Report
Alex Boulougouris, CFA ...
  • Bram Buring, CFA
  • Iuliana Ciopraga, CFA
  • Ondrej Slama

WOOD's Universe: Seeking ESG alpha among CEE/SEE utilities

In this report, we look at the European utility stocks under our coverage from an ESG perspective and, primarily, the decarbonisation strategies at both the national and company levels. It is no overstatement to say that the power utilities are largely expected to “fuel” decarbonisation, providing clean electricity for households, transport, and the services sector, which accounted, altogether, for c.46% of the EU-27’s CO2 emissions in 2019. We also look at what we have eloquently labelled “additional contributions to climate change mitigation” – preparing the grids to deal with a diversity of power sources, say, or ESCO services – as well as governance issues (spoiler: it is possible for state-controlled companies to be models for diversity and inclusion, but it is still early days in our region).
Underlyings
C.N.T.E.E. Transelectrica

CEZ as

CEZ Group is a dynamic, integrated electricity conglomerate based in the Czech Republic and with operations in a number of countries of Central and Southeastern Europe and Turkey. Co. is an international group consisting of nearly 120 companies, Czech and foreign. Co.'s primary activities involve the production and transmission of electricity through nuclear, coal-fired and hydro power stations; production and distribution of heat and processing of secondary products generated during the production of electricity and heat as well as coal mining. Co. has operating companies in Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Hungary, Albania, Turkey, Serbia, and Slovakia.

Enea S.A.

ENEA is engaged in production of electricity and heat; trade in electricity; and distribution of electricity.

MYTILINEOS S.A.

Mytilineos Holdings is an industrial group engaged in the sectors of Metallurgy, EPC, Energy, and Defence. Co. and its subsidiaries are engaged in three main operating business segments: Metallurgy, Constructions and Energy. Co. and its subsidiaries monitor its performance on Metallurgy and Mining Sector through the subsidiaries Aluminium S.A. (Alumina-Aluminium) and Sometra S.A. (Zinc-Lead). Co., through its subsidiary, METKA S.A., is an EPC Constructor in Greece.

PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna S.A.

PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna is an electricity company based in Poland. Co. is engaged in the generation and selling of electricity. Co. is a predominant power producer and supplier in Poland and a major heat and power sector company in Central and Eastern Europe. Co. supplies over 5 million households, businesses and institutions through a combination of its own fuel resources (lignite), power generation and final distribution networks. Co.'s activities focus on the following areas: Conventional Power Generation, Renewable Power Generation, Nuclear Power Generation, Wholesale, Distribution and Retail. Co. has 12.2 GW of installed generation capacity.

Public Power Corporation S.A.

Public Power Corp. is a vertically intergrated electric utility engaged in electricity generation, transmission and distribution throughout Greece. At Dec 31 2014, Co. and its subsidiaries generated electricity in its own 62 power generating stations of Co. and from the additional stations which belong to its wholly owned subsidiary PPC Renewables S.A, facilitated the transmission of electricity through its own power lines of approximately 12,273 km and distributed electricity to consumers through its own distribution lines for Medium and Low voltage of 235,100 km which are managed by its wholly owned subsidiary Hellenic Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO S.A.) (Medium and Low voltage).

Societatea Energetica Electrica

Societatea Nationala de Transport Gaze Naturale Transgaz S.A.

Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica SA

TAURON Polska Energia S.A.

Tauron Polska Energia is engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity and heat in Poland. Co. generates electricity from various conventional and renewable energy sources, including hard coal, lignite, natural gas, biomass, wind, solar, and hydro power. It is also involved in quarrying, crushing, and breaking of limestone; quarrying of stone for the construction industry; mining of hard coal; trading in electricity; and production of technical gases. In addition, Co. engages in the repair and maintenance of machinery and electrical equipment; electrical installations; and construction of power lines.

Terna Energy S.A.

Terna Energy is a vertically organized renewable energy sources group based in Greece. Co. is mainly engaged in the energy and construction sector. Co. is active in Wind Energy, as well as Hydroelectric Projects, Solar PV and Integrated Management of Waste to Energy and Biomass Projects. Co. is also engaged in the research for the operation and construction of projects related to other renewable energy sources (RES). Co. maintains a class 6 contractor certificate and its activity in the construction sector relates to the construction of private and public projects as a main contractor or subcontractor or through joint ventures.

Provider
Wood and Company
Wood and Company

WOOD & Company is the leading investment bank in Emerging Europe. Founded in 1991 and head-quartered in Prague, our footprint spans the region and touches investors around the globe.

A pioneer in Emerging Europe, WOOD executed many of the first CEE equity trades and landmark investment banking transactions. Our electronic trading platform was the first in the region, and remains the best. We are continually expanding our relevance and reach in these ever-evolving markets.

Our equity market share reflects our stature: 7% in Warsaw, 20% in Bucharest, 16% in Hungary, 40% in Prague and 5% in Vienna. Our distribution is unparalleled, with the largest salesforce in the region, servicing a uniquely diverse investor base.

We couple local expertise with a truly international perspective. With offices on the ground in the region, and in key financial hubs such as London and Milano, we are never far from our clients and we remain at the forefront of what’s afoot in the CEE emerging and frontier landscape.

Analysts
Alex Boulougouris, CFA

Bram Buring, CFA

Iuliana Ciopraga, CFA

Ondrej Slama

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