In 2019, Edison sold 31.2TWh of electricity in Italy (compared with 29.4TWh in 2018, i.e. up 6%), of which 20.6TWh were generated(1) and 10.6TWh were purchased on the markets. Sales to end-customers amounted to 14.9TWh, up by 9% compared with 2018 across all segments (including the industrial sector). At the end of 2019,Edison was serving around 0.6 million electricity customers and around 0.9 million gas customers, both in the business and residential segments.
Development of marketing continues to be a priority for Edison, being seen as a foundational business to support expansion of energy services and renewable production. Following the acquisition of GNVI in the first half of 2018 (renamed Edison Energie and integrated into Edison Energia in 2019) and Attiva, in 2019 Edison expanded its offer of innovative services for the maintenance of domestic appliances, acquiring all the share capital of Assistenza Casa (in which Edison had had a 51% stake since 2017) from the HomeServe group. The company also bolstered its portfolio of services for domestic customers, with a full range of products for the home: home insurance, domestic solar power, and electric mobility services. In 2019, Edison increased the size of its sales outlet network in Italy(2) from 204 to 364, further enhancing its customer relations. In parallel, Edison intends to maintain its position as a leader in the business-customer market by developing an advisory approach in energy as well as innovative products and services made possible by market and regulatory changes. As in the domestic segment, B2B customers can benefit from a new, environmentally-friendly offering combining solar power, batteries, and the use of electric vehicles. Improvements in the sales process in recent years have resulted in better service to customers. Growing customer satisfaction and the development of low-carbon offers and value-added services targeted by segment should strengthen ties with the end market and expand the customer base.
Edison develops, sells and manages energy and environmental services via a dedicated business unit called “Energy Services Market Division” (ESMD).
The activities of Fenice as well as those of Edison Energy Solutions have been integrated into this new unit. The proposed solutions are dedicated to the development of energy efficiency projects intended for major industrial clients, small and medium-sized enterprises and tertiary customers. With the acquisition of two firms active in public services, the ESMD aims to consolidate its position in a sector that is growing. The customer offering also includes assistance to comply with environmental standards on their sites.
The business models are adapted to the requirements of the customers: the ESMD designs, builds and manages, on behalf of its customers, assets such as cogeneration/trigeneration plants, photovoltaic installations, electricity substations, thermal power plants for industrial use, cold generation power plants, compressed air generating plants, fluid distribution systems (electricity, gas, hot or refrigerated air, compressed air, industrial gas, water) and industrial water treatment plants. The range of services is completed by a consulting activity in terms of energy, management of environmental securities and internal and external training for customers and partners. The Division has some 420 customers; contracts with the FCA group still make up a large share of major-account business.
Projects are developed with customers in the form of industrial partnerships or performance agreements. The business model can be adjusted to customer requirements, and may range from customer assistance to third-party financing or direct investment by Edison in the projects (the Esco model).
Edison is active in the public services sector via Edison Facility Solutions and Zephyro (acquired in 2017 and 2018 respectively), which specialise in energy efficiency and integrated energy management, notably for hospitals in the North and centre of Italy.
Energy efficiency operations are carried out abroad (Spain, Poland, Morocco) by Fenice subsidiaries.
EDF Fenice Iberica, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fenice Spa, is growing its business by consolidating its Global Energy Partner business model. It is currently positioning itself as a benchmark in energy efficiency services to industry in the Spanish market. Moreover, in 2016 it set up a subsidiary in Morocco, EDF Fenice Maroc, following the signing of a contract with an international group in the agri-food sector to build and run a wastewater treatment plant.
Fenice Poland, 100%-held by Fenice SpA, operates principally in the field of outsourced management of industrial utilities (cogeneration, heating, cooling, compressed air, electricity grid, industrial gases) with FCA as its main customer. It also handles various energy and associated environmental services (potable water, waste treatment, and liquid effluents). Fenice Poland also has the administrative concessions which are necessary to supply customers connected to its distribution networks (electrical, gas, heating).
Edison owns 100% of the Edison Stoccaggio company, dedicated to regulated gas-storage activities. Edison also operates three storage facilities in depleted reservoirs (fields which have been depleted of natural gas): Cellino (since 1984), Collalto (since 1994) and San Potito & Cotignola (since 2013). The volume being worked upon on all of the sites is 1Gm3.
Gas distribution in Italy is regulated and supervised by ARERA, the electricity and gas authority that establishes, in particular, quality and safety parameters, as well as network access rules.
Infrastrutture Distribuzione Gas SpA is the company dedicated to the distribution of natural gas within the Edison group. In 2019, it distributed 0.3mmc of natural gas to around 150,000 users in northern and central Italy.
In 2019, EDF Renewables transferred its assets to Edison (see section 1.4.5.2.3.1 “Electricity generation”).
The Group is also present in Italy through its subsidiary Citelum, which under the Consip Luce agreements holds numerous contracts in public lighting, traffic light signalling and global projects relating to smart cities (in conjunction with EBF Costruzioni Impianti SrL), such as the ones of Syracuse or Lonato del Garda. Citelum Manages the public lighting of over 200 cities in Italy (see section 1.4.6.1.2“Citelum”).
(1) Production data calculated in line with consolidation criteria.
(2) Only a small part of which is owned by Edison.
