Core Viewpoint - The company, Hong Kong and China Gas, is expanding its clean energy solutions and has shown significant growth in revenue and profit, particularly in its core natural gas sales and renewable energy sectors [1][2]. Group 1: Company Overview - Hong Kong and China Gas, established in 1862, is a leading utility provider in Hong Kong and one of the largest energy suppliers globally, focusing on smart energy solutions [1]. - The company operates city gas distribution and is actively expanding its smart energy systems, including renewable energy generation and digital energy management services [1]. Group 2: Financial Performance - The company's revenue has grown from HKD 12.85 billion in 2020 to HKD 21.31 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 13.5% [1]. - The net profit attributable to shareholders reached HKD 1.606 billion in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of HKD 31 million, while core profit rose by 34.5% to HKD 1.601 billion [1]. - The natural gas sales segment remains the primary revenue source, accounting for 80% of total revenue in 2024 [1]. Group 3: Industry Trends - The growth rate of gas sales in the city gas industry is slowing, but the gross margin is expected to improve, with major companies like Hong Kong and China Gas seeing increases in their margins [1]. - The total number of city gas projects reached 191 in 2024, with gas sales volume hitting 17.201 billion cubic meters, a 4.5% increase year-on-year [1]. Group 4: Renewable Energy Development - The company has invested in over 1,000 renewable energy projects across 24 provinces, with a cumulative installed capacity of 2.3 GW in distributed solar power [2]. - The renewable energy business turned profitable in 2023, achieving a net profit of HKD 0.78 billion, and is projected to reach HKD 4.79 billion in 2024, a fivefold increase [2]. Group 5: Profit Forecast and Valuation - The forecasted net profits for 2025, 2026, and 2027 are HKD 1.625 billion, HKD 1.68 billion, and HKD 1.734 billion, respectively, with corresponding EPS of HKD 0.45, HKD 0.46, and HKD 0.48 [2]. - The company is currently valued below its peers in terms of PE and significantly lower in PB, indicating potential for valuation recovery [2].
港华智慧能源(01083.HK)：城燃业务扎实稳健 可再生能源打造增长极