As an operator in the energy sector worldwide, the EDF group is exposed to financial market risks, energy market risks and counterparty risks. All these risks could generate volatility in the financial statements.
A more detailed description of these risks and the sensitivity analyses required by IFRS 7 can be found in section 5.1.6 “Management and control of market risks” of the 2022 Universal Registration Document.
The main financial market risks to which the Group is exposed are the liquidity risk, the foreign exchange risk, the interest rate risk and the equity risk.
The objective of the Group’s liquidity risk management is to seek resources at optimum cost and ensure their constant accessibility.
The foreign exchange risk relates to the diversification of the Group’s businesses and geographical locations, and results from exposure to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations. These fluctuations can affect the Group’s translation differences, balance sheet items, financial expenses, equity and net income.
The interest rate risk results from exposure to the risk of fluctuations in interest rates that can affect the value of assets invested by the Group, the value of the liabilities covered by provision, or its financial expenses.
The Group is exposed to equity risks, particularly through its dedicated asset portfolio held for secure financing of long-term nuclear commitments, through external pension funds, and to a lesser extent through its cash assets and directly- held investments.
The EDF group operates on deregulated energy markets, mainly in Europe, through its generation, supply and trading activities. This exposes the Group to price variations on the wholesale markets for energy (electricity, gas, coal, oil products) and the CO2 emissions quota market, with a potentially significant impact on the financial statements.
Counterparty risk is defined as the total loss that the EDF group would sustain on its business and market transactions if a counterparty defaulted and failed to perform its contractual obligations.
Regarding the customer risk, which is another component of the counterparty risk, a statement of receivables not yet due and overdue is shown in note 13.3.1.
Accounting principles and methods
The Group uses derivatives such as swaps and forward contracts to hedge its interest rate, foreign exchange, energy and commodity risks.
In accordance with IFRS 9, hedge accounting can be applied to derivatives when they meet certain eligibility criteria. Some derivatives classified as “own use” are excluded from application of IFRS 9.
Derivatives not covered by IFRS 9: “own use” contracts
Forward purchase and sale contracts for physical delivery of energy or commodities are considered to fall outside the scope of application of IFRS 9 when they are entered into as part of the Group’s normal business activity (“own use”). This is demonstrated to be the case when all the following conditions are fulfilled:
The Group considers that transactions negotiated with a view to balancing the volumes between electricity purchase and sale commitments are part of its normal business as an integrated electricity operator, and are thus outside the scope of IFRS 9.
Measurement and recognition of derivatives
Derivatives are initially recorded at fair value, based on quoted prices and market data available from external sources. If no quoted prices are available, the Group may refer to recent comparable transactions or, if no such transactions exist, base its valuation on internal models that are recognised by market participants, giving priority to information directly derived from observable data such as over-the-counter listings.
In application of IFRS 13, the fair value of derivatives incorporates the counterparty credit risk for derivative assets and the own credit risk for derivative liabilities.
Derivatives classified as hedges
The EDF group uses derivatives to hedge its foreign exchange and interest rate risks, as well as risks related to certain commodity contracts.
The Group applies the criteria defined by IFRS 9 to identify operations subject to hedge accounting, particularly regarding the existence of formal documentation from their inception and compliance with hedge effectiveness requirements.
The hedging relationship ends when it ceases to satisfy the above criteria. This includes situations in which the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or when the risk management objectives initially defined are no longer met.
Only derivatives external to the Group, and internal derivatives that are matched with similar transactions external to the Group, qualify for hedge accounting.
The Group uses the following categories for hedges:
Hedge categories
Fair value hedge
This is a hedge of exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or liability recorded in the balance sheet, or a firm commitment to purchase or sell an asset. Changes in the fair value of the hedged item attributable to the hedged component of that item are recorded in profit and loss and offset by corresponding variations in the fair value of the hedging instrument. Only the ineffective portion of the hedge has an impact on profit and loss.
Some loans and financial liabilities, and some commodity contracts, are covered by a fair value hedge. In such cases their balance sheet value is adjusted for changes in fair value attributable to the hedged risks (foreign exchange, interest rate and price risks).
