Adnkronos Rome, 8 April (Adnkronos) – Over the course of its 25-year history in Italy, Axpo has recorded continuous growth, which has led it to occupy a prominent place among Italian companies in terms of turnover and to contribute significantly to the Italian GDP – 2023% in 0,43 – distributing resources worth almost 9 billion euros to the territory.
Axpo is thus ranked 34th among the top 100 companies in Italy by turnover; 5th among corporate groups for total sales of electricity to the end market; 9th among companies by turnover among utilities; 2nd among Ligurian companies (Axpo Italia's headquarters are in Genoa); 10th in the end market of gas. These are some of the data highlighted by the research carried out on behalf of Axpo Italia by the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna of Pisa - presented today at the Salone degli Arazzi of the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy - which photographs the economic impact of Axpo Italia on the State, families and suppliers.
“Axpo Italia’s results – stated Salvatore Pinto, President of Axpo Italia – are the result of a path of constant growth, built over the last 25 years. During this period, we have faced complex challenges, strengthening our skills and developing a solid relationship with the institutions. We firmly believe in the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to guarantee energy security and stability for the country. Our power plants and energy production represent a strategic asset for the national energy supply, contributing significantly to the energy security of a significant part of Italy. The growth highlighted by the data in the report we are presenting today is the result of the synergic work of all the companies that are part of Axpo Italia, a team that contributes to our success every day. We will continue to commit ourselves to supporting the country’s energy system with a strategic vision oriented towards sustainable growth, technological innovation and customer centricity”.
The study was commissioned by Axpo to celebrate the company's 25 years in Italy. The presentation of the data was preceded by a greeting from the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin. The minister expressed his congratulations for the 25 years of presence in Italy: an important milestone that - the minister emphasizes - represents not only a corporate success, but also a sign of dedication, commitment and innovation in the Italian industrial landscape. The Chief of Cabinet of the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Federico Eichberg, also underlined the value of Axpo as a point of reference for Italian businesses and consumers and expressed his appreciation for the contribution provided by Axpo in these 25 years to the development of the national energy sector.
The trend of Axpo Italia's contribution to the State between 2020 and 2023 shows an exponential growth between 2020 and 2022, followed by a reduction in 2023. In 2020, the contribution is equal to approximately 1,15 million euros, a value that reflects pre-pandemic market conditions and a lower incidence of extraordinary factors on the energy sector. In 2021, there is a drastic increase, with a contribution exceeding 90,4 million euros, marking an extraordinary increase compared to the previous year, probably determined by the post-Covid recovery, the increase in energy prices and the tightening of fiscal or contributory policies in the sector. The peak is reached in 2022, with a contribution exceeding 439,8 million euros, a value almost five times higher than in 2021. This growth is probably linked to the energy crisis triggered by the conflict in Ukraine. In 2023, however, a contraction in the contribution is observed, which drops to approximately 188,3 million euros, a reduction that reflects a partial rebalancing of the energy markets, a drop in prices compared to the peaks of 2022.
The Sant'Anna Institute report also analyzed the redistribution of Axpo Italia's value on the Italian territory in relation to the economic impact on families, i.e. the overall effect of wages, salaries and costs related to the remuneration of human resources compared to GDP at market prices. After 25 years of presence on the Italian territory, Axpo has generated an economic contribution of over 8,76 billion euros, of which 64 million in wages, salaries and contributions to families, 188 million in taxes paid to government bodies and approximately 8,56 billion euros allocated to companies in the value chain, representing a total of 0,43% of Italian GDP. In the period 2020-2023, Axpo paid 184,8 million euros to families, 723,6 million to the State and over 28,2 billion to the value chain, counting on an average of approximately 2.000 suppliers per year. The company has 254 employees, with an increase of 4,15% from 2020, of which 95% have permanent contracts and 93% are full time. Taxation peaks of up to 441 million euros are recorded and the contribution of other companies has grown by over 50%, representing 29% of the total, also contributing to 0,43% of the Italian GDP.
The report also highlights Axpo Italia's operational efficiency and its ability to generate value within companies in the energy sector. In the period analyzed, the results show a positive trend, with a value per employee that, despite some fluctuations, generally stands at higher levels than competitors in the sector. In the period 2019-2023, the data highlights the central role of Axpo Italia in the national energy landscape. Axpo Italia is positioned as a highly competitive player, with a significant economic impact and a sustained redistribution of value compared to other companies in the sector.
Axpo Italia purchased goods and services from an annual average of approximately 2.000 companies of various sizes (from micro-enterprises to large companies), distributed throughout the country. In 2020, the total purchase of goods and services from its suppliers amounted to approximately 3,14 billion euros, with a balanced split between goods (2,22 billion) and services (920 million). In 2021, there was a significant increase, with the overall value rising to 4,35 billion euros, an increase mainly driven by growth in the goods sector (the value of services remained almost stable). 2022 marked a real boom, with the total reaching 12,25 billion euros. The leap forward was determined by strong growth in the goods sector, which exceeded 11,6 billion in 2022, while services recorded a decline. This trend depends on the increase in prices, recorded in that year. Overall, in the four-year period 2020-2023, Axpo Italia recorded a total purchase of goods and services, from its suppliers, of 28,29 billion euros, with a clear prevalence of the goods sector (24,95 billion) compared to services (3,34 billion).
Over the course of its 25-year history, Axpo Italia has strengthened its contribution to the energy transition, with a particular focus on increasing the share of renewable energy in its portfolio. The number of Axpo customer withdrawal points also grew significantly, from 2019 to 2023 between 468.584 and 609.962. There was also significant growth in its market share in the residential sector, which went from 29.188 withdrawal points in 2020 to 86.979 in 2023. In 2020, Axpo Italia traded energy equal to 0,18% of the total domestic energy traded nationwide; a percentage that increased significantly in 2021, reaching 0,44%, thanks to the expansion of its activities in the domestic segment. Growth continued in 2022, where the percentage reached 0,47%, while in 2023 there was a slight decrease to 0,33%.
The 2022/2023 data demonstrate significant employment growth, increased gender inclusiveness, and ongoing commitment to sustainability. Between 2015 and 2019, the company offered 52 internships, of which 30,7% led to direct hiring and 23% to temporary contracts. In 2023/2024, financial support reached its highest level, with an investment of €74.900 in projects that promote culture, public health, and youth engagement.
The questionnaire administered to Axpo customers on the occasion of the company's 25th anniversary involved 62 organizations distributed throughout Italy. The level of satisfaction expressed by the interviewees appears to be generally positive, with appreciation regarding both the general experience with Axpo and the direct relationship with the company. The interest in maintaining the collaboration in the future is confirmed to be widespread.
"The results of the survey - said Simone Demarchi, CEO of Axpo Italia - confirm that Axpo enjoys an excellent reputation for quality and reliability and confirm our key role in Italy not only as an energy supplier, but as an active partner in the ecological and digital transformation paths of Italian companies. Over the course of its 25 years of history in Italy, Axpo has not only managed to occupy a significant position as an energy supplier, but has assumed the role of a credible, innovative and common good-oriented interlocutor, capable of combining business, sustainability and social responsibility. A reputation that represents a precious relational capital, to be cultivated and grown through increasingly visible, concrete and participatory actions".