Hoppa till innehållet

The Board of Directors of Eolus Vind Aktiebolag (publ) (“Eolus”) has resolved, pursuant to the authorisation granted by the annual general meeting held on 16 May 2024, to repurchase own shares on Nasdaq Stockholm. The purpose of the repurchase is to secure future delivery of shares to the participants of Eolus’ long-term share savings program which was resolved by the 2024 annual general meeting and to cover the cash flow effects associated with the program, primarily social security charges.

The repurchase may commence on 29 August 2024 and will be administered by Carnegie Investment Bank AB, which will take trading decisions independently of Eolus with regard to the timing of the repurchases. However, no acquisitions will be made during a 30-day period prior to the announcement of a financial report.

A maximum of 18,000 series B shares may be acquired on one or several occasions prior to 15 May 2025. Repurchase shall be made on Nasdaq Stockholm in accordance with the Nordic Main Market Rulebook for Issuers of Shares. The repurchases will be made at a price within the prevailing price interval on Nasdaq Stockholm applicable from time to time (i.e. in the interval between the highest purchase price and the lowest selling price). Acquisitions may also be made by way of block trades in accordance with applicable rules. Payment for the shares will be made in cash. Reporting will take place through the stock exchange in accordance with applicable rules.

The total number of shares in Eolus amounts to 24,907,000, of which 1,284,625 shares are series A shares and 23,622,375 shares are series B shares. At the time of this press release, the company does not hold any own shares. In the event of a fully executed share repurchase, the company will hold shares representing approximately 0.07 per cent of the issued shares in the company.

Construction in focus during the second quarter

1 April–30 June 2024

  • Net sales amounted to 54 (1,742) MSEK.
  • EBIT amounted to -26 (517) MSEK. Profit before tax amounted to -45 (503) MSEK.
  • Net profit amounted to -50 (422) MSEK.
  • Earnings per share, before and after dilution equaled -1.99 (16.97) SEK.
  • At the end of the period, Eolus had 967 (817) MW under asset management.

1 January–30 June 2024

  • Net sales amounted to 98 (2,019) MSEK.
  • EBIT amounted to -55 (506) MSEK. Profit before tax amounted to -74 (491) MSEK.
  • Net profit amounted to -82 (407) MSEK
  • Earnings per share, before and after dilution equaled -3.29 (16.36) SEK.
  • At the end of the period Eolus had 967 (817) MW under asset management.

Significant events during the period

  • Eolus submitted a permit application to the government for the 2.2 GW offshore wind power project Skidbladner north of Gotska Sandön in Sweden.
  • Magnus Axelsson, Chief Operating Officer and deputy CEO, and Heléne Sebrén, Head of HR, decided to leave Eolus as of 30 June and 30 September 2024, respectively.
  • Christer Baden Hansen, formerly Chief Commercial Officer, was appointed Chief Operating Officer and deputy CEO of Eolus with effect from 1 July 2024.

Significant events after the balance sheet date

  • Eolus appointed Åsa Lamm as Chief People & Culture Officer taking office on 16 September 2024.

Financial Summary

MSEK Unit Q2 2024 Q2 2023 6 months 2024 6 months 2023 Rolling 12
Jul–Jun
Full year 2023
Net sales MSEK 54 1,742 98 2,019 381 2,301
EBIT MSEK -26 517 -55 506 203 764
Profit before tax MSEK -45 503 -74 491 154 719
Net profit MSEK -50 422 -82 407 83 573
Earnings per share before and after dilution SEK -1.99 16.97 -3.29 16.36 3.35 23.00
Equity per share SEK 57.00 55.86 57.00 55.86 57.00 60.63
Cashflow from operating activities MSEK -517 860 -498 624 -1,273 -152
Total assets MSEK 3,397 2,496 3,397 2,496 3,397 2,808
Net debt -/net cash+ MSEK -417 888 -417 888 -417 120
Order backlog MSEK 662 845 662 845 662 665
Project under construction MW 456 514 456 514 456 368
Taken into operation and handed over to customer MW 0 0 0 400 125 525
Project portfolio MW 28,386 25,446 28,386 25,446 28,386 26,836
Managed turbines MW 967 817 967 817 967 941
Equity/assets ratio % 44 58 44 58 44 56
Return on equity after tax % 6 37 6 37 6 46

Presentation of the report
At 10:00 today, CEO Per Witalisson and CFO Catharina Persson will present the report via a webcast with telephone conference.

In connection with the presentation, it will be possible to ask questions through the teleconference or in written form through the webcast. The presentation will be held in English.

Webcast:
If you wish to participate via webcast, please use the link below:
https://ir.financialhearings.com/eolus-q2-report-2024
Via the webcast you can ask written questions.

Teleconference:
If you wish to participate via teleconference, please register on the link below:
https://conference.financialhearings.com/teleconference/?id=50048261
After registration you will be provided phone number and a conference ID to access the conference.
You can ask questions verbally via the teleconference.

Eolus has appointed Åsa Lamm as Chief People & Culture Officer and member of the Group Management. She will take office on 16 September 2024 and be based in Malmö, Sweden.

Åsa Lamm has solid experience from leading positions in HR and joins Eolus from a role as Nordic HR Manager at Unilin Group. Before, she has held similar positions in Granitor Properties, Skanska and Manpower.
 
“I am pleased to welcome Åsa to Eolus and look forward to collaborating on the development of Eolus’s organization and culture. Bringing knowledge and experience from several sectors, I am convinced that Åsa will be a highly valuable resource on our continued growth journey”, says Per Witalisson, CEO of Eolus.
 
“I am strongly motivated to be part of Eolus and its important mission of developing renewable energy projects. I look forward to getting to know all the employees and to set the plan for continuing the development of people, organization and culture going forward”, says Åsa Lamm.

Christer Baden Hansen, currently Chief Commercial Officer, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO of Eolus from 01 July 2024.

Christer Baden Hansen joined Eolus in February 2023 after a long career at Vestas.

“I am delighted Christer has accepted to take on the role as COO. Eolus is on an exciting growth journey and I am convinced Christer will continue to play a key role in the future development and expansion of Eolus, now with a broader responsibility”, says Per Witalisson, CEO of Eolus.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to lead the development and realization of renewable projects contributing to the energy transition. Eolus has a strong project portfolio, a skilled organization, and long-lasting partnerships which I look forward to continuing working with”, says Christer Baden Hansen.

From 01 July, 2024, Eolus’s Group Management consists of the following members:
Per Witalisson, CEO
Christer Baden Hansen, COO
Catharina Persson, CFO
Heléne Sebrén, Head of HR
Karin Wittsell Heydl, Head of Communications & Sustainability
Karl Olsson, General Counsel
 

Heléne Sebrén, Head of HR, has decided to leave Eolus and return to her own consultancy business after four years with Eolus. She will remain in her role, including the position in the Group Management until 30 September 2024.

Heléne started working at Eolus in 2020 as a consultant, and in September 2022 she was employed as Head of HR and member of the Group Management.

“ Heléne has been a highly valuable resource for Eolus in a period of strong growth where she has led the development of our organizational structure, recruited more than 100 employees and contributed to the establishment of strong organizations in all our markets”, says Per Witalisson, CEO of Eolus.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of Eolus’s growth journey. Together we have built a strong organization that is well prepared for future success. I have now decided to return to my own consultancy business”, says Heléne Sebrén.

The process of recruiting a new Head of HR will start immediately.

Eolus Vind AB’s Annual General Meeting 2024 (“AGM”) was held today, Thursday, May 16.

The AGM adopted the presented income statements and balance sheets as well as submitted and proposed guidelines for remuneration to senior executives, remuneration report and granted discharge of liability to Board members and the CEO. In addition, the following principal resolutions were passed.

In accordance with the Board of Directors’ proposal, the AGM resolved to declare a dividend of SEK 2.25 per share for the financial year 2023, and the record date for the payment of dividends was set to Monday, May 20, 2024.

Marie Grönborg, Hans Johansson, Jan Johansson, Hans Linnarson, Bodil Rosvall Jönsson and Hans-Göran Stennert were re-elected as members of the Board of Directors. Hans-Göran Stennert was re-elected as Chairman of the Board. The accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers AB was re-elected as the Company’s auditor, with authorized public accountant Vicky Johansson as auditor in charge.

It was decided that fees to the Board of Directors shall amount to SEK 500,000 to the Chairman of the Board and SEK 250,000 each to other Board members who are not employed by the Company, to SEK 80,000 to the Chairman of the Audit Committee and SEK 40,000 to other members who are not employed by the Company, and to SEK 15,000 to members of the Remuneration Committee who are not employed by the Company. It was decided that auditor fees shall be paid in accordance with approved invoice.

The AGM resolved, in accordance with the Board’s proposal, on authorization for the Board of Directors to, on one or more occasions before the next Annual General Meeting, resolve on repurchase and transfer of the Company’s own series B shares. Repurchase of own shares of series B may take place on Nasdaq Stockholm and be made to such extent that the Company’s holding of own shares at any given time amounts to a maximum of 10 per cent of all shares in the Company, and at a price per share within the registered share price interval at any given time. Transfers under the authorization may be made of all series B shares held by the Company, except for those repurchased to secure the Company’s commitments under the Company’s share savings program. Transfers on Nasdaq Stockholm may be made at a price per share within the registered share price interval at any given time.

The AGM also resolved on the implementation of a long-term share savings program as well as delivery arrangements in respect thereof by way of (i) authorization for the Board of Directors to resolve on repurchase of a maximum of 150,000 own series B shares and (ii) transfer of a maximum of 120,000 own series B shares free of charge to the participants.

The share savings program comprise all permanent employees in the Eolus Group and participation in the program requires that the participant acquires Series B shares in Eolus on Nasdaq Stockholm no later than June 28, 2024. Each savings share entitles the participant, subject to certain restrictions, to receive 0.5 Series B shares in Eolus (“matching shares”) free of charge at the end of the three-year vesting period. In addition, each savings share entitles the participant, subject to certain restrictions, to receive 0.5 series B shares in Eolus (“performance shares”) free of charge at the end of the vesting period if the share price of the Company’s share on Nasdaq Stockholm at the end of the vesting period has increased by 30 per cent. The right to receive matching shares as well as performance shares is conditional upon the participant maintaining his/her employment over the entire vesting period.

Investment decision and construction start in three Swedish projects

1 January–31 March 2024

  • Net sales amounted to 44 (277) MSEK.
  • EBIT amounted to -29 (-12) MSEK. Profit before tax amounted to -29 (-12) MSEK.
  • Net profit amounted to -32 (-15) MSEK.
  • Earnings per share, before and after dilution equaled -1.30 (-0.61) SEK.
  • At the end of the period Eolus had 939 (825) MW under asset management.

Significant events during the period

  • Eolus made an investment decision for the wind power projects Fågelås, Boarp and Dållebo in Sweden totaling 88 MW. A turbine supply agreement was signed with Vestas and construction will start immediately.
  • Eolus submitted a permit application for the 1,000 MW wind power project Blekinge Offshore off the coast of Blekinge.
  • Eolus and Simply Blue Group agreed to transfer full ownership of the joint venture SeaSapphire, which develops floating offshore wind projects, to Eolus.

Significant events after the balance sheet date

  • Magnus Axelsson, COO and deputy CEO, decided to leave Eolus as of June 30, 2024.

Financial Summary

MSEK
Unit
Q1 2024 Q1 2023 12 months
Apr-Mar
Full year 2023
Net sales MSEK 44 277 2,069 2,301
EBIT MSEK -29 -12 747 764
Profit before tax MSEK -29 -12 702 719
Net profit MSEK -32 -15 556 573
Earnings per share before and after dilution SEK -1.30 -0.61 22.31 23.00
Equity per share SEK 61.45 38.88 61.45 60.63
Cashflow from operating activities MSEK 20 -236 104 -152
Total assets MSEK 2,958 1,951 2,958 2,808
Net debt -/net cash+ MSEK -112 55 -112 -118
Order backlog MSEK 662 1118 662 665
Project under construction MW 456 394 456 368
Taken into operation and handed over to customer MW 0 400 125 525
Project portfolio MW 28,095 24,477 28,095 26,836
Managed turbines MW 939 825 939 941
Equity/assets ratio % 54 53 54 56
Return on equity after tax % 44 13 44 46

Presentation of the report
At 10:00 today, CEO Per Witalisson and CFO Catharina Persson will present the report via a webcast with telephone conference.
In connection with the presentation, it will be possible to ask questions through the teleconference or in written form through the webcast. The presentation will be held in English.

Webcast:
If you wish to participate via webcast, please use the link below:
https://ir.financialhearings.com/eolus-q1-report-2024/
Via the webcast you can ask written questions.

Teleconference:
If you wish to participate via teleconference, please register on the link below:
https://conference.financialhearings.com/teleconference/?id=50048260
After registration you will be provided phone number and a conference ID to access the conference.
You can ask questions verbally via the teleconference.

The shareholders of Eolus Vind AB (publ) Reg. No. 556389-3956 are hereby invited to attend the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) to be held on May 16, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. CEST in Kulturhuset in Hässleholm, Vattugatan 18. Registration for the AGM begins at 1:30 p.m. CEST.

The Board of Directors has decided that shareholders shall be able to exercise their voting rights at the AGM also by postal voting in accordance with the regulations in Eolus’ Articles of Association.

Right to participate

Participation in the meeting room

A) Anyone wishing to attend the meeting room in person or through a representative must be recorded as a shareholder in the share register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB, made as of May 7, 2024, and no later than May 10, 2024 preferably before 4 p.m. CEST, notify the company of their intention to participate in the AGM.

Registration to attend the AGM should primarily be made via the company’s website https://www.eolus.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meeting/. Registration to attend can also be made in writing under the address Eolus Vind AB ”Annual General Meeting”, c/o Euroclear Sweden AB, P.O. Box 191, SE-101 23 Stockholm, Sweden or by phone, 08-402 90 41. When registering, the shareholder must state name, social security- or company registration number, address, telephone number and the number of possible assistants (maximum two).

If shareholders are represented by a proxy, a written and dated power of attorney signed by the shareholder must be issued to the proxy. Proxy form is available on the company’s website www.eolus.com/en/. A power of attorney is valid one year from its issue date or such longer time period as set out in the power of attorney, however not more than five years. If the shareholder is a legal person, a registration certificate or other authorization document must be attached to the form, listing the authorized signatories. In order to facilitate the registration process at the AGM, a proxy together with registration certificate and any other authorization documents shall be received by the company at the above address at 4 p.m. CEST on May 10, 2024, at the latest. If a proxy and other authorization documents have not been submitted in advance of the AGM, a proxy and other authorization documents shall be presented at the AGM.

Participation by postal voting

B) Anyone wishing to attend the meeting by postal voting must be recorded as a shareholder in the share register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB, made as of May 7, 2024, and no later than May 10, 2024 notify the company by casting their postal vote in accordance with the instructions below, so that the postal vote is received by Euroclear Sweden AB no later than that day.

Anyone who wishes to attend the meeting room in person or through a representative, must give notice in accordance with the instructions stated under A) above. Hence, a notice through postal voting only is not sufficient for those who wishes to attend the meeting room.

A special form must be used for postal voting. The form is available on the company’s website www.eolus.com/en/. The completed and signed form may be sent by mail to Eolus Vind AB, “Annual General Meeting”, c/o Euroclear Sweden AB, P.O. Box 191, SE-101 23 Stockholm, Sweden or by email to GeneralMeetingService@euroclear.com. The completed form must be received by Euroclear Sweden AB no later than May 10, 2024. Shareholders may also cast their votes electronically by verifying with BankID via Euroclear Sweden AB’s website https://anmalan.vpc.se/EuroclearProxy/.

Shareholders may not provide special instructions or conditions to the postal vote. If so, the entire postal vote is invalid. Further instructions and conditions can be found in the postal voting form.

If the shareholder submits its postal vote by proxy, a written and dated power of attorney signed by the shareholder must be attached to the postal voting form. Proxy form is available on the company’s website www.eolus.com/en/. A power of attorney is valid one year from its issue date or such longer time period as set out in the power of attorney, however not more than five years. If the shareholder is a legal person, a registration certificate or other authorization document must be attached to the form, listing the authorized signatories.

Nominee-registered shares

In order to be entitled to participate in the AGM, a shareholder whose shares are registered in the name of a nominee must, in addition to giving notice of participation in the AGM, register its shares in its own name so that the shareholder is listed in the presentation of the share register as of May 7, 2024. Such registration may be temporary (so-called voting rights registration), and request for such voting rights registration shall be made to the nominee, in accordance with the nominee’s routines, at such a time in advance as decided by the nominee. Voting rights registrations that have been made by the nominee no later than May 10, 2024 will be taken into account in the presentation of the share register.

Proposed agenda

  1. Opening of the meeting
  2. Election of chairman of the meeting
  3. Election of two persons to check the minutes
  4. Preparation and approval of the voting list
  5. Approval of the agenda
  6. Determination of compliance with the rules of convocation
  7. Presentation of
    1. the annual report and the auditor’s report and the consolidated financial statements and the auditor’s report for the Group
    2. the statement by the auditor on the compliance of the guidelines for remuneration to senior executives
    3. the Board of Directors’ proposal on appropriation of the company’s profit and reasoned statement thereon
  8. Resolutions regarding
    1. adoption of the statement of income and the balance sheet and the consolidated statement of income and the consolidated balance sheet
    2. appropriation of the company’s profit according to the adopted balance sheet
    3. discharge of the Board of Directors and the CEO from liability for the financial year 2023
  9. Determination of
  1. the number of Board members and deputy Board members
  2. the number of auditors and deputy auditors

10. Determination of

  1. fees to Board members
  2. fees to the auditor
  1. Election of Board members and Chairman of the Board
    The Nomination Committee’s proposal:
  1. Marie Grönborg
  2. Hans Johansson
  3. Jan Johansson
  4. Hans Linnarson
  5. Bodil Rosvall Jönsson
  6. Hans-Göran Stennert
  7. Hans-Göran Stennert, as Chairman of the Board
  1. Election of auditor
  2. Resolution on approval of remuneration report
  3. Resolution on guidelines for remuneration to senior executives
  4. Resolution on authorisation for the Board of Directors to resolve on repurchase and transfer of the company’s own series B shares
  5. Resolution on the implementation of a long-term share savings program
  6. Closing of the meeting

Proposed resolutions

Election of chairman of the meeting (item 2)

The Nomination Committee for the AGM 2024 has consisted of the chairman Hans Gydell (appointed by Hans-Göran Stennert), Ingvar Svantesson (appointed by Domneåns Kraftaktiebolag), Hans Johansson (appointed by Åke Johansson) and the Chairman of the Board, Hans-Göran Stennert.

The Nomination Committe has proposed that Eolus’ General Counsel, Karl Olsson, shall be elected chairman of the AGM 2024.

Preparation and approval of the voting list (item 4)

The voting list proposed for approval is the voting list drawn up by Euroclear Sweden AB on behalf of the Company, based on the AGM’s register of shareholders, shareholders having given notice of participation and being present at the meeting venue, and postal votes received.

Dividend (item 8b)

The Board of Directors proposes that a dividend of SEK 2.25 per share is declared for the financial year 2023. As record date for the dividend, the Board of Directors proposes May 20, 2024. If the AGM resolves in accordance with the proposal, the dividend is expected to be distributed by Euroclear Sweden AB starting May 23, 2024.

Election of Board members, Chairman of the Board and auditor, and determination of fees (items 9-12)

The Nomination Committee proposes that the AGM resolves as follows:

that the Board of Directors shall consist of six members, with no deputy members;

that one Auditor shall be appointed, with no deputy Auditor;

that, fees to the Board members for 2024 shall be SEK 500,000 (450,000) to the Chairman of the Board and SEK 250,000 (225,000) each to other Board members who are not employed by the company, fees for work in the Audit Committee shall be paid in the amount of SEK 80,000 (60,000) to the Chairman of the Audit Committee and in the amount of SEK 40,000 (30,000) to other members who are not employed by the company, and fees for work in the Remuneration Committee shall be paid in the amount of SEK 15,000 (15,000) to members who are not employed by the company;

that the Auditor’s fee is to be paid according to agreement;

that the Board members Marie Grönborg, Hans Johansson, Jan Johansson, Hans Linnarson, Bodil Rosvall Jönsson and Hans-Göran Stennert are re-elected;

that Hans-Göran Stennert is re-elected as Chairman of the Board;

that, in accordance with the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers AB is elected as auditor; PricewaterhouseCoopers AB has informed that the authorized public accountant Vicky Johansson will continue as auditor in charge should the AGM resolve in accordance with the Nomination Committee’s proposal.

Resolution on guidelines for remuneration to senior executives (item 14)

The Board of Directors proposes that the AGM resolves on an adjustment to the current guidelines for remuneration to senior executives adopted by the AGM 2021. The proposal entails that only such variable cash remuneration that is measured over a period of one year may be paid to senior executives and that variable cash remuneration to senior executives other than the CEO may amount to four months’ salary. No other significant changes are proposed.

The Board of Directors’ complete proposal of the amended guidelines for remuneration to senior executives will be available on the company’s website, www.eolus.com/en/.

Resolution on authorisation for the Board of Directors to resolve on repurchase and transfer of the company’s own series B shares (item 15)

The Board of Directors proposes that the AGM resolves to authorise the Board of Directors to resolve on repurchase of the company’s own series B shares on the following conditions.

  1. Repurchase may take place on Nasdaq Stockholm, on one or several occasions up to the next AGM.
  2. Repurchase may be made of such number of series B shares that the company’s holding of own shares does not at any time exceed 10 per cent of the total number of shares in the company, including such series B shares that have been repurchased in accordance with item B. in the Share Savings Program 2024 to secure the company’s undertakings under that program.
  3. Acquisition may be made at a price per share within the prevailing price interval registered at each point in time (i.e. in the interval between the highest purchase price and the lowest selling price).
  4. Payment of acquired series B shares shall be made in cash.

The Board of Directors further proposes that the AGM authorises the Board of Directors to transfer series B shares held by the company as payment in connection with the acquisition of companies or businesses, or to finance such acquisitions, in which case the shares may also be sold via Nasdaq Stockholm. In other respects, the following conditions shall apply.

  1. Transfer may take place on one or several occasions up to the next AGM.
  2. Transfer may be made of all series B shares held by the company at the time of the Board of Directors’ resolution on the transfer, excluding such series B shares that have been repurchased in accordance with item B. in the Share Savings Program 2024 to secure the company’s undertakings under that Program.
  3. The authorisation includes the right to resolve on a deviation from the shareholders’ preferential right.
  4. Transfers on Nasdaq Stockholm shall take place at a price per share within the prevailing price interval registered at each point in time, against cash payment. For transfers outside Nasdaq Stockholm, payment for the shares shall be possible in cash, in kind or through set-off, whereby the price per share shall correspond to an assessed market value at the time of such transfer.

The purpose of the authorisation to repurchase own series B shares is to enable the Board of Directors to adapt the company’s capital structure and thereby contribute to increased shareholder value. The Board of Directors may propose that future AGMs resolve to cancel repurchased shares. In addition, the purpose of the authorisations to repurchase and transfer own series B shares, and the reasons for the deviation from the shareholders’ preferential rights, is to enable the company to use treasury shares to finance or pay for acquisitions of companies or businesses without delay and in a flexible and cost-effective manner.

The Board of Directors shall be entitled to resolve on other terms and conditions for repurchase and transfer of own series B shares. The Board of Directors, or the person appointed by the Board of Directors, is authorised to make such minor adjustments in the above proposal that may prove to be necessary in connection with execution of the Board of Directors’ resolution on repurchase and transfer of own series B shares.

Under the Swedish Companies Act, the resolution of the general meeting to authorise the Board of Directors to resolve on repurchase and transfer of own shares, requires the approval of shareholders representing at least two-thirds of both the number of votes cast and the shares represented at the meeting in order to be valid.

Resolution on the implementation of a long-term share savings program (item 16)

The Board of Directors of Eolus Vind Aktiebolag (publ) (”Eolus” or the ”Company”) proposes that the AGM resolves on a long-term share savings program for all permanent employees of the Eolus group (the “Share Savings Program 2024”). In order to secure the undertakings of Eolus to deliver shares to the participants under the program and to cover the cash flow effects associated with the Share Savings Program 2024, the Board of Directors further proposes that the AGM resolves on delivery arrangements. The Board of Directors’ proposal for the Share Savings Program 2024 is set out in A. below, and the proposal for the delivery arrangements is set out in B. below.

A. Proposal on the implementation of the Share Savings Program 2024

Background and reasons

Previous AGMs of Eolus have adopted share savings programs under which employees have been able to choose to acquire savings shares in Eolus out of any variable remuneration, whereby the Company has compensated the participants, subject to continued employment, with the cost of acquiring the number of shares equal to half of the number of savings shares, three years after the acquisition of savings shares. The now proposed program entails, in contrast to previous programs, that employees can choose to acquire savings shares for an amount related to the fixed monthly salary. The Share Savings Program 2024 is considered to strengthen Eolus’ ability to recruit, motivate and retain competent employees by facilitating for new employees to participate in the program on the same terms as other employees in the group. By linking the outcome of the proposed program to the development of the Company’s share price, the Share Savings Program 2024 is expected to align the interests of the employees with those of the shareholders in the long-term value growth of the Company, to a greater extent than previous share savings programs, and thereby further contribute to Eolus’ business strategy and long-term interests.

Eolus’ ambition is to continue to propose programs of a similar nature to future AGMs.

Terms and conditions for the program

1. The Share Savings Program 2024 comprise all permanent employees in the group, approximately 150 employees (the “Participants”).

2. The Share Savings Program 2024 shall comprise a maximum of 150,000 series B shares in Eolus, of which 120,000 shares can be allocated to Participants. The remaining 30,000 shares in Eolus are such shares that may be transferred by Eolus in order to cover the cash flow effects associated with the Share Savings Program 2024, primarily social security charges.

3. Participation in the Share Savings Program 2024 requires that the Participants, for own funds, acquire new series B shares in Eolus (“Savings Shares”) on Nasdaq Stockholm no later than 28 June 2024.

4. Members of Eolus’ group management who were entitled to acquire savings shares under the Share Savings Program 2023 (currently 7 persons) are entitled to acquire Savings Shares under the Share Savings Program 2024 for an amount corresponding to a maximum of 140 per cent of one month’s salary. Other permanent employees of the Eolus group who were entitled to acquire savings shares under the Share Savings Program 2023 (currently approximately 100 persons) are entitled to acquire Savings Shares for an amount corresponding to a maximum of 40 per cent of one month’s salary.

5. Members of Eolus’ group management who were not entitled to acquire savings shares under the Share Savings Program 2023 (currently 0 persons) are entitled to acquire Savings Shares under the Share Savings Program 2024 for an amount corresponding to a maximum of two months’ salary. Other permanent employees of the Eolus group who were not entitled to acquire savings shares under the Share Savings Programs 2023 (currently approximately 40 persons) are entitled to acquire Savings Shares for an amount corresponding to a maximum of one month’s salary.[1]

6. The Board of Directors shall be entitled to bring forward or postpone the last date for the acquisition of Savings Shares pursuant to item 3 above for one or several Participants, for example if Participants are prevented from acquiring Savings Shares due to inside information, however not later than 31 December 2024.

7. Each Savings Share entitles the Participants, subject to the restrictions set out in items 11-16 below, to receive 0.5 series B shares in the Company free of charge (“Matching Shares”) at the end of a three-year vesting period commencing on 1 July 2024 (the “Vesting Period”). In the event that the Board of Directors brings forward or postpones the last date for the acquisition of Savings Shares pursuant to item 6 above, the date of commencement of the Vesting Period shall be adjusted to the day after the last date for the acquisition of Savings Shares.

8. In addition, each Savings Share entitles the Participants, subject to the restrictions set out in items 11-16 below and provided that the performance condition in item 9 below is achieved, to at the end of the Vesting Period receive 0.5 series B shares in the Company free of charge (“Performance Shares”).

9. The right to receive Performance Shares is conditional on that the share price of the Company’s share on Nasdaq Stockholm at the end of the Vesting Period has increased by 30 per cent during the Vesting Period, whereby the volume-weighted average price of Eolus’s share on Nasdaq Stockholm during the ten (10) trading days immediately preceding the Vesting Period shall be compared with the corresponding average price during the last ten (10) trading days of the Vesting Period (the “Performance Condition”).

10. Provided that the above conditions are met, and subject to the restrictions set out in items 11-16 below, Matching Shares and/or Performance Shares are expected to be transferred to the Participants within 60 days from the end of the Vesting Period. The Board of Directors is authorised to extend the deadline for the transfer of Matching Shares and/or Performance Shares if Participants are prevented from receiving shares during the specified period due to applicable laws and regulations.

11. Should there be a decline in the price of the Eolus series B share at the time of the Participants’ acquisitions of Savings Shares such that the number of Matching Shares and Performance Shares subject to allocation exceeds the maximum number of shares set out in item 2 above, the number of Matching Shares and Performance Shares that may be subject to allocation will be reduced proportionately.

12. Allocation of Matching Shares and Performance Shares is conditional upon the Participant retaining all Savings Shares and maintaining his/her permanent employment within the Eolus group over the entire Vesting Period. The Board of Directors is authorised to disregard these conditions if certain good leaver rules apply. The allocation of Matching Shares and Performance Shares to a good leaver will be proportionately adjusted for time served during the Vesting Period and the Board of Directors’ assessment of the extent to which the Performance Condition has been achieved by the time the employment terminated.

13. If the aggregated number of Matching Shares and/or Performance Shares that a Participant is entitled to receive at the end of the Vesting Period does not correspond to a whole number of shares, the number of Matching Shares and/or Performance Shares that the Participant is entitled to receive shall be rounded downwards to the nearest whole number.

14. The number of Matching Shares and Performance Shares shall be subject to recalculation in the event of any intervening bonus issue, share split, reverse share split, rights issue, and/or other similar corporate actions. The same shall apply for the distribution of an extraordinary dividend (or distribution of other assets).

15. If significant changes in the Eolus group or in the market occur which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would result in a situation where the conditions for allocation of Matching Shares and/or Performance Shares become unreasonable, the Board of Directors is entitled to make adjustments to the Share Savings Program 2024, including, inter alia, to resolve to reduce the allocation of Matching Shares and/or Performance Shares or to not allocate any Matching Shares and/or Performance Shares at all. In the event that allocation of Matching Shares and/or Performance Shares has been made based on incorrect information, or if actions have been taken by any Participant which could result in material damage to the Eolus group’s reputation, the Board of Directors may decide to reclaim whole or a part of the allocated Matching Shares and/or Performance Shares.

16. Participation in the Share Savings Program 2024 presupposes that such participation is legally possible in the various jurisdictions concerned and that the administrative efforts and costs are reasonable in the opinion of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be entitled to make such local adjustments of the Share Savings Program 2024 that may be necessary or appropriate to implement it with reasonable administrative efforts and costs in the concerned jurisdictions, including, inter alia, to offer cash settlement.

17. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the further design and administration of the Share Savings Program 2024 within the framework of the above stated main terms and conditions and shall be authorised to make such minor adjustments and applications as required by law or for administrative reasons.

[1] The intention is that the investment limits set out in item 5 shall apply to all Participants in any future share savings programs. The investment limits in item 4 have been determined taking into account the fact that a majority of the Participants have already been offered to acquire savings shares earlier in 2024 under the Share Savings Program 2023.

Estimated costs, effects on key ratios and dilution

The costs for the Share Savings Program 2024 are calculated according to the accounting standard IFRS 2 and accrued on a linear basis over the Vesting Period.

Assuming (i) a share price of SEK 74.25 for the Company’s share on Nasdaq Stockholm (corresponding to the closing price of the Company’s share on Nasdaq Stockholm on 28 March 2024) at the time of the Participants’ acquisition of Savings Shares, (ii) acquisition of the maximum number of Savings Shares by eligible Participants, and (iii) an annual employee turnover of 10 per cent, the total effect on the income statement of the Share Savings Program 2024, including costs for social security charges, is estimated to amount to SEK 3.8 million if Eolus’s share price at the time of delivery of shares to the Participants is unchanged. Under the corresponding assumptions, the total effect on the income statement, including costs for social security charges, is estimated to amount to SEK 3.9 million if Eolus’s share price at the time of delivery of shares to Participants has increased by 30 per cent.

The estimated aggregated annual costs of between SEK 1.3-1.4 million correspond to approximately 1 per cent of the group’s total employee costs for the financial year 2023. Thus, the costs for the Share Savings Program 2024 are expected to have a marginal effect on the group’s key ratios.

The proposed delivery arrangements below will not give rise to an increased number of shares in Eolus and, accordingly, no dilutive effect in terms of shares issued will occur for existing shareholders.

B. Delivery arrangements

The Board of Directors has considered different methods for delivery of shares under the Share Savings Program 2024 to the Participants and to cover the cash flow effects associated with the Share Savings Program 2024, primarily social security charges. For this purpose, the Board of Directors proposes that the AGM resolve on (i) an authorisation for the Board of Directors to resolve on the repurchase of own series B shares on Nasdaq Stockholm; and (ii) transfer of own series B shares free of charge to the Participants.

The detailed conditions for the Board of Directors’ proposal are set out below.

Authorisation for the Board of Directors to resolve on acquisition of own series B shares

The Board of Directors proposes that the AGM authorises the Board of Directors to resolve on acquisition of own series B shares on Nasdaq Stockholm on the following terms:

  1. Acquisitions of series B shares in Eolus may only be effected on Nasdaq Stockholm.
  2. A maximum of 150,000 series B shares in Eolus may be acquired.
  3. Acquisitions of series B shares in Eolus on Nasdaq Stockholm may only be made at a price within the prevailing price interval on Nasdaq Stockholm applicable from time to time (i.e. the interval between the highest purchase price and the lowest selling price).
  4. The authorisation may be utilised on one or several occasions prior to the AGM 2025.

The purpose of the resolution is to secure the undertakings of Eolus according to the Share Savings Program 2024 and to cover the cash flow effects associated with the Share Savings Program 2024, primarily social security charges.

Resolution on transfer of own series B shares to the Participants

The Board of Directors proposes that the AGM resolves that own series B shares may be transferred to the Participants in the Share Savings Program 2024 on the following terms:

  1. A maximum of 120,000 series B shares in Eolus (60,000 Matching Shares and 60,000 Performance Shares) may be transferred free of charge to the Participants.
  2. Right to purchase series B shares in Eolus free of charge shall – with deviation from the shareholders’ preferential rights – be granted to each such person within the group who is a Participant.
  3. Transfers of series B shares in Eolus shall be made free of charge at the time and on the other terms that the Participants, as relevant, are entitled to be allocated shares.
  4. The number of series B shares in Eolus that may be transferred under the Share Savings Program 2024 shall be subject to recalculation in the event of any intervening bonus issue, share split, reverse share split, rights issue, and/or other similar corporate actions. The same shall apply for the distribution of an extraordinary dividend (or distribution of other assets).

As the Share Savings Program 2024, in principle, is not expected to give rise to any initial social security payments for Eolus (and as an authorisation for the Board of Directors to resolve on transfer of the Company’s own shares is valid only until the next AGM), the Board of Directors has decided not to propose to the AGM 2024 to authorise the Board of Directors to resolve on transfer of the Company’s own series B shares on a regulated market in order to cover such payments. However, prior to any transfer of Matching Shares and Performance Shares to the Participants, the Board of Directors intends to propose to a later general meeting to authorise the Board of Directors to resolve on transfer of the Company’s own series B shares on a regulated marked in order to cover such costs.

Reasons for deviation from the shareholders’ preferential rights

The reason for deviation from the shareholders’ preferential rights is Eolus’ wish to implement the proposed share savings program. In light of the above stated, the Board of Directors considers it to be advantageous for Eolus and the shareholders that the Participants are offered to increase their shareholdings in Eolus.

C. Majority requirements

The AGM’s resolution on the implementation of the Share Savings Program 2024 according to item A above, is conditional upon the AGM resolving in accordance with the Board of Directors’ proposal under item B above, and the proposals under items A and B shall therefore be adopted as one resolution. A valid resolution requires that shareholders representing not less than nine-tenths of the votes cast as well as of the shares represented at the AGM approve the resolution.

D. Other

The proposal for the Share Savings Program 2024 has been prepared by the Board of Directors and its Remuneration Committee in consultation with external advisors.

Eolus already has three ongoing share savings programs for the financial years 2023, 2022 and 2021 relating to the variable cash remuneration. For a more detailed description of these program, reference is made to Eolus Annual Report and Sustainability Report for 2023, note 5.

A reasoned statement of the Board of Directors pursuant to Chapter 19, Section 22 of the Swedish Companies Act has been prepared.

Available documentation

The Nomination Committee’s reasoned statement, form of power of attorney and postal voting form are available at the company and on the company’s website, www.eolus.com/en/.

The financial statements, the audit report and other documentation that shall be available for the shareholders according to the Swedish Companies Act will be available at the company and on the company’s website, www.eolus.com/en/, no later than three weeks before the AGM.

The documents will be sent free of charge to shareholders who so request and state their address.

Number of shares and votes in the company

At the time of issue of this convening notice, the total number of shares in the company amounts to 24,907,000, of which 1,284,625 shares are Class A shares and 23,622,375 shares are Class B shares. The total number of votes in the company amounts to 3,646,862.5.

Information at the AGM

The Board of Directors and the CEO shall, if any shareholder so request and if the Board of Directors considers that this can be done without significant harm for the company or its subsidiaries, give information on circumstances that can affect the assessment of an item on the agenda, circumstances that can affect the assessment of the financial situation of the company or its subsidiaries and the company’s relationship with another group company (including the consolidated financial statements).

Processing of personal data

For information about the processing of your personal data, see www.euroclear.com/dam/ESw/Legal/Privacy-notice-bolagsstammor-engelska.pdf.

Hässleholm in April 2024
Eolus Vind AB (publ)
The Board of Directors

Magnus Axelsson, COO and deputy CEO, has decided to leave Eolus. He will remain in his role, including the position in the Group Management, until 30 June 2024.

“I want to thank Magnus for his valuable contribution to the development of Eolus. Magnus is a highly appreciated colleague and member of the Group Management. He has contributed significantly to the development of Eolus in a period of strong growth. We are now well equipped to leverage on the investments made in the organization and projects”, says Per Witalisson, CEO of Eolus.

“Eolus is a great company with fantastic people who have a huge potential to drive the energy transition. The COO role is a complex and demanding role that spans over the entire value chain for renewable projects across several markets and technologies. I have now come to a point where I need to find a better balance between work and personal life”, says Magnus Axelsson.

The process of finding a replacement for Magnus Axelsson has been initiated.

Eolus Vind AB (publ) has published its Annual and Sustainability Report for 2023.

The report is available on the company’s website www.eolus.com/en/investors/financial-reports/ (in Swedish).
English version of the Annual and Sustainability Report will be published no later than week 16, 2024.

Choose market

Global

  • Svenska
  • English
  • Local

  • Suomi
  • Polski
  • Latviešu
  • North America