Tabreed, the UAE’s leading international district cooling company, released its consolidated financial results for the year 2023, reporting a revenue of Dhs2.4 billion - a 9 per cent increase over 2022 - and a net profit attributable to parent, before deferred tax, of Dhs751 million.

Tabreed’s balance sheet strengthened further, underscored by an improved net debt/EBITDA ratio of 4.11x (4.49x as end of FY 2022).

Tabreed’s net debt decreased in 2023 thanks to strong cash generation and a decline in gross debt due to a proactive debt management exercise carried out during the year. As a result of prudent financial management, the company achieved reductions in its net finance costs by 24 per cent, despite a high interest rate environment.

Throughout the year, Tabreed continued to maintain its strong cash flow profile, underpinned by long-term contracts, resilient margins and efficient working capital management.

Net cash from operating activities totalled Dhs1.31 billion in 2023 (Dhs1.35 billion in 2022), while free cash flows increased by 8 per cent to Dhs1.21 billion, driven by strong operating income, continued investment in growth and streamlining of existing asset portfolio.

Tabreed’s Board of Directors, in recognition of the company’s strong financial performance throughout the year, robust cash generation and positive outlook, has recommended a record high dividend payment of 15.5 fils per share in cash. This represents an increase of 15 per cent over 2022 and reinforces Tabreed’s commitment to maximising value for its shareholders.

During 2023, with the enactment of UAE corporate tax law, there was a one-off, non-cash accounting impact due to recognising a deferred tax liability amounting to Dhs359 million, resulting in a reported net profit of Dhs431 million for the year.

Tabreed added 53k Refrigeration Tonnes (RT) of new connections in 2023, across its portfolio in the UAE and internationally. Expansion was driven largely by organic growth, through new connections in existing concession areas, as well as new ‘greenfield’ plants. Tabreed continued to strengthen its presence in its core markets of the UAE and GCC, with the addition of 31k RT in the UAE, 14k RT in Saudi Arabia, 3k RT in Bahrain and 1k RT in Oman.

Tabreed entered the India market during 2023, in a strategic alliance with TATA Realty and Infrastructure Limited, demonstrating its commitment to diversify and expand beyond the GCC’s geographical borders. While growing its presence in international markets, the company remained focused on optimising its existing portfolio to enhance returns, Tabreed’s total connected capacity increasing in 2023 to reach 1.303 million RT.

Tabreed enjoyed a remarkable 2023 on many levels, being the year of the company’s 25th Anniversary. Publicly engaged more than ever before, Tabreed exhibited at the second World Utilities Congress and was billed as exclusive ‘Cooling Partner’. During COP28 in December, the company took part as an exhibitor on Mubadala’s pavilion and C-Suite executives were active in high-level debates and panel discussions in both Green and Blue Zones, particularly as strategic partners of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Cool Coalition. As COP28 drew to a close, Tabreed signed an Dhs600 million Green Revolving Credit Facility under its green financing framework, to help meet future expansion requirements with speed and agility.

Fittingly, with 2023 being the UAE’s ‘Year of Sustainability’, Tabreed became signatories to the UAE’s Responsible Companies Pledge, the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration and the Global Cooling Pledge - each a clear commitment to assisting the UAE and other nations in reaching their individual Net-Zero targets through energy-efficient operations. Sustainability also became intrinsically linked to Tabreed with its brand-new Geothermal district cooling plant, developed in partnership with ADNOC in Masdar City, which uses renewable energy from deep underground to produce chilled water for use in a pre-existing network.

Two senior appointments were made to Tabreed’s Executive Management Team on 1st May 2023, with Nadia Bardawil assuming the role of Chief Legal Counsel and Philippe Coquelle joining as Chief Development Officer.

Following publication of the full 2023 results, Khaled Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Tabreed’s Chairman, said, “Over the next few years, we will continue to capitalise on Tabreed’s unrivalled history and world-leading experience by aggressively, yet considerately, targeting opportunities for expansion. Opportunities that will provide healthy returns for our investors while benefiting the countries and communities in which we operate.”