TEL-AVIV, Israel, June 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ellomay Capital Ltd. (NYSE:ELLO) (TASE: ELLO) ("Ellomay" or the "Company"), a renewable energy and power generator and developer of renewable energy and power projects in Europe, Israel and the USA, today reported its unaudited financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2024. Financial Highlights Total assets as of March 31, 2024 amounted to approximately €666.8 million, compared to total assets as of December 31, 2023 of approximately €612.9 million.   Revenues1 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were approximately €8.2 million, compared to revenues of approximately €11.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.   Loss from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was approximately €4.6 million, compared to net profit from continuing operations of approximately €3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was approximately €4.9 million, compared to net profit of approximately €3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.   EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was approximately €1.6 million, compared to EBITDA of approximately €4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. See below under "Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures" for additional disclosure concerning EBITDA.   On December 31, 2023, the Company executed an agreement to sell its holdings in the 9 MW solar plant located in Talmei Yosef. The sale was consummated following the balance sheet date, on June 3, 2024, and the net consideration received at closing was approximately NIS 42.6 million (approximately €10.6 million). In connection with the expected sale, the Company presents the results of this solar plant as a discontinued operation and the results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were adjusted accordingly.   Financial Overview for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Revenues were approximately €8.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to approximately €11.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.  The decrease in revenues mainly results from the decrease in electricity prices in Spain.   Operating expenses were approximately €4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to approximately €6.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in operating expenses mainly results from a decrease in direct taxes on turnover paid by the Company's Spanish subsidiaries as a result of reduced electricity prices. The operating expenses of the Company's Spanish subsidiaries for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were impacted by the Spanish RDL 17/2022, which established the reduction of returns on the electricity generating activity of Spanish production facilities that do not emit greenhouse gases, accomplished through payments of a portion of the revenues by the production facilities to the Spanish government. Depreciation and amortization expenses were approximately €4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to approximately €4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.   Project development costs were approximately €1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to approximately €1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in project development costs is mainly due to development expenses in connection with solar projects in the USA, Italy, and Israel.   General and administrative expenses were approximately €1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to approximately €1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in general and administrative expenses is mostly due to higher consultancy expenses.   The Company's share of profits of equity accounted investee, after elimination of intercompany transactions, was approximately €1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to approximately €1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in share of profits of equity accounted investee was mainly due to lower financing expenses incurred by Dorad for the period as a result of the CPI indexation of loans from banks.   Financing expenses, net, were approximately €3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to financing income of approximately €1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in financing expenses, net, was mainly attributable to expenses resulting from exchange rate differences amounted to approximately €0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to income resulting from exchange rate differences of approximately €4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an aggregate change of approximately €5.1 million. The exchange rate differences were mainly recorded in connection with the New Israeli Shekel ("NIS") cash and cash equivalents and the Company's NIS denominated debentures and were caused by the 0.8% appreciation of the NIS against the euro during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to a 4.8% devaluation of the NIS against the euro during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in financing expenses was partially offset by an increase in financing income of approximately €0.5 million in connection with derivatives and warrants in the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.   Tax benefit was approximately €0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to taxes on income of approximately €1.4 million in three months ended March 31, 2023. The change in tax is mainly due to deferred tax recorded in connection with carry forward loss for which deferred tax were not previously recorded, partially offset by the decrease in electricity prices in Spain, resulting in lower taxable income of the Company's Spanish subsidiaries.   Loss from discontinued operation (net of tax) was approximately €0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to a profit from discontinued operation of approximately €0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.   Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was approximately €4.9 million, compared to net profit of approximately €3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.   Total other comprehensive income was approximately €12 million for three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to total other comprehensive loss of approximately €26.6 million in three months ended March 31, 2023. The change in total other comprehensive loss mainly results from changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, including a material decrease in the fair value of the liability resulting from the financial power swap that covers approximately 80% of the output of the Talasol solar plant (the "Talasol PPA"). The Talasol PPA experienced a high volatility due to the substantial change in electricity prices in Europe. In accordance with hedge accounting standards, the changes in the Talasol PPA's fair value are recorded in the Company's shareholders' equity through a hedging reserve and not through the accumulated deficit/retained earnings. The changes do not impact the Company's consolidated net profit/loss or the Company's consolidated cash flows.   Total comprehensive income was approximately €7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to total comprehensive loss of approximately €29.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.   EBITDA was approximately €1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to approximately €4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.   Net cash from operating activities was approximately €1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to approximately €1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.   On January 16, 2024, the Company issued in an Israeli public offering units consisting of an aggregate principal amount of NIS 170 million of its newly issued Series F Debentures, due March 31, 2030, and the Series 2 Options to purchase an aggregate of 1,020,000 ordinary shares at a price per share of NIS 80 (subject to customary adjustments), which expire on January 5, 2028. The net proceeds of the offering, net of related expenses such as consultancy fee and commissions, were approximately NIS 165 million (approximately €40 million as of the issuance date).On April 17, 2024, the Company issued NIS 40 million par value of the Series F Debentures in a private placement to Israeli classified investors for an aggregate gross consideration of approximately NIS 37.8 million (approximately €9.4 million as of the issuance date), reflecting a price of NIS 0.946 per NIS 1 principal amount of the Series F Debentures. Following completion of the private placement, the aggregate outstanding par value of the Company's Series F Debentures is NIS 210 million.   CEO Review for the First Quarter of 2024 Revenues in the first quarter of 2024 were approximately €8.2 million, compared to revenues of approximately €11.7 million in the corresponding quarter last year. Most of the decrease in revenues was due to the drop in prices in Spain, which subtracted approximately €3 million from the revenues. Operating expenses in the first quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately €1.8 million compared to the corresponding quarter last year. Project development expenses in the first quarter of 2024 increased by approximately €0.3 million compared to the corresponding quarter last year. Project development expenses included non-recurring expenses of approximately €0.8 million. Excluding such non-recurring expenses, there was a decrease in project development expenses. Activity in Spain: In May 2024, the Ellomay Solar project (capacity of 28 MW) reached financial closing of project finance in the amount of €10 million for 16 years at an annual interest rate, fixed through an interest rate swap deal, of approximately 3%. After receiving the financing, the majority of the equity invested in the project was returned. In the first quarter of 2024, the trend of a strong decrease in electricity prices in Europe continued, with the exception of Italy where prices remained stable. The decrease in electricity prices in Spain was approximately 70% compared to the corresponding quarter in 2023. The most significant decrease was in March 2024, in which prices decreased by approximately 90% compared to the corresponding quarter in 2023. The main reasons for the decrease in prices in Spain during the first quarter are the relatively warm winter by 6 to 8 degrees (Celsius) above average on the one hand and substantial rainfall that caused a sharp increase in hydroelectric power generation on the other hand, when in March alone the power generation from hydro sources jumped from 2000 GW in the corresponding month in 2023 to 4700 GW. The high output of hydroelectricity also caused a corresponding decrease in the prices of green certificates. A return to normative prices was recorded only in June 2024. In the Company's estimation, this is an unusual event that affected the entire electricity sector in Europe. Despite the significant drop in electricity prices in Spain, the Company's revenues from the sale of electricity in Spain for the first quarter of 2024 did not decrease at the same rate, and stood at approximately €4.2 million, compared to revenues of approximately €7.2 million in the corresponding quarter last year. The main reason for the significant drop in electricity prices in Spain not fully impacting the Company's revenues is that most of the electricity the Company sells in Spain is under a long-term PPA. Activity of Dorad: In the first quarter of 2024, the Dorad power plant recorded an increase in profit, with net profit of approximately NIS 65.6 million, an increase of approximately NIS 11.7 million compared to the corresponding quarter last year. The Dorad power station received the approval of the National Infrastructures Committee and a positive connection survey to increase the capacity by an additional 650 MW. In addition, as of July 1, 2024, the power plant will participate in the system manager's supply tenders. Activity in the USA: In the USA, the development and construction activities of solar projects are progressing at a rapid pace and the construction of the first four projects, with a total capacity of approximately 49 MW, began in early 2024. Completion of construction and connection to the grid of two projects (in an aggregate capacity of approximately 27 MW) is expected by the end of 2024 and of the other two projects (in an aggregate capacity of approximately 22 MW) is expected in early 2025. Additional projects with an aggregate capacity of approximately 30-40 MW intended for construction in 2025 are under development. Activity in Italy: In Italy, the construction of a solar project with a capacity of approximately 18 MW (ELLO 10) has begun, and its construction is expected to be completed in September 2024, this is in addition to solar projects with a capacity of 20 MW whose construction has been completed. Of the 20 MW whose construction has been completed, 10 MW were connected to the grid in the first quarter of 2024 and another 10 MW are expected to be connected soon. Therefore, the increase in income from the sale of electricity in Italy will be reflected mainly in the second half of 2024. The construction prices of solar projects in Italy are declining from record levels of approximately €900 thousand per MW to approximately €675 thousand as of today, and the trend may continue. The Company is negotiating with the contractor for construction agreements adjusted to the new market prices. In addition to the 20 MW built and the 18 MW under construction, the Company has 467 MW of solar projects under development, of which 165 MW are ready for construction and 302 MW are in very advanced stages. New legislation in Italy prohibits the establishment of new projects on agricultural land. This prohibition increases the value of the Company's portfolio, which is not located on agricultural land. The Company estimates that new possibilities are emerging for obtaining a PPA in Italy, therefore it is expected that project financing will be possible more easily and at lower costs. Considering these developments, and the decrease in construction costs, the Company believes that its decision to slow down the pace of construction commencements to meet lower construction and financing costs was correct. Electricity prices in Italy maintain a stable level. Italy is the only country in Europe where no negative electricity prices were recorded. The main reason is local gas-based electricity generation, and no change is expected in the short and medium term. Activity in Israel: The Manara Cliff Pumped Storage Project (Company's share is 83.34%): A project with a capacity of 156 MW, which is in advanced construction stages. The Iron Swords War, which commenced on October 7, 2023, stopped the construction work on the project. The project has protection from the state for damages and losses due to the war within the framework of the tariff regulation (covenants that support financing). The project was expected to reach commercial operation during the first half of 2027 and the continuation of the Iron Swords war will cause a delay in the date of activation. The Israeli Electricity Authority currently approved a postponement of ten months of the dates for the project. The Company and its partner in the project, Ampa, invested the equity required for the project (other than linkage differences), and the remainder of the funding is from a consortium of lenders led by Mizrahi Bank, at a scope of approximately NIS 1.18 billion. Development of Solar licenses combined with storage: The Komemiyut and Qelahim Projects: each intended for 21 solar MW and 50 MW / hour batteries. The sale of electricity will be conducted through a private supplier. Commencement of construction is planned for the first quarter of 2025.The Company waived the rights it won in a solar / battery tender process in connection with these projects and therefore paid a forfeiture of guarantee in the amount of NIS 1.8 million and is in advanced negotiations with a local supplier for the execution of a long-term PPA. The Talmei Yosef Project: intended for 10 solar MW and 22 MW / hour batteries. The request for zoning approval was approved in the fourth quarter of 2023. The Talmei Yosef Storage Project in Batteries: there is a zoning approval for approximately 400 MW / hour. The project is designed for the regulation of high voltage storage. The Company also has approximately 46 solar MW under preliminary planning stages. Activity in the Netherlands: During the first quarter of 2024, the operational improvement in the Company's biogas plants continued and high production levels were maintained. In addition, significant progress was made in the process of obtaining the licenses to increase production by about 50% in the three plants. Increasing production will require only small investments and is expected to increase income and EBITDA. The establishment of the new government in the Netherlands enables the continuation of the legislative process mandating the obligation to mix green gas with fossil gas and the conclusion of the legislative process is expected soon. This legislation is expected to have a positive effect on the prices of green gas and the price of the accompanying green certificates. Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure and is defined as earnings before financial expenses, net, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The Company presents this measure in order to enhance the understanding of the Company's operating performance and to enable comparability between periods. While the Company considers EBITDA to be an important measure of comparative operating performance, EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or other statement of operations or cash flow data prepared in accordance with IFRS as a measure of profitability or liquidity. EBITDA does not take into account the Company's commitments, including capital expenditures and restricted cash and, accordingly, is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be available for discretionary uses. Not all companies calculate EBITDA in the same manner, and the measure as presented may not be comparable to similarly-titled measure presented by other companies. The Company's EBITDA may not be indicative of the Company's historic operating results; nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. The Company uses this measure internally as performance measure and believes that when this measure is combined with IFRS measure it add useful information concerning the Company's operating performance. A reconciliation between results on an IFRS and non-IFRS basis is provided on page 18 of this press release. About Ellomay Capital Ltd. Ellomay is an Israeli based company whose shares are listed on the NYSE American and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "ELLO". Since 2009, Ellomay Capital focuses its business in the renewable energy and power sectors in Europe, USA and Israel. To date, Ellomay has evaluated numerous opportunities and invested significant funds in the renewable, clean energy and natural resources industries in Israel, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Texas, USA, including: Approximately 335.9 MW of photovoltaic power plants in Spain (including a 300 MW photovoltaic plant in owned by Talasol, which is 51% owned by the Company) and approximately 9.95 MW of photovoltaic power plants in Italy;   9.375% indirect interest in Dorad Energy Ltd., which owns and operates one of Israel's largest private power plants with production capacity of approximately 850MW, representing about 6%-8% of Israel's total current electricity consumption;   Groen Gas Goor B.V., Groen Gas Oude-Tonge B.V. and Groen Gas Gelderland B.V., project companies operating anaerobic digestion plants in the Netherlands, with a green gas production capacity of approximately 3 million, 3.8 million and 9.5 million Nm3 per year, respectively;   83.333% of Ellomay Pumped Storage (2014) Ltd., which is involved in a project to construct a 156 MW pumped storage hydro power plant in the Manara Cliff, Israel;   A photovoltaic plant with installed capacity of approximately 10 MW in the Lazio Region, Italy that is ready for connection to the grid;   Ellomay Solar Italy Ten SRL that is construction a photovoltaic plant (18 MW) in Italy;   Ellomay Solar Italy Four SRL (15.06 MW), Ellomay Solar Italy Five SRL (87.2 MW), Ellomay Solar Italy Seven SRL (54.77 MW), Ellomay Solar Italy Nine SRL (8 MW) and Ellomay Solar Italy Fifteen SRL (10 MW) that are developing photovoltaic projects in Italy that have reached "ready to build" status; and   Fairfield Solar Project, LLC (13.44 MW), Malakoff Solar I, LLC (6.96 MW) and Malakoff Solar II, LLC (6.96 MW), that are constructing photovoltaic plants and Mexia Solar I, LLC (5.6 MW), Mexia Solar II, LLC (5.6 MW), and Talco Solar, LLC (10.3 MW), that are developing photovoltaic projects that have reached "ready to build" status, all in the Dallas Metropolitan area, Texas. For more information about Ellomay, visit http://www.ellomay.com. Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company's plans and objectives, expectations and assumptions of management are forward-looking statements. The use of certain words, including the words "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by the Company's forward-looking statements, including changes in electricity prices and demand, continued war and hostilities in Israel and Gaza, regulatory changes, including extension of current or approval of new rules and regulations increasing the operating expenses of manufacturers of renewable energy in Spain, increases in interest rates and inflation, changes in the supply and prices of resources required for the operation of the Company's facilities (such as waste and natural gas) and in the price of oil, the impact of continued military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, technical and other disruptions in the operations or construction of the power plants owned by the Company and general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates, including Israel, Spain, Italy and the United States. These and other risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business are described in greater detail in the filings the Company makes from time to time with Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact: Kalia Rubenbach (Weintraub)CFOTel: +972 (3) 797-1111Email:     Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position March 31, December 31, March 31, 2024 2023 2024 Unaudited Audited Unaudited € in thousands Convenience Translation into US$ in thousands* Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 82,722 51,127 89,421 Short term deposits 1,045 997 1,130 Restricted cash 729 810 788 Intangible asset from green certificates 436 553 471 Trade and other receivables 12,229 11,717 13,219 Derivatives asset short-term 1,403 275 1,517 Assets of disposal groups classified as held for sale 27,959 28,297 30,223 126,523 93,776 136,769 Non-current assets Investment in equity accounted investee 33,354 31,772 36,055 Advances on account of investments 898 898 971 Fixed assets 421,149 407,982 455,255 Right-of-use asset 31,738 30,967 34,308 Restricted cash and deposits 16,343 17,386 17,667 Deferred tax 5,559 8,677 6,009 Long term receivables 11,164 10,446 12,068 Derivatives 20,082 10,948 21,708 540,287 519,076 584,041 Total assets 666,810 612,852 720,810 Liabilities and Equity Current liabilities Current maturities of long-term bank loans 9,710 9,784 10,496 Current maturities of long-term loans 5,000 5,000 5,405 Current maturities of debentures 34,478 35,200 37,270 Trade payables 9,159 5,249 9,900 Other payables 14,357 10,859 15,520 Current maturities of derivatives - 4,643 - Current maturities of lease liabilities 741 700 801 Liabilities of disposal groups classified as held for sale 17,409 17,142 18,819 90,854 88,577 98,211 Non-current liabilities Long-term lease liabilities 24,488 23,680 26,471 Long-term bank loans 238,999 237,781 258,354 Other long-term loans 28,618 29,373 30,936 Debentures 144,633 104,887 156,346 Deferred tax 2,588 2,516 2,798 Other long-term liabilities 4,379 939 4,734 443,705 399,176 479,639 Total liabilities 534,559 487,753 577,850 Equity Share capital 25,613 25,613 27,687 Share premium 86,189 86,159 93,169 Treasury shares (1,736) (1,736) (1,877) Transaction reserve with non-controlling Interests 5,697 5,697 6,158 Reserves 10,955 4,299 11,842 Accumulated deficit (8,650) (5,037) (9,351) Total equity attributed to shareholders of the Company 118,068 114,995 127,628 Non-Controlling Interest 14,183 10,104 15,332 Total equity 132,251 125,099 142,960 Total liabilities and equity 666,810 612,852 720,810 * Convenience translation into US$ (exchange rate as at March 31, 2024: euro 1 = US$ 1.081)                                   Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the three months ended March 31, For the year ended December 31, For the three months ended March 31, 2024 **2023 2023 2024 Unaudited Audited Unaudited € in thousands (except per share data) Convenience Translation into US$* Revenues 8,243 11,733 48,834 8,911 Operating expenses (4,563)