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Ørsted faces into coronavirus storm

The renewable energy provider temporarily cut its UK capacity in response to coronavirus
August 12, 2020

A fall in energy prices and delays to construction work put pressure on Ørsted’s (0RHE) interim pre-tax profits, which fell 12 per cent to DKK4.38bn (£531m). The leader in sustainable energy, which derives 83 per cent of its cash profits from offshore power, saw turnover fall by a fifth over its half year. 

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The company temporarily reduced its UK wind farm capacity in response to lower demand for electricity, due to coronavirus, and estimates a DKK150m toll on its second-quarter cash profits from the pandemic. The virus has also raised the risk of a delay to the completion of two offshore substations. These are being constructed in Singapore, and coronavirus halted work here for two months.

Ørsted registered a near wipeout in second quarter pre-tax profits, which fell to just DKK119m. Its balance sheet weakened over the half, driven by a DKK4.6bn free cash outflow. At DKK22.3bn, Ørsted’s net debt swelled by nearly a third since the December year-end.

The company expects its capital expenditure to fall slightly this year, by DKK2bn to DKK28-30bn, due to a change in its timing of payments.