Budget 2024: Solid economic performance and record investments for territorial development

The Assembly of Mayors approved with a very large majority the 2024 financial statements of ETRA SpA Benefit Company, marking a moment of great cohesion among the member Municipalities and a renewed confidence in the direction taken by the company. A little over a year after its transformation into a Benefit Company, ETRA confirms the solidity of its governance and its ability to generate economic and social value.

"The approval of the budget is an important unified response," said President Flavio Frasson. "The numbers illustrated confirm very positive results in terms of investments, planning and management development."

In fact, 2024 saw a clear increase in the value of production, thanks above all to the growth in revenues, which led to an improvement in the gross operating margin of 15.7 million euros . The final profit for the year stood at 8.4 million euros , destined to be reinvested to further enhance services.

Record investments for more efficient services

One of the most significant signals of this budget concerns the commitment to investments: in 2024, ETRA exceeded all historical precedents, reaching 86.4 million euros . The added value created for the territory grew by almost 20 million compared to 2023, reaching 110.5 million euros . This translates into a concrete impact on the quality of life of citizens, with 107 euros invested per inhabitant in the Integrated Water Service alone. In the environmental sector, we continue with the provision of new containers equipped with microchips, the modernization of collection centers and plants, as well as the purchase of new vehicles for waste collection, for a total value of 3.5 million euros . Among the most incisive actions, the authorization for a 113 million euro contract for the maintenance of water and sewerage networks also stands out, confirming a growing commitment to the sustainability and efficiency of infrastructures.

Strategic projects: digitalization, efficiency and environmental savings

ETRA has already launched five main projects: the Integrated System for the Management of Services and Fleet (Work & Fleet Management System), the plan for the reduction of water losses, the widespread photovoltaic project, the new purification plant in Limena and the new plant for the treatment of sand also in Limena. The Work & Fleet Management System (8 million euros) aims to modernize the Operational Collection Services, through digitalization, real-time monitoring, traceability and efficient dialogue between operators and offices. The project aims to reduce annual consumption by 2 million liters of diesel and CO₂ emissions by 6,000 tons, while improving the use of human resources.

The project on the reduction of water losses, with a total investment of 43 million euros (20.8 of which financed by the PNRR), has already achieved significant results: compared to 2020, 138 liters/second have been recovered, equal to 3 million m³/year. The reduction potential is estimated at 5.3 million m³/year. The expected economic effects are equal to 600,000 euros/year of energy savings. The districting of 3,190 km of network and the replacement of over 156,000 meters are also planned, involving 183,000 users. In parallel, the project for widespread photovoltaic will lead to the construction of 18 plants in 13 sites, for a power of 6.5 MW, equal to 7 GWh/year, with a reduction of 1,850 tons of CO₂. The planned investment is 9.8 million euros, with total self-consumption on site.

A Benefit Company at the Service of the Territory

The path undertaken by ETRA as a Benefit Company is reflected in a management oriented towards the creation of shared value, in which profits become tools to strengthen the network of public services, improve the environmental impact and support the development of the territories served. During the meeting, the general manager illustrated five strategic projects already underway, which aim to improve the efficiency of the waste service and the digitalization of the networks.

"The picture that emerges is that of a dynamic society, projected towards innovation and strongly rooted in the needs of local communities", underlined President Frasson.

ETRA thus confirms itself as a reliable public actor, capable of combining economic solidity, social responsibility and sustainable vision. With these assumptions, the member Municipalities and the entire territory can look to the future with confidence.