ISA Energía Brasil S.A. (ISAE4) Earnings Call Transcript & Summary

Good morning, everyone. Thank you for standing by. Welcome to the conference call to disclose the results of the fourth quarter of 2024 of ISA Energía Brasil. For those who require simultaneous translation, we have this tool available on the platform. [Operator Instructions] We point out that this conference is being recorded and will be made available at the IR of the company, www.ir.isaenergiabrasil.com.br, where the complete material is available. [Operator Instructions] Forward-looking statements related to the business prospects of ISA Energía Brasil, projections and its growth potential are assumptions based on the expectations of the management in relation to the future of the company. Those expectations are highly dependent on changes in the market, the general economic performance of the country, the industries and international markets, and they are subject to change. Forward-looking statements are no guarantee of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions since they refer to future events and, therefore, depend on circumstances that may or may not occur. Investors must understand that general economic conditions, market conditions and other operating factors may affect the future performance of ISA Energía Brasil and lead to results that differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Today, we have the officers of the company, Rui Chammas, CEO of ISA Energía Brasil, together with Silvia Diniz Wada, Executive Director and IRO, and other officers of the company. I'll turn the floor over to Mr. Chammas. You may proceed, sir.

Please let's move on to Slide #3. 2024 was a year of many challenges and a lot of work for ISA Energía Brasil. Guided by its strategy of generating sustainable value, the company continued to evolve and generate value for its shareholders, while investing in new assets to ensure the corporate longevity and creating positive social and environmental impacts by playing a central role in the energy transition, connecting renewable sources to energy consumers. Here are 4 highlights of the year that are in line with the constant search for value generation. The company celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024. And to celebrate the history created during this period in which it transformed itself from a local energy transmission company with operations in only in the state of São Paulo into a national leader player with 35 concession contracts distributed in 18 states. Thus, in November, we updated the corporate name, brand and trading code of shares to celebrate this evolution and unify the way the company is known to ISA Energía Brasil. Thus, it's worth remembering that the trading code of ISA Energía Brasil. So it's no longer TRPL. And now the preferred shares are now identified as ISAE4 ticker. Another highlight was the secondary public offering of shares held in July, a move by which Eletrobras sold 93 million preferred shares issued by ISA Energía Brasil. And now as a consequence, it holds 29% of the preferred shares and 22% of the total share capital. The offering, which played an important role in the volume of trading and liquidity of the shares does not impact our governance or corporate strategy. In 2024, we completed the construction of Minuano project, which went into operation 4 months ahead of ANEEL deadline and with an efficiency of 14% in relation to the updated ANEEL CapEx. I also highlight that periodic tariff review of Concessão Paulista, which recognized investment in retrofitting and improvements with an efficiency of 89% in relation to the price database, increasing the regulatory remuneration base of the contract by 2% compared to the RTP of 2018. In addition, Concessão Paulista remained as a benchmark in efficiency in operation and maintenance costs and will receive as a consequence, an 18% premium on its costs until the next RTP schedule for 2028. RTP's result together with the annual adjustment resulted in '23 increase in the annual permitted revenue, or RAP, ex-RBSE of Concessão Paulista for the '24-'25 cycle. Let's move on to the next slide, please. The economic and financial highlights of 2024 are net revenue of BRL 4.6 billion, which grew 14.3% in the year with a growth of 14.6%. We have the greenfield project, and we still have an investment portfolio of around BRL 13 billion to execute until 2029. The company's financial discipline allowed us to combine the sustainable growth with shareholders' remuneration. And in December, we announced the distribution of BRL 1.6 billion in interest on equity. This amount is equivalent to BRL 2.36 per share with a payout of 75% of regulatory net income and represents a dividend yield of 10.3%. Now let's move on to Slide 5. On this slide, I would like to explore a little more about the record investment that we made in the previous year. I will start on this slide with a greenfield project that guarantee the longevity of the company with average real shareholders' return rates of double digits, and they bring a new period revenues of 30 years that will be earned by the company. The investments grew 167% compared to 2023 to approximately BRL 2.3 billion that were allocated to 7 projects. This growth was driven by the start of the construction of Piraquê project and the progress in the works of Riacho Grande and Minuano projects, which was energized in December, as I said. And thus, we started to receive an annual RAP of BRL 15 million. As a result, our portfolio also has 6 projects in execution and a remaining investment of approximately BRL 8 billion. When energized, these projects will enable the receipt of an RAP -- additional RAP of BRL 979 million. Let's move on to the next slide. The investment in the reinforcement and improvement of projects has been increasing consistently over the past few years. In 2024, invested BRL 1.4 billion, 12% more than the amount invested in 2023. In 2024, the company received new authorizations for the execution of projects totaling an investment around BRL 1.7 billion. And as a result, the portfolio of already authorized total investments reached BRL 5.5 billion, as you can see on the left. We would also like to remind that these projects are entitled to receive RAP, an amount that varies between 12% and 17% of the total investment and increase the security and reliability of the network, especially in São Paulo, minimizing the risks of equipment failures, maintenance costs and updating the asset base, which is essential to ensure quality service for the quality in the long term. It's worth noting the investments in reinforcement and improvements are concentrated in renewed contracts from São Paulo's concession, and that the revenue of part of the projects energized between 2027 will be received after the tariff, the periodical debt review in 2028 when these projects are going to be reassessed in the regulation base. Now I would like to give the floor to our CFO, Silvia Wada, who's going to talk about the financial results of Q4 2024. Silvia, please.

Thank you, Rui. The net revenue of the company has grown 4% in Q4 2024 to BRL 1.2 billion, driven by the ex-RBSE revenue that grew alone 22%. In addition to the update of the RAP by the IPCA period, the revenue from the São Paulo's concession contributed to this increase with minor projects that were energized between 2028 and 2022 and the incorporation of the RAP of large-scale reinforcements energized in '23-'24 cycle. These factors were partially offset by depreciation of shielded asset base. Revenue for tended contracts grew 20% in Q4 due to the energization of Minuano project that has an RAP of BRL 50 million. The revenue of the quarter also grew in advances and improvements, which advanced part of the revenue associated to small revenues totaling BRL 36 million with retroactive receiving for the previous tariff cycle due to the postponement of the periodic tariff review. Despite the reduction of the RBSE, the year-to-date net revenue growth was even higher, reaching 14%. In addition to the factors that impacted Q4, the year's result also improved due to the end of the profiling of the financial component of RBSE in June 2023 and the accounting of periodic tariff review adjustment installments in 3Q '24. Costs with personnel, materials, services and others, PMSO, also grew 3% in Q4, led by personnel expenses, which grew to collective agreement signed in the second half of 2024 and one-off expenses related to changes in the employees' health plans. These impacts were partially offset by higher capitalization of technical staff hours and lower expenses in contracting services. The highlight is for year-to-date results of 2024, which shows the control of costs since they grew in turn 4.5% in line with inflation, if we disregard the variation in costs with private pension entities, which do not have a cash effect and are assessed every year using NTMB as reevaluations for future liabilities. The increase in costs in 2024 of this balance of the pension -- private pension reflected the reduction in the discount rate used to calculate the present value of future obligations due to the drop. Now let's move to Slide #8, please. In addition to the operational performance presented, the company's performance is related to the cost of assets, which is related to reinforcements and improvements and also by a nonrecurring contingency of BRL 70 million related to the lawsuit of minority shareholders of EPTE who claim the annuity of its incorporation carried out in 2001 by ISA Energía Brasil or the declaration of their right for withdrawal and termination payment reimbursement amount. As a result, the company's consolidated EBITDA totaled BRL 794 million in Q4 '24. The consolidated EBITDA grew 13.2% to BRL 3.5 billion, while the EBITDA of joint subsidiaries grew 20.4% to BRL 713 million in 2024 with an operational highlight to Ivaí, which started to receive 100% of the venue after Q1 2024. In addition to all the effects already discussed, the net income was impacted by higher financial expenses as a result of higher level of indebtedness and the events observed in debt indexes such as CDI and IPCA. In addition to the nonrecurring contingency to minority shareholders of EPTE, net income was also impacted by the nonrecurring effect of BRL 27 million with retroactive adjustment of depreciation of some contracts that were tendered. As a result, the net income for the quarter went down 10% to BRL 810 million. Despite the reduction of the net income for the quarter, the accumulated net income grew 7% to BRL 2.1 billion. Let's move to the next slide. Now continuing the distribute -- the following the practice of paying out at least 75% of regulatory net income, we announced the payout of BRL 1.555 billion in the form of interest in equity. This amount is equivalent to BRL 2.36 per share, which represents a dividend yield of 10.3% for the 2024 closing price of preferred shares. As I mentioned on other occasions, our dividend payout policy does not provide for distribution -- periodical distribution, and we want to have flexibility, and this is important for us. Thus, when the opportunity arises, we will distribute proceeds more than one payment as we did in December when we divided the amount into 3 payments. The first 2 payments were made in January and February and the last installment of these payments will be made on March 21, becoming [ ex rights ] on March 12. On next slide, you can see the company's debt position in December 31, 2024. We ended 2024 with a gross debt of BRL 13.3 billion and a net debt of BRL 10.2 billion. In December 31, 2023, if we take that date and we see the increase, this increase is explained by the funding of the company's investments such as the 15th, 16th and 17th debenture issuances carried out during the year. As a result, the company's leverage ratio measured by net debt over EBITDA ratio ended the period at 2.72x. In addition to the funds raised throughout the year, in early 2024, we settled the last capital market debt that still had a financial covenant. And currently, our debt has an average maturity of 7.6 years with an average nominal cost of 11.83%, equivalent to IPCA plus 6.63% per year. In July, Fitch reaffirmed our corporate rating as AAA on a local scale with a stable outlook, highlighting the predictability and security of inflation protected revenue and strong operating cash generation. I reinforce that we follow our financial discipline to maintain our credit rating and good access to capital and thus balance responsible growth that is also profitable with the practice of paying out at least 75% of the regulatory net income. Next slide, please. On the performance of our preferred shares, ISAE4 in the capitals market, we have an increase of liquidity over the past few years, measured by “ADTV, which is average daily traded volume. This volume went from BRL 43 million in 2022, which provided return to IBOVESPA in 2023 to BRL 72 million in 2024. The chart on the right-hand side show ISAE4's position in B3's trading ranking ending 2024 at the 61st most traded stock among approximately 450 stocks listed, and it's accumulated tradability closed the year at 78.3%, 12 percent points beyond what is required to stay in IBOVESPA. Now I end my presentation. I give the floor back to Rui.

Thank you, Silvia. Now let's move to the next slide, please. Before closing our presentation, I would like to comment on our progress on the sustainability agenda. Year-to-date results show a 2% increase in SF6 gas losses. So we ended the year with a loss per installed park of 0.28%, the same as 2023 and lower the reference of an international standard of the International Electrotechnical Commission, which is 0.5%. Also in 2024, we increased our energy consumption, while reducing water consumption. Regardless of the results that we are reporting, we continue with our objective of reducing our carbon footprint in the long term and in this manner, we are going to advance in the next few years in a very firm way. Lastly, to conclude the presentation, let's move to the next slide, please. As a conclusion of our presentation, I would like to thank you very much for your attention for attending our conference call and listening to us reporting our results for 2024. I would also like to share with you the main highlights that make ISAE4 a very good share, a company that should deserve the attention of investors as part of a long-term value generation strategy. Our company has a resilient business model with predictable revenues that are also protected against inflation. Our opportunities are driven by the energy transition, in addition to assuring opportunities for investments that arise from the update of what we have under responsibility, which provide growth to the company. We make the most of our competitive advantages, considerations new concessions and also seeking more economic solutions to continue operating, maintaining and increasing our assets in Brazil, which has been proved in the track record that we showed during this presentation. We manifest our financial discipline with behaviors that assure profitable growth with payout of dividends. And in this manner, we can make value creation, perennial and sustainable for all our shareholders. And finally, we preserve the long-term vision, always trying to conduct activities that will create value for our shareholders with a positive social and environmental impact. So this slide summarizes the main points that make ISA Energía Brasil a different company in the industry -- in the utilities industry dedicated to energy transmission, fully dedicated to the energy transition that is so important for our country. I would like to thank you very much for your attention and to give the floor to the operator to start our questions-and-answer session. And I and other officers will be available to answer any questions you may have. Thank you so much.

We are now going to start the Q&A session. [Operator Instructions] Our first question comes from Mr. Mario with Safra Bank.

Could you provide an update on the discussion on RBSE at ANEEL? And the second question, could you provide more details about the process, the lawsuit of EPTE that was moved by the minority shareholders?

Thank you for the question. I'm Director of the regulatory area. And answering the first part of your question in relation to RBSE, the topic continues to be analyzed by ANEEL Board. And as a relevant update is that director asked the ANEEL report from the -- that has to be provided up to April 15. And ANEEL is likely to provide the decision in 2025.

And before moving on to Cláudio, our Legal Director, we have 2 additional questions related to EPTE. João Pedro Herrero, analyst of Santander and [indiscernible] asked for more information. And they also asked if the amount already considers a worst-case scenario. And if this payment would lead to the cancellation of the shares. Carlos, you have the floor.

Answering the question, as a brief history, this is a lawsuit back of 2001. And the provision that we made is connected with the recent update that was presented in the case after the judge asked for further information. She asked us to make the calculation of the amount involved. Yes, and we believe this is the worst-case scenario based on the decisions that are valid so far. There is still room for appeal. So the company continues to defend its right in this case, but the provision is already adjusted for the worst-case scenario. In relation to provisions, we do not have any expectations of having this amount increased and the company is always alert to any updates that happened at the legal instance. And may -- and we are always making the proper adjustments. In relation to the shares, the lawsuits, the payment of the indemnification, if this is the final decision, it's against the filing of the lawsuits at the treasury. We are going to wait for the final decision, and we depend on the completion of all the case.

Our next question comes from [ Fabio Jabi ], investor.

The company is comfortable with the increase of 29.4% of the net debt and also the leverage increased to 2.75x -- 2.72x.

This is Silvia speaking. We believe that for a transmission company that has invested BRL 3.6 billion in a single year, whose EBITDA was BRL 3.5 billion, moved from 2.39x net debt over EBITDA to 2.72x according to BNDES metrics, it is a situation which is very comfortable, very adequate. And we would even say that even if we reached 4x in this indicator, that would still be very proper considering the predictable profile of cash flow of our business.

Our next question comes from [ Villines Moreira ], investor.

Could you provide more color on the SEFAZ-SP case?

Yes. As an update, at the end of the year, we had the cancellation of the lawsuit. And the Commission of Mediation made this decision. So we are going to wait for the hearing for the mediation process in order to close the process. So we are still waiting for the beginning of the mediation process.

Our next question comes from [ Fernando ], investor.

In relation to the increase of the leverage ratio for the company when compared to the previous year, is there any risk of the dividend policy that has a 75% of payout? Should this increase continue?

There is no discussion in this regard. Our practice is going to maintain that 75% payout as a minimum level of the regulatory net income.

[Operator Instructions] Our next question comes from Bruno Oliveira. He has 2 questions on his side. He's a VDA analyst. The first question is, what is the Selic rate you use for your projections for 2025? Is there any possibility of reducing the speed of investments if the macro context becomes more challenging than what we see now? And the second question, thinking about the remuneration, the proceeds, the payment made to the shareholders, is the new normal to have 3 payments in the beginning of the year?

Thank you for the question, Bruno. In relation to Selic rate that we use, we consider different scenarios. We base ourselves in different sources when we do our projections. So in relation to the possibility of reducing the speed of investments, the answer is no. Our projections, our plans are all able to stand any fluctuations the market has. And even if we -- if there's an increase in the interest rate as we have seen recently, we still manage -- of course, we have to make adaptations to our strategy of financing strategy. And we're always going to look at the best offers that we have at the time we do the capture. There may be an expected fluctuation in the short term, but I would like to remind you that our investments have a very long cycle of about 30 years. So in the long run, we also can make refinancings. We can change the maturity of those tools. And so much so that today, our portfolio continues with an average of profitability of double digit, considering also that our bids in the auctions have some margin to consider an expected situation of what we estimated in the auction. So we do not expect to have any changes in the macroeconomic context. In relation to the remuneration to shareholders, once again, I would like to say that our practice is to pay 75% of the regulatory net income as a minimum. And we are always alert to the market demand. And whenever it is possible, we'll make some changes, flexibilization in the amount of payment. But it's not something related to a new recurring practice to be adopted from now on.

Our next question comes from [ Paulo Andre ], individual investor.

Is there any expectations to have projects for 2025 all coming into operation, I mean?

Thank you very much for the question. This is Dayron Urrego, Productive Director of ISA Energia. [ Paulo ], for this year, we have our greenfield portfolio that would include 6 projects in execution. Out of them, 4 are being completed according to the schedule. And for this year, we expect to energize 2 projects, Água Vermelha project works are very advanced and Riacho Grande also, which is being completed in the city of São Paulo. It's an underground project, and it's going very well. In addition, we are going to continue executing our works at Jacarandá and Piraquê. Piraquê project started its works in August last year, and we have celebrated the 1,000th project tower, showing that Piraquê project is advancing very well according to our schedule. Thank you for the question.

Our next question comes from [ Afieez Alli Vera ], investor.

How would the company evaluate the participation in auctions of transmission and batteries for this year?

We've been following the auction plan. And this year, a transmission auction is expected to be held in the semester, and it's relatively small. We haven't made any decisions in this regard. And we are going to make decisions more further into the future. In relation to battery auctions, there's no fixed date of when an auction will take place. There was a public consultation in relation to the guidelines for that action. And at this level, we are just on the watch out and contributing in the regulatory discussions rather than making definite decisions at this moment.

Our next question comes from [ Lucus Barbosa ], investor.

Do you believe that considering all the investments made, this will be enough for the profit to reach at the same level when the RBSE revenues finish?

Thank you for the question, [ Lucas ]. In fact, our growth strategy, so-called each 30 had as an objective to use the resources of RBSE in order to accelerate the growth of the company. And this is what we have been doing so far. In the past 5 years, we put into operation more than 12 projects. We have greenfield projects, which are under construction nowadays in addition to the growth in retrofitting an improvement. The financial component is BRL 1.6 billion only in greenfield projects that would include the recently energized project called Minuano. We have estimation of BRL 1 billion that will last for another 30 years. And to this amount, we will be adding all the values that will be recognized in the next tariff review, and we are investing BRL 5 billion and the revenue is estimated at a growth of 18% for the next 5 years since the last tariff review. So we are going to have a revenue growth that would offset the drop of RBSE in the financial dimension that we paid up to 2028.

[Operator Instructions] Our questions-and-answer session has now ended. Now I would like to give the floor back to Rui Chammas for his closing remarks. Please, Mr. Chammas.

We had a minor audio glitch here. So thank you so much for your interest in coming to listen to the results of 2024. Our Investor Relations team remains available to you if you have any questions to ask. And the team may also answer any questions that maybe we did not answer during our conference call. Thank you all very much. Have a good day and good Carnival holiday next week. Thank you.

The conference call to announce the results of Q4 of 2024 of ISA Energía Brasil has now ended. The Investor Relations website and team are available to answer any questions you may have. Thank you so much for all our attendance. Have a good day. [Statements in English on this transcript were spoken by an interpreter present on the live call.]