5. Accounting and measurement principles

5.1 Framework conditions

The fiscal year 2022/2023 was characterised by comparatively high interest rates, a high rate of inflation and muted economic growth. These circumstances are taken into account in the Consolidated Financial Statements when measuring provisions using discount rates, when conducting impairment tests using discount rates and when planning future cash flows.

The Federal Act on the Energy Crisis Contribution for Electricity (EKBSG) set an upper limit for electrical energy of EUR 140.00/MWh for the calendar year 2023, which was reduced to EUR 120.00/MWh in June. Revenue going above this amount were subject to a tax of 90%, although there was room to take certain investments into account when determining the upper limit.

5.2 Estimates

Compiling the Consolidated Financial Statements required estimates to be made that influence the assets, liabilities and equity, income, and expenses, as well as the figures disclosed in the Notes.

In particular, estimates and assumptions are made in calculating provisions and in testing asset impairment.

Estimates and assumptions in the area of personnel provisions primarily involve interest rates, wage and salary trends and fluctuation.

The salary trend used to determine the personnel provisions consists of the expected future increase of salaries and wages under collective agreements and the average increases of salaries and wages.

The interest rate for discounting the personnel provisions is determined by an external service provider on the basis of “high quality corporate bonds” and adjusted for the company's internal duration.

The interest rate for discounting the other non-current provisions is based on a no-risk interest rate determined on the basis of AAA-rated treasury bills.

In the course of testing the impairment of assets and goodwill, estimates are made concerning future cash flows and interest rates (see section 5.5. and following items).

The estimates made may differ from the figures that actually result in the future and influence subsequent Consolidated Financial Statements. In respect to the possible effects of changes in estimates, please refer to the sensitivity analyses concerning impairment testing and actuarial parameters.

Estimates affect the following items in the Statement of Financial Position:

5.3 Intangible assets

The goodwill resulting from the acquisition of subsidiaries is reported under intangible assets. Goodwill is recognised at cost less accumulated impairment losses.

Other assets acquired by the Group that have limited useful lives are recognised at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Under certain circumstances according to IAS 38 (Intangible Assets), development costs are to be capitalised as self-created intangible assets and subsequently amortised over their useful lives.

With the exception of goodwill, intangible assets are amortised over the period of the following estimated useful lives:

Costs for research activities with the prospect of providing new scientific or technical insights are recognised as expenses.

5.4 Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recognised at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

The costs include expenses that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. The costs for self-constructed assets include:

• Material costs and production wages, including material and production overheads. General administrative expenses are not capitalised
• All other costs directly attributable to bringing the assets into working condition for their intended use
• The estimated costs of dismantling and removing the objects and restoring the site
• Capitalised borrowing costs

Subsequent expenses are only capitalised when it is probable that the future economic benefit associated with these expenses will flow to the Group. Ongoing repairs and maintenance are immediately recognised as expenses.

Property, plant and equipment are depreciated from the date on which they are available for use, or in the case of self-constructed assets, from the date the asset is complete and ready for use.

As far as different useful lives are to be applied for material non-current assets, these are recognised according to the component approach (IAS 16.43).

The depreciation of significant property, plant and equipment is recognised according to the following, Group-wide uniform useful lives:

5.5 Impairment of goodwill

In the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or during the course of the year when an impairment indicator arises, any potentially incurred impairment losses are determined by subjecting the goodwill to an impairment test. For this, goodwill is allocated to units that are expected to benefit from the expectations for future earnings and synergies of the combination. The goodwill of the Sales business unit is allocated to the cash generating unit “Sales” in accordance with Group controlling and reporting. In the Waste Management Segment, the Group companies are combined by country due to the existing management and reporting structures in Austria. In the Czech Republic Segment, the cash generating unit CEVAK a.s. corresponds to the entity.

An impairment loss is recognised when the carrying amount of a cash generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount corresponds to the larger amount resulting from the fair value less the costs of disposal or the value in use. The value in use is determined by discounting future cash flows that are expected to be derived from a cash-generating unit. The fair value less cost of disposal is assessed from an external perspective, the value in use is assessed from the internal perspective of the company.

The cash flows used to determine the value in use are based on the five-year mid-term planning approved by the Management Board. The planning figures are based both on past experience and on external sources of information. The assumptions concerning cash flows beyond the period of detailed planning are based on analyses of the past as well as on forecasts for the future. Future restructuring measures and expansion investments, for which no funds were expended or no obligation incurred yet, are not included. A growth rate of 1.0% (previous year: 1.0%) is assumed for the time after the detailed planning period. The growth rate is based on electricity prices and forecasts for future GDP growth, as well as expected increases in expenses. The assumptions concerning future GDP growth are based on European Commission publications. The testing of goodwill impairment is based on the goodwill's value in use.

The discount interest rate is an interest rate after taxes that reflects the current market estimates and the specific risks of the cash-generating unit.

5.5.1 Planning assumption for the Sales unit

The planning of the cash generating unit Sales is broken down into the sectors electricity (key account customers; business, commercial and private customers), gas, heat and telecom sales, as well as customer projects and services.

The volatility on the energy markets meant that planning was carried out separately for the main and secondary brands in the electricity and gas units on the basis of achievable margins.

The assumptions for the future electricity and gas procurement costs are based, where available, on market data; where market data was unavailable, estimates were based on market surveys and assumptions.

The inflation rate is used to extrapolate the future external costs.

5.5.2 Planning assumptions in the Waste Management Segment

Planning in the Waste Management Segment is based on the Group-wide central planning assumptions concerning economic growth, inflation and the development of interest rates and exchange rates during the planning period.

Sales planning is based on detailed planning for the individual products and services of each location. In the area of waste incineration plants and key account customers, single-customer planning based on contractual parameters was also used. For waste and recycling materials, a price development was used for the planning period that was realistic to assume at the time of planning. For the other products and services, an expected course of business development was projected and the sales revenues from electricity and district heating were determined on the basis of contracts or prospective forecasting.

The recycling and throughput volumes were planned for the major waste management systems based on expected market developments. The expected throughput is 305,000 tonnes for the Wels waste incineration plant and 295,000 tonnes for the Lenzing waste recycling plant.

The material expense items such as personnel expenses, vehicle fleet costs, maintenance and taxes were planned in line with the sales and plant planning.

5.5.3 Planning assumptions for the Czech Republic Segment

Planning for the Czech Republic Segment is based on centrally defined, country-specific planning parameters like the development of the inflation rate and economic growth, as well as interest rates and exchange rates.

Sales planning in the area of drinking water and waste water as well as for the heating sector in the Czech Republic is based on a quantity and price structure that in turn is based on a trend for sales planning extrapolated from historical consumption data and the planning parameters. The planned drinking water, waste water prices and heating prices have been determined by each planning unit, taking into consideration the existing contract data and estimates of the future development of expenses, and in compliance with any applicable general regulatory conditions.

For the planning of material expense items in the Czech Republic Segment, country-specific planning parameters were determined using the estimates of external analysts. In particular, this includes price developments for untreated water, chemicals, and fuels, as well as prices for electricity and gas.

A major planning assumption is that existing contracts for drinking water and waste water with the municipal bodies and water authorities are maintained.

5.6 Impairment of other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

According to IAS 36 (Impairment of Assets), intangible assets and property, plant and equipment are to be subjected to an impairment test when there is evidence that an asset or cash-generating unit might be impaired or a previously recognised impairment needs to be reversed. An impairment is recognised when the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount of the asset or cash generating unit. The recoverable amount is the larger amount resulting from the fair value less the costs of disposal or the value in use.

The value in use is determined by discounting future cash flows that are expected to be derived from a cash-generating unit. The cash flows used to determine the value in use are based on the five-year mid-term planning approved by the Management Board. For the subsequent period, a perpetual annuity or a calculation up to the expected end of the useful life of the object is recognised. The planning figures are based both on past experience and on external sources of information. Future restructuring and expansion investments are not included. The discount interest rate is an interest rate after taxes that reflects the current market estimates and the specific risks of the cash-generating unit.

The fair value less cost of disposal is assessed from an external perspective, the value in use is assessed from the internal perspective of the company.

5.7 Investments

The measurement of investments in companies accounted for using the equity method is increased or decreased according to the changes in equity and impairments/reversal of impairments in proportion to the capital share held. The movements in equity are recognised through profit or loss or in the other comprehensive income.

5.8 Inventories

Inventories are measured at average historical cost (moving average cost method) or at the lower net realisable value. Costs include direct costs as well as proportionate material and production overhead.

Impairments due to reduced realisable value are recognised using write-downs.

5.9 Emissions allowances

The CO₂ emissions allowances issued free of charge according to the Austrian Gas Emissions Allowances Act are measured at fair value at the date of allocation and recognised both under current receivables and under current liabilities. Fluctuations in fair value are recognised in the Statement of Income. In the course of using the emissions allowances, corresponding provisions are built up and the reduction of the liability from their allocation is recognised in the Statement of Income. Upon delivery of the emissions allowances to the registration office, the provision is netted against the asset.

Emissions allowances purchased on the market are recognised under current receivables. Fluctuations in fair value are recognised in the Statement of Income. In the course of using the emissions allowances, corresponding provisions are built up. Upon delivery of the emissions allowances to the registration office, the provision is netted against the asset.

5.10 Fixed term deposits and short-term investments

The item “Fixed term deposits” includes highly liquid fixed term deposits with an original maturity of more than three months up to one year. Fixed term deposits with terms of more than one year are recognised in the “other financial assets”. They are measured at amortised costs under the category “Financial Assets at Amortised Cost (AC)”. This item also recognises investments in money market funds that are allocated to the category “Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss (FVPL)”.

5.11 Cash and cash equivalents

The item “Cash and cash equivalents” includes cash in hand, deposits at banks with an original maturity of up to three months, provided that they are not subject to limitations on availability, and investments in short-term bonds that are readily convertible to a fixed amount of cash and which are only subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. They are measured at amortised costs under the category “Financial Assets at Amortised Cost (AC)”.

5.12 Financial instruments

Purchases and sales of primary financial instruments are recognised at the settlement date. Purchases and sales of derivative financial instruments are recognised at the trade date. Measurement of the financial instruments is done at the time of acquisition, always at fair value under consideration of the transaction costs (except for the financial instruments of the FVPL category). Financial instruments are derecognised when the rights to payments from the investment have lapsed or been assigned and once the Group has relinquished all substantial risks and rewards of ownership.

5.12.1 Primary financial instruments

Energie AG Group used the categories “Financial Assets at Amortized Cost (AC)”, “Financial Assets at Fair Value through Other Comprehensive Income (FVOCI)”, “Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss (FVPL)”, “Financial Liabilities at Amortized Cost (FLAC)”.

Financial assets held as part of a business model that pursues the objective of holding financial assets for the purpose of collecting the contractual payment streams with contractual terms that result in payment streams on fixed dates and exclusively representing repayments and interest payments are classified as “Financial Assets at Amortised Cost (AC)”. The initial recognition is measured at fair value plus transaction costs, subsequent measurement is made at amortised costs.

An impairment in the amount of the expected credit loss over the term is recognised for financial assets measured at amortised costs (AC) whose default risk has significantly increased since their first-time recognition, as well as for trade receivables. An allowance for accounts receivable is, differently to what was explained above, recognised in the amount of the expected credit losses over the full term. If the term is less than 12 months, the impairment is determined on the basis of the shorter term.

The category “Financial Assets at Amortised Cost (AC)” essentially comprises lendings, trade receivables, receivables from joint arrangements and associated companies, other financial receivables, fixed term deposits as well as cash and cash equivalents.

For certain financial investments in equity instruments that would otherwise be measured at their fair value through profit or loss, the irrevocable choice was made to recognise the changes to the fair value resulting from their remeasurement in the other comprehensive income (“Financial Assets at Fair Value through Other Comprehensive Income (FVOCI)”). This category is essentially comprised of other investments and securities (shares). Their fair value is, where available, determined on the basis of stock exchange prices, or otherwise by measurement of internally or externally available measurement parameters.

Certain securities (units in investment funds) and money market funds recognised in the item “Fixed term deposits and short-term investments” are allocated to the category “Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss (FVPL)”. Their fair values are derived from current market prices.

Financial liabilities that are not attributable to leases, trade payables, liabilities to affiliated companies, joint arrangements as well as associated companies and other financial liabilities are allocated to the category “Financial Liabilities at Cost (FLAC)” and measured at amortised costs calculated on the basis of the effective interest method. The initial recognition is measured at fair value plus transaction costs. Premiums, discounts or other costs of issue are distributed across the financing term and disclosed in the financial result.

5.12.2 Derivative financial instruments and hedging transactions

In the Group, derivative financial instruments are used above all to hedge the risks of fluctuations in interest rates and electricity, gas and CO₂ prices.

The requirements for hedge accounting according to IFRS 9 specifically include documentation of the hedging relationship, the hedging strategy and the ongoing assessment of effectiveness. According to IFRS 9, the hedging relationship is effective if there is a commercial relationship between the hedged item and the hedging transaction, the effects of the credit risk have no dominant impact on the change in value resulting from the commercial relationship and the hedging quota from the volume of the actually hedged item corresponds to the volume of the hedging transaction that is actually used for hedging purposes. All components of changes in fair value of derivatives are included in effectivity assessment.

If a derivative financial instrument pursuant to IFRS 9 is used for hedge accounting in a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument's fair value is recognised in equity in other comprehensive income. This is reclassified in the Statement of Income in the same period in which the cash flows of the hedged item are recognised in profit or loss. If the hedged item ceases to exist, the hedging result is recognised in the Statement of Income. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of a hedging instrument for which a cash flow hedge has been created is recognised through profit or loss to the extent required.

In fair value hedge accounting, both the fair value change of the derivative, and the corresponding fair value change of the hedged item, as far as it is attributable to the hedged risk, are recognised through profit or loss.

Derivatives without a hedging relationship are recognised in the categories “Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss (FVPL)” or “Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss (FVPL)”. Changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recognised in the operating result.

Contracts that were entered into and that continue to be held for the receipt or delivery of non-financial items in accordance with expected purchase, sale or usage requirements are not recognised as derivative financial instruments at fair value according to IFRS 9, but rather as executory contracts according to the regulations of IAS 37.

5.13. Provisions under IAS 19

Provisions for pensions, severance, stepped pension/early retirement benefits and anniversary bonuses are calculated according to the projected unit credit method in accordance with IAS 19 (Employee Benefits). Expected increases in wages, salaries and pensions are taken into account. Actuarial gains and losses for pension and severance provisions are recognised in other comprehensive income, and they are recognised through profit or loss for anniversary bonus, stepped pension and early retirement provisions. Interest costs are recognised in the financial result.

5.14 Other provisions

Other provisions include all recognisable obligations as of the reporting date that are based on past events and for which the amount or maturity is uncertain. Provisions are recognised at the amount that is most likely to be incurred. Discounted costs for obligations resulting from dismantling and removing property, plant and equipment assets and restoring the site are estimated, capitalised at the date the plant is added, and recognised as a provision.

5.15 Deferred taxes

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all temporary differences between the amounts recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position and the amounts recognised in the tax balance sheets of the individual Group companies. Future tax benefits resulting from tax losses that are carried forward are also taken into account. Values are adjusted if it is no longer probable that they can be offset.

5.16 Construction cost subsidies

This item primarily includes contributions received from electricity, gas and district heating customers for connecting them to the grid. Construction cost subsidies carried as liabilities are reversed as sales revenues in accordance with the depreciation and impairments for the corresponding asset.

5.17 Investment subsidies

Government grants for asset acquisition are recognised as investment subsidies liabilities and reversed in other operating income in accordance with the asset's useful life.

5.18 Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities are potential or existing obligations (resulting from past events) for which an outflow of resources is not probable. There are no material contingent liabilities.

5.19 Foreign currency translations

Foreign currency translation is carried out according to the functional currency principle. The functional currency for all consolidated entities is the respective national currency. Accordingly, items of the Statement of Financial Position are translated at the mean exchange rate on the reporting date, and items of the Statement of Income are translated at the mean exchange rate for the statement period. Differences from translating the pro-rata equity are recognised in other comprehensive income. Differences from currency translation of minority interests are recognised under the item “non-controlling interest in equity”. The exchange rate applied on 30 September 2023 for the Czech koruna was 24.42490 (previous year: 24.56725), for the Hungarian forint 389.76000 (previous year: 421.84750), for the US dollar 1.05744 (previous year: 0.97984).

5.20 Revenues from customer contracts

Revenues are recognised at the time a customer gains the authority to dispose over the goods or services. The sales revenues correspond to the revenues presented in the segment reporting. There are no significant obligations to accept returns or grant refunds, guarantees and/or discretionary decisions.

Sales revenues in the Energy Segment and the Grid Segment

Written contracts are in place with electricity and gas customers and/or electricity grid and gas grid customers.

These result in performance obligations for the delivery of electricity and natural gas, as well as obligations from the operation of the electricity and gas grid for the Group.

These performance obligations are satisfied within the relevant periods. Electricity and gas customers as well as electricity grid and gas grid customers with monthly volume metering are invoiced on a monthly basis. Payment is usually received within one month from the invoice date. Where no monthly volume metering takes place, the customers usually pay monthly instalments.

The transaction price is determined on the basis of the concluded electricity and gas supply contracts, or the grid utilisation fees for the grid utilisation period. In the case of multi-component contracts, the consideration payable is allocated to the performance obligations on the basis of the contractually agreed prices for the individual performance obligations. This essentially concerns energy supplies, balancing energy and other services.

Sales revenues are recognised within the period in which electricity or natural gas deliveries take place or the grid is utilised.

Sales revenues include revenues from proprietary trading of electricity. Net sales revenues (after deducting procurement costs for proprietary electricity trading) include the realised margin. Procurement costs for proprietary electricity trading pertain to quantities of electricity that have been purchased solely for the purpose of reselling at the wholesale level while achieving an appropriate margin.

Sales revenues in the Waste Management Segment

The revenues from the collection of waste concern the collection and intake of refuse. These performance obligations are, to the largest extent, satisfied at a certain point in time. The transaction price is determined on the basis of the contracts concluded. Multi-component contracts usually provide for the consideration payable to be allocated to the performance obligations.

Waste recycling includes the incineration of waste. Written contracts are in place with customers purchasing the generated heat and/or electricity. The performance obligations – the supply of heat and electricity – are satisfied within the relevant period. The transaction price is provided for in the contracts.

Additional revenues are generated from the sale of recycling materials (plastics, metals, timber). The performance obligation is satisfied at the time of the transfer to the customer.

Sales revenues are recognised within the period in which the collection and/or intake of the waste takes place, in which the generated heat or electricity is delivered, or in which the recycled materials are delivered. Payment terms in the Waste Management Segment are usually one month from the invoice date.

Sales revenues in the Czech Republic Segment

Sales revenues in the Czech Republic Segment predominantly result from water deliveries, intake of waste water and services related to water/waste water and heat supplies in the Czech Republic. These performance obligations are, to the largest extent, satisfied within the relevant periods. The transaction price is provided for in the contracts.

Sales revenues are recognised in the period in which the delivery of water or intake of waste water takes place, the customer obtains the benefit from the services, or the heat is delivered.