com/en/investors/presentations
The interim financial report can be downloaded at:
http://www.dongenergy.com/en/investors/financial-reports/interim-reports

Further information
Media Relations
Martin Barlebo
+45 99 55 95 52
Investor Relations
Henrik Brnniche Lund
+45 99 55 97 22

This information is provided by RNS
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