Clean energy and new markets in the 2020 strategies of the Audax group

Q. Director Romeu, let's start with a programmatic definition. What are the directions or strategic lines of the Group between now and 2020? 
Growth and consolidation and new presence on foreign markets, investments in the generation of energy from renewable sources. The Audax Group looks to 2020 following these three directions. 
I would add that the recent decision to merge Audax Renovables - a company listed on the stock exchange - with Audax Energía goes in the direction of giving life to a large energy project. It will bring together the characteristics of a sales company very well positioned in the Iberian market (i.e. Audax Energía) with those of a company focused on renewable production (Audax Renovables) with 185MW of installed power and record financial performance: + 604% in stock value since January 2018. 
Q. The 2017 results were more than satisfactory and not only for Audax Renovables... 
Yes, without a doubt. The Audax Group closed 2017 with a turnover that exceeded 1 billion euros for the first time, with an EBITDA of over 47 million, 350 thousand customers in Europe and a presence in 8 countries around the world both as a player in the sale of light and gas (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Poland, Holland) and as a producer of energy from renewable sources (France, Poland and Panama). 
D. The expansion in terms of acquisitions, expansion of market shares and territories in which to be present therefore continues... 
Looking at the first months of 2018, Audax continued on its strategic path of expansion, integrating within itself the Andalusian UniEléctrica group, the main competitor in the Spanish market, and thus becoming the seventh operator by market share and the fourth if only the SME segment. 
A similar position is recorded in the Portuguese market, while in the Dutch market, the Audax subsidiary reached fourth place. A consolidation process is underway in Germany and Poland. 
Q. And what happens in Italy? 
In Italy, Audax - with its 55 thousand customers, is a medium-sized company, ready to face the important challenges that will arrive next year, with the complete liberalization of the energy market. The objectives - in macro terms - are the consolidation of the customer base and at the same time continued growth, the strengthening of customer care and recognition due to the reliability and transparency of the service. In particular, we wish to act on customer services, on an expansion of the tariff offer, on an increase in the share of energy coming from renewable sources. 
Q. The commitment therefore continues... 
Certainly. I add information regarding energy generation and, in particular, solar energy. In 2019, Audax Italia will start work on the construction of a 6MW photovoltaic park: an important first step towards marketing clean energy produced by its own plants and not purchased from others. 
Q. Returning to the Group and looking at 2020, is it already possible to take stock of what has been achieved so far? 
The 2015-2020 Strategic Plan is being fulfilled as expected. Indeed, some results have already materialized two years in advance. I am referring to the turnover exceeding one billion euros and the diversification of activities between Spain and the rest of Europe in similar percentages. Still to be achieved, however, are: first, a significant penetration into Latin American markets (in addition to the wind farm under construction in Panama) and, second, a share of at least 60% of marketed energy coming from clean and renewable sources. 
The Group's priority currently is to maintain its ability to have the greatest volume of energy possible at a lower price than the market price. At least two elements contribute and combine to achieve this result: having one's own production and signing agreements (the so-called PPA, Power Purchase Agreement) for the purchase of energy from renewable sources directly from producers. 
Q. In closing, what do you think are the Group's strong points? 
Our strengths are a consolidated balance sheet, commercial dynamism, a prudent attitude when it comes to taking risks, market diversification, skills and ability to operate, a vision of the future. These traits allow us to face without fear the challenges that the global market presents on a daily basis, placing the Audax Group as a unique entity in terms of value among those that occupy our portion of the market both locally and globally.