5.1.4.2 Operating profit before depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)

EBITDA increased by 12.1%, and registered an organic growth of +8.4%.

(1) The financial statements at 31 December 2019 apply IFRS 16 from 1 January 2019. In accordance with the new standard’s transition provisions, the comparative figures have not been restated.
(2) The published figures for 2018 have been restated due to the impact of presenting the E&P operations as discontinued operations.

5.1.4.2.1 Change in consolidated EBITDA and analysis

The Group’s consolidated EBITDA for 2019 amounted to €16,708 million, with an increase of 12.1% from 2018. Excluding the effects of application of IFRS 16 (+€517 million), foreign exchange effects (+€34 million) and changes in the scope of consolidation (+€1 million), EBITDA showed organic growth of +8.4%.

The Group’s fuel and energy purchases amounted to €35,091 million in 2019, up by €2,035 million (+6.2%) from 2018, or an organic increase of €1,926 million (+5.8%):

• in the France – Generation and supply activities segment, fuel and energy purchases stood at €12,821 million, corresponding to organic growth of €1,437 million (+12.6%) from 2018, mainly driven by higher purchase obligations for photovoltaic power, wind power and cogeneration, an increase in purchases to cover downturns in nuclear and hydropower generation, and the capacity mechanism;
• in the United Kingdom, the organic increase of €475 million (+8.2%) principally relates to the rise in energy prices, which was partly offset by the decrease in gas prices, since 2019 had no equivalent to the cold weather experienced in the first half of 2018, and lower consumption of nuclear fuel as a result of lower generation output;
• Italy saw an organic decrease of €787 million (-11.6%) in fuel and energy purchases, essentially reflecting lower gas prices and gas sales volumes (on the wholesale market).
  

Other external expenses amounted to €8,619 million, down by -€643 million from 2018 (-6.9%). Excluding the effects of application of IFRS 16 (+€683 million), foreign exchange effects (-€41 million) and changes in the scope of consolidation (-€109 million), other external expenses showed an organic decline of -1.2%:

• in the France – Generation and supply activities segment, other external expenses totalled €2,426 million. The organic decrease of €195 million (-6.8%) notably reflects continued cost-cutting actions as part of performance improvement plans across all areas of business;
• in the France – Regulated activities segment, other external expenses totalled €1,557 million. The organic decrease of €40 million (-2.3%) notably reflects continued cost-cutting actions as part of performance improvement plans across all areas of business;
• Dalkia registered a €57 million organic increase in other external expenses (+3.7%), reflecting the expansion of its service activities.
  
  

The Group’s personnel expenses totalled €13,793 million, up by €151 million from 2018, corresponding to an organic growth of €77 million (+0.6%):

• in the France – Generation and supply activities segment, personnel expenses totalled €6,032 million, down slightly from 2018 as a result of the efforts made to control payroll costs. The average workforce shrank by 1.4% ⁽¹⁾ from its 2018 level, with decreases in all areas of business;
• in the France – Regulated activities segment, personnel expenses were stable compared to 2018 at €3,139 million. Average workforce numbers at Enedis decreased slightly (-0.2% year-on-year);
• EDF Renewables registered a €36 million organic increase in personnel expenses which is principally explained by an increase in its workforce, in line with the level of activity in development and construction;
• Dalkia registered a €29 million organic increase in personnel expenses which reflects its expanding service activities.
  
  

Taxes other than income taxes amounted to €3,798 million for 2019, up by €108 million (+2.9%) compared to 2018 (organic growth of +3.3%):

• the €127 million increase in Brazil is principally attributable to the ICMS tax (with no impact on EBITDA);
  

Other operating income and expenses generated net income of €6,692 million in 2019, up by €690 million from 2018 (an organic change of +€851 million or +14.2%);

• in the France – Generation and supply activities segment, there was an organic increase in net income of €628 million (+15.8%) which mainly relates to the CSPE;
• EDF Renewables registered an organic increase of +€275 million in other operating income and expenses, principally generated by the sale to the Irish electricity company ESB of 50% of the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) Scottish offshore wind farm project.
  
  

(1) Excluding apprentices and work-study contracts.