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EVN Group
View on WikipediaKey Information
EVN Group is an Austrian-based producer and transporter of electricity, one of the largest in Europe having over three million customers in 14 countries.[2] The company also operates in water treatment, natural gas supply and waste management business areas. It is the second-largest utility in Austria.
(The EVN brand, introduced at the beginning of 1988, stands for Energie-Versorgung Niederösterreich, or Lower Austrian Energy Supply.)[3]
Activities
[edit]In 2006, EVN Group produced around 3.45 billion kWh mainly from thermal power plants (68%) and renewable energy (hydro and wind) power plants (32%). EVN Group also distributed 19.2 billion kWh of electricity in Austria (37.9%), Bulgaria (37.95%, through subsidiary EVN Bulgaria) and North Macedonia (24.15%, through EVN Macedonia).
The company also has power generation capacities of 1,450 MW, a transmission network of 1,370 km and a distribution network of 45,000 km. EVN Group is also involved in the natural gas sector having a total network length of 10,100 km.[4] EVN itself owns 12.5% of Austrian peer Verbund.[5]
Ownership
[edit]Less than 14% of EVN Group shares are free float on the Vienna Stock Exchange, with the state of Lower Austria holding 51 percent.
From 2002 until 2020, German utility EnBW owned around 35 percent of EVN Group.[6] From 2015 on, EnBW reduced its share.[7] In 2020, Wiener Stadtwerke became EVN’s second-largest shareholder after it bought EnBW’s remaining 28.35% stake, worth around 800 million euros ($894 million).[8][9]
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District heating plant Mödling erected 1960, gasfired
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Biomass power and district heating plant Mödling, erected 2006
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Europes biggest District Heating Accumulator with 50.000 cubic meter
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View from the biomasse heating plant Maria Gugging
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District heating transportation pipeline with a length of 31 km from Dürnrohr Power Station to Sankt Pölten[10]
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Biomass heating plant Modul for a village, from EVN Wärme,[11] in the winter.
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Biomass heating plant. The total heat power is about 1000 kW, in the summer.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Annual Report 2009/2010" (PDF). EVN. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 15, 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
- ^ "EVN Annual Report". Archived from the original on 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- ^ Brandt, Nadja (4 March 2009). "Adecco, Adidas, BMW, Bouygues, Vinci: European Equity Preview". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
- ^ Moody's Report on EVN
- ^ "EVN seeks new co-op in Austria's electricity sector, criticizes Verbund". Forbes. AFX News. 1 June 2007. Retrieved 2009-10-06.[dead link]
- ^ "Shareholder structure". EVN Group. Archived from the original on 2010-12-25. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
- ^ Christoph Steitz and Ilona Wissenbach (March 17, 2015), Germany's EnBW to slash more costs; sees risk to energy supply security Reuters.
- ^ Kirsti Knolle and Christoph Steitz (March 5, 2020), Wiener Stadtwerke buys EnBW's stake in Austrian utility Reuters.
- ^ Michael Shields (August 5, 2020), Wiener Stadtwerke wraps up purchase of EnBW's stake in EVN Reuters.
- ^ Fernwärme-Transportleitung Von Dürnrohr nach St. Pölten Archived 2011-07-27 at the Wayback Machine; retrieved 11.1.11
- ^ Naturwärme... Archived 2012-03-12 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 21 January 2011
External links
[edit]EVN Group
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and Early Development
EVN Group traces its origins to the early 20th century as a public utility dedicated to electricity supply in Lower Austria. The company was formally established in 1922 as Niederösterreichische Elektrizitätswirtschaftsaktiengesellschaft (NEWAG), following the renaming of the earlier Landeselektrizitätswerk, which had been founded in 1907 to build a hydroelectric power plant serving Sankt Pölten.[3] Initially owned jointly by the provinces of Vienna and Lower Austria, NEWAG focused on developing electricity networks and constructing power plants to support regional electrification.[3] One early milestone was the acquisition of the Ungarfeld hydroelectric power station in 1922, which integrated into NEWAG's growing infrastructure for local energy generation.[4] Following World War II, NEWAG underwent nationalization under Austria's Second Nationalization Act of 1947, with the province of Lower Austria becoming its sole owner.[3] This period marked intensive efforts to rebuild and expand infrastructure, including the construction and upgrading of power plants and distribution networks to electrify rural and urban areas in Lower Austria amid post-war reconstruction.[3] By the 1950s, the company established its headquarters in Maria Enzersdorf, centralizing operations for ongoing network expansions that connected thousands of households and businesses to reliable electricity supply.[3] A key innovation during this decade was the founding of NIOGAS in 1954, a subsidiary that pioneered natural gas distribution in Austria by rapidly developing pipelines across Lower Austria, reducing reliance on traditional fuels.[3] In the mid-20th century, NEWAG advanced technological capabilities, exemplified by the commissioning of the Korneuburg A combined-cycle power plant in 1961, one of Europe's earliest such facilities, enhancing efficient electricity generation.[5] By the 1970s, the utility had evolved into a multi-utility provider, integrating gas services from NIOGAS with emerging district heating initiatives to offer comprehensive energy solutions, including thermal energy for residential and industrial use in Lower Austria.[3] These developments laid the groundwork for the formal merger of NEWAG and NIOGAS in 1986, which introduced the EVN brand in 1988.[3] The company's centennial in 2022 highlighted its foundational role in Lower Austria's energy security.[6]Expansion in Austria and Privatization
In 1988, the company adopted the EVN brand name, standing for "Energieversorgung Niederösterreich" or Lower Austrian Energy Supply, to unify its operations and reflect its role as the primary energy provider in the region.[7] This rebranding occurred amid Austria's evolving energy sector, building on earlier infrastructure developments while positioning EVN for modern market challenges. The 1990s brought significant regulatory changes driven by European Union directives on electricity market liberalization, prompting EVN to adapt through diversification beyond traditional power generation and distribution. In response to the 1998 Electricity Business and Organisation Act (ElWOG), which facilitated gradual market opening culminating in full liberalization by 2001, EVN expanded into renewable energy sources such as biomass and wind power, as well as waste management services to support sustainable practices.[8] By the early 1990s, EVN had already implemented standardized waste collection centers across its Lower Austrian locations to promote environmentally compatible disposal, aligning with broader EU environmental goals.[9] These initiatives enhanced EVN's resilience in a competitive landscape, emphasizing multi-utility services while maintaining focus on regional energy security. Partial privatization marked a pivotal shift in EVN's structure, with initial public offerings on the Vienna Stock Exchange in 1989 and 1990 that introduced private investment while preserving public control. The Province of Lower Austria retained a majority stake of 51% through its holding company, ensuring strategic oversight. EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG acquired approximately 31.2% in 2002, with 17.8% in free float as of that period.[10][11] This hybrid model balanced efficiency gains from market exposure with the province's commitment to public service obligations in energy supply. In the early 2000s, EVN further diversified domestically by expanding into telecommunications through its subsidiary Kabelsignal AG, which operated cable networks in Lower Austria and later rebranded as kabelplus GmbH. This move capitalized on synergies between energy infrastructure and broadband services, acquiring regional cable assets to offer integrated digital television and internet solutions to customers.[12]International Growth in South East Europe
EVN Group's expansion into South East Europe commenced in 2005 with its entry into the Bulgarian electricity market, where it acquired 67% stakes in the regional distribution companies Elektrorazpredelenie Plovdiv and Elektrorazpredelenie Stara Zagora as part of Bulgaria's privatization process.[13] These acquisitions formed the foundation of EVN Bulgaria, enabling the company to supply electricity to a significant portion of southeastern Bulgaria and marking EVN's first major international venture beyond Austria. In 2007, EVN broadened its scope by acquiring Toplofikatsiya Sofia, the primary district heating provider for the capital, integrating thermal energy services into its portfolio. By 2008, EVN had strengthened its control over these assets, consolidating operations under EVN Bulgaria and investing heavily in infrastructure to enhance service reliability. Parallel to its Bulgarian activities, EVN entered North Macedonia in 2006 by purchasing a 90% stake in the state-owned electricity distribution company ESM for €225 million, subsequently renaming it EVN Macedonia.[14] This acquisition positioned EVN as the sole distributor in the country, serving over 800,000 customers and covering the entire national territory with a network spanning 25,000 kilometers.[15] The move aligned with EVN's strategy to leverage its Austrian expertise in regulated markets for growth in emerging economies, while committing to substantial capital expenditures for network upgrades. Throughout the 2010s, EVN faced regulatory challenges in both countries, including disputes over tariff approvals, investment obligations, and alleged market abuses, which culminated in international arbitration proceedings such as EVN AG v. Republic of Bulgaria in 2013.[16] In response, EVN adapted by prioritizing grid modernization investments, such as smart metering implementations and infrastructure reinforcements, to meet compliance requirements and improve operational efficiency. These efforts helped mitigate losses from non-payment issues and enhanced supply security amid regional energy volatility. A key milestone in this expansion phase was EVN's achievement of serving approximately 2.2 million customers across Bulgaria and North Macedonia by 2010, underscoring its rapid scale-up and contributions to regional energy stability through reliable distribution and integration of renewable sources into the grid.[17][18]Recent Strategic Shifts
In 2020, EVN underwent a significant ownership transition when EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG sold its 28.35% stake in the company to Wiener Stadtwerke GmbH, the Vienna-based utility, for approximately €870 million. The agreement was signed on March 5, 2020, and closed on August 5, 2020, resulting in Wiener Stadtwerke becoming EVN's second-largest shareholder after the State of Lower Austria. This shift marked a move toward co-ownership centered in Austria, following EnBW's initial acquisition of the stake in 2002 as part of EVN's international expansion efforts. Post-2020, EVN has emphasized streamlining its operations to concentrate on core competencies in renewable energy generation, network infrastructure, and water supply, amid mounting pressures from the global energy transition. This includes the exit from Russia completed in October 2024 through the sale of its Moscow-based plants.[1] EVN also made substantial annual investments exceeding €500 million, with about 75% directed toward renewables, networks, and water-related activities, aligning with the company's Strategy 2030 for climate neutrality by 2040. Measures such as digitalization initiatives—like the installation of over 800,000 smart meters by September 2022—and the exit from non-core assets, including the termination of coal-based generation in 2020/21, have enhanced operational efficiency and supported the integration of renewable sources like wind and photovoltaics.[19] In 2025, EVN further advanced this focus by signing an agreement on June 18 to sell its subsidiary WTE Wassertechnik GmbH, which handles international environmental projects in water technology and waste management, to STRABAG SE for €100 million. The transaction, covering operations in multiple countries including Germany, Austria, and the Middle East, is expected to close within six months pending regulatory approvals, allowing EVN to reallocate resources toward its primary energy and infrastructure segments in line with Strategy 2030. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 exacerbated these strategic adaptations by intensifying energy market volatility and disrupting supply chains, leading to a massive surge in primary energy prices—such as natural gas rising from €26.2/MWh to €123.1/MWh. EVN responded by proactively securing non-Russian gas supplies, building up 4 TWh in storage by October 2022, and increasing inventories valued at €117.2 million to mitigate potential interruptions, while also facing higher procurement costs and elevated customer inquiries related to price insecurity.Business Operations
Energy Generation and Supply
EVN Group's energy generation portfolio in Austria comprises 934 MW of renewable capacity, encompassing wind, photovoltaics, hydropower, and biomass sources, complemented by 623 MW of thermal generation capacity as of March 2025.[20] This mix supports a transition toward sustainable production, with renewables accounting for the majority of output in recent years.[21] In supply operations, EVN serves approximately 3.6 million electricity customers across Austria, ensuring reliable distribution through its integrated systems.[20] The company also manages natural gas supply via a 13,966 km network, catering to around 0.3 million gas customers in the region.[20] EVN advances innovations in e-mobility with offerings such as the #Drive Smart tariff, which provides cost-effective charging options without binding contracts and includes access to over 3,200 charging points.[22] Additionally, the company targets an expansion of photovoltaic capacity to 300 MWp by 2030 to bolster renewable integration.[20] Through its subsidiary EVN Wärme, the group delivers district heating services to urban areas in Lower Austria, primarily leveraging biomass for environmentally friendly heat production to over 0.1 million customers.[23] This service operates via a 978 km heat network, emphasizing efficient and low-emission heating solutions.[20]Network Infrastructure and Distribution
EVN Group's network infrastructure in Austria encompasses a vast electricity distribution system consisting of 140,909 km of lines, which serves 37.9% of the national market and primarily operates in Lower Austria as the leading regional provider.[1] This extensive grid supports the transmission and distribution of electricity to households, businesses, and industries, with a focus on maintenance, expansion, and resilience against weather-related disruptions. The infrastructure includes high-voltage, medium-voltage, and low-voltage lines, enabling efficient power flow across urban and rural areas.[20] Complementing the electricity network, EVN maintains a gas distribution infrastructure of 13,966 km of pipelines, integrated seamlessly with its supply operations to deliver natural gas and prepare for low-carbon alternatives like biomethane.[1] These pipelines connect production sources to end-users, incorporating safety measures such as leak detection and pressure regulation to ensure operational reliability. The gas network also supports district heating systems, with approximately 700 path kilometers dedicated to biomass-based heating, aligning infrastructure with decarbonization goals.[1] To sustain and modernize this infrastructure, EVN plans annual capital expenditures of €900 million through 2030, with 88.8% of these investments classified as sustainable under the EU taxonomy, targeting grid reinforcements, substation expansions, and capacity upgrades.[20] In 2023/24, network investments totaled €399.8 million, reflecting an 18.4% increase from the prior year, with specific allocations for electricity (€329.1 million) and gas (€41.5 million) to address growing demand and regulatory requirements.[1] Digitalization plays a central role in enhancing network performance, with EVN implementing smart grid solutions such as over 98% smart meter coverage in its Lower Austria operations for real-time monitoring and demand management.[1] Key initiatives include the thermal rating project, which uses 32 weather stations and sensors to dynamically optimize 110 kV high-voltage lines, alongside battery storage integrations in medium-voltage networks and collaborations for advanced data analytics. These efforts improve grid stability, reduce outages, and enable better integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar.[1]International Activities
EVN Group's international activities center on electricity distribution, supply, and generation in South East Europe, supplemented by targeted operations in other European countries. The company's presence in this region supports stable energy provision amid varying local regulatory frameworks and infrastructure needs. In Bulgaria, EVN operates extensive electricity distribution and supply networks through subsidiaries such as EVN Bulgaria and Elektroprivreda Yug, serving approximately 1.8 million customers across southern and western regions. These operations account for a major share of EVN's international distribution volume, contributing around 37.95% of the group's total, with a focus on reducing network losses to 5.8% through ongoing grid upgrades.[20][1] EVN's activities in North Macedonia, managed via EVN Macedonia, provide electricity to about 0.9 million customers nationwide, representing roughly 24.15% of the group's overall distribution volume. The subsidiary emphasizes network modernization to address higher loss rates of 14.5%, including investments in low-voltage infrastructure and renewable integration.[20][1][24] Beyond South East Europe, EVN maintains selective engagements, including environmental services and wastewater treatment in Germany, natural gas distribution in Croatia, and a 49.99% stake in Albania's Ashta run-of-river hydropower plant for electricity generation. In the 2023/24 financial year, these international efforts included the distribution of 21,643 GWh of electricity, primarily in South East Europe, with network sales of 13,926 GWh.[1] To navigate the regulatory landscape, EVN adapts to country-specific policies, such as Bulgaria's revenue cap and 1.9% tariff adjustment effective July 2024, and North Macedonia's 1.6% tariff rise from January 2024, ensuring alignment with EU directives and local energy laws. Investments in South East Europe grid stability totaled €147.2 million in 2023/24, rising to €111.6 million in the first three quarters of 2024/25, targeting infrastructure enhancements for reliability and renewable accommodation.[1][25]Environmental and Other Services
EVN Group's environmental services primarily encompass water supply, wastewater treatment, and waste management operations centered in Austria, with a strategic shift underway to consolidate these activities domestically. Through its subsidiary EVN Wasser GmbH, the company delivers drinking water to approximately 0.6 million customers in Lower Austria, operating as the region's largest supplier via extensive supra-regional pipeline networks and seven natural filtration plants that ensure high-quality, sustainable resource management.[20] These operations prioritize environmental protection by minimizing pipeline losses, adhering to stringent EU and national water quality standards, and integrating purified wastewater back into the natural cycle where feasible.[26] Wastewater treatment forms a key component of EVN's domestic environmental portfolio, with the company contributing to the planning, construction, and operation of treatment facilities across Lower Austria, often in collaboration with municipal systems to prevent pollution and recover resources.[27] Complementing this, EVN's waste management activities focus on integrated solutions that align with circular economy principles, including waste prevention, recycling, and thermal treatment. The company's thermal waste utilization plant in Zwentendorf/Dürnrohr has processed over 500,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste annually since 2004, generating energy while reducing landfill dependency through advanced separation and incineration processes.[9] These Austrian-based services accounted for a stable portion of EVN's EBITDA, underscoring their operational reliability.[20] Historically, EVN's environmental services extended internationally through WTE Wassertechnik GmbH, which managed over 120 water supply and wastewater projects in 18 countries, integrating engineering, procurement, and construction expertise.[20] In June 2025, EVN signed an agreement to divest this international project business, including WTE, to STRABAG SE for approximately €100 million, with closing anticipated by January 2026; this move enables EVN to concentrate resources on its core Austrian environmental operations post-2025.[28] Beyond environmental utilities, EVN offers telecommunications via Kabelplus GmbH, providing high-speed broadband, HD cable TV, and mobile services to customers in Lower Austria and Burgenland, thereby diversifying its regional infrastructure offerings.[20]Ownership and Governance
Shareholder Structure
EVN AG's shareholder structure is dominated by public sector entities, ensuring stable governance aligned with regional interests. The majority stake of 51% is held by NÖ Landes-Beteiligungsholding GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Province of Lower Austria.[20] This ownership fulfills the legal mandate under Austrian federal and provincial constitutional law requiring the Province of Lower Austria to maintain at least 51% control of EVN AG.[20] The second-largest shareholder is Wiener Stadtwerke GmbH, fully owned by the City of Vienna, with a 28.4% stake.[25] This structure reflects a collaborative public ownership model, supplemented by a syndicated voting rights agreement between the two major holders since September 2021.[25] The remaining shares consist of 19.7% free float traded on the Vienna Stock Exchange and 0.9% treasury shares held by EVN AG itself, as of June 30, 2025.[25] As of September 30, 2025, EVN AG's market capitalization stood at €4,209 million, based on a share price of €23.40.[20]Corporate Governance and Management
EVN AG operates under a two-tier board system in accordance with Austrian corporate law, featuring a Supervisory Board for oversight and a Management Board for executive management. The Supervisory Board, consisting of 15 members as of 2025, is chaired by Reinhard Wolf, a representative aligned with the interests of the State of Lower Austria, EVN's principal shareholder. This board includes ten shareholder representatives and five employee representatives, ensuring balanced oversight that incorporates diverse stakeholder perspectives on strategic decisions, risk management, and compliance. The employee representatives, such as Uwe Mitter and Christian Roitner, provide input on labor-related matters, fostering a collaborative governance approach.[29][30][31] The Management Board, comprising three key executives as of 2025, is responsible for day-to-day operations, financial management, and strategic implementation across EVN's energy, network, and international segments. Stefan Szyszkowitz serves as CEO and Spokesman of the Management Board, overseeing energy activities, customer relations, human resources, and legal affairs since his appointment in 2011, with his term extending until 2031. Alexandra Wittmann, as CFO, handles finance, controlling, procurement, and the South East Europe segment, while Stefan Stallinger, as CTO, manages generation, networks, innovation, and sustainability initiatives. This structure enables focused leadership on core business areas, with the board collectively addressing investment and risk strategies.[32] EVN AG adheres to the Austrian Corporate Governance Code (ACGC), voluntarily committing to its principles through a "comply or explain" mechanism, as outlined in its annual Corporate Governance Report. The company maintains robust compliance and ethics programs, including a Code of Conduct that emphasizes transparent conflict-of-interest management, anti-corruption measures, and ethical business practices across all operations. As of November 1, 2025, EVN received an ISS Governance QualityScore of 7, reflecting strong performance in board structure and shareholder rights, though with room for improvement in audit practices.[30][33][2] Governance extends to EVN's subsidiaries through centralized oversight by the Management Board and Supervisory Board, ensuring alignment with group-wide standards. For instance, EVN Bulgaria EAD, responsible for electricity distribution and district heating in Bulgaria, operates under directives from the parent company's executive leadership, particularly the CFO's regional responsibilities, while maintaining local compliance. Similarly, Kabelplus GmbH, EVN's telecommunications subsidiary in Austria, benefits from integrated risk management and strategic guidance from the CTO, promoting consistent ethical and operational practices across the group.[32][1]Financial Performance
Key Financial Metrics
EVN Group's revenue in the financial year 2023/24 totaled €3,256.6 million, reflecting a 13.6% decline from €3,768.7 million in 2022/23, primarily due to lower wholesale electricity prices and reduced trading volumes following the energy crisis normalization.[1] Historical trends show revenue peaking at €4,062.2 million in 2021/22 amid high energy prices, before the downward trajectory in subsequent years.[1] By segment, external revenue was distributed across Energy (€737.1 million, 22.6%), Generation (€120.7 million, 3.7%), Networks (€565.2 million, 17.4%), South Eastern Europe (€1,335.8 million, 41.0%), Environment (€428.2 million, 13.1%), and All Other Segments (€26.4 million, 0.8%).[34][1] The company's balance sheet remains robust, with total assets at €10,913.6 million as of September 30, 2024, down slightly by 0.7% from €10,996.0 million the prior year.[1] Equity stood at €6,730.6 million, up 4.1% from €6,464.3 million, supporting an equity ratio of 61.7%, an improvement from 58.8% in 2022/23.[1] This ratio has remained stable around 60% over recent years, with 58.9% in 2021/22, underscoring EVN's strong capital structure amid investments in sustainable infrastructure.[1] Profitability metrics demonstrate resilience, with EBITDA reaching €799.4 million in 2023/24, an 8.0% decrease from €869.0 million in 2022/23, yielding a margin of 24.5% compared to 23.1% previously.[1] Return on equity (ROE) was 8.0% in 2023/24, down from 8.4% in 2022/23.[1] EVN maintains a conservative debt profile, with net debt at €1,129.3 million as of September 30, 2024, reduced by 17.2% from €1,364.3 million the year before, resulting in a gearing ratio of 16.8%.[1] The company holds an investment-grade credit rating of A+/Stable from Scope Ratings, affirmed in May 2025, reflecting its solid financial risk profile among European utilities.[35] This rating supports ongoing capital expenditures, which totaled €753.0 million in 2023/24—88.8% aligned with EU taxonomy for sustainable activities—and are planned to rise to €900 million annually to advance environmental goals.[1]| Key Metric | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue (€ million) | 4,062.2 | 3,768.7 | 3,256.6 |
| EBITDA Margin (%) | 18.6 | 23.1 | 24.5 |
| Equity Ratio (%) | 58.9 | 58.8 | 61.7 |
| ROE (%) | 3.4 | 8.4 | 8.0 |
| Net Debt (€ million) | 1,245.1 | 1,364.3 | 1,129.3 |