Copel(ELP) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a recurring EBITDA of 1.3 billion BRL, an increase of almost 8% compared to the same period last year [6] - Recurring net income was 375 million BRL, reflecting a decrease of 36.5% year-on-year due to rising financial costs despite the EBITDA increase [18] - Capital expenditures (CapEx) for Q3 totaled 981 million BRL, with a year-to-date total of 2.6 billion BRL, indicating a strong commitment to service quality and asset modernization [6][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Copel Generation and Transmission (GenCo) contributed 53% to the recurring EBITDA, with GenCo's EBITDA growing 11% year-on-year due to better asset performance and strategic consolidations [14] - The distribution segment (Copel Discom) saw a recurring EBITDA increase of 7.2%, driven by a 1.7% growth in the billed energy market and efficient cost management [15] - Copel Trading (Copel Com) experienced a decline in EBITDA by 7.3% due to legacy contracts and increased expenses, although sales volume for 2026 to 2030 grew significantly by 96.2% [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The sales volume reached almost 5 gigawatt-hours, with a market growth of 1.7% in the distribution segment [8] - The spot market price (PLD) increased by nearly 50% compared to Q3 2024, reaching about 250 BRL per megawatt-hour [8] - The generation segment faced challenges with a Generation Scaling Factor (GSF) of approximately 65% and curtailment of nearly 35% [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on simplifying its portfolio, as evidenced by the divestment of four photovoltaic solar plants and the Baixo Iguaçu HPP [7] - A strategic shift towards a more transparent shareholder structure is underway, with plans to unify share classes to enhance liquidity and attract new investors [11] - The company is preparing for a historical tariff review in 2026, emphasizing the importance of operational efficiency and capital allocation [18][50] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the resilience of the business despite challenging market conditions and expressed confidence in achieving favorable outcomes in the upcoming tariff review [50][52] - The company is committed to maintaining a healthy capital structure to support ongoing investments and value creation for shareholders [21] - Management acknowledged the impact of external factors such as rising interest rates and regulatory changes on financial performance but remains optimistic about long-term growth [18][54] Other Important Information - The company is actively preparing for the Copel Day event, where it will present its strategic vision and investment plans for the future [12][47] - The migration to the Novo Mercado is expected to be completed by the end of December 2025, which will facilitate dividend announcements [24][25] - The company is exploring opportunities in battery storage and renewable energy projects, assessing their competitiveness in future auctions [38][39] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the expected timeline for the migration to Novo Mercado and dividend announcements? - Management confirmed that the migration is expected to be completed by the end of December 2025, with dividends anticipated to be announced thereafter [24][25] Question: How does the company plan to continue reducing costs in the future? - Management indicated ongoing efforts to capture efficiencies, with a focus on specific business units and shared services to achieve cost reductions by 2026 [26] Question: What is the strategy for the Generation and Trading segments moving forward? - Management discussed the development of an internal expertise for trading strategies and emphasized the importance of hedging and market intelligence to maximize portfolio value [28][30] Question: What are the expectations for the upcoming tariff review process? - Management highlighted the significance of the tariff review, expressing confidence in exceeding market consensus and ensuring a favorable outcome based on past performance [50][52] Question: How does the company view the impact of MP 1304 on its operations? - Management acknowledged potential impacts from compulsory contracting but remains optimistic about the long-term benefits of hydroelectric products and competitive bidding processes [54][56]