In 2021, Edison sold 28.4TWh of electricity in Italy (compared with 31.2TWh in 2020, i.e. down 9%), of which 16.8TWh were generated (1) and 10.9TWh were purchased on the markets. The remaining 0.7TWh correspond to the energy and environmental services. Sales to end customers amounted to 13.3TWh, down 1.7% compared to 2020 due to a reduction in volumes, especially in the business customer segment.
For gas sales of 18.9 billion cubic metres, a decrease in sales for civil use (-5.3%) was observed due to lower contracts with wholesalers and lower sales for thermoelectric use (-11.7%) due to the contraction in production.
Sales for industrial use and other sales rose by 12.4% and 66.6% respectively, thanks to higher consumption than in 2020, which was affected by the health crisis, a higher number of contracts, a cold winter and temperatures below the historical average in the spring.
At the end of 2021, Edison was serving around 1.59 million customers in electricity and gas, 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 into the field of energy services and renewable production. In recent years, the company has reinforced its innovative services platform for residential customers with a full range of household services: domestic appliance maintenance and home insurance (through Assistenza Casa, wholly owned by Edison), domestic solar power and electric mobility and home services (notably “Edison Risolve”).
To strengthen customer relations, Edison operates across Italy with 674 sales outlets (2). The company strengthened its position in digital sales to rise to the challenges of the health crisis. 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 residential segment, B2B customers can benefit from an environmentally-friendly offering combining solar power, batteries, and the use of electric vehicles.
Edison develops, sells and manages energy and environmental services.
The solutions on offer are dedicated to the development of energy efficiency projects aimed at major industrial customers, businesses, and public administrations, growing sectors in which Edison is seeking to consolidate its position. The offer available to customers also includes environmental services offered by the Sersys Ambiente subsidiary (consultancy, wastewater treatment, sampling and analysis of environmental matrices, waste disposal, and industrial cleaning).
The business models are adjusted to customer requirements: Edison designs, builds, and manages assets for its customers, including cogeneration/tri-generation plants, solar power installations, substations, thermal power plants for industrial use, cold production plants, compressed air plants, fluid distribution systems (electricity, gas, hot and 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.
Edison’s clients are in the industrial and business sectors. Contracts with the Stellantis group still form a large part of the business with major-account customers.
Projects are developed with customers in the form of industrial partnerships or performance agreements. The business model is flexible 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, which specialises in energy efficiency and integrated energy management, notably for hospitals.
Lastly, energy efficiency activities are conducted internationally by subsidiaries in Spain, Poland, and Morocco, all of which are wholly owned by Fenice.
In 2021, Edison and Michelin Italiana signed a multi-year agreement on energy efficiency, environmental sustainability and carbon footprint reduction at the Michelin plant in Cuneo, which provides for the construction of a low environmental and energy impact power plant coupled with a photovoltaic plant and a biomass plant, guaranteeing a significant production of renewable energy.
Edison has also completed the first phase of construction of the new heating system in the city of Alzano Lombardo. The project, which is the result of cooperation between a public body and a private entity, is being implemented and managed by Edison Teleriscaldamento, a company wholly owned by Edison.
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 1 billion cubic metres.
In April 2021, Edison sold 100% of Infrastructure Distribution Gas (IDG) to 2i Rete Gas for a value of €150 million, pursuant to the agreement signed on 14 January 2021.
The Benelux region features important interfaces with the Franco-German electricity marketplace. Moreover, projects for new links with Germany and Great Britain are being examined. Benelux also constitutes an important node in the European gas market because of its numerous import and transit infrastructures, such as the Zeebrugge hub and the Dunkirk LNG terminal nearby.
The EDF group is present in Belgium through EDF Belgium, Luminus and Citelum (for Citelum see section 1.4.6.1.2).
As part of a long-term nuclear energy cooperation agreement with Electrabel, EDF holds 50% in undivided co-ownership of the Tihange 1 nuclear power plant, through its wholly-owned Belgian subsidiary, EDF Belgium. The capacity attributed to EDF represents 481MW (or 2% of Belgian generation capacity). Tihange 1 output, which is attributed to EDF Belgium is sold to EDF (via a long-term contract renewed at the end of 2015 for 10 additional years) which, in turn, resells the electricity to Luminus at a market price.
Belgium’s 2003 nuclear phase-out legislation originally provided for the closure of Tihange 1 on 1 October 2015. Nevertheless, it was finally decided to extend its operation upon 2025, following the adoption in 2012 by the Belgian government of the Equipment Plan, and the Law of 2013 amending the Law of 2003 pertaining to the timeframe for the phasing out of nuclear energy. This extension was the subject of an agreement concluded on 12 March 2014 between Electrabel, EDF and the Belgian State, defining its terms and conditions.
The extension of the lifespan of Tihange 1 requires significant investment, with EDF’s share amounting to around €320 million, spread over the period from 2011 to 2021.
(1) Production data calculated in line with consolidation criteria.
(2) Only a small part of which is owned by Edison.
