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Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. Reports FY 2023 Financial Results

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Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. reported a 17.5% increase in revenue and a 25% increase in gross profit year-over-year for FY 2023. The company reduced debt by $77 million, produced 165 GWH of clean energy, and divested non-strategic assets in Poland and the Netherlands. Despite a net loss of $69.5 million due to one-time events, Alternus remains focused on reaching 3GW of operational assets within five years. The company also announced the acquisition of solar PV projects in the US and Spain, as well as a successful business combination with Clean Earth resulting in a Nasdaq listing under the ticker symbol 'ALCE'.
Positive
  • Revenue increased by 17.5% and gross profit by 25% YoY for FY 2023.
  • Debt reduced by $77 million, with 165 GWH of clean energy produced in 2023.
  • Net loss of $69.5 million due to one-time events, including divestment costs.
  • Acquisition of solar PV projects in the US and Spain for future revenue generation.
  • Successful business combination with Clean Earth leading to Nasdaq listing under 'ALCE'.
Negative
  • Net loss of $69.5 million in FY 2023.
  • One-time events contributing to the net loss, including divestment costs.
  • Debt reduction by $77 million may impact future financial flexibility.
  • Revenue increase may not fully offset the net loss incurred in FY 2023.

Insights

Alternus Clean Energy, Inc.'s announcement of a 17.5% increase in revenue and a 25% increase in gross profit year-over-year, against a backdrop of a net loss of $69.5 million, provides a complex financial landscape. The simultaneous news of debt reduction and a Nasdaq listing presents a duality of financial restructuring and market confidence. From an investor's standpoint, such growth in revenue is encouraging, particularly in the clean energy sector, indicating potential for scalability and stability in a burgeoning market. However, the reported net loss requires scrutiny; attributed largely to one-time events and divestments, it suggests a strategic, albeit costly, repositioning. This, coupled with the debt reduction post-balance sheet, may depict an attempt to fortify the company's financial health. Looking ahead, the company's strategy to refinance assets over a longer term could potentially align future debt obligations with the projected income from operational assets, a prudent move in principle.

The strategy of divestment in non-core markets like Poland and the Netherlands can be seen as a move to concentrate resources and efforts on markets with higher growth potential, such as the United States and select European countries. The pursuit of 'equity light' projects in the US is indicative of a trend in the renewable energy sector where companies are seeking to maximize returns while minimizing equity costs, which can be capital intensive. The secured pipeline in Italy and Spain, alongside acquisitions such as the 'Dancing Horse' project in Tennessee, reflect a focused geographical and sectoral expansion. The expected operational start dates and revenue from these projects reveal a clear timeline for growth and investment returns, which should be closely monitored for execution risks and potential deviations from projected financial outcomes.

Mergers and acquisitions are pivotal events for companies and their stakeholders. Alternus's successful merger with Clean Earth Acquisitions Corp and the subsequent Nasdaq listing not only signal a boost in credibility and potential liquidity for investors but also represent a strategic consolidation within the industry. This maneuver allows Alternus to leverage Clean Earth's assets while providing a platform for elevated market presence and increased access to capital. The merger's significance is amplified by the concurrent issuance of common stock, making AEG the largest shareholder, thereby intertwining the fortunes of both entities. It is imperative for investors to track how this expanded shareholder base influences corporate governance and strategy going forward. Additionally, the continuation of AEG as a separate legal entity and its listing on the Euronext Growth market in Oslo could provide insights into investor sentiment across different market regions.

•  Revenue up by 17.5% YoY
•  Gross profit up by 25% YoY

FORT MILL, S.C., April 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Utility-scale transatlantic clean energy independent power producer Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALCE) (“Alternus” or the “Company”) today announced its audited financial results for the full year 2023 under US GAAP format. The 2023 financial report is included in a Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The 2023 financial report is available to view on the Alternus’ website at https://ir.alternusenergy.com/financials-filings/sec-filings.

Company Highlights:

  • Increase in revenue from by 17.5% YoY;
  • Increase in revenue offtake by 3.8% YoY;
  • Debt reduced by $77 million subsequent to balance sheet;
  • Total of 165 GWH of clean energy produced in 2023, further offsetting global CO2 emissions;
  • Completed business combination agreement with Clean Earth Acquisitions Corp., (“Clean Earth”) priorly listed as “CLIN”, “CLINW”, and “CLINU” over NASDAQ;
  • Listed on NASDAQ in December 2023 under the ticker symbol “ALCE”;
  • Divestment of non-strategic operating assets in Poland and the Netherlands, reducing debt by over $75M;
  • Net loss of $69.5M, due primarily to one-time events including, $15.8M related to divestment of projects in non-core countries, $16.6M for fair value movement related to the forward purchase agreement, $11.2M related to the Solis bond waiver fees, and $5.5M related to loss on disposal of assets.

Commenting on the results, Vincent Browne, Chairman and Group CEO said:

“In 2023, we focused on a strategic business realignment and consolidation, refining our core operations to pave the way for further growth in key high-potential markets across the US and Europe. One standout moment was our successful merger with Clean Earth Acquisitions Corp (CLIN), culminating in our Nasdaq listing (NASDAQ: “ALCE”)—a significant achievement that fills us with pride. Now, equipped with renewed energy and resolve, we're poised to increase our impact, broaden our scope, and ignite further growth in our business. We remain focused on our goal of reaching 3GW of operational assets within five years.”

Alternus Chief Financial Officer Joseph E. Duey added:

“2023 represented a year of strategic development for Alternus. We announced our listing on Nasdaq in December 2023 and are now well positioned organisationally to deliver on our goals. Our 2023 balance sheet is reflective of a conservative position. Subsequent to this balance sheet we have reduced debt by $77 million. We are now in a process of refinancing assets over a longer-term period, to align our debt with the longevity of our continuing asset portfolio. Once restructured the debt will be spread out of our balance sheet. We also have a secure pipeline of potential acquisition projects to execute on within the coming 12-18 months and are confident that we have the ability to access equity capital as needed and fund the growth plan we have in place.”

Results Underpinned by a Diversified Portfolio of Assets

The table below summarises the Company’s portfolio of assets as of December 31, 2023.

COUNTRY  MEGAWATTS
INSTALLED
  Percentage 
Romania   40.1   91.3%
United States   3.8   8.7%
Total   43.9   100%
          

The Company announced the divestment of non-core assets in late 2023, in line with our renewed strategy to focus on strategic markets across Europe and the US. A focus will be on delivering on the advanced stage development pipeline portfolio of over 300MW in Italy and Spain and on executing on near-term acquisitions of both operating and ready-to-build projects from a growing pipeline of ‘equity light’ projects in the US.

It was announced in 2023 that Alternus acquired 32MWp solar PV project in Tennessee, USA, known as ‘Dancing Horse.’ Dancing Horse is expected to start operating in Q1 2025 and should produce annual revenue of approximately $2.3 million when fully operational. 100% of the offtake from this facility is secured by 30-year power purchase agreements with two regional utilities.

The Company also announced a planned expansion in Spain with the acquisition of Solar PV projects totalling 32 MWp of Solar PV projects in Valencia, Spain, known as the NF Projects. The portfolio consists of six projects in total: five of which, totalling 24.4 MWp, are expected to reach operation in Q2 2024, with the remaining project expected to achieve operation in Q1 2025.

Once operating, 10-year average annual revenues from the initial portfolio of five will be approximately $2.3 million, going to $2.8 million once all are connected.

Business Combination and Nasdaq Listing

The Company successfully started trading over Nasdaq on the 26th of December 2023 under the ticker (NASDAQ: ALCE) following a successful business combination with its predecessor, Clean Earth. Under the terms of the business combination agreement, the Company acquired the majority of Alternus Energy Group PLC, a company incorporated under the laws of Ireland (“AEG”)’s assets, with simultaneously issuing it common stock, in turn making it the largest shareholder in the Company. AEG continues to exist as a separate legal entity and continues to trade on the Euronext Growth stock market in Oslo under the ticker (OSE: ALT). The completion of the business combination with Clean Earth and resultant listing on Nasdaq, is a key strategic pillar in our commitment towards a sustainable future.

The below table summarises the Company’s financial performance for the full year 2023, compared to the full year 2022.

 20232022$ Change% Change
Revenues20.117.13.018%
Cost of Sales(4.5)(4.4)(0.1)2%
Gross Profit15.612.72.923%
Gross Margin78%74%3%5%
Selling and General Expenses(11.2)(5.7)(5.5)96%
EBITDA4.47.0(2.6)-37%
     
Interest Charges(18.6)(10.3)(8.3)81%
Depreciation and amortization(3.7)(3.7)0%
Total Other Expense(35.8)(11.6)(24.2)209%
Net Loss(53.7)(18.6)(35.1)189%
     

Subsequent Events Strengthen Outlook and Deliver on Sustained Growth

After the close of the year, the Company announced material developments that it believes strengthens its growth position.

Close of Sale in the Netherlands

The Company announced the closing of the sale of 100% of the share capital in Zoonepark Rilland B.V. to Theia on the 21st of February 2024. This activity was a planned activity in line with the divestment of non-core projects within the operating portfolio.

Green Bond Covenant Waiver

The bondholders voted to approve the resolutions for the extension of the waivers and the maturity date to the Bond Terms and the maturity date until 30 April 2024, with the right to further extend to May 31, 2024, at the Bond Trustee’s discretion, and thereafter on a month-to-month basis to 29 November 2024 at the Bond Trustee’s discretion and approval from a majority of Bondholders.

Project Development

On 4 April 2024 it was announced that Alternus had entered into a joint venture with Acadia Energy (Acadeia), a microgrid and renewable energy developer, to develop 200MW of Microgrid Projects in New York State. The venture will focus on developing and operating a portfolio of microgrid projects over the next 2-3 years. Under the terms of the joint venture, Alternus will hold a 51% majority ownership stake in the projects.

About Alternus Clean Energy, Inc.

Alternus is a transatlantic clean energy independent power producer. Headquartered in the United States, we currently develop, install, own, and operate utility-scale solar parks in the North America and Europe. Our highly motivated and dynamic team at Alternus have achieved rapid growth in recent years. Building on this, our goal is to reach 3GW of operating projects within five years through continued organic development activities and targeted strategic opportunities. Our vision is to become a leading provider of 24/7 clean energy delivering a sustainable future of renewable power with people and planet in harmony. For more information visit www.alternusenergy.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this release, including any information on the Company’s plans or future financial or operating performance and other statements that express the Company’s management’s expectations or estimates of future performance, constitute forward-looking statements. When used in this notice, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Such statements are based on a number of estimates and assumptions that are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The Company cautions that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and other factors that may cause the actual financial results, performance, or achievements of the Company to differ materially from the Company’s estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements should not be relied upon as representing Alternus’ assessments of any date after the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

For More Information:

Alternus Investors:
Alternus Clean Energy
ir@alternusenergy.com
+1 (913) 815-1557

Alternus Media:
The Blueshirt Group
alternus@blueshirtgroup.com
+1 (323) 240-5796

ALTERNUS CLEAN ENERGY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
  As of
December 31,
  As of
December 31,
 
  2023  2022 
ASSETS      
Current Assets      
Cash and cash equivalents $4,618  $705 
Accounts receivable, net  651   3,335 
Unbilled energy incentives earned  5,607   4,954 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  3,344   1,482 
Taxes recoverable  631   1,388 
Restricted Cash  19,161    
Current discontinued assets held for sale  80,943    
Total Current Assets  114,955   11,864 
         
Property and equipment, net  61,302   68,953 
Right of use asset  1,330   1,004 
Restricted cash     6,598 
Other receivable  1,483    
Capitalized development cost and other long-term assets, net  6,216   2,146 
Non-current discontinued assets held for sale     87,750 
Total Assets $185,286  $178,315 
         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)        
Current Liabilities        
Accounts payable $5,084  $1,138 
Accrued liabilities  24,410   3,471 
Taxes payable  14   616 
Deferred income  5,607   4,954 
Operating lease liability  175   75 
Green bonds  166,122    
Convertible and non-convertible promissory notes, net of debt issuance costs  31,420    
Current discontinued liabilities held for sale  14,259    
Total Current Liabilities  247,091   10,254 
         
Green bonds     149,481 
Convertible and non-convertible promissory notes, net of debt issuance costs     9,214 
Operating lease liability, net of current portion  1,252   960 
Asset retirement obligations  197   397 
Non-current discontinued liabilities held for sale     10,591 
Total Liabilities  248,540   180,897 
         
Shareholders’ Deficit        
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 authorized as of December 31, 2023. 0 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023.      
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, 150,000,000 authorized as of December 31, 2023; 71,905,363 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023, and 57,500,000 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022.  7   6 
Additional paid in capital  27,874   19,797 
Foreign Currency Translation Reserve  (2,925)  (3,639)
Accumulated deficit  (88,210)  (18,746)
Total Shareholders’ Deficit  (63,254)  (2,582)
Total Liabilities and Shareholder’ Deficit $185,286  $178,315 


ALTERNUS CLEAN ENERGY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
  Year Ended December 31 
  2023  2022 
       
Revenues $20,084  $17,089 
         
Operating Expenses        
Cost of revenues  (4,468)  (4,439)
Selling, general and administrative  (11,228)  (5,720)
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion  (3,657)  (3,677)
Development Costs  (798)  (11,372)
Loss on disposal of assets  (5,501)  (79)
Total operating expenses  (25,652)  (25,287)
         
Loss from operations  (5,568)  (8,198)
         
Other income/(expense):        
Interest expense  (18,562)  (10,256)
Fair value movement of FPA Asset  (16,642)   
Solis bond waiver fee  (11,232)   
Other expense  (1,642)  (684)
Other income  9   569 
Total other expenses  (48,069)  (10,371)
Loss before provision for income taxes  (53,637)  (18,569)
Income taxes  (15)   
Net loss from continuing operations  (53,652)  (18,569)
         
Discontinued operations:        
Income/(loss) from operations of discontinued business component  (3,885)  141 
Impairment loss recognized on the remeasurement to fair value less costs to sell  (11,766)   
Income tax  (161)  (21)
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations  (15,812)  120 
Net loss $(69,464) $(18,449)
         
Net loss attributable to common stockholders, basic  (53,652)  (18,569)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic  (0.93)  (0.32)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, diluted  (0.93)  (0.32)
Weighted-average common stock outstanding, basic  57,862,598   57,500,000 
Weighted-average common stock outstanding, diluted  57,862,598   57,500,000 
         
Comprehensive loss:        
Net loss $(69,464) $(18,449)
Foreign currency translation adjustment  714   (992)
Comprehensive loss $(68,750) $(19,441)

FAQ

What was the percentage increase in revenue for Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. in FY 2023?

Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. reported a 17.5% increase in revenue for FY 2023.

What was the net loss for Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. in FY 2023?

The company incurred a net loss of $69.5 million in FY 2023.

What was the reason behind the net loss for Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. in FY 2023?

The net loss of $69.5 million was primarily due to one-time events, including divestment costs.

What acquisitions did Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. announce in FY 2023?

The company announced the acquisition of solar PV projects in the US and Spain for future revenue generation.

What was the result of the business combination between Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. and Clean Earth?

The successful business combination with Clean Earth led to a Nasdaq listing under the ticker symbol 'ALCE'.

What was the total debt reduction for Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. in FY 2023?

The company reduced debt by $77 million in FY 2023.

What was the total clean energy production for Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. in 2023?

Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. produced a total of 165 GWH of clean energy in 2023.

What was the focus of Alternus Clean Energy, Inc.'s strategic realignment in 2023?

The company focused on strategic realignment and consolidation to pave the way for further growth in key markets across the US and Europe.

What is the ticker symbol for Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. on Nasdaq?

The ticker symbol for Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. on Nasdaq is 'ALCE'.

What is the goal of Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. in terms of operational assets within five years?

The company aims to reach 3GW of operational assets within five years.

Alternus Clean Energy, Inc.

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