Making
the energy
transition
happen
Annual report 2016
Elia at a
glance
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The Elia Group wants to act as a driving force in the energy transition. We seek to advance socio-economic progress and society’s interests in everything we do. We make decisions in consultation with our stakeholders. Safety remains a top priority for us. As a regulated company, we not only invest in innovative infrastructure and digital systems, we also invest in people. We are open to new technologies and create opportunities for all market players. By focusing on these areas, we can ensure a smooth transition to the electricity system of tomorrow.
Learn more
Foreword
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Miriam Maes
Chairperson of the Elia Group
Learn moreElectricity transmission is evolving into a two-way flow, where both supply and demand can be controlled. The energy transition has created a need for additional flexibility.
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Chris Peeters
CEO of the Elia Group
Learn moreIf we correctly anticipate trends, we can resolve the energy trilemma in one or two generations: plenty of affordable, sustainable energy for everyone.
And that means Europe would not be dependent on the rest of the world for its energy supply.
Key Figures
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168.0 Mio€
Normalised net profit
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1.58 €/share
Dividend
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3.2 %
Dividend yield
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2557.3 Mio€
Net Debt
Contribution to normalised results
- 59% Belgium
- 41% Germany
Investments
440 MIO€ Belgium737 MIO€ Germany -
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30000000
Residents covered
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143000 Km²
Covered
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18400 Km
High voltage lines in Belgium and in Germany
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6
Interconnections
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35000 MW
Installed capacity of renewable energy
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2100
Employees
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26
Nationalities
Cross Border Exchange Belgium
Cross Border Exchange 50Hertz
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The energy
transition
Elia believes that the transmission system operator has a fundamental role to play in this rapidly changing environment. Elia takes an innovative approach to system management and develops market mechanisms and products to enable optimal integration of renewable energy and decentralised generation.
Our strategy
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01.
We ensure a secure, reliable
and efficient grid -
02.
We deliver the transmission
infrastructure for the future -
03.
We develop the
system and markets -
04.
We cooperate to
strengthen our TSO position - 05. We align culture with strategy
- 06. We have our eyes wide open for innovation & growth opportunities
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01
We ensure a secure, reliable
and efficient gridWe respond to the rapidly changing energy mix and constantly adapt our transmission grid, thus contributing fully to maintaining the high level of the security of supply.
Learn moreElia has years of experience in managing its transmission grid and has built up indisputable technical expertise. However, the ever-changing backdrop of the energy transition, characterised by more volatile generation and the need for flexible balancing products, means that system management is an increasingly complex task.
At the same time, Elia is faced with an ageing infrastructure. With that in mind, a sophisticated asset management strategy has been put in place to monitor the functioning of critical infrastructure components and new working methods have been introduced for the efficient management of midlife retrofits. A balanced asset replacement policy needs to stagger investments so as to smooth out ‘peaks’ in expenditure and avoid the boom-or-bust scenarios of the past (historical peak in investment following the Second World War, connection of gas-fired and nuclear power stations, integration of renewable sources, and so on). Since working methods are evolving, staff need training to help them develop the requisite skills and techniques. Elia provides professional training courses for both its own staff and its contractors.
Safety is an absolute priority in Elia’s management of its grid, alongside the continuous pursuit of operational excellence. Elia is working towards a zero accident rate through the Go for Zero programme. We expect our staff and our subcontractors to work safely, healthily and carefully.
Discover our video
on safetySafety is a priority for Elia
“ Elia teams up with distribution system operators to enhance safety ”
Learn more -
02
We deliver the transmission
infrastructure for the futureWe ensure that the investments needed for a progressive energy transition are made on time and within budget, live up to the applicable quality standards and correspond to society’s needs and choices.
Learn moreElia is currently rolling out the biggest investment programme in its history. As well as covering replacements for existing facilities, the CAPEX programme mostly consists of investments intended to incorporate renewable energy into the grid and facilitate the further integration of the European energy market through interconnections.
Elia uses specially tailored working methods and decision-making approaches, and closely monitors progress on its investment projects, thus ensuring compliance with the proposed budget, time and quality criteria.
At the same time, Elia is paying greater attention to the public acceptance of its infrastructure work. Its comprehensive stakeholder management scheme ensures that it has constructive, transparent contact with all the relevant stakeholders throughout the decision-making process and during the implementation stage. Elia works with stakeholders wherever possible in order to bolster public support.
Discover
our video18 km of new nature area from Zutendaal to Maaseik
“ In time, the environmentally friendly connection and the more natural forest border will serve as a migration route and a living and breeding area for animals. ”
Learn more -
03
We develop the
system and marketsElia wants to facilitate market coupling at both distribution level and european level. We open up opportunities for new players and new technologies by innovating in our systems and with new market products.
Learn moreManaging the electricity system is one of our core tasks: this entails keeping supply and demand balanced at all times. To achieve this, Elia ensures that every market player has transparent, non-discriminatory access to the grid.
The rapid, profound changes associated with the energy transition – increasingly decentralised energy generation, more renewable energy sources and a greater degree of digitisation – are making this task more and more challenging.
By opening up the market to new players and new technologies, Elia hopes to obtain better security of supply and competitive market prices.
The development of these cross-border balancing mechanisms requires greater cooperation and coordination at both national and supranational level, as well as an appropriate legislative framework.
To find out more, see
interview with vynova groupCooperation between energy market players: a real boon for flexibility
“ Cooperating with Elia on reserves is worthwhile for us because it helps us to reduce our energy bills. ”
Learn more -
04
We cooperate to
strengthen our TSO positionWe are committed to implementing the energy transition in cooperation with all market parties, through enhanced coordination with other system operators at national and european level.
Learn moreOur activities have an impact on the country’s socio-economic development. As a key player in the energy system, Elia is endeavouring to improve its alignment and coordination with the various market parties and system operators at both national and supranational level.
By implementing win-win projects and sharing our expertise and data, we ensure that society’s interests always come first. We understand what our customers and the market players need. We regularly consult with them through a range of platforms. Elia also serves society by conducting in-depth studies on the operation and needs of the electricity system.
Discover the video report about
the elia stakeholders’ dayElia Stakeholders’ Day
“ The Stakeholders’ Day is clear evidence that Elia wants to play a key role in society. Elia is positioning itself as a kind of custodian that watches over the system. ”
Learn more -
05
We align culture with strategy
Elia needs a corporate culture that supports its strategic priorities and goals. Change is necessary. We have defined three core values and four aspirational values to point our employees in the right direction and help guarantee the success of the transition and our strategy.
Learn moreIn 2016, Elia’s management undertook a series of in-depth discussions with a view to determining the company’s strategic choices and direction for the years to come. It soon became apparent that a change of culture would be required if the strategy was to be implemented successfully.
To that end, the three core and four aspirational values were selected in cooperation with representatives from various Elia departments. These are an extension of Elia’s previous values and build on the company’s strengths. They form the basis of Elia’s new culture and constitute the starting point for all our activities.
Transferring skills through collaboration
“ At Elia, peer coaching partnerships comprising a senior technician and a junior technician are the linchpin of our approach to training new hires. ”
Learn more -
06
We have our eyes wide open for innovation & growth opportunities
As well as further integrating innovative technologies, we stay abreast of the latest developments in the energy sector: doing this helps us to strengthen our company and make the energy transition happen.
Learn moreElia is preparing for the future by keeping its eyes open for new developments in infrastructure management, system operation and integration of the Belgian markets in the European context. Innovation is the catalyst for a swift energy transition.
How can we improve our management of unpredictable renewable energy sources? How can we optimise our use of existing infrastructure and exploit the potential of market coupling to the full? How should we handle the changes in consumer behaviour resulting from the rise of electric cars, heat pumps and batteries?
Elia organises initiatives to foster and reward innovation within the company to ensure that Elia staff will always be at the forefront of the energy transition.
Elia Innovation Sharing Challenge
“ The award ceremony for the second Innovation Sharing Challenge took place in November 2016. This internal competition aims to improve day-to-day operations in the field with innovative proposals and solutions. ”
Learn more
Dynamic charts
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Consolidated results (in Mio€)
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Consolidated results (in €)