- Surging Revenues and Expanding European Footprint Fuel LHYFE’s Aggressive Push Towards Enhanced Profit Margins and a Sustainable Energy Future
Nantes (France)–At its meeting held on 27 March 2024, the Board of Directors of Lhyfe (Euronext Paris – FR0014009YQ1 – LHYFE), independent producer of green hydrogen to decarbonise industry and mobility, approved its consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year 2023 (from 1 January to 31 December 2023). The consolidated financial statements were audited, and an audit report will be issued in April by the statutory auditors.
Matthieu Guesné, Founder and Chairman and CEO of Lhyfe: “ In 2023, Lhyfe achieved significant milestones in the green hydrogen sector, marking a crucial step towards a sustainable energy future and solidifying our position as pioneers. Key commercial and operational achievements include signing of new clients, doubling our revenues, and entering new partnerships. Looking ahead to 2024, we will focus on the value creation for our shareholders as we start to deploy our enhanced model towards an accelerated profitability.”
A new model to accelerate our profitability
Lhyfe aims at becoming a leader in the production of green hydrogen in Europe, by deploying production units on a larger scale.
Lhyfe has developed a unique expertise in project development, project construction and plant operations. Given its high-quality pipeline of 75+ projects representing a total investment of over €10bn, there is a huge appetite observed from blue chip investors to fund these projects.
1/ Based on its industrial and commercial track record, Lhyfe intends to co-develop projects with investors and to sell the associated development, construction and operations services (through development and asset management fees) bringing long-term revenues and higher return on equity.
- Projects to be funded with one or more financial or industrial partners seeking to invest into the green hydrogen sector, and who would own up to 100% of the site.
- Revenues comprising i) development fees received by Lhyfe at the beginning of the project, reflecting the expertise and unique know-how of Lhyfe’s teams in terms of hydrogen project development, and 2) recurring long-term revenues from asset management by Lhyfe.
- Lhyfe targets to close a partnership for 1 GW of projects by end 2024
2/ In parallel, Lhyfe will pursue the construction and operation of its own projects and sell green hydrogen to multiple clients.
- Production units owned by Lhyfe
- Long-term, recurrent, resilient revenues based on offtake contracts of green hydrogen
- c. 20% of assets under management in 2030
Lhyfe aims at benefitting from both an accelerated profitability and recurring and resilient profits over the long term.
A new trajectory focused on accelerating profitability
Based on this new model, Lhyfe’s trajectory is now tilted towards an earlier EBITDA breakeven, as reflected in our new objectives. In this context, Lhyfe’s ambition[1] is now translates into the following objectives:
- For FY 2024:
- Revenues expected to be multiplied by x4 versus 2023
- Installed capacity of 20 MW representing a production capacity of up to 8 t/day (vs 55 MW previously)
- For FY 2026:
- Accelerated profitability: 2026 Group EBITDA margin[2] target improved to 10% based on 2026 revenues expected at €100m (versus EBITDA at breakeven based on €200m revenue previously)
Multiple operational and commercial milestones achieved in 2023
1 – Strong increase in revenue in 2023: x2.2 compared to 2022
In 2023 Lhyfe has more than doubled its revenue to €1.3 million, compared with €0.6 million in 2022, reflecting the ramp-up of the Bouin production unit which runs now at full capacity and the expansion of the customers portfolio, both in France (Hype, Brétéché, Manitou, John Deere, etc.) and for the first time in Germany (Hypion, etc.).
To meet the growing customer demand in the region, the current installed production capacity of 0.75 MW at the Bouin site will be increased to 2.5 MW (i.e. a maximum of 1 tonne of green hydrogen produced per day) in 2024. The on-site storage capacity, currently around 700 kg, will be increased to almost 5 tonnes.
2 – Larger projects starting construction phase in 2023
In 2023, Lhyfe’s teams continued to deliver on the many sites within our pipeline and notably launched the construction of new 5 MW and 10 MW sites. As of 31 December 2023, projects in “Construction” phase represented 39 MW of installed capacity, versus 9 MW as at end 2022.
Among projects in Construction phase in 2023, the following developments should be highlighted:
- In France:
- In December 2023, Lhyfe inaugurated its Lhyfe Bretagne production unit in Buléon and Lhyfe Occitanie unit in Bessières (up to 2 tonnes of green hydrogen per day to be produced in each 5 MW site), making Lhyfe the largest producer of renewable hydrogen in France. Commercial start-up is expected by end of H1 2024 as the company is currently finalizing installation and commissioning.
- Extension of the Bouin site (addition of up to 0.7 tonne of green hydrogen per day) is scheduled by the end of 2024.
- Two new bulk sites in Croixrault (Hauts-de-France region) and in Sorigny (Touraine) are now under “Construction” phase, aiming at producing each up to 2 tonnes of green hydrogen per day (installed electrolysis capacity of 5 MW each) to supply local uses in mobility and industry.
- In Germany:
- In 2023 construction was launched at the Schwäbisch Gmünd bulk site (up to 4 tonnes of green hydrogen a day, i.e. an installed electrolysis capacity of 10 MW) to supply local mobility and industrial uses.
- Construction was also launched in Brake in 2023 (up to 4 tonnes of green hydrogen a day, i.e. an installed electrolysis capacity of 10 MW).
- Tübingen site for Deutsche Bahn is installed and ready for client’s start of operations.
3 – Significant progress on the projects pipeline
In 2023, Lhyfe’s teams continued to dynamically manage its bulk, on-site and backbone sites projects pipeline, focusing on maturing, derisking and converting the most promising projects.
Projects at an advanced stage of development[5], corresponding to the most mature project stages of the pipeline, represent an installed capacity of 564 MW (against 759 MW at the end of 2022) while the total commercial pipeline[6] represents an installed capacity of 9.9 GW (versus 9.8 GW at the end of 2022).
Significant milestones were achieved during the period for several of Lhyfe’s projects, notably:
- On bulk projects:
- Signing of a 10-year offtake contract with HYmpulsion to supply 7 hydrogen stations in the Alps, from a bulk production site to be built in Le Cheylas (Isère, France);
- Securing a €14m grant for the Vallmoll bulk project (up to 5 tonnes per day), Lhyfe’s first project in Spain;
- Winning the call for proposal launched by the town of Bussy-Saint-Georges (Ile-de-France) alongside its partner Thevenin & Ducrot (AVIA) for the construction of bulk production site (up to 2 tonnes per day) and a multi-energy filling station;
- Feasibility study launched for the construction of a 20 MW electrolysis plant in the port of Duisburg in Germany, the largest inland port in the world.
- On onsite projects:
- Securing land for the Fonderies du Poitou on-site project in France (up to 40 tonnes per day), alongside its partner TSE;
- Winning the call for proposal launched by Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port in France for the development of a green hydrogen production unit (up to 85 tonnes per day) to decarbonise the industrial port complex and maritime transport;
- Securing land for the backbone project in Lubmin in Germany (up to 330 tonnes per day).
As of 31 December 2023, the allocation of Lhyfe’s commercial pipeline between the different project stages was as follows:
| End 2023 | End 2022 | |
| Units in operation | 6 MW | 1 MW |
| Projects at “Construction”[7] phase | 39 MW | 9 MW |
| Projects at “Awarded”7 phase | 25 MW | 40 MW |
| Projects at “Tender ready”7 phase | 495 MW | 710 MW |
| Projects at an advanced stage of development[8] | 564 MW | 759 MW |
| Projects at “Advanced development”7 phase | 5.0 GW | 4.1 GW |
| Projects at “Early stage”7 phase | 4.3 GW | 5.0 GW |
| Total commercial pipeline | 9.9 GW | 9.8 GW |
As a result, Lhyfe has a substantial pipeline of almost 10 GW, compared with its target of 3 GW of assets under management in 2030, for which Lhyfe is currently exploring several financing options.
4 – Additional financing supporting our development
Up to c.€238 million in grants secured to date
In 2023, Lhyfe continued to increase the amount of secured grants[9] intended to finance research activities as well as production sites under construction or in development, as part of competitive national and European calls for projects. As of 31 December 2023, secured grants totaled €82m. This amount includes notably the following new grants, secured in 2023:
- €9.8m from the European Commission in the “Clean Hydrogen Partnership” framework and €13m from the Belgian government related to the HOPE project in Belgium;
- €4.4m from the European Commission for the TH2ICINO project in Italy;
- €14.2m from the Spanish government as part of the H2 Pioneros program and related to the Vallmoll project in Spain.
Grants secured to date represent up to c.€238m, including notably an up to €149m grant related to the 100 MW project in Le Havre (see below) and a €5.5m grant related to the Le Cheylas project in France.
€28 million in new financing
In December 2023, Lhyfe closed an inaugural €28m green syndicated loan[10] with its banking partners, strengthening its financial resources to support its development, diversify its sources of funding and strengthen its balance sheet.
This financing package, with maturities of between 5 and 15 years, is a first for a pure player in the green hydrogen sector. It is a strong testimony of the trust and support by Lhyfe’s banking partners in the roll-out of its industrial strategy.
Significant advances in offshore strategy
In November 2023, after 14 months of testing, including in particularly tough conditions, the Sealhyfe platform was brought back to the dock in Saint-Nazaire with a wealth of insights that are already benefiting Lhyfe’s onshore and offshore projects.
The results of this experiment are notably being incorporated into the HOPE project, which represents the second stage in Lhyfe’s offshore ambitions by changing scale and aiming to commercialise green hydrogen produced offshore. This 10 MW project will be able to produce from 2026 up to 4 tonnes per day of green hydrogen at sea, which will be exported ashore by pipeline, and then compressed and delivered to customers.
In 2023, Lhyfe also signed partnership agreements with wind farm developers and energy companies specialising in offshore such as Centrica and Capital Energy to jointly develop offshore renewable green hydrogen in the UK and in Spain and Portugal.
On a larger scale at end of 2023 Lhyfe, CIP – the world’s largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments, and Flexens, jointly launched the Åland Energy Island project. The consortium aims to develop hydrogen production on the Åland Islands in Finland, integrated with the installation of gigawatt scale offshore wind. This project demonstrates how green hydrogen can fit into a vast integrated renewable energy system with its capacity to store and transform renewable electricity. The green hydrogen to be produced would be for use both on Åland and in the wider European region, thereby supporting Åland’s and EU objectives for energy security and decarbonization.
ESG excellence: Gold Grade certificate awarded by Ethifinance
Faced with the observed consequences of climate change, and its current and future impact on our way of life, Lhyfe has been a decarbonization player since its creation. Through the production of green hydrogen, Lhyfe intends to contribute to the decarbonization of mobility and industry.
In 2023, EthiFinance updated Lhyfe’s ESG rating based on 2022 data.
The score awarded for 2022 is 75/100, a clear improvement versus 2021 (+8 points from 67/100), compared with an average score of 55/100 for a panel of 50 companies included within the Utilities sector, ranking Lhyfe 8th in this benchmark.
Lhyfe has been awarded a Gold Grade certificate to reward its 2022 ESG performance.
In 2023, the Group drew up an action plan detailing the Group’s ESG strategic orientations, including more than 80 actions to be implemented over coming years.
2023 full year results
2023 full year income statement
| In thousands of Euros – IFRS | 31/12/2023 (12 months) |
31/12/2022 (12 months) |
| Revenue | 1.3 | 0.6 |
| EBITDA[11] | (28.1) | (16.3) |
| Current operating profit (loss) | (34.0) | (18.2) |
| Operating profit (loss) | (34.4) | (19.2) |
| Financial result | 1.6 | (6.6) |
| Consolidated net profit (loss) | (33.6) | (25.8) |
Revenues increased more than 2-fold at €1.3m in 2023 and were mainly related to the supply and delivery of green hydrogen produced at the Bouin site (sole production site to date), reflecting the commercial ramp-up achieved during the year.
EBITDA[12] totaled €(28.1)m in 2023, compared with €(16.3)m a year earlier, reflecting the continued acceleration of the Group’s activity and its expansion, notably abroad.
- +€7.5m increase in employee expenses[13] versus 2022, reflecting the Group’s expansion, the growth in headcount over the period as well as hire of new employees during the 2nd half of 2022 with impacts in 2023. Headcount was 195 employees as of 31 December 2023 compared to 192 employees as of 30 June 2023 and 149 employees at end of 2022. For 2024 headcount is expected to stabilize near current level, with additions to reflect mainly operation and maintenance at new sites following installation and commercial start-up;
- External expenses increased by €5.2m mainly due to the international expansion, to offshore operations and to the Group’s structuring (notably premises and travel expenses).
Group’s current operating loss amounted to €(34.0)m, compared with €(18.2)m in 2022, as a result of a lower EBITDA and a €(5.9)m effect mainly related to depreciation charges.
Consolidated net loss for the period at €(33.6)m versus €(25.8) in 2022 was favorably impacted by a €1.6m net financial income driven mostly by interest income from short term investments, while in 2022, a €(6.6)m financial loss was recorded as a result of the accounting discount on bonds converted at the time of the Company’s IPO.
Consolidated balance sheet
Cash consumption over the period was €30.2m, broken down as follows:
- Net cash flow used in operating activities for the period amounted to €22.6m versus €15.1m YoY as a result of a higher headcount and continued structuring of the Company;
- Net cash flow used in investing activities amounted to €44.1m, related mainly to equipment orders for production sites and containers as well as development and engineering costs for production sites;
- Net cash flow from financing activities amounted to €36.5m mainly related to the €28m financing package closed in December 2023 and received grants for €7.9m.
As of 31 December 2023, Lhyfe’s consolidated shareholders’ equity was €102.5m. Lhyfe strengthened its balance sheet during the year through a new financing package including a €22m 5-year bullet corporate debt.
At year end the Company’s available cash amounted to €114.3m and net cash[14] stood at €68.6m, giving the Company good visibility for further growth.
Recent developments (Post closing)
Up to €149m grant for Le Havre 100 MW new project: confirmation of Lhyfe as a key player in the industry of green hydrogen
In March 2024, Lhyfe announced the obtention of a grant of up to €149 million from the French government for the construction of a 100 MW green hydrogen production plant near Le Havre in Normandy. This support confirms Lhyfe’s status as a key player in the green hydrogen industry and the know-how and expertise of its teams, pioneers in the industry.
The site is close to the Yara plant, whose decarbonization roadmap includes the use of green hydrogen. Yara is interested in Lhyfe’s project and will explore all possible collaborations to decarbonize its industrial process.
The Lhyfe production site, to be located on a 2.8-hectare plot of land in Gonfreville-l’Orcher, is scheduled to be operational by 2028.
This project, led by Lhyfe for over two years, has been approved by the European Commission as part of the third wave of IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) on hydrogen.
First MoU signed for the development of e-SAF (electro Sustainable Aviation Fuel)
Lhyfe and SAF+ International Group, a world leader in the production of e-SAF, signed an MoU in February 2024 to develop the production of e-SAF from green and renewable hydrogen. First steps include the assessment of the potential for developing e-SAF production in the Le Havre area and the signature of a co-development agreement.
The production site would have a capacity of more than 100 tonnes per day (300 MW of installed electrolysis capacity) to supply by 2030 an e-SAF production site that SAF+ is planning to build and connect to the hydrocarbon transport network. The e-SAF would then be delivered to airports in the Paris region, as well as in northern and eastern France via the existing infrastructure.
First project in the UK in Wallsend
On February 27, 2024, Lhyfe announced the launch of its first UK project in the North East of England. Lhyfe’s proposed facility is receiving support from Shepherd Offshore, a leading maritime and energy service provider, following the signing of a land deal. If plans are approved, the facility on the brownfield site of the historic Neptune Bank Power Station in Wallsend, North Tyneside, would have an initial capacity of 20 MW, capable of producing up to 8 tonnes of green hydrogen per day, to serve industrial and transport sectors.
Changes in corporate governance
In line with the growth of the Group’s activity, the Company’s two Deputy Chief Executive Officers resigned their mandates on 27 March 2024, in order to devote themselves fully to their operational functions.
Financial Agenda
| Date | Disclosure |
| Thursday 23 May 2024 | General Meeting |
About Lhyfe
Lhyfe is a European group devoted to energy transition, and a producer and supplier of green and renewable hydrogen. Its production sites and portfolio of projects intend to provide access to green and renewable hydrogen in industrial quantities, and enable the creation of a virtuous energy model capable of decarbonising entire sectors of industry and transport.
In 2021, Lhyfe inaugurated the 1st industrial-scale green hydrogen production plant in the world to be interconnected with a wind farm. In 2022, it inaugurated the 1st offshore green hydrogen production pilot platform in the world. In 2023, it inaugurated its 2nd and 3rd sites, and currently has several sites under construction or expansion across Europe.
Lhyfe is represented in 12 European countries and had 195 staff at the end of December 2023. The company is listed on the Euronext market in Paris (ISIN: FR0014009YQ1 – mnemonic: LHYFE).
More information on Lhyfe.com
Contacts
| Lhyfe – Investor relations LHYFE Yoann Nguyen [email protected] |
Lhyfe – Financial press relations ACTUS Manon Clairet +33 (0)1 53 67 36 73 [email protected] |
Lhyfe – Business press relations Nouvelles Graines Clémence Rebours +33 (0)6 60 57 76 43 [email protected] |
Appendix – Consolidated income statement
| In thousands of Euros | 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 |
| Revenue | 1 317 | 570 |
| Income from ordinary operations | 1 317 | 570 |
| Cost of goods sold | (645) | (394) |
| External expenses | (12,438) | (7,261) |
| Employee expenses | (20,593) | (11,254) |
| Taxes, levies and similar payments | (172) | (81) |
| Other current operating income and expenses | 1 861 | 1 418 |
| Depreciation and amortization expenses of fixed assets | (3,290) | (1,064) |
| Provisions for liabilities | (14) | (89) |
| Current operating profit (loss) | (33,974) | (18,155) |
| Other non-current operating income and expenses | (395) | (1,011) |
| Non-current operating profit (loss) | (395) | (1,011) |
| Operating profit (loss) | (34,369) | (19,166) |
| Cost of net financial debt | (672) | (6,851) |
| Other financial income and expenses | 2,287 | 210 |
| Financial result | 1,615 | (6,641) |
| Profit (loss) before tax | (32,754) | (25,807) |
| Income tax expense | – | (4) |
| Share of profit (loss) from equity-accounted investees | (803) | (8) |
| Consolidated net profit (loss) | (33,557) | (25,819) |
| Minority interests | (69) | – |
| Net profit (loss) (Group share) | (33,488) | (25,819) |
| Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (in Euros) | (0,70) | (0,70) |
Appendix – Consolidated statement of financial position
| ASSETS In thousands of Euros |
31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 |
| Intangible fixed assets | 11,004 | 4,711 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 50,306 | 12,807 |
| Right-of-use assets | 7,761 | 3,383 |
| Investments in equity-accounted investees | 2,387 | 1,037 |
| Other non-current assets | 3,249 | 1,007 |
| Deferred tax assets | – | – |
| Non-current assets | 74,707 | 22,945 |
| Inventories | 176 | 142 |
| Trade receivables and related accounts | 604 | 63 |
| Other current assets | 10,743 | 5,069 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 114,252 | 144,492 |
| Current assets | 125,775 | 149,766 |
| Assets | 200,482 | 172,711 |
| LIABILITIES In thousands of Euros |
31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 |
| Share capital | 479 | 479 |
| Premiums | 163,824 | 163,821 |
| Reserves | (28,328) | (4,897) |
| Net profit (loss) | (33,488) | (25,819) |
| Equity – Group share | 102,487 | 133,584 |
| Non-controlling interests | (69) | – |
| Equity | 102,418 | 133,584 |
| Non-current provisions | 3,167 | 53 |
| Non-current borrowings and financial debts | 49,314 | 19,368 |
| Derivative instruments | – | – |
| Deferred tax liabilities | – | – |
| Other non-current liabilities | 16,273 | 8,769 |
| Non-current liabilities | 68,754 | 28,190 |
| Current provisions | 44 | 44 |
| Current borrowings and financial debts | 4,353 | 2,987 |
| Trade accounts payable and related accounts | 15,225 | 4,586 |
| Other current liabilities | 9,688 | 3,320 |
| Current liabilities | 29,310 | 10,937 |
| Liabilities | 200,482 | 172,711 |
Appendix – Cash flow statement
| In thousands of Euros | 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 |
| Consolidated net profit (loss) | (33,557) | (25,819) |
| Share of profit (loss) from equity-accounted investees | 803 | 8 |
| Adjustments for: | ||
| – Depreciation, amortization, impairment and provisions | 3,577 | 1,153 |
| – Cost of financial debt | 596 | 6,761 |
| – Expenses calculated relating to share-based payments | 2,557 | 719 |
| – Changes in fair value of financial instruments | 76 | 89 |
| – Other adjustments | (164) | (28) |
| Tax expense for the period | – | 4 |
| Impact of change in working capital: | ||
| – Increase/decrease in inventories | (34) | (142) |
| – Increase/decrease in trade receivables | (541) | 161 |
| – Increase/decrease in other current receivables | (5,986) | (1,722) |
| – Increase/decrease in trade accounts payable | 4,236 | 1,881 |
| – Increase/decrease in other current liabilities | 5,829 | 1,880 |
| Net cash flow from/(used in) operating activities | (22,608) | (15,055) |
| Purchases of intangible fixed assets | (6,303) | (3,116) |
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (34,101) | (8,397) |
| Disposals of property, plant and equipment and intangible fixed assets | 1 | 16 |
| Increase/decrease in financial assets | (1,538) | (373) |
| Interest received | – | – |
| Impact of changes in scope of consolidation | (2,150) | (1,060) |
| Net cash flow from/(used in) investing activities | (44,091) | (12,930) |
| Capital increases, net of expenses | 3 | 112,558 |
| Issuance of new loans, net of expenses | 31,935 | 10,434 |
| Receipts of repayable advances | 764 | 857 |
| Receipt of grants | 7,921 | 1,537 |
| Repayment of borrowings and current accounts | (1,131) | (285) |
| Repayment of lease liabilities | (910) | (210) |
| Sale/(Purchase) of treasury shares | (113) | (296) |
| Net interest paid/received | (2,011) | (2,003) |
| Change in working capital associated with financing activity, net of unpaid expenses relating to the IPO | – | – |
| Net cash flow from/(used in) financing activities | 36,458 | 122,592 |
| Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates | 1 | (3) |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (30,240) | 94,604 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 144,492 | 49,888 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | 114,252 | 144,492 |
[1] On the basis of the hypothesis detailed in Section 10.2 of the Universal Registration Document approved by the AMF on 25 April 2023 and available on Lhyfe’s website
[2] “Group EBITDA Margin”: ratio “EBITDA/revenues” – EBITDA: consolidated operating profit from ordinary activities before depreciation, amortisation and provisions, as well as expenses related to share-based payments.
[3] Corresponding to assets operated by Lhyfe.
[4] “Group EBITDA Margin”: ratio “EBITDA/revenues” – EBITDA: consolidated operating profit from ordinary activities before depreciation, amortisation and provisions, as well as expenses related to share-based payments.
[5] Tender ready”, “Awarded” and “Construction” projects. See section 10.1 of the Universal Registration Document approved by the AMF on 25 April 2023 and available on the Lhyfe website for definitions of these terms
[6] The commercial pipeline does not include offshore projects
[7] Projects in “Tender ready”, “Awarded, or “Construction” phases. The definitions of these phases are detailed in Section 10.1 of the Universal Registration Document approved by the AMF on 25 April 2023 and available on Lhyfe’s website
6 Projects in “Tender Ready”, “Awarded” or “Construction” phase
[9] Including signed grants and grants currently under contractualization process
[10] Bank financing package consisting of a green syndicated bank loan and two financing lines granted by Bpifrance
[11] EBITDA: consolidated operating profit from ordinary activities before depreciation, amortisation and provisions, as well as expenses related to share-based payments
[12] EBITDA : consolidated operating profit from ordinary activities before depreciation, amortisation and provisions, as well as expenses related to share-based payments
[13] Excluding expenses related to share-based payments
[14] Net cash = Cash and cash equivalents – current and non-current financial debts (excluding IFRS 16 lease debt)
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