Ellomay Capital - 20-F annual report 2021

As the raw materials used to produce energy in the WtE market are not freely available (as is the case with wind and solar energies), the success of a WtE plant depends, among other things, on the prices of feedstock required in order to maintain the optimal mix of feedstock necessary to maximize performance of the plants and meet a certain of range of energy (gas, electricity or heat) production levels. In order to ensure continuous supply of raw materials, both in terms of the quantity and the quality and composition of the raw materials, a WtE plant is required to enter into supply relationships with several feedstock suppliers, such as farmers, food manufacturers and other specialized feedstock suppliers and to continuously monitor the proposed transactions in order to locate the most efficient and beneficial offers. Any increase in the price of feedstock or shortage in the type or quality of feedstock required to produce the desired energy levels with the technology used by the plant could slow down or halt operations, causing a material adverse effect on the results of operations. The price and quality of the feedstock mix might also increase the plant’s operating costs, either due to the need to purchase a more expensive feedstock mix in order to meet the desired energy production levels, or due to an increase in residues and the resulting increase of surplus quantities that require removal. In addition to the impact of the quality of the feedstock on the production levels, maintaining and monitoring the feedstock quality is crucial for preventing malfunctions in the process, for example due to high levels of certain chemicals that might harm the CHP engines. Additionally, a wrong feedstock mix and/or low feedstock quality might create biology problems such as lower bacteria population, which directly adversely impacts the biogas production. Therefore, any shortage of quality feedstock and changes in the feedstock mix available for use could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations of our WtE plants.

The WtE industry is subject to many laws and regulations which govern the protection of the environment, quality control standards, health and safety requirements, and the management, transportation and disposal of different types of waste. Environmental laws and regulations may require removal or remediation of pollutants and may impose civil and criminal penalties for violations. The costs arising from compliance with environmental laws and regulations may increase operating costs for our WtE plants and we may be exposed to penalties for failure to comply with such laws and regulations. In addition, existing regulation governing waste management and waste disposal provide incentives to feedstock suppliers to use waste management solutions such as the provision of feedstock to WtE plants. Any regulatory changes that impose additional environmental restrictions on the WtE industry or that relieve feedstock suppliers from the stringent regulation concerning waste management and disposal could increase our operating costs, limit or change the cost of the feedstock available to us, and adversely affect our results of operations.

The operation of the Dorad Power Plant is highly complex and depends upon the continued ability: (i) to operate the various turbines, and (ii) to turn the turbines on and shut them down quickly based on demand. The profitability of Dorad also depends on the accuracy of the proprietary forecasting system used by Dorad. Any defects or disruptions, or inaccuracies in forecasts, may result in an inability to provide the amount of electricity required by Dorad’s customers or in over-production, both of which could have a material adverse effect on Dorad’s operations and profitability.

Dorad’s operations depend upon the expertise and success of its operations and maintenance contractor, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Dorad Power Plant. If the services provided by such contractor will cause delays in the production of energy or any other damage to the Dorad Power Plant or to Dorad’s customers, Dorad may be subject to claims for damages and to additional expenses and losses and therefore Dorad’s profitability could be adversely affected.

Significant equipment failures may limit Dorad’s production of energy. Although such damages are generally covered by insurance policies, any such failures may cause disruption in the production, may not all be covered by the insurance and the correction of such failures may involve a considerable amount of resources and investment and could therefore adversely affect Dorad’s profitability.

The construction of the Dorad Power Plant was mainly financed by a consortium of financing entities pursuant to a long-term credit facility and such credit facility provides for pre-approval by the consortium of certain of Dorad’s actions and contracts with third parties. Changes in the credit ratings of Dorad and its shareholders, non-compliance with financing and other covenants, delays in provision of required pre-approvals or disagreements with the financial entities and additional factors may adversely affect Dorad’s operations and profitability.

Dorad entered into a long-term natural gas supply agreement with the partners in the “Tamar” license, or Tamar, located in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Israel. This agreement includes a “take or pay” mechanism, subject to certain restrictions and conditions that may result in Dorad paying for natural gas not actually required for its operations. In addition, Tamar is currently (until the agreement regarding the acquisition of natural gas from Energean Israel Ltd., or Energean, becomes effective) Dorad’s sole supplier of natural gas and has undertaken to supply natural gas to various customers and is permitted to export a certain amount of the natural gas to customers outside of Israel. Dorad’s operations depend on the timely, continuous and uninterrupted supply of natural gas from Tamar and on the existence of sufficient reserves throughout the term of the agreement with Tamar. In addition, the price of natural gas under the supply agreement with Tamar is linked to production tariffs determined by the Israeli Electricity Authority but cannot be lower than the “final floor price” included in the agreement. In the event of future reductions in the fuel and energy prices and the production tariff, the price of gas may reach the “floor price” and thereafter will not be further reduced. Any delays, disruptions, increases in the price of natural gas under the agreement, or shortages in the gas supply from Tamar will adversely affect Dorad’s results of operations.

The Dorad power plant is subject to environmental regulations, aimed at increasing the protection of the environment and reducing environmental hazards, including by way of imposing restrictions regarding noise, harmful emissions to the environment and handling of hazardous materials. Currently the costs of compliance with the foregoing requirements are not material. Any breach or other noncompliance with the applicable laws may cause Dorad to incur additional costs due to penalties and fines and expenses incurred in order to regain compliance with the applicable laws, all of which may have an adverse effect on Dorad’s profitability and results of operations.

Due to the agreements with contractors of the Dorad Power Plant and the indexation included in the gas supply agreement, Dorad is exposed to changes in the exchange rates of the U.S. dollar against the NIS. To minimize this exposure Dorad executed forward transactions to purchase U.S. dollars against the NIS. In addition, due to the indexing to the Israeli consumer price index under Dorad’s credit facility, it is exposed to fluctuations in the Israeli CPI, which may adversely affect its results of operations and profitability. Dorad’s profitability might be adversely affected due to future changes in exchange rates or in the Israeli consumer price index.

Dorad is involved in several arbitration and court proceedings initiated by Dorad’s shareholders, including Dori Energy. Disagreements and disputes among shareholders may interfere with Dorad’s operations and specifically with Dorad’s business plan and potential growth.

The Covid-19 crisis affects Dorad’s customers (which include hotels and other industrial customers), and therefore any decrease in electricity consumption by Dorad’s customers and in Israel generally (affecting the amount of electricity purchased by the IEC from Dorad), may affect Dorad’s financial results. In its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, Dorad reported a certain decrease in consumption of electricity by its customers and by the IEC due to the Covid-19 crisis, which according to Dorad’s financial statements did not have a material impact on Dorad as of December 31, 2021, and it is continuously examining the options available to it in the event of a material impact on in its income as a result of the spread of Covid-19.

increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic, industry or business conditions and cross currency movements and limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our industry and the economy in general;

requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to service our debt, thus reducing the funds available for operations and future business development; and

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to operate, develop and expand our business.