Heijmans reports the following regarding ongoing discussions and disputes concerning loss-making projects: After a constructive consultation process, Heijmans and De Dommel District Water Board have agreed to terminate their partnership relating to the project Energiefabriek Tilburg. Effective 1 December, the District Water Board will fully take over the plant from Heijmans and will then become responsible for its operation, maintenance and further optimization. This means that as of that date, Heijmans will no longer have any financial and operational responsibility for the plant which since June 2016 has been taking in sewage sludge and produces electricity. The termination has a negative effect on the EBITDA of almost € 15 million. The impact of this agreement is a subject of consideration in the ongoing negotiations with financiers as referred to in our trading update of 2 November 2016.
Contract and building process In 2012, both parties signed a contract for the design and construction of the plant. The contract also provided for the plant's 15-year maintenance. In addition, it was agreed that full responsibility for the design, construction, maintenance and operating costs would be assumed by Heijmans.
During the design and construction phase both parties engaged in various discussions concerning the ultimate implementation and the proper operation of the plant. Although partial agreement was achieved, decisions were also enforced in a number of areas through arbitration. The partnership initially proceeded on this basis. After reconsideration, both parties jointly concluded that they wanted to terminate the partnership.
About the Energy Factory The objective of the Energiefabriek is to treat all of the sewage sludge in De Dommel's management area. High-quality technologies are applied to attain this objective. The plant reduces the volume of sewage sludge and produces biogas, which is used to generate renewable energy. This way the plant provides for its energy needs and operates energy-neutral. The surplus biogas, after the production of electricity, is supplied to the adjacent waste processing company Attero.
About Heijmans Heijmans is a listed company that combines activities related to property development, residential building, non-residential building, roads and civil engineering in the working areas living, working and connecting. Heijmans is active in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany and as a technology partner delivers know-how and concepts in various markets. Our constant focus on quality improvements, innovation and integrated solutions enables us to generate added value for our clients. Heijmans realises projects for private consumers, companies and public sector bodies. With almost 6,500 employees and close to € 950 million in revenues in the first half of 2016, we are building the spatial contours of tomorrow. You will find additional information on www.heijmans.nl.
For additional information / not for publication: Media Marieke Swinkels-Verstappen Communications +31 73 543 52 17 mswinkels-verstappen@heijmans.nl Analysts Guido Peters Investor Relations + 31 73 543 52 17 gpeters@heijmans.nl
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