Final Results

RNS Number : 0856J
EQTEC PLC
25 April 2022
 

25 April 2022

EQTEC plc

("EQTEC", the "Company" or the "Group")

Audited Results for the year ended 31 December 2021

 

EQTEC plc (AIM: EQT), a world-leading technology innovation company enabling the Net Zero Future through advanced solutions for hydrogen, biofuels, SNG and other energy production, announces its audited results for the year ended 31 December 2021.

 

2021 HIGHLIGHTS:

Delivery of c. €9.2m revenue, 410% of c. €2.2m revenue in previous year

Reduction in EBTIDA loss with an increase in net assets

Growth across 7 geographies

 

2 new projects led to financial close with financing for a 3rd in progress

 

2 Market Development Centres under commissioning  

 

3 additional plants under construction

 

12 projects under development

Establishment of platform for growth

 

Formal legal entities in Croatia and Greece established, with two more expected in 2022

 

Advancement of strategic partnerships including collaborations with Wood, Toyota, Logik, H2

 

Recruitment of engineering and project development talent

 

Successful placing raised £16m applied towards market, project and capability growth

 

David Palumbo, CEO of EQTEC, commented: "We set ambitious targets for 2021 and delivered more than 4x revenue over 2020, building the momentum we intended.  We converted more opportunities than ever into focused, planned projects and amongst these was closure of both of our targeted Market Development Centres in Italy and Croatia. We formalised majority-owned joint ventures in Croatia and the Aegean and invested in our go-to-market presence across USA, UK, France, Italy and Ireland, with a view to increasing pace and impact in those markets.  Critically, we also started extending our partnership network to major players that will credibly support our growth into new geographies and solutions.

 

"I am especially proud of these achievements in the face of strong market headwinds, including significant price increases and delays in receiving critical raw materials or manufactured parts. Our business platform grows increasingly resilient as we add partners and new talent to our global network. From post-Covid challenges to COP26 to more recent geopolitical events, we experience more demand than ever and are taking our place as a leading technology innovator for fossil fuel replacements and clean, baseload energy and biofuels, as well as an innovator of new business models for energy independence and security."

 

OPERATIONAL, COMMERCIAL AND CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS:

 

In less than two years, EQTEC has grown both its active projects and the pipeline of interest and opportunity behind it. In our 2020 annual report, we announced 10 projects under development or construction, against a pipeline of 75 opportunities. In our 2021 interim results last September, we announced 17 projects under development or construction, against a pipeline of well over 100.

 

Corporate development

 

R&D: The Company confirmed completion of a successful R&D programme in December, including tests with Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and others with contaminated plastics, all at its R&D facility in France, operated with partner Université de Lorraine.

 

Collaboration with Wood: The Company in November signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Tier 1 engineering company Wood, to focus on joint development of integrated technology solutions for waste-to-SNG and waste-to-hydrogen. Company executives joined Wood at COP26 to share its propositions and strategy for waste-to-value business.

 

Collaboration with H2: The Company in December signed a collaboration framework agreement with development consultancy H2 Energy Solutions Ltd of Germany. The partners will pursue opportunities for deployment of waste-to-hydrogen and other solutions, particularly in Germany and Turkey.

 

Appointment of CFO: The Company in July appointed Nauman Babar as CFO and to the Board of Directors.

 

Appointment of joint broker: The Company in March appointed Canaccord Genuity Limited as the Company's joint broker along with Arden Partners.

 

Launch of Long-Term Incentive Plan: The Company in February launched its first Long-Term Incentive Plan for Group employees, to support joint ownership and drive performance through shared accountability.

 

Plants under construction

 

USA:

The Company in October invested c. US$2.8 million (c. £2.1 million) in the North Fork Community Power (NFCP) project, increasing its equity share to 49%, offering a US$4.5 million convertible loan facility. Following execution of the facility, construction work continued. The Company in December announced a new partnership with Phoenix Energy, North Fork Community Development Council and Carbonfuture GmbH to help Sierra Nevada communities sequester carbon, reduce wildfire risk, generate green energy, create jobs and support the local community whilst generating tradeable carbon credits.

 

Italy:

The Company in May together with a consortium of investors, acquired a decommissioned, biomass waste-to-energy plant in Tuscany, Italy that it intends to recommission as a Market Development Centre (MDC), with EQTEC as O&M contractor. The plant will convert multiple types of biomass feedstock into heat, power and biochar. Once operational, the Italia MDC is expected to generate annual revenues of c. €2,000,000 and EBITDA of c. €750,000.

 

Croatia:

The Company in August acquired, through its Croatian JV, a 1.2 MWe biomass-to-energy gasification plant in Beliše, Croatia. Once operational, it will become a Croatia MDC, with EQTEC as O&M contractor. Technology sales for EQTEC over the life of the project are expected to be c. €2.0 million, of which c. 60% was invoiced in Q4 2021.

 

In September, the Company's JV acquired a 1.2 MWe biomass-to-energy gasification plant in Karlovaç , Croatia. The plant will be retrofitted with EQTEC technology and repowered, and is expected to produce 3 MWe of green electricity and high-quality biochar. It is expected that the Company will become the plant's O&M contractor. Technology sales for EQTEC over the life of the project are expected to be c. €15m, of which c.10% was invoiced by EQTEC in Q4 2021.

 

Greece:

The Company in October confirmed that all deliveries of EQTEC technology had been made to the 0.5 MWeLarissa, Thessaly project. The project is building Greece's first advanced gasification, waste-to-energy plant.

 

Projects under development

 

USA:

The Company and its local partners appointed EPC contractor Infinity Project Management Inc (IPM) as owners' representative for the Blue Mountain Electric Company LLC opportunity in Wilseyville, California (BMEC). The project is expected to complete front-end engineering design (FEED) in H2 2022, toward financial close in the same year. The BMEC plant will convert c. 24,000 tonnes of forestry waste per year into c. 2,400 tonnes of high-quality biochar and 3 MWe of power for the local community, whilst contributing to prevention of forest fires.

 

UK:

In September, the Company's Southport project SPV entered into a conditional share purchase agreement to acquire full ownership of the project, with the agreement expected to complete in due course. In November, the Company submitted a revised planning application for a Phase 1 waste reception centre and anaerobic digestion facility as a precursor to the intended Phase 2 planning application for an EQTEC facility. The planned Phase 1 facility is designed to convert 80,000 tonnes of waste into six million cubic metres of biomethane, which, in turn would output 9 MWe. The Phase 2 facility is intended to convert up to 25,000 tonnes of RDF into an estimated 3 MWe of green electricity per year. Further, the Company and its partner, Rotunda Group Ltd., identified the potential for an additional gasification facility nearby. The additional site would potentially allow for installation of a larger, Phase 3 EQTEC facility that could transform waste into synthetic natural gas (SNG) and/or hydrogen. The Company and its partners are carrying out feasibility studies. EQTEC expects to be the project developer for all phases of the project, providing design and core Advanced Gasification Technology and retaining a portion of the O&M contract.

 

The Company in February signed a Collaboration Framework Agreement (CFA) with Logik Developments Limited, toward development of a 9.9 MWe plant at Deeside, Flintshire, UK, including a Phase 1 recycling and anaerobic digestion facility. The Company in March announced it had signed a CFA with Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK, whose manufacturing facility is adjacent to the site. The CFA expressed Toyota's intention to work with the Company on innovative, circular and sustainable waste-to-energy solutions for Toyota's engine manufacturing plant next to the prospective Deeside plant. The Company in June submitted a planning application for a Phase 2 gasification facility deploying EQTEC technology. The proposed plant would combine a 182,000-tonne waste reception plant with anaerobic digestion and EQTEC technology. The Company in October announced it had through the project SPV entered into a cooperation agreement with Anaergia Inc. for delivery of the multi-technology plant. In December, the Company announced entering into a Supplementary Agreement with Logik under which the two partners would develop an additional Phase 3 waste-to-value infrastructure on the Deeside site. The partners successfully completed a feasibility study for hydrogen production that indicated planning and environmental viability. 

 

The Company in January received notification of planning approval from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council for an improved waste-to-energy scheme for the Company's RDF-to-energy project at Billingham, Teesside. In February, the Company's project signed a conditional Land Purchase Agreement. The Company in June completed concept design work for the core gasification process, with progress on design of the full plant.

 

The Company in December confirmed it was investigating new offtake opportunities for both Deeside and Billingham and that it was working with technology and delivery partners toward feasibility work at both sites. The Company in December also confirmed its decision to defer financial close for both projects to enable further feasibility work. Company executives visited both sites in December and had constructive meetings with the local Members of Parliament.

 

France:

The Company in December signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with SEPS SAS of France (SEPS), a company specialising in the management and recycling of industrial waste. The LoI will support the Company's pursuit of the safe and clean transformation of contaminated plastics into energy, hydrogen and biofuels.

 

The Company also confirmed it had identified and was pursuing an additional six project opportunities in France for a range of biomass, RDF and other feedstock, as well as a range of offtake applications.

 

Greece:

In January, the Company signed a MoU with Nobilis Pro Energy S.A. The agreement includes collaborative development of Nobilis's existing pipeline of opportunities and for construction in Nobilis, Almyros, where grid connection and land agreement are already confirmed.

 

The Company, in September, announced formation of EQTEC Synergy Projects Limited, a JV between EQTEC and its strategic partners in Greece, German EPC ewerGy GmbH and ECO Hellas M IKE. It also confirmed that the JV had acquired a 1 MWe biomass-to-energy project in Livadia, Greece and exclusivity for a second 1 MWe project nearby.

 

In October, the Company's Greek JV acquired the rights to a project in Nevrokopi, Drama. The project would develop a biomass-to-energy plant that could generate 5 MW green electricity from locally and sustainably sourced forestry waste.

 

Ireland:

The Company and its partner, Carbon Sole Group Limited, pursued development of 3 projects in Ireland for biomass-to-bioenergy plants and in particular for sustainable forestry waste for production of synthetic natural gas (SNG).

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

·

Revenue: For the financial year to 31 December 2021, the Group recognised revenue of €9.2 million (FY 2020: €2.2 million).

 

 

·

Profit/loss: For the financial year, the Group incurred losses of €4.7 million (FY 2020: €5.8 million).

 

 

·

Assets: The net assets of the Group increased to €43.4 million at 31 December 2021 (31 December 2020: €25.3 million).

 

 

·

Placing: The Company in May raised £16 million (€19 million) before expenses, in an institutional investor-led, oversubscribed placing.

 

 

·

Cash: The cash balance of the Group at 31 December 2021 stood at €6.4 million (31 December 2020: €6.4 million).

 

 

·

Debt: The Company in January agreed a new loan facility of €1.39 million with EQTEC shareholder, Altair Group Investment Limited, with a maturity date of 31 December 2021. The loan, fully drawn down to repay an outstanding debt with another lender, had a lower interest rate than the previously held debt facility and was itself repaid in full in June 2021, six months ahead of schedule.

 

 

POST-PERIOD HIGHLIGHTS:

January 2022:

The Company announced its Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") statement of intent. In addition to outlining a direction of travel for coming years, the Company's ESG Statement specifies objectives for 2022 including establishment of a baseline assessment of greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon. As a cleantech business, the Company intends to report on and exercise active accountability for its ESG work.

 

February 2022:

Haverton WTV Limited ("Haverton"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of EQTEC, and Scott Bros. Enterprises Limited reached an agreement to extend the existing, conditional Land Purchase Agreement (the "LPA") relating to the land on which the proposed, up to 25 MWe Billingham EQTEC-enabled syngas plant at Haverton Hill, Billingham, UK, will be constructed. The LPA Longstop Date was extended to 23 December 2022.

 

March 2022:

The Company formally entered the French market with the creation of a wholly-owned subsidiary, EQTEC France SAS, and completed a Strategic Collaboration Agreement with SEPS, a French company specialising in the management and recycling of industrial waste. The Agreement confirmed the shared intent to pursue development of contaminated waste treatment plants that apply the combined capabilities of SEPS and EQTEC technologies, with initial interest focused on specific, offtake applications including electricity, heat, combined cooling, heat & power (CCHP) and biofuels.

 

Also in March, the Company announced that it had entered into arrangements in respect of the provision of a new unsecured bridging loan facility for up to £10 million, with an initial advance of £5 million  received by the Company on 29 March 2022, provided by Riverfort Global Opportunities PCC Limited and YA II PN, Ltd.

 

Also in March, at the Company's Italia MDC in Italy, the thermal cracking reactor and heat exchanger were assembled and the piping installed. The drying and feeding system were ordered and are expected to be on site, on time, to meet the planned commissioning in H2 2022.

 

Also in March, at the Company's Beliše MDC in Croatia, a full engineering and specification process was completed. Negotiations advanced with a local industrial customer for power and heat offtake. In Q2, the Company expects to agree heads of terms with the industrial customer for the offtake. In addition, a preferred customer for the biochar to be produced at the site has been identified and commercial discussions commenced. A further site visit with EPC contractor COS.M.I. Srl is confirmed for the last week of April towards commissioning as planned in H2 2022.

 

OUTLOOK:

By the end of 2022, the Company expects to make fully operational two MDCs and two additional plants under construction for other owner-operators. It also expects to reach financial close on additional projects that extend existing propositions but also add new capabilities with different feedstock and new offtake applications. The Company is targeting continued, strong revenue growth and reduction in EBITDA losses, with planned investment in new and innovative projects that raise EQTEC's visibility and range of propositions.

 

To further position EQTEC's technology as a replacement for fossil fuel technologies and support growth and scale, the Company will focus on four key areas of development. First, it will invest in its go-to-market model, formalising subsidiaries in the USA, the UK, France and Italy, with JVs in Croatia, Greece and Ireland. Second, it will invest in innovation, with a full R&D programme in 2022 and a three-year strategy for technology development with university partners as well as Wood and other, top-tier technology businesses to be announced. Third, it will enrich its global network to include multinational, Tier 1 development, delivery and technology partners as well as local, market-specific partners, including project funding partners. Fourth, it will invest in talent in its technical and corporate centres as well as in its go-to-market partners, to deepen and broaden capabilities with technology innovation, project development and corporate venturing.  Finally, the Company has ramped up its engagement with policymakers and influencers in the EU, UK and USA, toward greater awareness and understanding of EQTEC's capabilities, propositions and place in the Net Zero future.

 

The 2021 annual report and accounts will shortly be available on the Company's website at www.eqtec.com .

 

Investor Presentation

 

EQTEC plc is pleased to announce that CEO David Palumbo, CFO Nauman Babar and COO Jeffrey Vander Linden will provide a live presentation based on 2021 Annual Results, via the Investor Meet Company ("IMC") platform on 26th April 2022 at 1:00pm BST.

 

The presentation is open to all existing and potential shareholders. Questions can be submitted pre-event, via the IMC dashboard, up until 0900 UK time on the day before the meeting, or at any time during the presentation. Investors may sign up to IMC for free and add EQTEC plc via:

https://www.investormeetcompany.com/eqtec-plc/register-investor . Investors who already follow EQTEC plc on the Investor Meet Company platform will be invited automatically.

 

The Company will update shareholders in its Q2 update in summer 2022.

 

ENQUIRIES

EQTEC plc

+44 203 883 7009

David Palumbo / Nauman Babar

 

 

 

Strand Hanson - Nomad & Financial Adviser

+44 20 7409 3494

James Harris / James Dance

 

 

 

Arden Partners - Joint Broker

+44 20 7614 5900

Paul Shackleton (Corporate) / Simon Johnson (Sales)

 

 

 

Canaccord Genuity - Joint Broker

+44 20 7523 8000

Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor / James Asensio / Patrick Dolaghan

 

 

 

Alma PR - Financial Media & Investor Relations

+44 20 3405 0205

Josh Royston / Sam Modlin

EQTEC@almapr.co.uk

 

 

BECG - General Media Enquiries

+44 7554 014 188 / +44 7867 452 269

Carrie Lowe / Tom Gosschalk

EQTEC@BECG.com

 

About EQTEC plc

As one of the world's most experienced gasification technology and engineering companies, with a growing track record of delivering operational and commercial success for transforming waste-to-energy through best-in-class technology innovation, engineering and project development , EQTEC brings together design innovation, project delivery discipline and solid commercial experience to add momentum to the global energy transition. EQTEC's proven, proprietary and patented technology is at the centre of clean energy projects, sourcing local waste, championing local businesses, creating local jobs and supporting the transition to localised, decentralised and resilient energy systems.

 

EQTEC designs, supplies and builds advanced gasification facilities in the UK, EU and US, with highly efficient equipment that is modular and scalable from 1MW to 30MW. EQTEC's versatile solutions process over 50 varieties of feedstock, including forestry wood waste, vegetation and other agricultural waste from farmers, industrial waste and sludge from factories and municipal waste, all with no hazardous or toxic emissions. EQTEC's solutions produce a pure, high-quality synthesis gas ("syngas") that can be used for the widest range of applications, including the generation of electricity and heat, production of synthetic natural gas (through methanation) or biofuels (through Fischer-Tropsch, gas-to-liquid processing) and reforming of hydrogen.

 

EQTEC's technology integration capabilities enable the Group to lead collaborative ecosystems of qualified partners and to build sustainable waste reduction and green energy infrastructure around the world.

 

The Company is quoted on AIM (ticker: EQT) and the London Stock Exchange has awarded EQTEC the Green Economy Mark, which recognises listed companies with 50% or more of revenues from environmental/green solutions.

 

Further information on the Company can be found at www.eqtec.com .

 

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Chairman's Statement

 

2021 in review

 

The past year, more than any other, has reinforced my view of EQTEC's strengths. We asked a lot of our executive directors and the team going into 2021. I'm delighted their efforts and leadership are reflected in an excellent performance for the period, delivering 410% of last year's revenues, operating losses were reduced and real progress made with projects and Market Development Centres.

Our people and technology are our greatest strengths. We have a talented and committed leadership team and world-leading technology capabilities that we continue to evolve and patent. This powerful combination enables us to produce what we believe is the world's most versatile synthesis gas (syngas), to offer the world efficient baseload energy and biofuels generated from waste.

As outlined by the CEO in his report, our team has successfully built the platform for growth set out as an objective at the end of 2020 and there has been a big expansion in essential capabilities across the business. We converted more opportunities into formal projects, exercising more proficiency than ever in pushing projects to financial close and hiring more professionals to guarantee more closes in future.

 

Most importantly, we delivered healthy revenue growth, moved four projects from development into construction, eight opportunities into formally managed projects and strategically deferred the two most complex projects in the interest of increasing their value for customers, partners and shareholders.

EQTEC's purpose and potential

It should come as no surprise that this business is growing. The Company is positioned at the intersection of two essential growth sectors: clean waste disposal and sustainable energy production. EQTEC brings a proven, versatile technology that transforms an exceptionally wide variety of waste types into an exceptionally wide range of clean energy types and fuels.

The COP26 Climate Summit in November 2021 amplified the need for our technology. The commitments made there by 190 nations to making greenhouse gas emissions net zero by 2050 still need to be delivered and then exceeded. Non-baseload renewables including solar, wind and hydro all have important roles to play in well-managed national energy strategies but these technologies will not alone replace fossil fuels. Reliable sources of clean baseload energy are also required.

And even after everything is done first to reduce, re-use and recycle, waste is still an almost infinite supply as a resource. Innovative, cleantech companies such as EQTEC will take leading positions as providers of carbon-negative, baseload energy and biofuels as well as reduce waste and its associated emissions. Policymakers, in my view, are only now starting to understand the untapped potential of syngas from waste as an alternative fuel for baseload generation. Markets, too, are underestimating the significant impact that cleantech innovation will have.

I joined the board of EQTEC to help the Company realise its potential as a provider of advanced solutions that enable the Net Zero future and I see real progress being made. We believe our three-year strategy, with its focus on rapid growth, building scale, and enhancing our technological capabilities, is in your long-term interests. We will, of course, keep the strategy in review and react to market developments that are continually and rapidly evolving.

Outlook and closing thanks

We are living with risks to the world economy not seen for more than a generation and there is a need to navigate our business through a range of macroeconomic, political and environmental challenges. I believe that the Board has a thorough understanding of the issues and risks and has appropriate plans in place.

As I noted above, our primary challenge is not technology capabilities nor the quality of our people - these are already the main Company's assets. The primary challenge - even in this turbulent market - is how to scale rapidly and keep pace with ever-increasing demand for what it offers. The company has proven its technology. It must move quickly to make its solutions more readily available to more customers in more markets for greater impact in supporting a Net Zero world.

The Company has reported in successive trading updates the expansion of its pipeline, improving conversion and closure of deals. I expect that in 2022 we will begin turning also to reporting the operational performance of more live plants powered by EQTEC technology. As Chairman of your Board of Directors, I am conscious of my responsibilities to our shareholders who should expect a year of strong growth as we continue to execute on our strategy.

We at EQTEC enjoy committed, active and vocal stakeholders and I thank you for your continued support.

 

 

Chief Executive's Report

 

OPENING REMARKS

 

2021 was a year of unprecedented change and challenge, as the world's gradual recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic revealed mismatches in supply and demand, with associated market disruptions. Prices for commodities such as steel, copper and other essential metals soared, supply chains were unable to keep up with sudden surges in demand and global shipping and transport brought inevitable delays. Like many, EQTEC witnessed significantly longer order lead times, much higher production prices and pricing guarantees measurable in days instead of months.

 

But even in the face of these challenges, EQTEC delivered solid results. We reached financial close on Market Development Centres in Italy and Croatia, moved four projects from development into construction and eight opportunities into formally managed projects. We delivered 410% of revenues recorded in the previous year and reduced the operating loss by 17%. Our momentum indicates we are on the right track for continued growth and targeting increasingly positive, year-on-year results.

 

Our progress relies on a growing network of license distributors, developers, contractors and other partners across target geographies. At the end of 2021, we were active in seven countries: USA, UK, France, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Ireland. Each of these markets has its own growing pipeline of opportunities, developed and managed by a professional team and with a growing, local network of partners to support development, construction and operations & maintenance (O&M).

 

To support our Go-to-Market entities, we focused global partnering efforts on Tier 1, multinational technology and Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) partners. On 26 November, we announced a technology partnership with Wood, for development and sales of waste-to-synthetic natural gas (SNG) and waste-to-hydrogen solutions. Our joint pipeline already includes a dozen opportunities. Additionally, we worked through much of H2 2021 with three, Tier 1 EPCs on our larger projects in the UK and France, and expect to announce their engagement in one or more projects in due course.

 

Further, we formalised joint venture (JV) arrangements in Croatia and Greece, with a view to establishing more subsidiaries and JVs in other target markets in 2022. These arrangements will ensure that our standards for quality, efficiency and innovation are applied everywhere, but also that we support successful, local businesses to operate independently and become reliable licensing and distribution partners for EQTEC technologies.

 

Finally, and in support of our broadening and deepening market presence, we grew our global team, hiring process engineers, control systems engineers and solidifying our relationship with project engineering partner CT3 Ingeniería (CT3). These hires, and the CT3 relationship, extended our core technical team and added dozens of additional, project-critical engineers to our global capacity. We brought in a new CFO, who is raising the bar for strategic finance, and we added several other key roles to our commercial and operational capabilities in support of our Go-to-Markets.

 

We ended 2021 having done what we set out to do: construct our platform for growth; strengthen our presence across geographies; grow our pipeline of go-to-market entities and future licensors, each with a pipeline of projects; grow our partner network and future-proof our technology leadership.

 

OPERATIONAL, COMMERCIAL AND CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS

 

In less than two years, EQTEC has grown both its active projects and the pipeline of interest and opportunity behind it. In our 2020 annual report, we announced 10 projects under development or construction, against a pipeline of 75 opportunities. In our 2021 interim results last September, we announced 17 projects under development or construction, against a pipeline of well over 100.

 

Corporate development

 

R&D. The Company confirmed completion of a successful R&D programme in December, including tests with Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and others with contaminated plastics, all at its R&D facility in France, operated with partner Université de Lorraine.

 

Collaboration with Wood. The Company in November signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Tier 1 engineering company Wood, to focus on joint development of integrated technology solutions for waste-to-SNG and waste-to-hydrogen. Company executives joined Wood at COP26 to share its propositions and strategy for waste-to-value business.

 

Collaboration with H2. The Company in December signed a collaboration framework agreement with development consultancy H2 Energy Solutions Ltd of Germany. The partners will pursue opportunities for deployment of waste-to-hydrogen and other solutions, particularly in Germany and Turkey.

 

Appointment of CFO: The Company in July appointed Nauman Babar as CFO and to the Board of Directors.

 

Appointment of joint broker: The Company in March appointed Canaccord Genuity Limited as the Company's joint broker along with Arden Partners.

 

Launch of Long-Term Incentive Plan: The Company in February launched its first Long-Term Incentive Plan for Group employees, to support joint ownership and drive performance through shared accountability.

 

Plants under construction

 

USA:

The Company in October invested c. US$2.8 million (c. £2.1 million) in the North Fork Community Power (NFCP) project, increasing its equity share to 49%, offering a US$4.5 million convertible loan facility. Following execution of the facility, construction work continued. The Company in December announced a new partnership with Phoenix Energy, North Fork Community Development Council and Carbonfuture GmbH to help Sierra Nevada communities sequester carbon, reduce wildfire risk, generate green energy, create jobs and support the local community whilst generating tradeable carbon credits.

 

Italy:

The Company in May together with a consortium of investors, acquired a decommissioned, biomass waste-to-energy plant in Tuscany, Italy that it intends to recommission as a Market Development Centre (MDC), with EQTEC as O&M contractor. The plant will convert multiple types of biomass feedstock into heat, power and biochar. Once operational, the Italia MDC is expected to generate annual revenues of c. €2,000,000 and EBITDA of c. €750,000.

 

Croatia:

The Company in August acquired, through its Croatian JV, a 1.2 MWe biomass-to-energy gasification plant in Beliše, Croatia. Once operational, it will become a Croatia MDC, with EQTEC as O&M contractor. Technology sales for EQTEC over the life of the project are expected to be c. €2.0 million, of which c. 60% was invoiced in Q4 2021.

 

In September, the Company's JV acquired a 1.2 MWe biomass-to-energy gasification plant in Karlovaç, Croatia. The plant will be retrofitted with EQTEC technology and repowered, and is expected to produce 3 MWe of green electricity and high-quality biochar. It is expected that the Company will become the plant's O&M contractor. Technology sales for EQTEC over the life of the project are expected to be c. €15m, of which c.10% was invoiced by EQTEC in Q4 2021.

 

Greece:

The Company in October confirmed that all deliveries of EQTEC technology had been made to the 0.5 MWe Larissa, Thessaly project. The project is building Greece's first advanced gasification, waste-to-energy plant.

 

Projects under development

 

USA:

The Company and its local partners appointed EPC contractor Infinity Project Management Inc (IPM) as owners' representative for the Blue Mountain Electric Company LLC opportunity in Wilseyville, California (BMEC). The project is expected to complete front-end engineering design (FEED) in H2 2022, toward financial close in the same year. The BMEC plant will convert c. 24,000 tonnes of forestry waste per year into c. 2,400 tonnes of high-quality biochar and 3 MWe of power for the local community, whilst contributing to prevention of forest fires.

 

UK:

In September, the Company's Southport project SPV entered into a conditional share purchase agreement to acquire full ownership of the project, with the agreement expected to complete in due course. In November, the Company submitted a revised planning application for a Phase 1 waste reception centre and anaerobic digestion facility as a precursor to the intended Phase 2 planning application for an EQTEC facility. The planned Phase 1 facility is designed to convert 80,000 tonnes of waste into six million cubic metres of biomethane, which, in turn would output 9 MWe. The Phase 2 facility is intended to convert up to 25,000 tonnes of RDF into an estimated 3 MWe of green electricity per year. Further, the Company and its partner, Rotunda Group Ltd., identified the potential for an additional gasification facility nearby. The additional site would potentially allow for installation of a larger, Phase 3 EQTEC facility that could transform waste into synthetic natural gas (SNG) and/or hydrogen. The Company and its partners are carrying out feasibility studies. EQTEC expects to be the project developer for all phases of the project, providing design and core Advanced Gasification Technology and retaining a portion of the O&M contract.

 

 

The Company in February signed a Collaboration Framework Agreement (CFA) with Logik Developments Limited, toward development of a 9.9 MWe plant at Deeside, Flintshire, UK, including a Phase 1 recycling and anaerobic digestion facility. The Company in March announced it had signed a CFA with Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK, whose manufacturing facility is adjacent to the site. The CFA expressed Toyota's intention to work with the Company on innovative, circular and sustainable waste-to-energy solutions for Toyota's engine manufacturing plant next to the prospective Deeside plant. The Company in June submitted a planning application for a Phase 2 gasification facility deploying EQTEC technology. The proposed plant would combine a 182,000-tonne waste reception plant with anaerobic digestion and EQTEC technology. The Company in October announced it had through the project SPV entered into a cooperation agreement with Anaergia Inc. for delivery of the multi-technology plant. In December, the Company announced entering into a Supplementary Agreement with Logik under which the two partners would develop an additional Phase 3 waste-to-value infrastructure on the Deeside site. The partners successfully completed a feasibility study for hydrogen production that indicated planning and environmental viability. 

 

The Company in January received notification of planning approval from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council for an improved waste-to-energy scheme for the Company's RDF-to-energy project at Billingham, Teesside. In February, the Company's project signed a conditional Land Purchase Agreement. The Company in June completed concept design work for the core gasification process, with progress on design of the full plant.

 

The Company in December confirmed it was investigating new offtake opportunities for both Deeside and Billingham and that it was working with technology and delivery partners toward feasibility work at both sites. The Company in December also confirmed its decision to defer financial close for both projects to enable further feasibility work. Company executives visited both sites in December and had constructive meetings with the local Members of Parliament.

 

France:

The Company in December signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with SEPS SAS of France (SEPS), a company specialising in the management and recycling of industrial waste. The LoI will support the Company's pursuit of the safe and clean transformation of contaminated plastics into energy, hydrogen and biofuels.

 

The Company also confirmed it had identified and was pursuing an additional six project opportunities in France for a range of biomass, RDF and other feedstock, as well as a range of offtake applications.

 

Greece:

In January, the Company signed a MoU with Nobilis Pro Energy S.A. The agreement includes collaborative development of Nobilis's existing pipeline of opportunities and for construction in Nobilis, Almyros, where grid connection and land agreement are already confirmed.

 

The Company, in September, announced formation of EQTEC Synergy Projects Limited, a JV between EQTEC and its strategic partners in Greece, German EPC ewerGy GmbH and ECO Hellas M IKE. It also confirmed that the JV had acquired a 1 MWe biomass-to-energy project in Livadia, Greece and exclusivity for a second 1 MWe project nearby.

 

In October, the Company's Greek JV acquired the rights to a project in Nevrokopi, Drama. The project would develop a biomass-to-energy plant that could generate 5 MW green electricity from locally and sustainably sourced forestry waste.

 

Ireland:

The Company and its partner, Carbon Sole Group Limited, pursued development of 3 projects in Ireland for biomass-to-bioenergy plants and in particular for sustainable forestry waste for production of synthetic natural gas (SNG).

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

· Revenue: For the financial year to 31 December 2021, the Group recognised revenue of €9.2 million (FY 2020: €2.2 million).

 

· Profit/loss: For the financial year, the Group incurred losses of €4.7 million (FY 2020: €5.8 million).

 

· Assets: The net assets of the Group increased to €43.4 million at 31 December 2021 (31 December 2020: €25.3 million).

 

· Placing: The Company in May raised £16 million (€19 million) before expenses, in an institutional investor-led, oversubscribed placing.

 

· Cash: The cash balance of the Group at 31 December 2021 stood at €6.4 million (31 December 2020: €6.4 million).

 

· Debt: The Company in January agreed a new loan facility of €1.39 million with EQTEC shareholder, Altair Group Investment Limited, with a maturity date of 31 December 2021. The loan, fully drawn down to repay an outstanding debt with another lender, had a lower interest rate than the previously held debt facility and was itself repaid in full in June 2021, six months ahead of schedule.

 

OUTLOOK AND FUTURE PLANS

 

The challenges of 2021 have only expanded in 2022. The tragedy in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia have brought home to many the critical importance of energy independence and security. We see the recent, concerted efforts to replace Russian oil and gas as more than a short-term reaction; it is a catalyst and accelerator of much more fundamental, lasting change. Far greater investment will now go into making the shift away from fossil fuels. This presents an enormous opportunity for EQTEC.

 

For the world to make this shift, governments, investors and owner-operators will turn their attention to the pervasive, baseload energy challenge. 67% of baseload power is from non-renewable sources that solar, wind and hydro power cannot replace. Yet, more than 90% of investments in alternative energy solutions have gone toward such non-baseload solutions.  These complementary solutions are also essential, but the intermittency of their supply makes them inadequate to address baseload demand alone.

 

EQTEC and other companies able to provide scalable, always-on, 24 x 7 x 365 solutions will increasingly find themselves at the centre of attention with policymakers and investors.

 

EQTEC's ability to build smaller-scale, local plants that use locally-sourced feedstock for locally distributed energy and biofuels not only advances the Net Zero agenda, but it revolutionises waste management, energy generation and distribution. Our technology supports communities and industries, in better using local, unrecyclable types of waste, transforming it into valuable resources.. EQTEC's local-to-local approach also adds grid resilience: one plant's downtime does not result in mass outages but is supported by a distributed network. This approach creates energy security and independence and transition away from fossil fuels.

 

We were happy to be acknowledged in the UK Parliament for these very points. Previous Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg commented in January 2022 that, "Companies such as EQTEC are exactly what we need to keep us on course for net zero by 2050 while maintaining a healthy, varied and affordable energy supply." We are finding increasing acknowledgement in the UK and elsewhere across Europe, North America and Asia that true gasification is the preferred intermediate fuel solution for hydrogen, synthetic natural gas and biofuels. EQTEC is the innovation leader in advanced gasification and we intend to engage much more closely with governments, investors and owner-operators, embracing the post-fossil fuel economy and the leading solutions in it.

 

To position EQTEC's technology as a replacement for fossil fuel technologies and to support our growth and scale, we are doing four key things:

 

First, we are investing in our Go-to-Market model. We are formalising subsidiaries in the USA, the UK, France and Italy, with JVs in Croatia, the Aegean and possibly elsewhere. We are looking again to Asia, where we have long had demand and see increasing opportunity.

 

Second, we are doubling-down on our investments in innovation. A successful year of tests and trials in 2021 is expected to be followed by another in 2022. We have a three-year strategy for technology development and a solid plan every year. Our partners at Université de Lorraine and Universidad de Extremadura will be joined by Wood and other, top-tier technology businesses to be announced.

 

Third, we are enriching our global network of partners. As EQTEC pursues relationships with multinational, Tier 1 development, delivery and technology partners, each of our Go-to-Markets is building local partnerships. The balance of local and multinational will bring resilience to our delivery model and support development of a global, technology licensing network.

 

Fourth, we are investing in talent. 2021 saw growth in both our technical and corporate centres with a doubling across the business as a whole. We invested in veteran delivery managers with decades of experience in large-scale infrastructure project management and complex deal-making. In 2022, we are investing in corporate finance and venturing capabilities to pursue private- and public-sector funding. We are hiring more process engineers and engineering project managers to cover our growing project portfolio. We are adding financial accountants to drive discipline with forecasting and budget management. Finally, we are investing in targeted Go-to-Markets, including some of our partner organisations, to ensure the quality and discipline we expect is delivered through all projects.

 

By the end of 2022, we are committed to having two MDCs fully operational and clocking the efficiency and high operational availability we expect. The importance of these and future MDCs cannot be overstated. Not only will these further prove EQTEC's proposition, but they will be visitor centres for the local community and for prospective partners and customers. They will be training and development facilities for our partners and their partners. They will be R&D facilities for testing capabilities in a live environment. They will be the plants that raise EQTEC's visibility and prove to large-scale owner-operators that we have a highly scalable solution that will be the core of at least one of their future lines of business.

 

The Net Zero future is one with minimum dependency on fossil fuels. EQTEC and companies like us will be the ones to make that future possible. To accelerate progress toward it, and to transform the greatest challenge of our time into the greatest opportunity, we are building a resourceful and resilient team, a global ecosystem of top-tier partners and technology-led solution business models as a platform to support exponential growth. 2022 is expected to prove an even greater inflection point than 2021 and we are embracing its challenges fully, to show ourselves and our shareholders that EQTEC can fulfil our mission as a leading, technology innovator for baseload energy and biofuels.

 

 

Consolidated statement of profit or loss

for the financial year ended 31 December 2021

 

 

Notes

2021

2020

 

 

Revenue

8

9,171,764

2,234,727

Cost of sales

 

(7,541,354)

(1,978,987)

Gross profit

 

1,630,410

255,740

Operating income/(expenses)

 

 

 

Administrative expenses

 

(4,190,592)

(3,694,217)

Other income

9

-

61,922

Impairment costs

14

(5,498)

(17,250)

Other losses

12

(1,418,860)

(170,059)

Employee share-based compensation

10

(205,648)

(1,297,309)

Foreign currency gains

 

348,885

  211,337

Operating loss

 

(3,841,303)

(4,649,836)

Share of results from equity accounted investments

20

(24,188)

-

Gains from sales to equity accounted investments deferred

20

(211,478)

-

Gain arising from loss of control of subsidiaries

19

9,957

-

Change in fair value of financial investments

 

22

(250,378)

 

-

Finance income

11

134,069

17,329

Finance costs

11

(517,108)

(1,206,392)

 

 

 

 

Loss before taxation

14

(4,700,429)

(5,838,899)

Income tax 

15

  -

  -

 

 

 

 

Loss for the financial year from continuing operations

 

(4,700,429)

(5,838,899)

Profit for the financial year from discontinued operations

32

  -

  71,084

 

 

 

 

LOSS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR

 

(4,700,429)

(5,767,815)

Loss attributable to:

 

 

 

Owners of the Company

 

(4,700,497)

(5,762,733)

Non-controlling interest

 

  68

  (5,082)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,700,429)

(5,767,815)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

€ per share

€ per share

Basic loss per share:

 

 

 

From continuing operations

16

(0.001)

(0.001)

From continuing and discontinued operations

16

(0.001)

(0.001)

Diluted loss per share:

 

 

 

From continuing operations

16

(0.001)

(0.001)

From continuing and discontinued operations

16

(0.001)

(0.001)

 

 

 

 

       

 

 

Consolidated statement of other comprehensive income

for the financial year ended 31 December 2021

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss for the financial year

 

(4,700,429)

(5,767,815)

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Items that may be reclassified

subsequently to profit or loss

 

 

 

Exchange differences arising on retranslation

 

 

 

of foreign operations

 

238,715

6,080

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income for the year

 

238,715

6,080

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive loss for the financial year

 

(4,461,714)

(5,761,735)

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

Owners of the company

 

(4,301,511)

(5,848,045)

Non-controlling interests

 

(160,203)

  86,310

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,461,714)

(5,761,735)

 

 

 

 

Consolidated statement of financial position

At 31 December 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes

2021

2020

ASSETS

 

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

17

446,861

187,792

Intangible assets

18

17,702,833

15,283,459

Investments accounted for using the equity method

20

8,074,184

3,379,625

Financial assets

21

4,050,030

2,570,888

Other financial investments

22

506,976

  -

 

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

 

30,780,884

21,421,764

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

Development assets

24

3,455,496

503,653

Loan receivable from project development undertakings

24

3,000,469

482,537

Trade and other receivables

25

6,876,747

894,531

Cash and cash equivalents

26

6,446,217

6,394,791

 

 

19,778,929

8,275,512

 

 

 

 

Assets included in disposal group classified as held for resale

32

  -

  -

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

19,778,929

8,275,512

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

50,559,813

29,697,276

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated statement of financial position

At 31 December 2021 - continued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes

2021

2020

 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Share capital

27

25,977,130

24,355,545

 

 

Share premium

27

83,610,562

62,896,521

 

 

Other reserves

 

2,353,868

2,148,220

 

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(66,177,072)

(61,875,561)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity attributable to the owners of the company

 

45,764,488

27,524,725

 

 

Non-controlling interests

28

(2,384,189)

(2,223,986)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity

 

43,380,299

25,300,739

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Lease liabilities

30

56,855

106,465

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

 

56,855

106,465

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

31

6,921,806

3,183,979

 

 

Borrowings

29

-

1,020,851

 

 

Lease liabilities

30

200,853

85,242

 

 

 

 

7,122,659

4,290,072

 

 

 

Liabilities included in disposal group classified as held for resale

 

32

 

  -

 

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

7,122,659

4,290,072

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

 

50,559,813

29,697,276

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                     

 

 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on  22 April 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

 

Ian Pearson  David Palumbo

Chairman  Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the financial year ended 31 December 2021

 

 

 

Share

Capital

 

Share premium

Other

 reserves

Accumulated deficit

Equity attributable to owners of the company

Non-controlling interests

 

Total

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2020

21,317,482

52,487,278

  -

(56,011,538)

17,793,222

(2,326,274)

15,466,948

Issue of ordinary shares in EQTEC plc (Note 27)

2,658,622

9,841,484

-

-

12,500,106

-

12,500,106

Conversion of debt into equity (Notes 27)

379,441

1,536,252

-

-

1,915,693

-

1,915,693

Share issue costs (Note 27)

  -

(639,931)

  -

  -

(639,931)

  -

(639,931)

Employee share-based compensation (Notes 10 & 27)

-

-

1,297,309

-

1,297,309

-

1,297,309

Recognition of equity element of debt (Notes 12 & 27)

-

-

522,349

-

522,349

-

522,349

Warrants issued on placing of shares

-

(328,562)

328,562

-

-

-

-

Change in the ownership interest

  -

  -

  -

  (15,978)

(15,978)

  15,978

  -

Transactions with owners

3,038,063

10,409,243

2,148,220

  (15,978)

15,579,548

  15,978

15,595,526

Loss for the financial year

-

-

-

(5,762,733)

(5,762,733)

(5,082)

(5,767,815)

Unrealised foreign exchange losses

  -

  -

  -

  (85,312)

  (85,312)

  91,392

  6,080

Total comprehensive loss for the financial year

  -

  -

  -

  (5,848,045)

  (5,848,045)

  86,310

(5,761,735)

Balance at 31 December 2020

24,355,545

62,896,521

 

2,148,220

(61,875,561)

27,524,725

(2,223,986)

25,300,739

Issue of ordinary shares in EQTEC plc (Note 27)

1,402.324

18,206,268

-

-

19,608,592

-

19,608,592

Conversion of debt into equity (Note 27)

167,728

3,285,013

-

-

3,452,741

-

3,452,741

Issued in acquisition of financial asset (Note 27)

51,533

693,628

-

-

745,161

-

745,161

Share issue costs (Note 27)

-

(1,470,868)

-

-

(1,470,868)

-

(1,470,868)

Employee share-based compensation (Note 10)

  -

  -

  205,648

  -

205,648

  -

205,648

Transactions with owners

  1,621,585

20,714,041

  205,648

  -

22,541,274

  -

22,541,274

Loss for the financial year

-

-

-

(4,700,497)

(4,700,497)

68

(4,700,429)

Unrealised foreign exchange losses

  -

  -

  -

  398,986

  398,986

(160,271)

  238,715

Total comprehensive loss for the financial year

  -

  -

  -

(4,301,511)

(4,301,511)

(160,203)

(4,461,714)

Balance at 31 December 2021

25,977,130

83,610,562

2,353,868

(66,177,072)

45,764,488

(2,384,189)

43,380,299

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated statement of cash flows

for the financial year ended 31 December 2021

 

 

 

Notes

2021

2020

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

Loss for the financial year

 

(4,700,429)

(5,838,899)

Adjustments for:

 

 

 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

17

156,520

83,463

Amortisation of intangible assets

18

72,685

 

Loss on disposal of investments

 

-

1,275

Impairment of other financial investments

22

-

17,250

Employee share-based compensation

10

205,648

1,297,309

Impairment of trade receivables

25

-

19,016

Share of loss of equity accounted investments

 

24,188

-

Gains from sales to equity accounted investments deferred

 

211,478

-

Gain on loss of control of subsidiary

19

(9,957)

-

Change in fair value of financial investments

22

250,378

-

Loss on debt for equity swap

12

1,418,860

170,059

Unrealised foreign exchange movements

 

103,234

(201,723)

Operating cash flows before working capital changes

 

(2,267,395)

(4,452,250)

Decrease/(increase) in:

 

 

 

Development assets

 

(3,144,600)

(503,653)

Trade and other receivables

 

(5,946,010)

6,754

Increase in Trade and other payables

 

3,432,256

  264,141

Cash used in operating activities - continuing operations

 

(7,925,749)

(4,685,008)

Finance income

11

(134,069)

(17,329)

Finance costs

11

517,108

1,206,392

Net cash used in operating activities - continuing operations

 

(7,542,710)

(3,495,945)

Net cash used in operating activities - discontinued operations

 

32

 

  -

 

(47,741)

 

 

 

 

Cash used in operating activities

 

(7,542,710)

(3,543,686)

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

Additions to intangible assets

 

(1,000,000)

-

Proceeds from the disposal of property, plant and equipment

 

-

300,000

Cash inflow from disposal of subsidiary

33

-

218,635

Selling expenses on disposal of subsidiary

33

-

(65,261)

Loans advanced to project development undertakings

 

(2,430,137)

(469,769)

Proceeds from the disposal of other investments

 

-

84

Investment in equity accounted undertakings

 

(978,825)

(1,150,619)

Loans advanced to equity accounted undertakings

 

(3,746,984)

-

Investment in related undertakings

 

(697,635)

(333,882)

Other advances to equity accounted undertakings

 

(27,508)

  -

Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations

 

(8,881,089)

(1,500,812)

Net cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations

32

  -

  (19,997)

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(8,881,089)

 

(1,520,809)

 

 

 

 

Consolidated statement of cash flows

for the financial year ended 31 December 2021 - continued

 

 

Notes

2021

2020

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from borrowings and lease liabilities

29

1,391,174

107,000

 

Repayment of borrowings and lease liabilities

29

(3,031,724)

(1,363,348)

 

Loan issue costs

29

-

(30,944)

 

Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares

 

19,420,222

12,735,236

 

Share issue costs

 

(1,180,217)

(635,911)

 

Interest paid

 

  (20)

(21,955)

 

Net cash generated from financing activities - continuing operations

 

 

16,599,435

 

10,790,078

 

Net cash used in financing activities - discontinued operations

32

  -

(63,196)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash generated from financing activities

 

16,599,435

10,726,882

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

175,636

5,662,387

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial period

 

6,270,581

608,194

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial period

26

6,446,217

6,270,581

 

Cash and cash equivalents included in disposal group

32

  -

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents for continuing operations

26

6,446,217

6,270,581

 

 

 

Details of non-cash transactions are set out in Note 36 of the financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company statement of financial position

At 31 December 2021

 

 

 

Notes

2021

2020

ASSETS

 

Non-current assets

 

 

 

Intangible assets

18

2,419,374

-

Investment in subsidiary undertakings

19

17,994,504

17,869,630

Investments accounted for using the equity method

20

6,569,432

3,379,625

Other financial investments

22

506,976

  -

 

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

 

27,490,286

21,249,255

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

Development assets

24

305,553

9,275

Loan receivable from project development undertakings

24

613,678

243,598

Trade and other receivables

25

14,507,848

2,703,491

Cash and bank balances

26

4,845,633

6,111,864

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

20,272,712

9,068,228

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

47,762,998

30,317,483

 

 

 

 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

Share capital

27

25,977,130

24,355,545

Share premium

27

102,544,642

81,830,601

Other reserves

 

2,353,868

2,148,220

Accumulated deficit

 

(83,603,698)

(79,661,097)

 

 

 

 

Total equity

 

47,271,942

28,673,269

 

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

 

  -

  -

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

Borrowings

29

-

896,641

Trade and other payables

31

  491,056

  747,573

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

  491,056

1,644,214

 

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

 

47,762,998

30,317,483

 

 

The Group is availing of the exemption in Section 304 of the Companies Act 2014 from filing its Company Statement of Comprehensive Income. The loss for the financial year incurred by the Company was €3,942,601 (2020: €3,270,895).

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 22 April 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

 

Ian Pearson  David Palumbo

Chairman  Director

 

 

Company statement of changes in equity

for the financial year ended 31 December 2021

 

 

 

Share capital

Share premium

 

Other

reserves

Accumulated deficit

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2020

21,317,482

71,421,358

  -

(76,390,202)

16,348,638

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue of ordinary shares in EQTEC plc (Note 27)

2,658,622

9,841,484

-

-

12,500,106

Conversion of debt into equity (Notes 27 and 29)

379,441

1,536,252

-

-

1,915,693

Share issue costs (Note 27)

  -

(639,931)

  -

  -

(639,931)

Employee share-based compensation (Notes 10 and 27)

-

-

1,297,309

-

1,297,309

Recognition of equity element of debt (Notes 12 and 27)

-

-

522,349

-

522,349

Warrants issued on placing of shares (Note 27)

  -

  (328,562)

  328,562

  -

  -

Transactions with owners

3,038,063

10,409,243

  2,148,220

  -

15,595,526

Loss for the financial year (Note 37)

  -

  -

  -

(3,270,895)

(3,270,895)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive loss for the financial year

  -

  -

  -

(3,270,895)

(3,270,895)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2020

24,355,545

81,830,601

  2,148,220

(79,661,097)

28,673,269

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue of ordinary shares in EQTEC plc (Note 27)

1,402.324

18,206,268

-

-

19,608,592

Conversion of debt into equity (Note 27)

167,728

3,285,013

-

-

3,452,741

Issued in acquisition of financial asset (Note 27)

51,533

693,628

-

-

745,161

Share issue costs (Note 27)

-

(1,470,868)

-

-

(1,470,868)

Employee share-based compensation (Note 10)

  -

  -

  205,648

  -

  205,648

Transactions with owners

  1,621,585

20,714,041

  205,648

  -

22,541,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss for the financial year

  -

  -

  -

(3,942,601)

(3,942,601)

Total comprehensive loss for the financial year

  -

  -

 

  -

(3,942,601)

(3,942,601)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2021

25,977,130

102,544,642

  2,353,868

(83,603,698)

47,271,942

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company statement of cash flows

for the financial year ended 31 December 2021

 

 

 

Notes

2021

2020

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

Loss before taxation

 

(3,942,601)

(3,270,895)

Adjustments for:

 

 

 

Amortisation of intangible assets

18

72,685

-

Employee share-based compensation

10

80,771

1,297,309

Reversal of impairment of intercompany loans

 

-

(1,720,704)

Finance costs

 

508,747

1,177,335

Finance income

 

(104,568)

(13,397)

Impairment of intercompany balances

 

5,627

140,678

Change in fair value of financial investments

22

250,378

-

Loss on debt for equity swap

10

1,418,860

170,059

Foreign currency (gains)/losses arising from retranslation of borrowings

 

 

(280,767)

 

  235,968

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flows before working capital changes

 

(1,990,868)

(1,983,647)

Funds advanced to inter-company accounts

 

(13,490,118)

(2,112,285)

Repayment of inter-company balances

 

2,205,863

689,637

Increase in development assets

 

(296,278)

(9,275)

Increase in trade and other receivables

 

(283,968)

(107,773)

Increase in trade and other payables

 

178,869

  352,350

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(13,676,500)

(3,170,993)

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

Addition to intangible assets

 

(1,000,000)

-

Investment in equity accounted undertakings

 

(968,324)

(1,150,619)

Loans advanced to equity accounted undertakings

 

(2,036,074)

-

Investment in subsidiary

 

(10,000)

(1,000,000)

Subsidiaries transferred to other subsidiary undertakings

 

10,003

-

Loans advanced to project development undertakings

 

(350,000)

(230,957)

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(4,354,395)

(2,381,576)

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

Proceeds from borrowings

29

1,391,174

-

Repayment of borrowings

29

(2,866,515)

(852,567)

Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares

 

19,420,222

12,735,236

Share issue costs

 

(1,180,217)

(635,911)

Loan issue costs

29

  -

  (30,944)

 

Net cash generated from financing activities

 

 

16,764,664

 

11,215,814

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(1,266,231)

5,663,245

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year

 

6,111,864

448,619

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year

26

4,845,633

6,111,864

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to the financial statements  

 

1.   GENERAL INFORMATION

 

EQTEC plc ("the Company") is a company domiciled in Ireland. These financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2021 consolidate the individual financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as 'the Group').

The Group is a waste-to-value group, which uses its proven proprietary Advanced Gasification Technology to generate safe, green energy from over 50 different kinds of feedstock such as municipal, agricultural and industrial waste, biomass, and plastics. The Group collaborates with waste operators, developers, technologists, EPC contractors and capital providers to build sustainable waste elimination and green energy infrastructure.

 

Our income currently comes from the following streams: gasification technology sales including software, engineering & design and other related services; maintenance income from operating plants; and we receive development fees from projects where we invest development capital. In the future we expect to receive potential revenue from licensing opportunities and revenue from live operations where EQTEC has an equity stake in a plant.

 

2.  APPLICATION OF NEW AND REVISED INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRSs)
 

New/revised standards and interpretations adopted in 2021

In the current financial year, the Group has applied a number of amendments to IFRS Standards and Interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), as adopted by the European Union, that are effective for an annual period that begins on or after 1 January 2021. Their adoption has not had any impact on the disclosures or on the amounts reported in these financial statements.

 

· Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16: Interest Rate Benchmark Reform Phase 2;

· Amendments to IFRS 16: COVID-19 Rent Related Concessions.

 

New and revised IFRS Standards in issue but not yet effective

The following new and revised Standards and Interpretations have not been adopted by the Group, whether endorsed by the European Union or not. The Group is currently analysing the practical consequences of the new Standards and the effects of applying them to the financial statements. The related standards and interpretations are:

 

·

IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts and Amendments to IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts (Amendments to IFRS 17 and IFRS 4);

·

IFRS 10 and IAS 28 (amendments) Sale of Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture;

·

Amendments to IAS 1 Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current;

·

Amendments to IFRS 3 Reference to the Conceptual Framework;

·

Amendments to IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment-Proceeds before Intended Use;

·

Amendments to IAS 37 Onerous Contracts - Cost of Fulfilling a Contract;

·

Annual improvements to IFRS Standards 2018-2020 cycle Amendments to IFRS 1 First time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, IFRS 16 Leases and IAS 41 Agriculture;

·

Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2 Disclosure of Accounting Policies;

·

Amendments to IAS 8 Definition of Accounting Estimates;

·

Amendments to IAS 12 Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction.

 

The directors do not expect that the adoption of the Standards listed above will have a material impact on the financial statements of the Group in future periods.

 

3.  STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Statement of Compliance, Basis of Preparation and Going Concern

 

The Group's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union ('EU') and effective at 31 December 2021 for all years presented as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

 

The financial statements of the parent company, EQTEC plc have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union ('EU') effective at 31 December 2021 for all years presented as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and Irish Statute comprising the Companies Act 2014.

The consolidated financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention except for certain financial assets and financial liabilities which are measured at fair value. The principal accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently by the parent company and by all of the Company's subsidiaries to all years presented in these consolidated financial statements.

Comparative amounts have been re-presented where necessary, to present the financial statements on a consistent basis.

The financial statements are presented in euros and all values are not rounded, except when otherwise indicated.

The Group incurred a loss of €4,700,429 (2020: €5,767,815) during the financial year ended 31 December 2021 and had net current assets of €12,656,270 (2020: €3,985,440) and net assets of €43,380,299 (2020: €25,300,739) at 31 December 2021.

 

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Group's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position, are set out in the Chairman's Statement and Chief Executive's Report. The principal risks and uncertainties are set out in the Directors' Report.

 

Management have produced forecasts for the period up to April 2023 taking account of reasonably plausible changes in trading performance and market conditions, which have been reviewed by the Directors. These reasonably plausible changes include the continued impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and any related operational and execution delays caused by it. The forecasts demonstrate that the Group and Company is forecast to generate cash in 2022/2023 and that the Group has sufficient cash reserves to enable the Group and Company to meet its obligations as they fall due for a period of at least 12 months from the date when these financial statements have been signed. Amongst other things, the assessment involved assumptions around collection of receivables from associate and joint venture companies and availability of project funding.

 

After undertaking the assessments and considering the uncertainties set out above, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group and Company has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future and for these reasons they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

 

Basis of consolidation

The Group financial statements consolidate those of the parent company and all of its subsidiaries as of 31 December 2021. All subsidiaries have a reporting date of 31 December.

 

All transactions and balances between Group companies are eliminated on consolidation, including unrealised gains and losses on transactions between Group companies. Where unrealised losses on intra-group asset sales are reversed on consolidation, the underlying asset is also tested for impairment from a Group perspective. Amounts reported in the financial statements of subsidiaries have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the accounting policies adopted by the Group.

 

Profit or loss and other comprehensive income of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the financial year are recognised from the effective date of acquisition, or up to the effective date of disposal, as applicable. The Group attributes total comprehensive income or loss of subsidiaries between the owners of the parent and the non-controlling interests based on their respective ownership interests.

 

A change in the ownership interest of a subsidiary, without a loss of control, is accounted for as an equity transaction.  The carrying amount of the Group's interests and the non-controlling interests are adjusted to reflect the changes in their relative interests in the subsidiaries. Any difference between the amount by which the noncontrolling interests are adjusted and the fair value of the consideration paid or received is recognised directly in equity and attributed to the owners of the Company.

 

When the Group loses control of a subsidiary, the gain or loss on disposal recognised in profit or loss is calculated as the difference between (i) the aggregate of the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of any retained interest and (ii) the previous carrying amount of the assets (including goodwill), less liabilities of the subsidiary and any non-controlling interests. All amounts previously  recognised in other comprehensive income in relation to that subsidiary are accounted for as if the Group had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities of the subsidiary (i.e. reclassified to profit or loss or transferred to another category of equity as required/permitted by applicable IFRS Standards). The fair value of any investment retained in the former subsidiary at the date when control is lost is regarded as the fair value on initial recognition for subsequent accounting under IFRS 9 when applicable, or the cost on initial recognition of an investment in an  associate or a joint venture.

 

 

 

 

 

Business combinations

The Group applies the acquisition method in accounting for business combinations. The consideration transferred by the Group to obtain control of a subsidiary is calculated as the sum of the acquisition-date fair values of assets transferred, liabilities incurred, and the equity interests issued by the Group, which includes the fair value of any asset or liability arising from a contingent consideration arrangement. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are generally measured at their acquisition-date fair values.

Step Acquisitions

Business combination achieved in stages is accounted for using acquisition method at acquisition date. The components of a business combination, including previously held investments are remeasured at fair value at acquisition date and a gain or loss is recognised in the consolidated statement of profit or loss.

 

Profit or loss from discontinued operations

A discontinued operation is a component of the Group that either has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale. Profit or loss from discontinued operations comprises the post-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations and the post-tax gain or loss resulting from the measurement and disposal of assets classified as held for sale (see also policy on non-current assets and liabilities classified as held for sale and discontinued operations below and Note 32).

 

Investments in associates and joint ventures

Investments in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method. The carrying amount of the investment in associates and joint ventures is increased or decreased to recognise the Group's share of the profit or loss and other comprehensive income of the associate and joint venture, adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the accounting policies of the Group. When the Group's share of losses on an associate or a joint venture exceeds the Group's interest in that associate or joint venture (which includes any long-term interests that, in substance, form part of the Group's net investment in the associate or joint venture), the Group discontinues recognising its share of future losses. Additional losses are recognised only to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate or joint venture.

 

Unrealised gains and losses on transactions between the Group and its associates and joint ventures are eliminated to the extent of the Group's interest in those entities. Where unrealised losses are eliminated, the underlying asset is also tested for impairment.

 

Investments in related undertaking

Advances paid to acquire investee shares are recognised at cost and will be reclassified to either to investments in associates and joint ventures or investments in subsidiaries, as applicable.

 

Investments in subsidiaries

Investments in subsidiaries in the Company's statement of financial position are measured at cost less accumulated impairment. When necessary, the entire carrying amount of the investment is tested for impairment by comparing its recoverable amount (higher of value in use and fair value less costs to sell) with its carrying amount, any impairment loss recognised forms part of the carrying amount of the investment. Any reversal of that impairment loss is recognised to the extent that the recoverable amount of the investment subsequently increases.

 

Foreign currency translation

Functional and presentation currency

The consolidated financial statements are presented in Euro, which is also the functional and presentation currency of the parent company. The Group has subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, whose functional currency is the GBP £.

 

Foreign currency transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency of the respective Group entity, using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions (spot exchange rate). Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the remeasurement of monetary items denominated in foreign currency at year-end exchange rates are recognised in consolidated statement of profit or loss.

Non-monetary items are not retranslated at year-end and are measured at historical cost (translated using the exchange rates at the transaction date), except for non-monetary items measured at fair value which are translated using the exchange rates at the date when fair value was determined.

Foreign operations

In the Group's financial statements, all assets, liabilities and transactions of Group entities with a functional currency other than Euro are translated into Euro upon consolidation. The functional currency of the entities in the Group has remained unchanged during the reporting financial year.

 

On consolidation, assets and liabilities have been translated into Euro at the closing rate at the reporting date. Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity have been treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and translated into Euro at the closing rate. Income and expenses have been translated into Euro at the average rate over the reporting financial year. Exchange differences are charged or credited to consolidated statements of other comprehensive income and recognised in the accumulated deficit reserve in equity. On disposal of a foreign operation, the related cumulative translation differences recognised in equity are reclassified to profit or loss and are recognised as part of the gain or loss on disposal. To the extent that foreign subsidiaries are not under the full control of the parent company, the relevant share of currency differences is allocated to the non-controlling interests.

 

 

 

 

Segment reporting

The Group has two operating segments: the power generation segment and the technology sales segment. In identifying these operating segments, management generally follows the Group's service lines representing its main products and services.

 

Each operating segment is managed separately as each requires different technologies, marketing approaches and other resources. All inter-segment transfers are carried out at arm's length prices based on prices charged to unrelated customers in standalone sales of identical goods or services.

For management purposes, the Group uses the same measurement policies as those used in its financial statements. In addition, corporate assets which are not directly attributable to the business activities of any operating segment are not allocated to a segment. This primarily applies to the Group's central administration costs and directors' salaries.

Revenue

Revenue arises from the rendering of services. Revenue is measured based on the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in a contract with a customer and excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties. The Group recognises revenue when it transfers control of a product or service to a customer.  To determine whether to recognise revenue, the Group follows a 5-step process:

 

1.  Identifying the contract with a customer;

2.  Identifying the performance obligations;

3.  Determining the transaction price;

4.  Allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations; and

5.  Recognising revenue when/as performance obligation(s) are satisfied.

 

The Group applies the revenue recognition criteria set out below to each separately identifiable component of the sales transaction. The consideration received from these multiple-component transactions is allocated to each separately identifiable component in proportion to its relative fair value. Revenue is recognised either at a point in time or over time, when the Group satisfies performance obligations by transferring the promised goods or services to its customers.

 

Rendering of services

The Group generates revenues from after-sales service and maintenance, consulting, and construction contracts for renewable energy systems. Consideration received for these services is initially deferred, included in other payables, and is recognised as revenue in the financial year when the performance obligation is satisfied. In recognising after-sales service and maintenance revenues, the Group determines the stage of completion by considering both the nature and timing of the services provided and its customer's pattern of consumption of those services, based on historical experience. Where the promised services are characterised by an indeterminate number of acts over a specified year of time, revenue is recognised over time.

 

Revenue from consulting services is recognised when the services are provided by reference to the contract's stage of completion at the reporting date in the same way as construction contracts for renewable energy systems described below.

 

Construction contracts for renewable energy systems

Construction contracts for renewable energy systems specify a fixed price for the design, development and installation of biomass systems. When the outcome can be assessed reliably, contract revenue and associated costs are recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the contract activity at the reporting date. Contract revenue is measured at the fair value of consideration received or receivable and recognised over time on a cost-to-cost method. When the Group cannot measure the outcome of a contract reliably, revenue is recognised only to the extent of contract costs that have been incurred and are recoverable. Contract costs are recognised in the financial year in which they are incurred. In either situation, when it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognised immediately in consolidated statement of profit or loss.

 

A construction contract's stage of completion is assessed by management by comparing costs incurred to date with the total costs estimated for the contract (a procedure sometimes referred to as the cost-to-cost method). Only those costs that reflect work performed are included in costs incurred to date. The gross amount due from customers for contract work is presented within trade and other receivables for all contracts in progress for which costs incurred plus recognised profits (less recognised losses) exceeds progress billings. The gross amount due to customers for contract work is presented within other liabilities for all contracts in progress for which progress billings exceed costs incurred plus recognised profits (less recognised losses).

 

Interest and dividends

Interest income and expenses are reported on an accrual basis using the effective interest method. Dividends, other than those from investments in associates and joint ventures, are recognised at the time the right to receive payment is established.

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

Operating expenses are recognised in consolidated statement of profit or loss upon utilisation of the service or as incurred. Expenditure for warranties is recognised when the Group incurs an obligation, which is typically when the related goods are sold.

 

Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets, until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale. All other borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they are incurred.

 

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognised. Goodwill is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is not amortised but is reviewed for impairment at least annually. Refer below for a description of impairment testing procedures.

 

Non-controlling interests

Non-controlling interests that are present ownership interest and entitle their holders to a proportionate share of the entity's net assets in the event of a liquidation may be initially measured either at fair value of at the non-controlling interests' proportionate share of the recognised amounts of the acquiree's identifiable net assets. Other types of non-controlling interests are measured at fair value, or, when applicable, on the basis specified in another IFRS.

 

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are initially recognised at acquisition cost or manufacturing cost, including any costs directly attributable to bringing the assets to the location and condition necessary for them to be capable of operating in the manner intended by the Group's management. Property, plant and equipment, are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Depreciation is recognised on a straight-line basis to write down the cost less estimated residual value of leasehold buildings. The following useful lives are applied:

 

• Leasehold buildings: 5-50 years

• Office equipment: 2-5 years

 

Material residual value estimates and estimates of useful life are updated as required, but at least annually. Gains or losses arising on the disposal of leasehold buildings are determined as the difference between the disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the assets and are recognised in profit or loss within other income or other expenses.

 

Construction in progress is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment loss. Cost comprises direct costs of construction as well as interest expense and exchange differences capitalised during the year of construction and installation. Capitalisation of these costs ceases and the asset in course of construction is transferred to fixed assets when substantially all the activities necessary to prepare the assets for their intended use are completed. No depreciation is provided in respect of payments on account and asset in course of construction until it is fully completed and ready for its intended use. Construction in progress is derecognised upon disposal or when the asset is permanently withdrawn from use and no future economic benefits are expected from the disposal. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the construction in progress (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in profit or loss in the period in which the asset is derecognised.

 

Leased assets

The Group as a lessee

The Group makes the use of leasing arrangements principally for the provision of the main office space. The rental contract for offices are typically negotiated for terms of between 3 and 10 years and some of these have extension terms. The Group does not enter into sale and leaseback arrangements. All the leases are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide variety of different terms and conditions such as purchase options and escalation clauses.

 

The Group assesses whether a contract is or contains a lease at inception of the contract. A lease conveys the right to direct the use and obtain substantially all of the economic benefits of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Some lease contracts contain both lease and non-lease components. The Group has elected to not separate its leases for offices into lease and non-lease components and instead accounts for these contracts as a single lease component.

 

Measurement and recognition of leases 

At lease commencement date, the Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the consolidated statement of financial position. The right-of-use asset is measured at cost, which is made up of the initial measurement of the lease liability, any initial direct costs incurred by the Group, an estimate of any costs to dismantle and remove the asset at the end of the lease, and any lease payments made in advance of the lease commencement date (net of any incentives received).

 

The Group depreciates the right-of-use assets on a straight-line basis from the lease commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term. The Group also assesses the right-of-use asset for impairment when such indicators exist.

 

Measurement and recognition of leases - continued

At the commencement date, the Group measures the lease liability at the present value of the lease payments unpaid at that date, discounted using the Group's incremental borrowing rate because as the lease contracts are negotiated with third parties it is not possible to determine the interest rate that is implicit in the lease. The incremental borrowing rate is the estimated rate that the Group would have to pay to borrow the same amount over a similar term, and with similar security to obtain an asset of equivalent value. This rate is adjusted should the lessee entity have a different risk profile to that of the Group.

 

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability are made up of fixed payments (including in substance fixed), variable payments based on an index or rate, amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee and payments arising from options reasonably certain to be exercised. Subsequent to initial measurement, the liability will be reduced by lease payments that are allocated between repayments of principal and finance costs. The finance cost is the amount that produces a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the lease liability.

 

The lease liability is reassessed when there is a change in the lease payments. Changes in lease payments arising from a change in the lease term or a change in the assessment of an option to purchase a leased asset. The revised lease payments are discounted using the Group's incremental borrowing rate at the date of reassessment when the rate implicit in the lease cannot be readily determined. The amount of the remeasurement of the lease liability is reflected as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset. The exception being when the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero then any excess is recognised in consolidated statement profit or loss.

 

Payments under leases can also change when there is either a change in the amounts expected to be paid under residual value guarantees or when future payments change through an index or a rate used to determine those payments, including changes in market rental rates following a market rent review. The lease liability is remeasured only when the adjustment to lease payments takes effect and the revised contractual payments for the remainder of the lease term are discounted using an unchanged discount rate. Except for where the change in lease payments results from a change in floating interest rates, in which case the discount rate is amended to reflect the change in interest rates.

 

The remeasurement of the lease liability is dealt with by a reduction in the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset to reflect the full or partial termination of the lease for lease modifications that reduce the scope of the lease. Any gain or loss relating to the partial or full termination of the lease is recognised in profit or loss. The right-of-use asset is adjusted for all other lease modifications.

 

The Group has elected to account for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets using the practical expedients. Instead of recognising a right-of-use asset and lease liability, the payments in relation to these are recognised as an expense in consolidated statement of profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

On the consolidated statement of financial position, right-of-use assets have been included in property, plant and equipment and lease liabilities have been presented in separate lines therein.

 

Intangible assets acquired separately

 

Intangible assets with finite useful lives that are acquired separately are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. All finite-lived intangible assets, including patents, are accounted for using the cost model whereby capitalised costs are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Residual values and useful lives are reviewed at each reporting date The following useful lives are applied:

 

• Patents: 20 years

 

Impairment testing of goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

For impairment assessment purposes, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are largely independent cash inflows (cash-generating units). As a result, some assets are tested individually for impairment and some are tested at cash-generating unit level. Goodwill is allocated to those cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from synergies of a related business combination and represent the lowest level within the Group at which management monitors goodwill. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated (determined by the Group's management as equivalent to its operating segments) are tested for impairment at least annually. All other individual assets or cash-generating units are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

 

An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset's (or cash-generating unit's) carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value-in-use. To determine the value-in-use, management estimates expected future cash flows from each cash-generating unit and determines a suitable discount rate in order to calculate the present value of those cash flows. The data used for impairment testing procedures are directly linked to the Group's latest approved budget, adjusted as necessary to exclude the effects of future reorganisations and asset enhancements. Discount factors are determined individually for each cash-generating unit and reflect current market assessments of the time value of money and asset-specific risk factors.

 

Impairment losses for cash-generating units reduce first the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to that cash-generating unit. Any remaining impairment loss is charged pro rata to the other assets in the cash-generating unit. With the exception of goodwill, all assets are subsequently reassessed for indications that an impairment loss previously recognised may no longer exist. An impairment loss is reversed if the asset's or cash-generating unit's recoverable amount exceeds its carrying amount.

 

         

Development assets

Development assets are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises direct materials and overheads that have been incurred in furthering the development of a project towards financial close, when project financing is in place so that the project undertaking can commence construction. Net realisable value represents the costs plus an estimated development premium to be earned on the costs at financial close of a project.

 

Financial instruments

Recognition, initial measurement and derecognition

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument and are measured initially at fair value adjusted for transaction costs, except for those carried at fair value through profit or loss which are measured initially at fair value, and trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component, which are measured at the transaction price in accordance with IFRS 15. Subsequent measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities is described below.

 

Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or when the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards are transferred. A financial liability is derecognised when it is extinguished, discharged, cancelled or expires. If the Group issues equity instruments to a creditor to extinguish all or part of a financial liability, the Group recognises in profit or loss the difference between the carrying amount of the financial liability (or part thereof) extinguished and the measurement of the equity instruments issued.

 

Classification and subsequent measurement of financial assets

For the purpose of subsequent measurement financial assets, other than those designated and effective as hedging instruments, are classified into the following categories upon initial recognition:

 

•   amortised cost

• fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

• fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)

 

In the periods presented, the Group does not have any financial assets categorised as FVOCI.

 

The classification is determined by both:

 

· the Group's business model for managing the financial asset; and

· the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial asset.

 

All income and expenses relating to financial assets that are recognised in consolidated statement of profit or loss are presented within finance costs or finance income, except for impairment of trade receivables which is presented within administrative expenses.

 

Financial assets at amortised cost and impairment

Financial assets are measured at amortised cost if the assets meet the following conditions (and are not designated at FVTPL):

 

· they are held within the business model whose objective is to hold the financial asset and collect its contractual cash flows;

·        the contractual terms of the financial assets give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

 

After initial recognition, they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. The Group and Company's cash and cash equivalents, trade and most other receivables fall into this category of financial instruments.

 

The Group and Company makes use of a simplified approach in accounting for trade and other receivables and records the loss allowance as lifetime expected credit losses. These are the expected shortfalls in contractual cash flows, considering the potential for default at any point during the life of the financial instrument. In calculating, the Group uses its historical experience, external indicators and forward-looking information to calculate the expected credit losses.

 

Individually significant receivables are considered for impairment when they are past due or when other objective evidence is received that a specific counterparty will default. Receivables that are not considered to be individually impaired are reviewed for impairment in groups, which are determined by reference to the industry and region of the counterparty and other shared credit risk characteristics. The impairment loss estimate is then based on recent historical counterparty default rates for each identified group.

 

In measuring the expected credit losses, the trade receivables have been assessed on a collective basis as they possess shared credit risk characteristics. They have been grouped based on the days past due and also according to the geographical location of customers.

 

The expected loss rates are based on the payment profile for sales over the past 48 months before 31 December 2021 and 1 January respectively as well as the corresponding historical credit losses during that period. The historical rates are adjusted to reflect current and forward-looking macroeconomic factors affecting the customer's ability to settle the amount outstanding. The Group has identified gross domestic product (GDP) and unemployment rates in the countries in which the customers are domiciled to be the most relevant factors and accordingly adjusts historical loss rates for expected changes in these factors. However, given the short period exposed to credit risk, the impact of these macroeconomic factors has not been considered significant within the reporting period.

 

Classification and subsequent measurement of financial liabilities

The Group and Company's financial liabilities include borrowings, lease liabilities, trade and other payables and derivative financial instruments.

 

Financial liabilities are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method except for derivatives and financial liabilities designated at FVTPL, which are carried subsequently at fair value with gains or losses recognised in profit or loss (other than derivative financial instruments that are designated and effective as hedging instruments). All interest-related charges and, if applicable, changes in an instrument's fair value that are reported in profit or loss are included within finance costs or finance income.

 

Fair values

For financial reporting purposes, fair value measurements are categorised into Level 1, 2 or 3 based on the degree to which inputs to the fair value measurements are observable and the significance of the inputs to the fair value measurement in its entirety, which are described as follows:

 

Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2: valuation techniques for which the lowest level of inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly

Level 3: valuation techniques for which the lowest level of inputs that have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are not based on observable market data

 

Income taxes

Tax expense recognised in consolidated statement of profit or loss comprises the sum of deferred tax and current tax not recognised in consolidated statement of other comprehensive income or directly in equity.

 

Calculation of current tax is based on tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting financial year. Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method.

 

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that the underlying tax loss or deductible temporary difference will be utilised against future taxable income. This is assessed based on the Group's forecast of future operating results, adjusted for significant non-taxable income and expenses and specific limits on the use of any unused tax loss or credit.

 

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised in full, although IAS 12 'Income Taxes' specifies limited exemptions. As a result of these exemptions the Group does not recognise deferred tax on temporary differences relating to goodwill, or to its investments in subsidiaries.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits, together with other short-term, highly liquid investments maturing within 90 days from the date of acquisition that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

 

Non-current assets and liabilities classified as held for sale and discontinued operations

Non-current assets classified as held for sale are presented separately and measured at the lower of their carrying amounts immediately prior to their classification as held for sale and their fair value less costs to sell. However, some held for sale assets such as financial assets or deferred tax assets, continue to be measured in accordance with the Group's relevant accounting policy for those assets. Once classified as held for sale, the assets are not subject to depreciation or amortisation.

 

Any profit or loss arising from the sale or remeasurement of discontinued operations is presented as part of a single line item, profit or loss from discontinued operations (see also policy on profit or loss from discontinued operations above).

 

Equity, reserves and dividend payments

Share capital represents the nominal (par) value of shares that have been issued. Share premium includes any premiums received on issue of share capital. Any transaction costs associated with the issuing of shares are deducted from share premium, net of any related income tax benefits.

 

Accumulated deficit includes all current and prior financial year retained losses. All transactions with owners of the parent are recorded separately within equity. Dividend distributions payable to equity shareholders are included in other liabilities when the dividends have been approved in a general meeting prior to the reporting date.

 

 

Share-based payments

All goods and services received in exchange for the grant of any share-based payment are measured at their fair values. The Company issues equity- settled share-based payments in the form of share options and warrants to certain Directors, employees and advisers.

 

Equity-settled share-based payments are made in settlement of professional and other costs. These payments are measured at the fair value of the services provided which will normally equate to the invoiced fees and charged to the consolidated statement of profit or loss, share premium account or are capitalised according to the nature of the fees incurred.

 

Where employees are rewarded using share-based payments, the fair value of employees' services is determined indirectly by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments granted. This fair value is appraised at the grant date and excludes the impact of non-market vesting conditions (for example profitability and sales growth targets and performance conditions). Fair value is estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The expected life used in the model has been adjusted on the basis of management's best estimate for the effects of non- transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations. All share-based remuneration is ultimately recognised as an expense in profit or loss with a corresponding credit to retained earnings. If vesting years or other vesting conditions apply, the expense is allocated over the vesting year, based on the best available estimate of the number of share options expected to vest.

 

Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options that are expected to become exercisable. Estimates are subsequently revised if there is any indication that the number of share options expected to vest differs from previous estimates. Any adjustment to cumulative share-based compensation resulting from a revision is recognised in the current financial year. The number of vested options ultimately exercised by holders does not impact the expense recorded in any financial year.

 

Upon exercise of share options, the proceeds received, net of any directly attributable transaction costs, are allocated to share capital up to the nominal (or par) value of the shares issued with any excess being recorded as share premium.

 

Warrants

Share warrants issued to shareholders in connection with share capital issues are measured at fair value at the date of issue and treated as a separate component of equity, in Other Reserves. Fair value is determined at the grant date and is estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Share warrants issued separately to Directors, employees and advisers are accounted for in accordance with the policy on share-based payments.

 

Post-employment benefit plans

The Group provides post-employment benefit plans through various defined contribution plans.

 

Defined contribution plans

The Group pays fixed contributions into independent entities in relation to several retirement plans and insurances for individual employees. The Group has no legal or constructive obligations to pay contributions in addition to its fixed contributions, which are recognised as an expense in the period that related employee services are received.

 

Short-term employee benefits

A liability is recognised for benefits accruing to employees in respect of wages and salaries, annual leave and sick leave in the period the related service is rendered at the undiscounted amount of the benefits expected to be paid in exchange for that service. Liabilities recognised in respect of short-term employee benefits are measured at the undiscounted amount of the benefits expected to be paid in exchange for the related service.

 

Provisions, contingent assets and contingent liabilities

Provisions for legal disputes, onerous contracts or other claims are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic resources will be required from the Group and amounts can be estimated reliably. Timing or amount of the outflow may still be uncertain.

 

Restructuring provisions are recognised only if a detailed formal plan for the restructuring exists and management has either communicated the plan's main features to those affected or started implementation. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses.

 

Any reimbursement that the Group is virtually certain to collect from a third party with respect to the obligation is recognised as a separate asset. However, this asset may not exceed the amount of the related provision.

 

No liability is recognised if an outflow of economic resources as a result of present obligations is not probable. Such situations are disclosed as contingent liabilities unless the outflow of resources is remote.

 

4.  Significant management judgement in applying accounting policies and estimation uncertainty

 

When preparing the financial statements, management makes a number of judgements, estimates and assumptions about the recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.

 

Significant management judgements

The following are significant management judgements in applying the accounting policies of the Group that have the most significant effect on the financial statements.

 

 

Going concern

As described in the basis of preparation and going concern in Note 3 above, the validity of the going concern basis is dependent upon the achievement of management forecasts taking account of reasonably plausible changes in trading performance and market conditions, which include the continued impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and any related operational and execution delays caused by it. After undertaking the assessments and considering the uncertainties set out above, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group and the Company has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the Directors are not aware of any material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt upon the Group and Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Control assessment in a business combination.

As disclosed in Note 19, the Group owns 50.02% of the voting rights in Newry Biomass Limited. One other company owns the remaining voting rights. Management has reassessed its involvement in Newry Biomass Limited in accordance with IFRS 10's revised control definition and guidance and has concluded that, based on its sufficiently dominant voting interests to direct its activities, it has control of Newry Biomass Limited.

 

Interests in joint ventures

The Group holds 50.1% of the share capital of EQTEC Synergy Projects Limited but this entity is considered to be a joint venture as decisions about the relevant activities requires the unanimous consent of both the Group and the joint venture partner.

 

The Group holds 49% of the share capital of Synergy Karlovac d.o.o. and Synergy Belisce d.o.o. However, this entity is considered to be a joint venture of the Group as decisions about the relevant activities requires the unanimous consent of both the Group and the joint venture partner.

 

Revenue

As revenue from construction contracts is recognised over time, the amount of revenue recognised in a reporting period depends on the extent to which the performance obligation has been satisfied. It also requires significant judgment in determining the estimated costs required to complete the promised work when applying the cost-to-cost method.

 

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax is recognised based on differences between the carrying value of assets and liabilities and the tax value of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are only recognised to the extent that the Group estimates that future taxable profits will be available to offset them. The Group and Company has not recognised any deferred tax assets in the current or prior financial years.

 

Estimation uncertainty

Information about estimates and assumptions that have the most significant effect on recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, income and expenses is provided below. Actual results may be substantially different.

 

Impairment of goodwill and non-financial assets

Determining whether goodwill and non-financial assets are impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash generating units to which the assets have been allocated. The value in use calculation requires the directors to estimate the future cash flows to arise from the cash-generating unit and a suitable discount rate in order to calculate present value. Where the actual cash flows are less than expected, a material impairment may arise. The estimate for future cash flows includes consideration of possible delays due to Covid-19. The total property, plant and equipment reversal of impairment charges during the financial year as included in Note 17 amounted to €Nil (2020: €Nil), while the impairment for goodwill during the financial year as included in Note 18 amounted to €Nil (2020: €Nil).

 

Provision for impairment of financial assets - Group

Determining whether the carrying value of financial assets has been impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the investment in associated undertakings and joint venture vehicles. The value in use calculation requires the directors to estimate the future cash flows expected to arrive from these vehicles and a suitable discount rate in order to calculate present value. After reviewing these calculations, the directors are satisfied that a net impairment cost of €Nil (2020: €Nil) be recognised in the Group accounts of EQTEC plc.

 

Provision for impairment of investment in subsidiaries - Company

Determining whether the carrying value of the Company's investment in subsidiaries has been impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the investment in subsidiaries. The value in use calculation requires the directors to estimate the future cash flows expected to arrive from these vehicles and a suitable discount rate in order to calculate present value. After reviewing these calculations, the directors are satisfied that a net impairment cost of €Nil (2020: €Nil) be recognised in the Company accounts of EQTEC plc.

 

Useful lives and residual values of intangible assets

Intangible assets are amortised over their useful lives taking into account, where appropriate, residual values. Assessment of useful lives and residual values are performed annually, taking into account factors such as technological innovation, market information and management considerations. In assessing the residual value of an asset, its remaining life, projected disposal value and future market conditions are taken into account. Detail on intangible assets can be found in note 18.

 

 

Allowances for impairment of trade receivables

The Group estimates the allowance for doubtful trade receivables based on assessment of specific accounts where the Group has objective evidence comprising default in payment terms or significant financial difficulty that certain customers are unable to meet their financial obligations.  In these cases, judgment used was based on the best available facts and circumstances including but not limited to, the length of relationship. The Group and Company measure expected credit losses of a financial instrument in a way that reflects an unbiased and probability-weighted amount that is determined by evaluating a range of possible outcomes, the time value of money and information about past events, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions. When measuring ECL the Group and Company use reasonable and supportable forward-looking information, which is based on assumptions for the future movement of different economic drivers and how these drivers will affect each other. At 31 December 2021, provisions for doubtful debts amounted to €475,687 which represents 9% of trade receivables at that date (31 December 2020: €475,687- 74%) (see note 25).

 

Share based payments and warrants

The calculation of the fair value of equity-settled share-based awards and warrants issued in connection with share issues and the resulting charge to the consolidated statement of profit or loss or share-based payment reserve requires assumptions to be made regarding future events and market conditions. These assumptions include the future volatility of the Company's share price. These assumptions are then applied to a recognised valuation model in order to calculate the fair value of the awards at the date of grant (See Notes 10 and 27).

 

Estimating impairment of development assets

Management estimates the net realisable values of development assets, taking into account the most reliable evidence available at each reporting date. The future realisation of these development assets may be affected by market-driven changes that may reduce future prices/premiums (See Note 24).

 

5.   FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

 

Financial risk management objectives and policies

The Group and Company's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: credit risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk.

 

The Group and Company's financial risk management programme aims to manage the Group's exposure to the aforementioned risks in order to minimise the potential adverse effects on the financial performance of the Group and Company. The Group and Company seeks to minimise the effects of these risks by monitoring the working capital position, cash flows and interest rate exposure of the Group and Company. There is close involvement by members of the Board of Directors in the day-to-day running of the business.

 

Many of the Group and Company's transactions are carried out in Pounds Sterling.

 

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty fails to discharge an obligation to the Group and Company. The Group and Company is exposed to credit risk from financial assets including cash and cash equivalents held at banks, trade and other receivables and loans receivable from project development undertakings.

 

The Group's maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the balance sheet amount of each financial asset:

 

 

2021

2020

 

Loans receivable from project development undertakings

3,000,469

482,537

Trade and other receivables

6,876,747

894,531

Cash and cash equivalents

6,446,217

6,394,791

 

 

 

The Company's maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the balance sheet amount of each financial asset:

 

2021

2020

 

Loans receivable from project development undertakings

613,678

243,598

Trade and other receivables

14,507,848

2,703,491

Cash and cash equivalents

4,845,633

6,111,864

 

 

 

The Group and Company's credit risk is primarily attributable to its loans receivable from project development undertakings and trade and other receivables.
 

 

 

Credit risk (continued)

The Group has adopted procedures in extending credit terms to customers and in monitoring its credit risk.  The Group's exposure to credit risk arises from defaulting customers, with a maximum exposure equal to the carrying amount of the related receivables. Provisions are made for impairment of trade receivables when there is default of payment terms and significant financial difficulty. On-going credit evaluation is performed on the financial condition of accounts receivable at operating unit level at least on a monthly basis.

 

The Group had risk exposure to the following counterparties at year-end:

 

2021

2020

 

Loans receivable from project development undertakings

 

 

Loan receivable from Logik Wte Limited

1,538,420

170,561

Loan receivable from Shankley Biogas Limited

848,371

68,378

Trade and other receivables

 

 

Receivable from Synergy Karlovac d.o.o.

2,202,884

-

Receivable from Synergy Belisce d.o.o.

1,962,925

  -

 

 

Apart from the above, the Group does not have significant risk exposure to any single counterparty or any group of counterparties having similar characteristics. The Group defines counterparties as having similar characteristics if they are related parties. Concentration of credit risk related to the above companies did not exceed 20% of gross monetary assets at any time during the year. Concentration of credit risk to any other counterparty did not exceed 5% of gross monetary assets at any time during the financial year.

 

Exposure to credit risk on cash deposits and liquid funds is monitored by directors. Cash held on deposit is with financial institutions in the Ba rating category of Moody's (2020: Ba). The directors are of the opinion that the likelihood of default by a counter party leading to material loss is minimal. The reconciliation of loss allowance is included in Note 25.

 

Liquidity risk

The Group and Company's liquidity is managed by ensuring that sufficient facilities are available for the Group and Company's operations from diverse funding sources. The Group uses cash flow forecasts to regularly monitor the funding requirements of the Group. The Group's operations are funded by cash generated from financing activities, borrowings from banks and investors and proceeds from the issuance of ordinary share capital.

 

The table below details the maturity of the Group's liabilities as at 31 December 2021:

 

 

 

 

Up to 1 year

 

1 - 5 years

After 5 years

 

Total

 

Notes

Trade and other payables

31

6,921,806

-

-

6,921,806

Investor loans

29

-

-

-

-

Bank overdraft

29

-

-

-

-

 

 

6,921,806

-

-

6,921,806

 

The table below details the maturity of the Group's liabilities as at 31 December 2020:

 

 

 

 

Up to 1 year

 

1 - 5 years

After 5 years

 

Total

 

Notes

Trade and other payables

31

3,183,980

-

-

3,183,980

Investor loans

29

896,641

-

-

896,641

Bank overdraft

29

124,210

-

-

124,210

 

 

4,204,831

-

-

4,204,831

 

Maturity of all Company's liabilities as at 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2020 are up to 1 year. Refer to Note 29 and 31 for the outstanding balance.

 

  Interest rate risk

The primary source of the Group's interest rate risk relates to bank loans and other debt instruments while the Company's interest rate risk relates to debt instruments. The interest rates on these liabilities are disclosed in Note 29.  

 

                                           

 

  Interest rate risk (continued)

The Group's bank borrowings and other debt instruments (excluding amounts in the disposal group) amounted to €Nil and €1,020,851 in 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2020, respectively.  The Company's debt instruments amounted to €Nil and €896,641 in 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2020, respectively. 

 

The interest rate risk is managed by the Group and Company by maintaining an appropriate mix of fixed and floating rate borrowings. The Group does not engage in hedging activities. Bank borrowings and certain debt instruments are arranged at floating rates which are mainly based upon EURIBOR and the prime lending rate of financial institutions thus exposing the Group to cash flow interest rate risk. The other remaining debt instruments were arranged at fixed interest rates and expose the Group to a fixed cash outflow.

 

These bank borrowings and debt instruments are mostly medium-term to long-term in nature. Interest rates on loans received from investors and shareholders are fixed in some cases while others are a fixed percentage greater than current prime lending rates.  'Medium-term' refers to bank borrowings and debt instruments repayable between 2 and 5 years and 'long-term' to bank borrowings repayable after more than 5 years.

 

The sensitivity analysis below has been determined based on the exposure to interest rates for non-derivative instruments at the end of the reporting financial year. For floating rate liabilities, the analysis is prepared assuming that the amount of the liability outstanding at the end of the financial year was outstanding for the whole year. A 50-basis point increase or decrease is used when reporting interest rate risk internally to key management personnel and represents management's assessment of the reasonably possible changes in interest rates.

 

If interest rates have been 50 basis points higher/lower and all other variables were held constant, the Group's loss for the financial year ended 31 December 2021 would increase/decrease by €Nil (2020: increase/decrease by €621) with a corresponding decrease/increase in equity.

 

The Group's sensitivity to interest rates has decreased during the current financial year mainly due to the repayment of investor loans in EQTEC plc in the financial year.

 

Foreign exchange risk

The Group and Company is mainly exposed to future changes in the Sterling, the US Dollar and the Croatian Kuna relative to the Euro. These risks are managed by monthly review of Sterling, US Dollar and Croatian Kuna denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities and assessment of the potential exchange rate fluctuation exposure. The Group and Company's exposure to foreign exchange risk is not actively managed. Management will reassess their strategy to foreign exchange risk in the future.

 

The carrying amount of the Group's foreign currency denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at the end of the reporting financial year are as follows:

 

  Liabilities

  Assets

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

Sterling

3,813,537

2,722,298

8,208,131

6,441,771

US Dollar

-

984,906

25,695

  38,354

Croatian Kuna

240,247

  -

1,212,271

  -

 

The carrying amount of the Company's foreign currency denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at the end of the reporting financial year are as follows:

 

 

  Liabilities

  Assets

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

Sterling

169,433

461,909

12,822,699

7,221,106

US Dollar

  -

984,906

  45,549

  54,661

 

The following table details the Group and Company's sensitivity to a 10% increase and decrease in the Euro against the relevant foreign currencies. 10% is the sensitivity rate used when reporting foreign currency risk internally to key management personnel and represents management's assessment of the reasonably possible change in foreign exchange rates. The sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items and adjusts their translation at the year-end for a 10% change in foreign currency rates. The sensitivity analysis includes external loans as well as loans to foreign operations within the Group where the denomination of the loan is in the currency other than the currency of the lender or the borrower. A positive number below indicates an increase in profit where the Euro strengthens 10% against the relevant currency. For a 10% weakening of the Euro against the relative currency, there would be a comparable impact on the loss, and the balances below will be negative.

 

 

Group

Company

 

2021

2020

31 Dec 2021

31 Dec 2020

Sterling Impact: Profit and loss/equity

443,898

375,704

1,278,108

682,747

US Dollar Impact: Profit & Loss/Equity

2,288

95,611

4,056

93,964

Croatian Kuna: Profit and loss/equity

  98,184

  -

  -

  -

 

 

 Foreign exchange risk (continued)

The Group and Company's sensitivity to foreign currency has increased during the current financial year mainly due to the placing of equity for sterling in the financial year, coupled with the set up of a new Croatian subsidiary.

 

Market risk

The Group's activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, which are detailed above. There has been no change to the Group's exposure to market risks or the manner in which it manages and measures the risk.

 

Price risk

The Group is exposed to equity price risk in respect of its investment in Metal NRG plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange (see Note 22).

 

The investment in Metal NRG plc is considered a long-term, strategic investment. In accordance with the Group's policies, no specific hedging activities are undertaken in relation to these investments. The investments are continuously monitored and voting rights arising from these equity instruments are utilised in the Group's favour.

 

The sensitivity analyses below have been determined based on the exposure to equity price risks at the reporting date. If the quoted stock price for these securities increased or decreased by 5%, the net loss for the year ended 31 December 2021 and 2020 would increase/decrease by €25,349 (2020: Not applicable) as a result of the changes in fair value of the investments in listed shares.

 

6.  CAPITAL MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

The Group manages its capital to ensure that the Group is able to continue as a going concern while maximising the return to shareholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance.

 

The capital structure of the company consists of financial liabilities, cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to the equity holders of the parent company.

 

The Group's management reviews the capital structure on a yearly basis.  As part of the review, management considers the cost of capital and risks associated with it. The Group's overall strategy on capital risk management is to continue to improve the ratio of debt to equity.

 

The Group manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in the light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares, or sell assets to reduce debt.

 

No changes were made in the objectives, policies or processes for managing capital during the years ended 31 December 2021 and 2020.

 

The gearing ratio of the Group for the financial year presented is as follows:

 

 

31 Dec 2021

31 Dec 2020

 

Borrowings

-

1,020,851

Lease liabilities

257,708

191,707

Cash and bank balances

(6,446,217)

(6,394,791)

Net debt

(6,188,509)

(5,182,233)

Equity

45,764,488

27,524,725

 

 

 

Net debt to equity ratio

(14%)

(19%)

 

 

7.   SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

Information reported to the chief operating decision maker for the purposes of resource allocation and assessment of segment performance focuses on the products and services sold to customers. The Group's reportable segments under IFRS 8 Operating Segments are as follows:

 

Technology Sales: Being the sale of Gasification Technology and associated Engineering and Design Services;

 

Power Generation: Being the development and operation of renewable energy electricity and heat generating plants.

 

The chief operating decision maker is the Chief Executive Officer. Information regarding the Group's current reportable segment is presented below. The following is an analysis of the Group's revenue and results from continuing operations by reportable segment:

 

 

 

 

Segment Revenue

Segment Profit/(Loss)

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technology Sales

9,171,764

2,234,727

995,000

(878,877)

Power Generation

  -

  -

  (328)

  (11,094)

Total from continuing operations

 

9,171,764

 

2,234,727

 

994,672

 

(889,971)

Central administration costs and directors' salaries

(3,554,854)

(2,548,506)

Impairment costs

 

(5,498)

(17,250)

Other income

 

-

61,922

Other losses

 

(1,418,860)

(170,059)

Change in fair value of financial investments

 

(250,378)

-

Foreign currency gains

 

348,885

211,337

Employee share-based compensation

 

(205,648)

(1,297,309)

Share of results from equity accounted investments

 

(24,188)

-

Gains from sales to equity accounted investments deferred

 

(211,478)

-

Gain arising from loss of control of subsidiaries

 

9,957

-

Finance income

 

134,069

17,329

Finance costs

 

(517,108)

(1,206,392)

Loss before taxation (continuing operations)

 

(4,700,429)

(5,838,899)

 

 

 

Revenue reported above represents revenue generated from associated companies, jointly controlled entities and external customers. Inter-segment sales for the financial year amounted to €Nil (2020: €Nil). Included in revenues in the Technology Sales Segment are revenues of €7,084,872 (2020: €1,980,000) which arose from sales to associate undertakings and joint ventures of EQTEC plc. This represents 77% (2020: 89%) of total revenues in the financial year. A breakdown of the turnover by associated undertaking and joint venture is set out in Note 34 Related Party Transactions.

 

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group's accounting policies described in Note 3. Segment profit or loss represents the profit or loss earned by each segment without allocation of central administration costs and directors' salaries, other operating income, share of profit or loss of jointly controlled entities, profit on disposal of jointly controlled entities, interest costs, interest income and income tax expense. This is the measure reported to the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of resource allocation and assessment of segment performance.

 

Other segment information:

 

Depreciation and amortisation

Additions to non-current assets

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

Technology sales

84,381

83,463

195,643

-

Power Generation

-

-

-

-

Head Office

144,824

  -

2,708,474

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

229,205

83,463

2,904,117

  -

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to the depreciation and amortisation reported above, reversal of impairment losses of €Nil (2020: €Nil) were recognised in respect of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets and goodwill respectively.

 

The Group operates in four principal geographical areas: Republic of Ireland (country of domicile), the European Union, the United States of America and the United Kingdom. The Group's revenue from continuing operations from external customers and information about its non-current assets* by geographical location are detailed below:

 

Revenue from Associates and External Customers

Non-current assets*

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

 

  €

  €

 

Republic of Ireland

-

-

-

-

 

EU

6,734,156

254,727

2,720,427

187,792

 

United States of America

2,437,608

1,980,000

-

-

 

United Kingdom

  -

  -

147,808

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,171,764

2,234,727

2,868,235

187,792

 

*Non-current assets excluding goodwill, financial instruments, deferred tax and investment in jointly controlled entities and associates.

The management information provided to the chief operating decision maker does not include an analysis by reportable segment of assets and liabilities and accordingly no analysis by reportable segment of total assets or total liabilities is disclosed.

 

 

 

8.  REVENUE

An analysis of the Group's revenue for the financial year (excluding interest revenue), from continuing and discontinued operations, is as follows:

 

  Continuing

  Discontinued

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

Revenue from technology sales

8,022,509

2,234,727

-

-

Revenue from the generation of energy from wind

-

-

-

135,644

Revenue from development fees

1,149,255

  -

  -

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,171,764

2,234,727

  -

135,644

       

9.  OTHER INCOME

 

  Continuing

  Discontinued

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

Operating grants

-

39,782

  -

  -

Reimbursement of wind development costs

-

16,449

-

-

Other income

  -

  5,691

  -

  -

 

  -

61,922

  -

  -

 

 

 

10.  EMPLOYEE SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

 

  Continuing

  Discontinued

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

Expensed in the year

205,648

1,297,309

  -

  -

 

The share-based payment expense includes the cost of employee warrants and options granted and vested in the year (Note 27).

 

 

11.

FINANCE COSTS AND INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

  Continuing

Discontinued

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

Finance Costs

 

Interest on loans, bank facilities and overdrafts

41,818

1,149,141

-

18,382

 

Fees on early redemption of loans

466,929

50,149

-

-

 

Interest expense for leasing arrangements

8,341

7,102

-

-

 

Other interest

  20

  -

  -

  -

 

 

517,108

1,206,392

  -

18,382

 

Finance Income

 

 

 

 

 

Interest receivable on loans advanced

121,459

13,397

-

-

 

Interest receivable on deferred consideration

12,610

3,932

-

-

 

Interest receivable on bank deposits

  -

  -

  3

  3

 

 

134,069

 

17,329

 

  3

  3

Included in finance costs under continuing activities is an amount of €Nil (2020: €522,349) with respect to lender warrants granted during the year (see Note 27).

 

 

 

12.  OTHER LOSSES

 

  Continuing

  Discontinued

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

Loss on debt for equity swap

1,418,860

170,059

  -

  -

 

During the financial year the Group extinguished some of its financial liabilities by issuing equity instruments. In accordance with IFRIC 19 Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments, the loss recognised on these transactions was €1,418,860 (2020: €170,059).

 

 

 

13.

EMPLOYEE DATA

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

 

The aggregate payroll costs of employees (including executive directors) in the Group were as follows:

 

 

 

Salaries

1,575,325

858,915

 

 

Social insurance costs

284,643

163,423

 

 

Pension costs - defined contribution plans

  34,134

  (16,932)

 

 

Termination payments

241,061

-

 

 

Other compensation costs:

 

 

 

 

Cost of share-based payments

205,648

1,297,309

 

 

Short term incentives

506,999

-

 

 

Private health insurance and other insurance costs

  15,071

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,862,881

2,302,715

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No.

No.

 

 

Average number of employees (including executive directors)

19

13

 

 

 

 

Company

Average number of employees (including executive directors)

4

2

 

Capitalised employee costs in the financial year amounted to €Nil (2020 €Nil).

 

 

 

14.

LOSS BEFORE TAXATION

2021

2020

 

 

 

Loss before taxation on continuing operations is stated after charging/(crediting):

 

 

 

Depreciation of leasehold buildings (Note 17)

156,520

83,463

 

Amortisation of intangible assets (Note 18)

72,685

-

 

Impairment of investments (Note 22)

-

17,250

 

Movement in fair value of investments (Note 22)

250,378

-

 

Research and development

17,991

26,412

 

Gains on foreign exchange

(348,885)

(211,337)

 

Directors' remuneration:                for services as directors

111,234

486,122

 

(Note 34).  for salaries as management

730,496

408,948

 

  share-based payments

86,261

1,127,141

 

  compensation for loss of office

241,061

-

 

Impairment of development assets (Note 24)

  5,498

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

 

Auditor's remuneration:

 

 

 

 

Audit of Group accounts

90,000

60,000

 

 

Tax advisory services

15,000

11,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

105,000

71,000

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.

INCOME TAX

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense comprises:

 

 

 

Current tax expense

-

-

 

Deferred tax credit

-

-

 

Adjustment for prior financial years

  -

  -

 

Tax expense

  -

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before taxation

(4,700,429)

(5,767,815)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applicable tax 12.50% (2020: 12.50%)

(587,554)

(720,977)

 

 

 

 

 

Effects of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortisation & depreciation in excess of capital allowances

28,475

17,130

 

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

234,361

248,715

 

Losses carried forward

324,718

455,132

 

 

 

 

 

Movement in deferred tax

  -

  -

 

Actual tax expense

  -

  -

 

 

The tax rate used for the reconciliation above is the corporate rate of 12.5% payable by corporate entities in Ireland on taxable profits under tax law in that jurisdiction. 

 

 

 

 

16.

LOSS PER SHARE

2021

2020

 

 

€ per share

€ per share

 

Basic loss per share

 

 

 

From continuing operations

(0.001)

(0.001)

 

From discontinued operations

  -

  -

 

Total basic loss per share

(0.001)

(0.001)

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted loss per share

 

 

 

From continuing operations

(0.001)

(0.001)

 

From discontinued operations

  -

  -

 

Total diluted loss per share

(0.001)

(0.001)

 

The loss and weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of the basic and diluted loss per share are as follows:

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

 

Loss for financial year attributable to equity holders of the parent

(4,700,497)

(5,762,733)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit for the financial year from discontinued operations used in the calculation of basic earnings per share from discontinued operations

 

  -

 

71,084

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses used in the calculation of basic loss per share from continuing operations

 

(4,700,497)

 

(5,833,817)

 

 

 

No.

No.

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for

 

 

 

the purposes of basic loss per share

7,956,449,726

5,435,107,932

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for

 

 

 

the purposes of diluted loss per share

7,956,449,726

5,435,107,932

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 

Dilutive and anti-dilutive potential ordinary shares

The following potential ordinary shares were excluded in the diluted earnings per share calculation as they were anti-dilutive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

 

Share warrants in issue

464,005,793

651,936,876

 

Share options in issue

  67,304,542

33,652,271

 

LTIP options in issue

21,124,586

  -

 

Total anti-dilutive shares

552,434,921

685,589,147

           

 

Details of share warrants and share options in issue outstanding at year-end are set out in Note 27.

 

 

 

 

 

 

17.

 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

 

Right of Use Assets

Office equipment

Construction in Progress

Total

Group

 

Cost

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2020

 

354,718

181,264

2,465,103

3,001,085

Disposals

 

-

(117,922)

-

(117,922)

Derecognition of assets

 

  -

  -

(2,465,103)

(2,465,103)

At 31 December 2020

 

354,718

63,342

-

418,060

Additions

 

219,301

-

192,757

412,058

Exchange differences

 

  5,297

  -

  -

  5,297

At 31 December 2021

 

579,316

63,342

192,757

835,415

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2020

 

83,463

181,264

2,465,103

2,729,830

Charge for the financial year

 

83,463

-

-

83,463

Charge on disposal

 

-

(117,922)

-

(117,922)

Derecognition of assets

 

  -

  -

(2,465,103)

(2,465,103)

At 31 December 2020

 

166,926

63,342

-

230,268

Charge for the financial year

 

156,520

-

-

156,520

Exchange differences

 

  1,766

  -

  -

  1,766

At 31 December 2021

 

325,212

63,342

  -

388,554

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying amount

 

 

 

 

 

At 31 December 2020

 

187,792

  -

  -

187,792

At 31 December 2021

 

254,104

  -

192,757

446,861

 

 

Included in the net carrying amount of property, plant and equipment are right-of-use assets as follows:

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

Leasehold buildings

 

254,104

187,792

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Office

Equipment

Total

 Company

 

 Cost

 

 

 

 At 1 January 2020, at 31 December 2020 and at 31 December 2021

 

1,233

1,233

 

 

 

 

 Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

 At 1 January 2020, at 31 December 2020 and at 31 December 2021

 

1,233

1,233

 

 

 

 

  Carrying amount

 

 

 

  At 1 January 2021

 

  -

  -

 

 

 

 

  At 31 December 2021

 

  -

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Group

 

 

Goodwill

Patents

Total

Cost

 

 

  €

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at 1 January 2020 and at 31 December 2020

 

 

16,710,497

 

-

 

16,710,497

 

Additions, separately acquired

 

  -

2,492,059

2,492,059

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at 31 December 2021

 

16,710,497

2,492,059

19,202,556

 

 

Amortisation and Impairment

As at 1 January 2020

 

 

 

1,427,038

 

 

-

 

 

1,427,038

Impairment losses

 

 

  -

  -

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at 31 December 2020

 

1,427,038

-

1,427,038

Amortisation

 

-

72,685

72,685

Impairment losses

 

  -

  -

  -

 

 

 

 

 

As at 31 December 2021

 

1,427,038

72,685

1,499,723

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying value

 

 

 

 

 

As at 31 December 2020

 

15,283,459

  -

15,283,459

As at 31 December 2021

 

15,283,459

2,419,374

17,702,833

           

 

 

Company

 

 

 

Patents

Total

Cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at 1 January 2020 and at 31 December 2020

 

 

 

-

 

-

Additions

 

 

2,492,059

2,492,059

 

 

 

 

 

As at 31 December 2021

 

 

2,492,059

2,492,059

 

Amortisation and Impairment

As at 1 January 2020  and at 31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

Amortisation

 

 

72,685

72,685

 

 

 

 

 

As at 31 December 2021

 

 

72,685

72,685

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying value

 

 

 

 

 

As at 31 December 2020

 

 

  -

  -

As at 31 December 2021

 

 

2,419,374

2,419,374

 

Patents

 

During the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group acquired patents from a company controlled by one of the directors. Patents and trademarks are amortised over their estimated useful lives, which is on average 20 years. The average remaining amortisation period for these patents is 19.4 years (2020: Not applicable).

 

  Goodwill

  Cash-generating units

 

Goodwill acquired in business combinations is allocated, at acquisition, to the cash-generating units (CGUs) that are expected to benefit from that business combination. A CGU is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generate cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or group of assets. The CGUs represent the lowest level within the Group at which the associated goodwill is assessed for internal management purposes and are not larger than the operating segments determined in accordance with IFRS 8 Operating Segments. A total of 1 CGUs (2020: 1) have been identified and these are all associated with the Technology Sales Segment. The carrying value of the goodwill within the Technology Sales Segment is €15,283,459 (2020: €15,283,459).

 

In accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, the CGUs to which significant amounts of goodwill have been allocated are as follows:

 

2021

2020

 

Eqtec Iberia SLU

15,283,459

15,283,459

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the purpose of impairment testing, the discount rates applied to this CGU to which significant amounts of goodwill have been allocated was 14% (2020: 14%) for the Eqtec Iberia CGU.

 

  Annual test for impairment

Goodwill acquired through business combinations has been allocated to the above CGU for the purpose of impairment testing. Impairment of goodwill occurs when the carrying value of the CGU is greater than the present value of the cash that it is expected to generate (i.e. the recoverable amount). The Group reviews the carrying value of each CGU at least annually or more frequently if there is an indication that a CGU may be impaired.

 

The recoverable amount of each CGU is determined from value-in-use calculations. The forecasts used in these calculations are based on a financial plan approved by the Board of Directors, plus 5-year projections forecasted by management, and specifically excludes any future acquisition activity.

 

The value in use calculation represents the present value of the future cash flows, including the terminal value, discounted at a rate appropriate to each CGU. The real pre-tax discount rates used is 14% (2020: 14%). These rates are based on the Group's estimated weighted average cost of capital, adjusted for risk, and are consistent with external sources of information.

 

The cash flows and the key assumptions used in the value in use calculations are determined based on management's knowledge and expectation of future trends in the industry. Expected future cash flows are, however, inherently uncertain and are therefore liable to material change over time. The key assumptions used in the value in use calculations are subjective and include projected EBITDA margins, net cash flows, discount rates used and the duration of the discounted cash flow model. The estimate for future cash flows includes consideration of possible delays due to Covid-19.

 

The directors performed sensitivity analysis to account for changes in value in use calculation due to potential delays in commencement of the projects. The following are the sensitivities performed:

 

· 1% increase in discount rate

· 1 project delayed in 2022, 2 projects delayed in 2023, 3 projects delayed in 2024

· Zero percentage long term growth rate (year 6 onwards)

· 1 major anticipated project delayed until 2023

 

All of these sensitivity analysis resulted in no impairment. An impairment loss of €Nil (2020: €Nil) has been calculated for the financial year ended 31 December 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.

INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS

 

 

COMPANY

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

Investment in subsidiary undertakings

 

 

 

At beginning of financial year

17,869,630

16,869,625

 

 

 

Reclassification of inter-company balance as contribution to capital in Eqtec Iberia

 

-

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

Investment in other subsidiaries

10,000

5

 

 

 

Transfer of investment in subsidiaries to other subsidiary undertakings

 

(10,003)

 

-

 

 

 

Share options and awards

124,877

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At end of financial year

17,994,504

17,869,630

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans to subsidiary undertakings

 

 

 

 

 

At beginning of financial year

-

571,304

 

 

 

Provision for impairment of investment in subsidiaries

  -

(571,304)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At end of financial year

  -

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The share options and awards addition reflect the cost of share-based payments attributable to employees of subsidiary undertakings, which are treated as capital contributions by the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the year, the Company transferred shareholdings in subsidiary undertakings at cost to other subsidiary undertakings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

Details of EQTEC plc subsidiaries at 31 December 2021 are as follows:

 

 

Country of

 

 

 

Name

Incorporation

Shareholding

Registered Office

Principal activity

Eqtec Iberia SLU

Spain

100%

5

Provision of technical engineering services

EQTEC Holdings Limited

Republic of Ireland

100%

1

Development of building projects

EQTEC UK Services Limited (formerly EQTEC Holdings (UK) Limited)

United Kingdom

100%

2

Development of building projects

Haverton WTV Limited

United Kingdom

100%

2

Waste-to-energy developer

Deeside WTV Limited

United Kingdom

100%

2

Waste-to-energy developer

Southport WTV Limited (formerly Humber Gate WTV Limited)

United Kingdom

100%

2

Waste-to-energy developer

Newry Biomass No. 1 Limited

Republic of Ireland

100%

1

Dormant company

React Biomass Limited

Republic of Ireland

100%

1

Dormant company

Reforce Energy Limited

Republic of Ireland

100%

1

Dormant company

Grass Door Limited

United Kingdom

100%

3

Dormant company

Newry Biomass Limited

Northern Ireland

50.02%

4

Dormant company

Enfield Biomass Limited

United Kingdom

100%

3

Dormant company

Moneygorm Wind Turbine Limited

Republic of Ireland

100%

1

Dormant company

Eqtec No. 1 Limited

Republic of Ireland

100%

1

Dormant company

Eqtec Strategic Project Finance Limited

United Kingdom

 100%

3

Dormant company

Clay Cross Biomass Limited

United Kingdom

100%

3

Dormant company

Altilow Wind Turbine Limited

Republic of Ireland

100%

1

Dormant company

Synergy Projects d.o.o.

Croatia

100%

6

Waste-to-energy developer

EQTEC France SAS

France

100%

7

Waste-to-energy developer

 

 

 

 

 

 

The shareholding in each company above is equivalent to the proportion of voting power held.

 

Key to registered offices:

1.  Building 1000, City Gate, Mahon, Cork T12 W7CV, Ireland.

2.  3 Stucley Place, London NW1 8NS, England.

3.  Labs Triangle, Camden Lock Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AB, England.

4.  68 Cloughanramer Road, Carnmeen, Newry, Co. Down BT34 1QG, Northern Ireland.

5.  Rosa Sensat nº 9-11 Planta 5ª, 08005 Barcelona, Spain.

6.  Zagorska 31, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.

7.  28 Cours Albert 1er, 75008 Paris, France.

 

 

 

 

The table below shows details of non-wholly owned subsidiaries of the Group that have non-controlling interests:

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary

Principal place of business and place of incorporation

Proportion of ownership interests and voting rights held by non-controlling interests

Profit/(loss) allocated to non-controlling interests for the financial year

 

 

  Non-controlling interests

 

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

 

 

%

%

 

Newry Biomass Limited

 

Northern Ireland

 

49.98

 

49.98

 

68

 

(5,080)

 

(2,489,189)

 

(2,328,986)

 

Individually immaterial subsidiaries with non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

0.00

 

 

 

 

0.00

 

 

 

 

  -

 

 

 

 

  (2)

 

 

 

 

  105,000

 

 

 

 

105,000 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

   68

(5,082)

(2,384,189)

(2,223,986)

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQTEC plc owns 50.02% of the voting rights in Newry Biomass Limited. One other company owns the remaining voting rights. Management has reassessed its involvement in Newry Biomass Limited in accordance with IFRS 10's revised control definition and guidance and has concluded that it has control of Newry Biomass Limited. The activities of Newry Biomass Limited are not considered material to the Group as a whole.

 

              No dividends were paid to the non-controlling interests during the years ended 31 December 2021 and 2020.

 

During the year, the Group set up two subsidiaries, Synergy Belisce d.o.o. and Synergy Karlovac d.o.o. that were initially accounted for as an investment in subsidiaries. On 26 November 2021, the Group disposed of 51% of its share in the two companies to Sense ESCO d.o.o. for proceeds of €2,709 (receivable after the year-end). The Group has accounted for the remaining 49% interest in these companies as an investment in joint ventures. The transaction has resulted in the recognition of a gain in profit and loss, calculated as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds of disposal 

2,709

Plus: Fair value of investment retained (49%)

489

Add: Carrying amount of net liabilities of investments on the date of loss of control

6,759

Gain recognised 

9,957  

 

                         

20.

INVESTMENTS ACCOUNTED FOR USING THE EQUITY METHOD

 

GROUP

 

2021

2020

 

 

Investment in associate undertakings (a)

6,951,064

3,379,625

 

Investment in joint ventures (b)

1,123,120

  -

 

 

8,074,184

3,379,625

 

COMPANY

 

 

 

Investment in associate undertakings (a)

6,569,432

3,379,625

 

 

 

 

 

a)  Investment in associate undertakings

 

 

 

GROUP

 

 

 

At beginning of financial year

3,379,625

2,229,006

 

Derecognition of loans

(1,150,619)

-

 

Investment in shares

2,458,584

-

 

Loans advanced to associate undertakings

2,272,113

1,150,619

 

Interest accrued on loans to associate undertakings

64,693

-

 

Share of loss of associate undertakings

(19,441)

-

 

Adjustment in respect of unrealised sales from the Group

(101,296)

-

 

Exchange differences

  47,405

  -

 

 

 

 

 

At end of financial year

6,951,064

3,379,625

 

Made up as follows:

 

 

Investment in shares in associate undertakings

4,597,855

2,229,006

Loans advanced to associate undertakings

2,384,248

1,150,619

Less: Losses recognised under the equity method

  (31,039)

-

 

 

 

 

6,951,064

3,379,625

Investment in associate undertakings

Details of the Group's interests in associated undertakings at 31 December 2021 is as follows:

 

 

 

Shareholding

Principal Activity

Name of associate undertaking

County of Incorporation

2021

2020

 

North Fork Community Power LLC

United States of America

49% (2)

19.99% (1)

Operator of biomass gasification power project

EQTEC Italia MDC srl

Italy

20.02%

N/a

Operator of biomass gasification power project

 

Notes:

(1)  Per the original shareholders' agreement, the share of profits in the associate was limited to 0.1999% rising to 19.99% thereafter.

(2)  On 14 October 2021, the Group announced an additional investment of US$2.8 million in North Fork, increasing the Group's equity in the associate to 49%, with no restriction on the share of profits.

 

EQTEC Italia MDC srl was set up originally as a subsidiary undertaking of the Group. On 21 June 2021, it was announced that three different parties have agreed to contribute additional capital into EQTEC Italia MDC srl, leaving the Group with an interest of 20.02% in the associate undertaking.

 

On 14 October 2021, it was announced that the Group would provide North Fork Community Power LLC with a two-year convertible loan facility of up to $4.5 million. The Convertible Loan Facility will accrue interest at a rate of 10% per annum, payable annually, and the balance outstanding (including any accrued interest) will be convertible at the Group's option at the earliest of: the maturity date, any default or any takeover. If the Convertible Loan Facility were fully drawn down and converted into equity, it would result in the Company's taking a controlling interest in North Fork Community Power LLC. At 31 December 2021, the total of principal and accrued interest amounted to €1,891,842.

 

On 21 June 2021, the group advanced €482,000 to EQTEC Italia MDC srl by way of a five-year loan. The loan will accrue interest at a rate of 4% per annum, and the principal and accrued interest will become payable on the expiry date, being 18 June 2026.

 

 

Summarised financial information in respect of the Group's interests in associated undertakings is as follows:

 

 

2021

2020

 

North

Fork

EQTEC Italia

 

Total

North

Fork

EQTEC Italia

 

Total

 

Non-current assets

46,469

2,155,006

2,201,475

44,552

-

44,552

Current assets

23,555,070

454,946

24,010,016

17,686,647

-

17,686,647

Non-current liabilities

(19,422,943)

(2,542,001)

(21,964,944)

(16,213,836)

-

(16,213,836)

Current liabilities

  74,253

  (110,805)

(36,552)

  (263,150)

  -

  (263,150)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets

4,252,849

(42,854)

4,209,995

1,254,213

  -

1,254,213

Reconciliation to carrying amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group's share of net assets/(liabilities)

2,083,896

(8,589)

2,075,307

250,717

-

250,717

Carrying value of loan to associate

1,891,842

492,406

2,384,248

1,150,519

-

1,150,519

Adjustment in respect of unrealised profits on sales from the Group

(78,846)

(22,450)

(101,296)

-

-

-

Exchange differences

(1,245,590)

-

(1,245,590)

(135,427)

(135,427)

Goodwill

3,838,395

  -

3,838,395

2,113,816

  -

2,113,816

Carrying amount

6,489,697

461,367

6,951,064

3,379,625

  -

3,379,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summarised income statement

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

12,888

  -

12,888

22,047

-

22,047

(Loss)/Profit after tax for period

3,481

(92,852)

(89,371)

5,541

-

5,541

Other comprehensive income

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

3,481

(92,852)

(89,371)

(5,541)

  -

(5,541)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to Group's share of total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group's share of total comprehensive income/(loss)

(852)

(18,589)

(19,441)

  (-)

  (-)

  (-)

Group's share of total comprehensive income/(loss)

 

(852)

 

(18,589)

 

(19,441)

 

  (-)

 

  (-)

 

  (-)

 

COMPANY

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

At beginning of financial year

3,379,625

2,229,006

Derecognition of loans

(1,150,619)

-

Investment in shares

2,448,584

-

Loans advanced to associate undertakings

1,790,113

1,150,619

Interest accrued on loans to associate undertakings

54,287

-

Exchange differences

  47,442

  -

 

 

 

At end of financial year

6,569,432

3,379,625

 

 

Made up as follows:

 

 

Investment in shares in associate undertakings

4,677,590

2,229,006

Loans advanced to associate undertakings

1,891,842

 1,150,619

 

 

 

At end of financial year

6,569,432

3,379,625

 

 

 

 

b)  Investment in joint ventures

GROUP

The Group's interests in joint ventures at the end of the reporting period is as follows

 

 

2021

2020

 

Synergy Belisce d.o.o.

506,664

-

Synergy Karlovac d.o.o.

519,437

-

Eqtec Synergy Projects Limited

97,019 

  -

 

 

 

Interests in joint ventures

1,123,120

  -

 

 

 

Details of the Group's interests in joint ventures is as follows:

 

 

Shareholding

Principal Activity

Name of joint venture

County of Incorporation

2021

2020

 

Synery Belisce d.o.o.

Croatia

49%

N/a

Operator of biomass gasification power project

Synery Belisce d.o.o.

Croatia

49%

N/a

Operator of biomass gasification power project

Eqtec Synergy Products Limited

Cyrprus

50.1%

N/a

Operator of biomass gasification power project

 

 

 

 

The joint ventures have share capital, consisting solely of ordinary shares. Decisions about the relevant activities of the joint ventures require unanimous consent of the Group and the respective joint venture partners.

 

a)  Synergy Belisce d.o.o. was set up in April 2021 as a 100% subsidiary of Synergy Projects d.o.o., a 100% subsidiary of the Group. On 26 November 2021, the Group's Croatian project development partner, Sense ESCO d.o.o. subscribed for additional shares in Synergy Belisce d.o.o. which resulted in the Group owning 49% of the equity of the joint venture. Synergy Belisce d.o.o. has acquired a 1.2 MWe waste-to-energy gasification plant in Belisce, Croatia which had been built in 2016 around EQTEC's proprietary and patented Advanced Gasification Technology. The plant is expected to be updated, recommissioned and repowered for operations towards the end of 2022.

b)  Synergy Karlovac d.o.o. was set up in April 2021 as a 100% subsidiary of Synergy Projects d.o.o., a 100% subsidiary of the Group. On 26 November 2021, the Group's Croatian project development partner, Sense ESCO d.o.o. subscribed for additional shares in Synergy Karlovac d.o.o. which resulted in the Group owning 49% of the equity of the joint venture. Synergy Karlovac d.o.o.   Synergy Karlovac d.o.o. has acquired a 1.2 MWe waste-to-energy gasification plant in Karlovac, Croatia which originally employed an early gasification technology from a third party. The plant was not able to achieve the designed operational availability and had to be closed. The Group's intention is to redesign and reconfigure the Plant to incorporate the patented, proprietary EQTEC Advanced Gasification Technology at the centre. When subsequently commissioned, it will transform locally sourced wood chips and forestry wood waste from regional forests into green electricity for use by the local community. The plant is expected to be updated, recommissioned and repowered for operations towards the end of 2022.

c) Eqtec Synergy Projects Limited was set up in 2020 in partnership with its Greek strategic partners, ewerGy GmbH. The Group owns 50.1% of the equity of the joint venture. The joint venture has signed an agreement for the proposed acquisition of a 5MWe project in Drama, North-eastern Greece.   Once acquired, the joint venture will lead the development of a new biomass-to-energy plant, generating 5MW green electricity from locally and sustainably sourced forestry waste. Due diligence, including financial and technical feasibility, has been completed.

 

The movement in the investment in joint ventures is as follows:

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

At the beginning of the year

-

-

Investment in joint ventures

501

-

Fair value retained on disposal of control in subsidiary

490

-

Loans advanced to joint ventures

1,228,909

-

Interest receivable on loans to joint ventures

6,485

-

Share of loss after tax

(4,747)

-

Unrealised profits on sales to joint ventures

(110,182)

-

Exchange differences

  1,664 

  -

 

 

 

Interests in joint ventures

1,123,120

  -

 

 

 

Made up as follows:

 

 

Investment in shares in joint ventures

-

-

Loans advanced to associate ventures

1,237,059

-

Less: Losses recognised under the equity method

  (113,939)

  -

 

 

 

 

1,123,120

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summarised financial information for joint ventures accounted for using the equity method

Set out below is the summarised financial information for the Group's joint ventures which are accounted for using the equity method. The information below reflects the amounts presented in the financial statements of the joint ventures reconciled to the carrying value of the Group's investments in joint ventures. (Note: As this is the first year of the operation of the joint ventures, there is no comparative figures).

 

 

 

 

2021

 

Synergy Belisce d.o.o.

 

Synergy Karlovac d.o.o.

Eqtec Synergy Projects Limited

 

 

 

Total

Summarised balance sheet (100%)

Non-current assets

4,043,271

3,128,485

-

7,171,756

Current assets

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash equivalents

640

747

10,412

11,799

Other current assets

133,308

123,510

200,499

457,317

 

133,948

124,257

210,911

469,116

Non-current liabilities

  -

  -

  -

  -

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

Bank overdrafts and loans

555,331

588,987

100,000

1,244,318

Other current liabilities

3,613,016

2,666,235

116,860

6,396,111

 

4,168,347

3,255,222

216,860

7,640,429

Net assets/(liabilities) (100%)

8,872

(2,480)

(5,949)

  443

Reconciliation to carrying amount:

 

 

 

 

Group's share of net assets/(liabilities)

4,347

(1,215)

(2,981)

151

Carrying value of loans to joint ventures

551,808

585,251

100,000

1,237,059

Unrealised gains on sales to joint ventures

(45,185)

(64,997)

-

(110,182)

Adjustment arising on loss of control in period

(4,306)

398

-

(3,908)

Carrying amount

506,664

519,437

97,019

1,123,120

 

 

2021

 

Synergy Belisce d.o.o.

 

Synergy Karlovac d.o.o.

Eqtec Synergy Projects Limited

 

 

 

Total

Summarised income statement (100%)

Revenue

  -

  -

  -

  -

Depreciation

  -

  -

  -

  -

Amortisation

  -

  -

  -

  -

Interest expenses

  -

  -

  -

  -

Taxation

  -

  -

  -

  -

Profit/(loss) after tax

(917)

(1,666)

(6,949)

(9,532)

Other comprehensive income

  -

  -

  -

  -

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

(917)

(1,666)

(6,949)

(9,532)

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to Group's share of total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

Group's share of total comprehensive income

(449)

(816)

(3,482)

(4,747)

Group's share of total comprehensive income

(449)

(816)

(3,482)

(4,747)

 

 

21.

FINANCIAL ASSETS

 

GROUP

 

2021

2020

Investment in related undertakings

 

At beginning of financial year

2,570,888

-

 

Advance payment on purchase of in shares in Logik WTE Limited

1,034,825

2,570,888

 

Advance payment on purchase of shares in Shankley Biogas Limited

116,272

-

 

Exchange differences

328,045

  -

 

At end of financial year

4,050,030

2,570,888

 

 

 

Investment in Logik WTE Limited

On 8 December 2020, it was announced that the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Deeside WTV Limited ("Deeside"), had signed a share purchase agreement ("SPA") with Logik Developments Limited ("Logik") to acquire full ownership of the Deeside Refuse Derived Fuel project ("Project") through the acquisition of Logik WTE Limited ("Project SPV"), a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.

 

 The key terms of the SPA are as follows:

 

· Initial consideration of €2,570,888 (£2,310,000) of which a deposit amount of €333,882 (£300,000), from which the existing exclusivity payment of £100,000 will be deducted, is payable on the signing of the agreement and the balance of €2,237,006 (£2,010,000) payable on or before 12 months from 8 December 2021 (and which sum shall be netted off the existing debts of Logik WTE Limited);

· Additional deferred conditional consideration of €2,548,630 (£2,290,000) payable on the achievement of certain conditions precedent related to development milestones of the Project.

· The issue of a fixed dividend share in the Buyer to Logik Developments Limited, which gives Logik Developments Limited the right to 5% of distributable profits in Deeside WTV Limited. This share carries no voting rights in Deeside WTV Limited.

· An additional development premium or overage payment, subject to a maximum further amount of €6.01 million (£5.4 million), calculated in accordance with an agreed formula payable on the achievement of each of the following:

Financial close on the funding for the Waste Reception & Anaerobic Digestion plant on the site for which planning and the necessary permits have been obtained ("Project Phase I").

Financial close as defined on the funding for the Advanced Gasification plant on the site for which planning and the necessary permits have been obtained ("Project Phase II").

 

On 6 December 2021, the Company announced that Deeside has signed a binding supplemental agreement (the "Agreement") with Logik. The Agreement, inter alia, set out the terms on which the parties have agreed to vary the terms of the existing SPA signed by Logik and Deeside (together, the "Parties"), as announced on 8 December 2020 pursuant to which Deeside agreed to acquire full ownership of the Project SPV from Logik. Through the new Agreement the Parties will now act in partnership and seek to develop additional waste-to-value infrastructure on the Deeside site.

 

The key terms of the Agreement were as follows:

• Deeside will acquire 32% of the share capital of the Project SPV, the entity which holds the land and necessary planning permissions for the Project, from Logik for a consideration of £3.3 million to be paid no later than 31 March 2022. Deeside can select to make this payment from its existing cash resources or investment raised directly at the Project SPV level;

• Under the Agreement, £500k was paid as a fee to Logik. The Parties have agreed that this payment will be converted to equity in the Project SPV by 31 March 2022;

• The Project site currently comprises 6.27 hectares of land located off Weighbridge Road in the Deeside Industrial Estate. Under the new Agreement, the Parties have agreed that c. 2.4 hectares of the land will be retained by Logik to be used in connection with the proposed hydrogen/biofuel project intended to be carried out jointly between the parties;

• The new Agreement removes any overage payments, deferred consideration and fixed dividend sum due to Logik in the SPA, since the Parties intend that their relationship going forward be that of joint venture partners, rather than seller and buyer; and

• The Parties are seeking a minimum of £10 million of third-party funding in order to bring the Project to Financial Close. Following receipt of such funding, EQTEC will invoice £1,500,000 for its project development services to the Project SPV (such fee to be reduced on a pound for pound basis if the investment received is less than £10 million), subject to certain conditions to be finalised and agreed with third-party funders.

 

Contracts have been exchanged but completion as defined in the Agreement had not occurred at the year-end, and as a result Logik WTE Limited is not considered a joint venture of the Group at 31 December 2021.

 

In these financial statements the full initial consideration of €3,930,911 (£3,300,000) (2020: €2,570,888 (£2,310,000)) has been recognised as an investment in a related undertaking and the balance of consideration payable of €2,977,963 (£2,500,000) (2020: €2,237,006 (£2,010,000)) has been recognised as a payable in other payables (see note 31).

 

Investment in Shankley Biogas Limited

 

On 27 September 2021, EQTEC announced that EQTEC's wholly owned subsidiary, Southport WTV Limited ("Southport"), had signed a Share Purchase Agreement ("SPA - Southport") with Rotunda Group Limited ("Rotunda") to acquire full ownership of the Southport Hybrid Energy Park project ("Southport Project") from Rotunda through the acquisition of Shankley Biogas Limited ("Shankley").

 

 

The key terms of the SPA-Southport were as follows:

 

•                   Initial consideration of £382,000 (€444,161) from which the existing exclusivity payment of £100,000 was deducted, payable on the achievement of certain conditions precedent related to development milestones of the Southport Project on or before a date 12 months from the date of signing of the SPA-Southport;

•                One of the conditions precedent is that EQTEC is granted a lease in relation to the Southport Project sufficient for the development and operation of the Southport Project and on terms generally acceptable to Southport and any funder (in their entire discretion); and

• The issue of a fixed dividend share in Southport to Rotunda, which gives Rotunda the right to 20% of distributable profits in Southport. This share carries no voting rights or entitlement to dividends in EQTEC.

 

Contracts have been exchanged but completion as defined in SPA-Southport had not occurred at the year-end, and as a result Shankley Biogas Limited is not considered a subsidiary undertaking of the Group at 31 December 2021.

 

In these financial statements the exclusivity payment of €119,119 (£100,000) has been recognised as an investment in a related undertaking and the balance of consideration payable of €335,914 (£282,000) has classified as a commitment (see note 39).

 

 

22.

OTHER FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS

 

 

2021

2020

 

Group:

 

Financial investments at amortised cost

 

 

 

Bonds and Debentures

402,644

402,644

 

Less: Provision against investment in Bonds

(402,644)

(402,644)

 

Investment in Shares

1,832

1,832

 

Other investments

15,418

15,418

 

Less: Provisions against other investments

(17,250)

(17,250)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  -

  -

 

Financial investments at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

 

 

 

Investment in Metal NRG plc

506,976

  -

 

 

 

 

 

Total

506,976

  -

 

 

 

 

 

Company

 

 

 

Financial investments at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

 

 

 

Investment in Metal NRG plc

506,976

  -

 

 

 

 

 

Total

506,976

  -

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets at FVTPL include the equity investment in Metal NRG plc which was financed through the exchange of shares in the Company. The Group and the Company accounts for the investment in Metal NRG plc at FVTPL and did not make the irrevocable election to account for it at FVOCI. As at 31 December 2021, the fair value of the Group's interest in Metal NRG plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, was €506,976 (2020: Not applicable) based on the quoted market price available on the London Stock Exchange, which is a Level 1 input in terms of IFRS 13.

 

Movement in other financial investments was as follows:

 

2021

2020

 

At beginning of financial year

-

-

Acquired via the exchange of shares in EQTEC plc

745,161

-

Movement in fair value

(250,378)

-

Exchange differences

12,193

  -

 

 

 

At end of financial year

506,976

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.

DEFERRED TAXATION

 

 

 

A deferred tax asset has not been recognised at the consolidated statement of financial position date in respect of trading tax losses arising from the Irish and UK subsidiaries. Due to the history of past losses, the Group has not recognised any deferred tax asset in respect of tax losses to be carried forward which are approximately €24.4 million at 31 December 2021 (2020: €21.5 million).

 

24.

DEVELOPMENT ASSETS

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

Group

 

 

 

Costs associated with project development undertakings

 

Loan receivable from project development undertakings

3,455,496

 

3,000,469

503,653

 

482,537

 

 

 

 

             

 

The Group invests capital in assisting in the development of waste to value projects which can deploy its technology and expertise and make a profit from the realisation of the development costs at the financial close, when project   financing is in place so that the project undertaking can commence construction. Cost comprises direct materials and overheads that have been incurred in furthering the development of a project towards financial close.

 

For the financial year ended 31 December 2021, €Nil (2020: €Nil) of development assets was included in consolidated statement of profit or loss as an expense and €5,498 (2020: €Nil) was impaired resulting from write down of development assets.

Included in loans receivable from project development undertakings is an amount of €550,000, (2020: €200,000) which is receivable, along with accrued interest, 18 months from the date of drawdown. Interest is charged at 15% per annum. At 31 December 2021, the loan is valued at €613,678 (2020: €213,297).

The remaining loans receivables were issued with no interest and no fixed repayment date.

 

2021

2020

 

Company

 

 

Costs associated with project development

 

Loan receivable from project development undertakings

 

305,553

 

613,678

9,275

 

243,598

 

Included in loans receivable from project development undertakings is an amount of €550,000, (2020: €200,000) which is receivable, along with accrued interest, 18 months from the date of drawdown. Interest is charged at 15% per annum. At 31 December 2021, the loan is valued at €613,678 (2020: €213,297).

25.

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

Group

 

 

 

Trade receivables gross

5,268,923

638,602

 

Allowance for credit losses

(475,687)

(475,687)

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables net

4,793,236

162,915

 

VAT receivable

903,069

172,405

 

Deferred consideration for the disposal of Pluckanes Windfarm (see note 33)

133,034

120,424

 

Advances to related undertakings

60,000

60,000

 

Allowance for credit losses

(60,000)

(60,000)

 

Prepayments

133,344

133,403

 

Amounts receivable from associate companies

27,508

-

 

Deposit payment on land (See below)

309,708

-

 

Corporation tax

381

6,841

 

Payments on account to suppliers

355,267

120,798

 

Other receivables

  221,200

  177,745

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,876,747

894,531

         

 

The option payment represents a deposit paid with respect to a conditional land purchase agreement relating to the land on which the proposed up to 25 MWe Billingham waste gasification and power plant at Haverton Hill, Billingham, UK, will be constructed.

 

 

 

All amounts are short-term. The net carrying value of trade receivables is considered a reasonable approximation of fair value.

 

The following table shows an analysis of trade receivables split between past due and within terms accounts. Past due is when an account exceeds the agreed terms of trade, which are typically 60 days.

 

 

2021

2020

 

Within terms

4,649,704

10,579

Past due more than one month but less than two months

2,876

149,925

Past due more than two months

616,343

478,098

 

5,268,923

638,602

 

Included in the Group's trade receivables balance are debtors with carrying amount of €140,656 (2020: €2,411) which are past due at year end and for which the Group has not provided.

 

The Group does not hold any collateral over these balances. No interest is charged on overdue receivables. The quality of past due not impaired trade receivables is considered good. The carrying amount of trade receivables approximates to their fair values.

 

The Group's policy is to recognise an allowance for doubtful debts of 100% against all receivables over 120 days because historical experience has been that trade receivables that are past due beyond 120 days are not recoverable. Allowances for doubtful debts are recognised against trade receivables between 60 days and 120 days based on estimated irrecoverable amounts determined by reference to past default experience of the counterparty and an analysis of the counterparty's current financial position. The review on these balances shows that all of the above amounts, with the exception of €Nil (2020: €4,754) are considered recoverable.

 

In determining the recoverability of a trade receivable, the Group considers any changes in the credit quality of the trade receivable from the date credit was initially granted up to the end of the current reporting financial year. The concentration of the credit risk is limited due to the customer base being large and unrelated, and the fact that no one customer holds balances that exceeds 10% of the gross assets of the Group.  The maximum exposure risk to trade and other receivables at the reporting date by geographic region, ignoring provisions, is as follows:

 

2021

2020

 

Ireland

72,919

30,000

Spain

4,007,695

608,602

Croatia

1,188,309

  -

 

5,268,923

638,602

  The aged analysis of other receivables is within terms.

 

The closing balance of the trade receivables loss allowance as at 31 December 2021 reconciles with the trade receivables loss allowance opening balance as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Opening loss allowance as at 1 January 2020

 

475,687

 

Loss allowance recognised during the financial year

 

 

  -

 

Loss allowance as at 31 December 2020

 

475,687

 

Loss allowance recognised during the financial year

 

  -

 

 

 

 

 

Loss allowance as at 31 December 2021

 

475,687

 

 

The closing balance of the advances to related undertakings loss allowance as at 31 December 2021 reconciles with the advances to related undertakings loss allowance opening balance as follows:

 

 

Opening loss allowance as at 1 January 2020

 

60,000

Loss allowance recognised during the financial year

Loss allowance as at 31 December 2020 556

Loss allowance recognised during the gear

 

  -

Loss allowance as at 31 December 2020

 

60,000

Loss allowance recognised during the financial year

 

  -

 

 

 

Loss allowance as at 31 December 2021

 

60,000

 

There is no concentration of credit risk with respect to receivables as disclosed in Note 5 under credit risk.

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

Company

 

Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings

14,091,925

2,567,624

 

Allowance for impairment of balances

  -

  -

 

 

14,091,925

2,567,624

 

Trade receivables

353,219

30,000

 

Allowance for credit losses

(30,000)

(30,000)

 

Advances to related undertakings

60,000

60,000

 

Allowance for credit losses

(60,000)

(60,000)

 

Prepayments

87,567

124,582

 

Receipts from share fundraise

-

-

 

Corporation Tax

96

96

 

VAT Receivable

2,281

8,429

 

Other receivables

  2,760

  2,760

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,507,848

2,703,491

 

The concentration of credit risk in the individual financial statements of EQTEC plc relates to amounts due from subsidiary undertakings. The directors have reviewed these balances in the light of the impairment review carried out on the investments by EQTEC plc in its subsidiaries.

 

The directors considered the future cash flows arising from subsidiaries and are satisfied that the appropriate impairment has been applied to these balances. All amounts are short-term. The net carrying values of amounts due from subsidiary undertakings, trade and loans receivables are considered a reasonable approximation of their fair values.

 

The closing balance of the trade receivables loss allowance as at 31 December 2021 reconciles with the trade receivables loss allowance opening balance as follows:

 

 

 

 

Opening loss allowance as at 1 January 2020

 

30,000

Loss allowance recognised during the financial year

Loss allowance as at 31 December 2020 556

Loss allowance recognised during the gear

 

  -

Loss allowance as at 31 December 2020

 

30,000

Loss allowance recognised during the financial year

 

  -

 

 

 

Loss allowance as at 31 December 2021

 

30,000

 

The closing balance of the advances to related undertakings loss allowance as at 31 December 2021 reconciles with the advances to related undertakings loss allowance opening balance as follows:

 

 

 

Opening loss allowance as at 1 January 2020

 

60,000

Loss allowance recognised during the financial year

Loss allowance as at 31 December 2020 556

Loss allowance recognised during the gear

 

  -

Loss allowance as at 31 December 2020

 

60,000

Loss allowance recognised during the financial year

 

   -

 

 

 

Loss allowance as at 31 December 2021

 

60,000

 

26.  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and in banks and bank overdrafts. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year as shown in the cash flow statement can be reconciled to the related items in the balance sheet as follows:

 

 

2021

2020

Group

Cash and bank balances

6,446,217

6,394,791

Bank overdrafts (Note 29)

  -

(124,210)

Sub-total

6,446,217

6,270,581

Cash and cash equivalents included in a disposal group held for resale (Note 32)

 

  -

 

  -

 

6,446,217

6,270,581

 

 

 

Company

 

 

Cash and bank balances

4,845,633

6,111,864

Bank overdrafts (Note 29)

  -

  -

 

4,845,633

6,111,864

 

The carrying amount of the cash and cash equivalents is considered a reasonable approximation of its fair value.
 

 

27.  EQUITY

 

Share Capital

 

At 31 December 2020

 

Authorised Number

Allotted and

called up

Number

 

Authorised

Allotted and

called up

 

Ordinary shares of €0.001 each

 

12,561,091,094

 

6,977,439,598

 

12,561,091

 

6,977,439

 

Deferred ordinary shares of €0.40 each

 

200,000,000

 

22,370,042

 

80,000,000

 

8,948,017

 

Deferred "B" Ordinary Shares of €0.099 each

 

75,140,494

 

75,140,494

 

7,438,909

 

7,438,909

 

Deferred convertible "A" ordinary shares of €0.01 each

 

 

10,000,000,000

 

 

99,117,952

 

 

100,000,000

 

 

  991,180

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

200,000,000

24,355,545

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 31 December 2021

 

Authorised

Number

Allotted and

called up

Number

 

Authorised

Allotted and

called up

 

Ordinary shares of €0.001 each

 

12,561,091,094

 

8,599,024,945

 

12,561,091

 

8,599,024

 

Deferred ordinary shares of €0.40 each

 

200,000,000

 

22,370,042

 

80,000,000

 

8,948,017

 

Deferred "B" Ordinary Shares of €0.099 each

 

75,140,494

 

75,140,494

 

7,438,909

 

7,438,909

 

Deferred convertible "A" ordinary shares of €0.01 each

 

 

10,000,000,000

 

 

99,117,952

 

 

100,000,000

 

 

  991,180

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

200,000,000

25,977,130

 

 

The holders of the ordinary shares are entitled to participate in the profits or assets of the Company (by way of payment of any dividends, on a winding up or otherwise) and are entitled to receive notice, attend, speak and vote at general meetings of the Company. Each ordinary share equates to one vote at meetings of the Company.

 

The holders of the deferred convertible "A" ordinary shares are entitled to participate pari passu with ordinary shareholders in the profits or assets of the Company on a winding-up, up to an amount equal to the par value paid in respect of such deferred convertible "A" ordinary shares but are not entitled to participate in the profits or assets of the Company (by way of payment of any dividends or otherwise).  The holders of the deferred convertible "A" ordinary shares are not entitled to receive notice, attend, speak and vote at general meetings of the Company.

 

The holders of the deferred ordinary shares and the deferred "B" ordinary shares are not entitled to participate in the profits or assets of the Company (by way of payment of any dividends, on a winding up or otherwise) and are not entitled to receive notice, attend, speak and vote at general meetings of the Company.

 

Share Premium

Proceeds received in excess of the nominal value of the shares issued during the financial year have been included in share premium, less registration and other regulatory fees. Costs of new shares charged to equity amounted to €1,470,868 (2020: €639,931).

 

Company Share Premium

The share premium included in the consolidated and company statement of financial position is different by €18,934,080 due to the reverse acquisition of the Group which occurred on 13 October 2008.  The reverse acquisition resulted to a reverse acquisition reserve which has been netted off against the share premium in the consolidated statement of financial position.

 

 

 

Movements in the financial year to 31 December 2021

 

Amounts of shares

2021

2020

Ordinary Shares of €0.001 each issued and fully paid

- Beginning of the financial year

- Issued on exercise of warrants

- Issued in lieu of borrowings and settlement of payables

- Issued in exchange for financial instruments

- Share issue placement

 

6,977,439,598

335,657,692

167,728,038

51,532,961

1,066,666,656

 

 

3,939,376,266

 436,400,000

379,441,112

-

2,222,222,220

Total Ordinary shares of €0.001 each authorised, issued and fully paid at the end of the financial year

 

8,599,024,945

 

6,977,439,598

 

  Share warrants and options

  As at 31 December 2021 the Company had 554,355,338 share warrants and options outstanding (2020: 866,968,027).

 

No of warrants/options

Exercise price (pence)

Final exercise date

1,533,505

5.53

05/02/2022

38,450,000

10.0

15/07/2022

424,022,288

0.25

31/03/2023

67,304,542

0.65

30/06/2024

23,045,003

0.01

31/01/2032

554,355,338

 

 

 

 

Details of warrants granted

 

 

LTIP 2021 Options

Placing warrants

Employee warrants

Employee options

Advisor warrants

 

 

Number

Exercise price (Pence)

Number

Exercise price (Pence)

Number

Exercise price (Pence)

Number

Exercise price (Pence)

Number

Exercise price (Pence)

 

 

At 1 January 2021

 

-

 

-

138,000,000

0.25

590,906,437

0.25

67,304,542

-

30,773,543

0.33

 

 

Issued in year

23,045,003

0.01

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

Cancelled or expired in year

 

 

-

 

 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

Exercised in year

 

-

 

-

 

138,000,000

0.25

166,884,149

-

-

-

30,773,543

0.33

 

 

At 31 December 2021

 

 

23,045,003

 

 

0.01

-

-

424,022,288

0.25

67,304,542

0.65

-

-

 

 

Exercisable at 31 December 2021

 

 

-

 

 

-

-

-

424,022,288

0.25

67,304,542

0.65

-

-

 

 

Average life remaining at 31 December 2021

 

 

 

10.08 years

 

 

 

 

-

 

1.25 years

 

2.58 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advisor warrants

Advisor warrants

 

Number

Exercise price (Pence)

Number

Exercise price (Pence)

At 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021

1,533,505

5.53

38,450,000

10.0

Exercisable at 31 December 2021

1,533,505

5.53

38,450,000

10.0

Average life remaining at 31 December 2021

0.08 years

 

0.54 years

 

                             

 

 

Advisor warrants totalling 1,533,505 lapsed post year end leaving a Nil balance.

 

The options granted during the year related to the adoption of the EQTEC All Employee Long-term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP"). The LTIP is a core part of the Company's new approach to business planning, performance management and employee incentives and is designed to drive individual and team performance in line with Company performance, thereby creating value for shareholders while minimising cash outlay. All Company Executive Directors and employees are eligible to participate in the LTIP.

 

Any awards made under the LTIP will comprise zero-cost share allocations ("Incentive Shares") and will be settled in equity.  60% will vest providing the relevant individual is employed by the Company as of the vesting date, subject to no notice of termination, disciplinary proceedings or similar, and in the view of the Board, fulfilling his/her responsibilities to the highest possible standards. The remaining 40% of Incentive Shares will vest provided the relevant individual has met the aforementioned employment conditions and, in addition, a Company-wide performance condition. The condition will be set annually by the Board against one or more of the Company's priority financial targets. In respect of these Company performance allocations, there will be a minimum or 'threshold' achievement that must be obtained to qualify, with a 'straight-line' calculation of award up to a maximum level. Both types of Incentive Shares will be allocated annually and, subject to the above vesting conditions would vest over three years. The 2021 share allocation would vest in three equal instalments on 1 May 2022, 1 May 2023 and 1 May 2024, following announcement of the Company's annual results. All vested awards are subject to a lock-in period, whereby any new ordinary shares of €0.001 each issued ("Ordinary Shares") cannot be sold for two years from vesting for Directors and Heads of Function, or 12 months for all other employees. Awards are further subject to certain malus and clawback provisions, at the Board's discretion.

 

The Group recognised total expenses of €205,648 and €1,819,658 related to equity-settled share-based payment transactions in 2021 and 2020 respectively (see notes 10 and 11).

 

28.

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of financial year

(2,223,986)

(2,326,274)

 

Share of profit/(loss) for the financial year

68

(5,082)

 

Release of non-controlling interest

-

15,978

 

Unrealised foreign exchange (losses)/gains

(160,271)

  91,392

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of financial year

(2,384,189)

(2,223,986)

 

 

29.

 

BORROWINGS

 

  2021

 2020

 

 

 

Group

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

At amortised cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank overdrafts

 

-

124,210

 

 

 

Secured loan facility (SLF)

 

  -

  896,641

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  -

1,020,851

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company

Current liabilities

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

At amortised cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secured loan facility (SLF)

 

  -

896,641

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  -

896,641

 

 

                         

  Borrowings at amortised cost

 

The secured loan facility (SLF) was secured through an intercreditor deed by mortgage debentures, cross guarantees and share pledges over the Group. The interest rate on the loan is fixed at 10% (2020: 12.5%) and the loan was due to mature on 30 June 2021. On 4 January 2021, the SLF was repaid early using funds from a separate facility (see below). Included in the repayment was an early redemption fee of €466,929.

 

On 4 January 2021 the Company agreed an unsecured term loan facility of €1.39 million (£1.25 million) (ULF) with Altair Group Investment Limited, a substantial shareholder in the Company. The ULF is for a term of 12 months and the principal and any accrued interest are repayable in full on 31 December 2021 but the Company can repay the ULF early without penalty. The ULF is unsecured and has a coupon of 6% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears. The ULF was used to pay all sums due under the SLF releasing and discharging any secured assets and obligations under the SLF.

 

On 1 March 2021, the Company repaid £285,000 of the ULF and the balance of principal plus accrued interest was settled on 2 June 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities

The table below details changes in the Group's liabilities arising from financing activities, including both cash and non-cash changes. Liabilities arising from financing activities are those for which cash flows were, or future cash flows will be, classified in the Group's consolidated statement of cash flows as cash flows from financing activities. Except where noted, all liabilities noted below are disclosed in Note 29.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CSLN

 

 

 

SLF

 

Other Loans

 

Bank

Borrowings

 

Bank Overdraft

Lease

Liabilities

(Note 30)

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2020

 

1,008,017

1,418,028

5,691

313,953

  -

274,434

3,020,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing Cash Flows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from borrowings

 

-

-

-

107,000

-

-

107,000

Repayment of borrowings

 

-

(852,567)

-

(420,953)

-

(89,828)

(1,363,348)

Change in bank overdraft

 

 

-

-

-

124,210

-

124,210

Loan issue costs

 

(11,489)

(19,455)

  -

  -

  -

  -

  (30,944) 

Total from financing cash flows

 

(11,489)

(872,022)

  -

(313,953)

124,210

(89,828)

(1,163,082)

Non-cash changes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversion into equity

 

(1,165,809)

-

-

-

-

-

(1,165,809)

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

 

(72,470)

(82,502)

-

-

-

-

(154,972)

Amortisation of loan issue costs

 

50,022

89,921

-

-

-

-

139,943

Reprofiling fee levied

 

104,989

157,341

-

-

-

-

262,330

Redemption fee levied

 

-

50,149

-

-

-

-

50,149

Other changes

 

 

 

86,740

135,726

(5,691)

  -

  -

  7,101

223,876

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total non-cash changes

 

(996,528)

350,635

(5,691)

  -

  -

  7,101

(644,483)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2020

 

  -

896,641

  -

  -

124,210

191,707

1,212,558

 

 

Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities - continued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ULF

 

 

 

SLF

 

Bank Overdraft

Lease

Liabilities

(Note 30)

Total

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2021

 

  -

896,641

  124,210

191,707

1,212,558

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing Cash Flows

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from borrowings

 

1,391,174

-

-

-

1,391,174

Repayment of borrowings

 

(1,479,764)

(1,386,752)

-

(165,208)

(3,031,724)

Change in bank overdraft

 

  -

  -

(124,210)

  -

(124,210)

Total from financing cash flows

 

  (88,590)

(1,386,752)

  -

(165,208)

(1,764,760)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash changes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalisation of leases

 

-

-

-

219,301

219,301

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

 

 

60,019

 

9,936

 

-

 

3,567

 

73,522

Amortisation of loan issue costs

 

-

12,058

-

-

12,058

Redemption fee levied

 

-

466,929

-

-

466,929

Other changes

 

 

 

28,571

  1,188

  -

  8,341

  38,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total non-cash changes

 

88,590

  490,111

  -

231,209

809,910

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2021

 

  -

  -

  -

257,708

257,708

 

Other changes include interest accruals and payments.

 

 

30.

LEASES

 

Lease liabilities are presented in the statement of financial position as follows:

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

Group

 

Current

200,853

85,242

 

Non-current

56,855

106,465

 

 

 

 

 

 

257,708

191,707

     

 

The Group has leases for its offices in London, England and in Barcelona, Spain. With the exception of short-term leases and leases of low-value underlying assets, each lease is reflected on the statement of financial position as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The Group classifies its right-of-use assets in a consistent manner to its property, plant and equipment (see Note 17).

Each lease generally imposes a restriction that, unless there is a contractual right for the Group to sublet the asset to another party, the right-of-use asset can only be used by the Group. Leases are either non-cancellable or may only be cancelled by incurring a substantive termination fee. Some leases contain an option to purchase the underlying leased asset outright at the end of the lease, or to extend the lease for a further term. The Group is prohibited from selling or pledging the underlying leased assets as security. For leases over office buildings, the Group must keep those properties in a good state of repair and return the premises in their original condition at the end of the lease. Further, the Group must insure items of property, plant and equipment and incur maintenance fees on such items in accordance with the lease contracts.

The table below describes the nature of the Group's leasing activities by type of right-of-use asset recognized in the statement of financial position:

Right-of-use asset

No. of right-of-use assets leased

Range of remaining term

Average remaining lease term

No. of leases with extension options

No of leases with options to purchase

No of leases with variable payments linked to an index

No of leases with termination options

Leasehold Building

2

1.33 years

1.29 years

0

0

0

0

 The lease liabilities are secured by the related underlying asset. Further minimum lease payments at 31 December 2021 were as follows:

 

Minimum lease payments due

 

Within 1 year

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

4-5 years

After 5 years

Total

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease payments

205,838

57,177

-

-

-

-

263,015

Finance charges

  (4,985)

  (322)

  -

  -

  -

  -

(5,307)

Net Present Values

200,853

56,855

  -

  -

  -

  -

257,708

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease payments

89,828

89,828

18,714

-

-

-

198,370

Finance charges

(4,586)

(1,993)

  (84)

  -

  -

  -

(6,663)

Net Present Values

85,242

87,835

18,630

  -

  -

  -

191,707

 

  Lease payments not recognised as a liability

The Group has elected not to recognise a lease liability for short-term leases (leases with an expected term of 12 months or less) or for leases of low value assets. Payments made under such leases are expensed on a straight-line basis. The expense related to payments not included in the measurement of the lease liability is as follows:

 

2021

2021

 

Short term leases

29,053

37,406

Leases of low-value assets

12,566

14,594

 

 

 

 

41,619

52,000

 

 

 

At 31 December 2021, the Group was committed to short-term leases and the total commitment at that date was €17,472 (2020: €53,287).

 

Total cash outflow for lease liabilities for the financial year ended 31 December 2021 was €165,208 (2020: €89,828).

 

Additional information on the right-to-use assets by class of assets is as follows:

 

 

Carrying Amount (Note 17)

Depreciation Expense

Impairment

 

Leasehold Buildings

254,104

156,520

  -

Total Right-of-use assets

254,104

156,520

  -

 

 

The right-of-use assets are included in the same line item as where the corresponding underlying assets would be presented if they were owned.

 

31.

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

2021

2020

 

Group

 

VAT payable

220,167

-

 

Trade payables

2, 526,017

146,091

 

Advances paid by customers

400,000

-

 

Other payables

2,986,084

2,243,257

 

Accruals

680,938

716,473

 

PAYE & social welfare

108,600

  78,158

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,921,806

3,183,979

 

The carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates its fair value. All trade and other payables fall due within one year.

 

Included in other payables is an amount of €2,977,963 (£2,500,000) (2020:€2,237,006 (£2,010,000)) relating to consideration payable under the share purchase contract to acquire Logik WTE Limited (see Note 21).

 

Trade and other creditors are payable at various dates in accordance with the suppliers' usual and customary credit terms. Corporation tax and other taxes including social insurance are repayable at various dates over the coming months in accordance with the applicable statutory provisions.

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

Company

 

Trade payables

89,669

91,390

 

 

Other creditors

2,840

1,250

 

 

Amounts payable to subsidiary undertakings

2

3

 

 

PAYE & social welfare

16,604

12,022

 

 

Accruals

381,941

642,908

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

491,056

747,573

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

The carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates its fair value. All trade and other payables fall due within one year.

 

Trade and other creditors are payable at various dates in accordance with the suppliers' usual and customary credit terms. Corporation tax and other taxes including social insurance are repayable at various dates over the coming months in accordance with the applicable statutory provisions.

 

32.

DISPOSAL GROUP CLASSIFIED AS HELD FOR RESALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

In 2017, the Group made the decision to sell its subsidiary, Pluckanes Windfarm Limited, which is involved in the generation of electricity through wind.  The disposal is consistent with the Group's long-term policy to focus its activities as a technology solution company for waste gasification to energy projects. Consequently, assets and liabilities allocable to Pluckanes Windfarm Limited were classified as a disposal group. Revenues and expenses, gains and losses relating to the discontinuation of this subgroup have been eliminated from profit or loss from the Group's continuing activities and are shown as a single line item on the face of the consolidated statement of profit or loss.

 

On 24 August 2020, the Group announced that it had entered into a sales purchase agreement to dispose of its shares in Pluckanes Windfarm Limited on a debt free/cash free basis. Details of the assets and liabilities disposed of, and the calculation of  the profit or loss on disposal, are disclosed in Note 33.

 

 

 

 

 

The combined results of the discontinued operations included in the loss for the financial year are set out below.

 

 

 

Period ended 24 August 2020

Profit for the financial year from discontinued operations

 

Revenue (Note 8)

 

135,644

Cost of sales

 

  (663)

 

 

134,981

Administrative Expenses

 

(91,233)

Operating Profit

 

43,748

Finance Costs (Note 11)

 

(18,381)

Finance Income (Note 11)

 

  3

 

 

 

Profit from discontinued operations before tax

 

25,370

Tax Expenses

 

  -

Profit for the financial period from discontinued operations (attributable to owners of the Company)

 

 

25,370

Profit after tax on disposal of subsidiary (Note 33)

 

45,714

 

 

 

Profit for the financial period from discontinued operations

 

71,084

 

Cash flows generated by Pluckanes Windfarm Limited for the financial periods under review are as follows:

 

 

 

Period ended 24 August 2020

 

Cash flows from discontinued operations

 

 

Operating activities

 

(47,741)

 

Investing activities

 

(19,997)

 

Financing activities

 

(63,196)

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash flows used in discontinued operations

 

(130,934)

 

 

 

 

The carrying amount of assets and liabilities in this disposal group are summarised as follows:

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

Assets classified as held for resale:

 

 

Non-current assets:

Property, plant and equipment

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

-

-

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents (Note 26)

  -

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets classified as held for resale

  -

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities classified as held for resale:

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings

-

-

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

  -

  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities classified as held for resale

  -

  -

 

 

 

 

33.

  DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARY

 

     

 

As referred to in Note 32 on 24 August 2020, the Group disposed of its interest in Pluckanes Windfarm Limited.

 

The net assets of Pluckanes Windfarm Limited at the date of disposal were as follows:

 

 

 

24 August 2020

 

 

Property, Plant & Equipment

 

969,035

Financial non-current assets

Loss allowance as at 31 December 2020 556

Loss allowance recognised during the gear

 

20,000

 

Trade and other receivables

 

22,622

Trade and other payables

 

(8,740)

Bank overdraft

 

(5,132)

Bank borrowings

 

(778,765)

Net assets disposed of

 

  219,020

Selling expenses

 

65,261

Gain on disposal

 

  45,714

Total consideration

 

329,995

 

  Satisfied by:

Cash and cash equivalents

 

213,503

Fair value of deferred consideration

 

116,492

 

 

329,995

 

  Net cash inflow arising on disposal

Consideration received in cash and cash equivalents

 

213,503

Add: negative cash equivalents disposed of

 

  5,132

 

 

218,635

  Per the sales purchase agreement, €170,000 is being deferred and held in escrow subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)  the Buyer obtaining a planning extension to Pluckanes Windfarm Limited's existing planning permission on its property, in order to extend the term of the wind turbine activity, within two years of the date of the requisite planning application which must be submitted by the Buyer within three months of completion of the sale;

 

    (ii)  the Group procuring the transfer of the substation between the landlord and ESB Networks; and

 

(iii)  the Group procuring a letter from the relevant local authority confirming compliance with a certain  customary condition of the existing planning permission.

 

 If all three conditions are satisfied on or before the first anniversary of the date of planning application (as set out in condition (i) above) then the total deferred consideration of €170,000 shall become immediately due and payable to the Group.  The deferred consideration will reduce to:

 

  (a)  €159,000 if the planning extension is obtained between 12 and 18 months from the date of planning application; and

  (b)  €152,000 if the planning extension is obtained between 18 and 24 months from the date of planning application.

 

 In the event that the conditions listed above are not obtained within 24 months from the date of planning application, the entire deferred consideration element will fall away.

 

The fair value of the deferred consideration was calculated as €116,492 on the date of disposal. At 31 December 2021, the fair value of the deferred consideration was valued at €133,034 (31 December 2020: €120,424) and is included in trade and other receivables (See Note 25).

 

The impact of Pluckanes Windfarm Limited on the Group's results in the current and prior years is disclosed in Note 32.

 

The gain on disposal was included in the profit for the year from discontinued operations (see Note 32).

 

 

 

34.

  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Group's related parties include Altair Group Investment Limited ("Altair"),who at 31 December 2021 held 19.00% (2020: 19.66%) of the shares in the Company. Other Group related parties include the associate and joint venture companies and key management.

 

Transactions with Altair

During the financial year ended 31 December 2021, Altair advanced €1,391,174 (2020: €Nil) to the Group by way of borrowings. During the financial year ended 31 December 2021, the Group repaid borrowings of €1,479,764 (2020: €1,175,839 by way of conversion into equity) by way of conversion into equity. Interest payable to Altair for the financial year ended 31 December 2021 amounted to €28,571 (2020: €170,084); this includes a reprofiling fee of €Nil (2020: €106,321) with respect to the reprofiling of the debt.

 

Included in borrowings, net of amortisation costs,  at 31 December 2021 is an amount of €Nil (2020: €Nil) due to Altair from the Group.

 

Transactions with key management personnel

Key management of the Group are the members of EQTEC plc's board of directors. Key management personnel remuneration includes the following:

 

Name

Date of Directorship appointment/

retirement

Salary

€'000s

Fees

€'000s

Pension Contribution

€'000s

Other Benefits

€'000s

Termination Payments €000's

Short Term Incentives

€'000s

Long term Incentives

€000's

2021 Total

€'000s

2020

Total

€'000s

Executive Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D Palumbo

 

174

-

9

2

-

105

-

290

565

J Vander Linden

Appointed 01/12/2020

174

-

10

4

-

105

61

354

14

N Babar

Appointed 19/07/2021

70

-

4

1

-

42

25

142

-

Y Alemán

 

154

-

-

-

-

90

-

244

383

Former Executive Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

G Madden

Retired 15/07/2021

159

-

-

14

241

-

-

414

947

Non-Executive Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Pearson

 

-

69

-

-

-

-

-

69

68

T Quigley

 

-

42

-

-

-

-

-

42

69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total 2021

 

731

111

23

21

241

342

  86

1,555

  -

Total 2020

 

409

486

  -

24

  -

  -

1,127

  -

2,046

 

 

 

At 31 December 2021, directors' remuneration unpaid (including past directors) amounted to €341,812 (31 December 2020: €260,875).

 

Prior to becoming a director, Mr D Palumbo provided advisory services to the Company. The cost of these services amounted to €Nil (2020: €103,201) for the financial year ended 31 December 2021. In addition, a company controlled by Mr. Palumbo provided office space to the Group in London. The cost of these services amounted to €12,566 (2020: €21,843). At 31 December 2021, an amount of €Nil is included in trade and other payable with respect to payments due to this company (2020: €3,172).

 

Prior to becoming a director, Mr J Vander Linden provided advisory services to the Company. The cost of these services amounted to €Nil (2020: €144,148) for the financial year ended 31 December 2021. At 31 December 2021, an amount of €Nil is included in trade and other payable with respect to payments due to this company (2020: €63,883). This balance was settled through the issue of new ordinary shares of €0.001 each in the capital of the Company on 1 February 2021.

 

During the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group entered into a royalty settlement arrangement, to the value of €2,492,059, with Syngas Technology Engineering, S.L. (a company controlled by Dr. Yoel Alemán, the Group's CTO and current Board Director). This balance was settled through a cash payment of €1,000,000 with the remainder through the issue of new ordinary shares of €0.001 each in the capital of the Company on 3 June 2021.

 

During the year ended 31 December 2021 a director, Mr I Pearson. provided consultancy services to the Group to the value of €116,261 (2020: €Nil) for which he received 6,666,666 in shares. Included in trade and other payables at 31 December 2021 is an amount of €Nil (31 December 2020: €Nil) with respect to payments due to these services.

 

 

Transactions with key management personnel - continued

During the year, a director, Mr. T Quigley, provided consultancy services to the Group in the year ended 31 December 2021 amounting to €11,543 (2020: €Nil). Included in trade and other payables is an amount of €Nil (2020: €Nil) with respect to these services.

 

During the year, the company settled certain debts owed to directors and former directors by way of equity. In accordance with IFRIC 19 Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments, the loss recognised on these transactions related to directors and former directors was €1,104,374 (2020: loss of €128,900).

 

Details of each director's interests in shares and equity related instruments that were in office at the year-end are shown in the Directors' Report.

 

    Transactions with associate undertakings and joint ventures

The following transactions were made with associate undertakings and joint ventures in the year ended 31 December 2021:

 

 

North Fork Community Power LLC

Synergy Belisce d.o.o.

Synergy Karlovac d.o.o.

EQTEC Italia MDC srl

Eqtec Synergy Projects Limited

Total

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

 

 

Loans to associated undertakings and joint ventures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At start of year

1,150,619

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,150,619

-

 

Advanced during year

1,790,113

1,150,619

547,853

-

581,056

-

482,000

-

100,000

-

3,501,022

1,150,619

 

Loans derecognised

(1,150,619)

-

-

-

 

 

-

-

-

-

(1,150,619)

 

 

Interest charged in year

54,287

-

3,147

-

3,338

 

10,406

-

-

-

71,178

-

 

Exchange differences

47,442

  -

808

  -

  857

 

  -

-

  -

-

  49,107

 

 

At end of year

1,891,842

1,150,619

551,808

  -

585,251

 

492,406

-

100,000

-

3,621,307

1,150,619

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of goods and services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technology sales

2,158,118

1,980,000

1,237,500

-

1,540,000

-

1,000,000

-

-

-

5,935,618

1,980,000

 

Development fees

  -

  -

599,607

  -

549,647

  -

  -

-

  -

-

1,149,254

  -

 

 

2,158,118

1,980,000

1,837,107

  -

2,089,647

  -

1,000,000

-

-

-

7,084,872

1,980,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year-end balances

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in trade receivables

34,900

-

1,962,925

-

2,202,884

-

42,919

-

-

-

4,243,628

-

 

Included in loans to development companies

-

30,201

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

30,201

 

Included in other receivables

  -

  -

  -

  -

  12,452

  -

  100

  -

14,956

-

27,508

  -

 

 

34,900

30,201

1,962,925

  -

2,215,336

  -

43,019

  -

14,956

-

4,271,136

30,201

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               

 

Unless otherwise stated, none of the transactions incorporate special terms and conditions and no guarantees were given or received. Outstanding balances are usually settled in cash.

 

 

35.  EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

 

  Variation to Land Purchase Agreement

On 15 February 2022, the Group announced an agreement to extend the existing, conditional Land Purchase Agreement (the "LPA") relating to the land on which the proposed, up to 25 MWe Billingham waste gasification and power plant (the "Project") at Haverton Hill, Billingham, UK, will be constructed (the "Project Site"). Pursuant to the variation, the Group agreed to make a payment of on 24 February 2022, with an additional payment of £500,000 to be paid on or before 30 September 2022 to Scott Bros, the sellers. These two payments will be deducted from the total purchase price along with the previously paid deposit. The balance of £7,590,000 is payable at completion of the land purchase, which must occur on or before 23 December 2022. In addition, the Group paid a further fee of £250,000 as consideration for the Variation to Scott Bros on 24 February 2022.

 

Loan Facility

On 29 March 2022, the Group announced that it had entered into a loan agreement with Riverfort Global Opportunities PCC Limited and YA II PN, Ltd (together, the "Lenders") for the provision of an unsecured loan facility of up to £10 million.  The Loan Facility may be drawn down in multiple instalments with the Initial Advance being received on 29 March 2022.

 

Each instalment of the Loan Facility will have a maturity date of 12 months from the date of advance with repayments of principal made on a monthly basis, as set out in a closing statement to be agreed at the time of each advance. The Loan Facility will accrue a fixed interest coupon equivalent to 7.5% of the Initial Advance and of any further advance, payable on a quarterly basis.

 

Instalments of the Loan Facility subsequent to the Initial Advance are not committed and would only be advanced to the Company in the event that the Lenders and the Company agree in writing and upon the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent. The Loan Agreement has a commitment period of 18 months.

 

The Company and the Lenders may mutually agree that the Company satisfies any payment of the amounts due under the Loan Agreement by the issue of ordinary shares of €0.001 each in the capital of the Company ("Ordinary Shares") at a reference price of the average daily VWAP for each of the five consecutive trading days preceding the drawdown date of each advance of the Facility (the "Reference Price"). If such settlement is agreed by the parties, the value of Ordinary Shares the Lenders will receive at the Reference Price will be 115% of the amount of the Loan Facility being settled in lieu of repayment of the debt.

 

The Company may elect to redeem the Loan Facility early by repaying all outstanding principal and interest together with an early repayment fee of 5% of the outstanding principal at the date of repayment. If the Company elects to repay the Loan Facility early, the Lenders may elect to subscribe up to 20% of the outstanding amount in Ordinary Shares, at the Reference Price. In addition, if the Company completes an equity placing whilst the facility is in place, the Lenders may elect to convert up to 20% of the outstanding amount of the Facility into Ordinary Shares in the Company at the price at which such shares are issued pursuant to the placing and multiplying the resulting number by 1.1.

 

The Company received net approximately £4,750,000 from the Initial Advance following the deduction of a commitment fee of 2.5% of the aggregate amount of the Loan Facility, being £10 million. The Company will use the proceeds of the Loan Facility to fund further growth and development activities in its key markets, and for general working capital purposes.

 

Deeside RDF Project Update

On 1 April 2022, the Group announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Deeside WTV Limited ("Deeside WTV") had signed a binding supplemental agreement (the "Supplemental Agreement") with Logik Developments Limited ("Logik"). The Supplemental Agreement, inter alia, sets out the terms on which Logik and Deeside WTV (together, the "Parties") have agreed to vary the terms of the share purchase agreement signed by the Parties on 7 December 2020, as amended by the supplemental agreement announced on 6 December 2021 (the "Existing SPA"). 

 

The key terms of the Supplemental Agreement are as follows:

 

· Deeside WTV will acquire 32% of the share capital of Logik WTE Limited (the "Project SPV"), the entity which holds the land and  necessary planning permissions for the Deeside RDF project (the "Project"), with the consideration to be satisfied by the settlement of advances from the Group to Logik and the Project SPV in an amount of c. £2.3 million;

· Completion of Deeside WTV's acquisition of the interest in the share capital in the Project SPV is subject to third party consent and is expected to complete on or before 30 June 2022;

· Parties are in discussions to procure a buyer for the Project SPV at a minimum valuation of £15 million. Subject to the sale of the Project SPV, EQTEC will invoice up to £2 million for its project development services to the Project SPV (such fee to be reduced on a pound for pound basis if the investment received is less than £17 million), subject to certain conditions to be finalised and agreed as part of ongoing discussions with potential buyers; and

· While the amendment of the Existing SPA to extend the completion date to 30 June 2022 is immediately effective, the Parties have agreed to act in good faith and to use all reasonable endeavours to implement the additional undertakings and agreements in the Supplemental Agreement as summarised in this announcement, including to amend the terms of the Existing SPA and to finalise other necessary documentation such as a shareholders' agreement for the Project SPV.

 

No other adjusting or significant non-adjusting events have occurred between the 31 December reporting date and the date of authorisation.

 

 

36.  NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS

 

During the financial year, the Group entered into the following non-cash investing and financing activities which are not reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows:

 

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

Issue of shares in settlement of borrowings and other liabilities

3,452,741

1,915,693

Issue of shares in exchange for financial assets

  745,161

  -

 

37.  COMPANY PROFIT AND LOSS

 

As a consolidated group income statement is published, a separate income statement for the parent company is omitted from the Group's financial statements by virtue of section 304(2) of the Companies Act, 2014. The Company's loss for the financial year ended 31 December 2021 was €3,942,601 (2020: €3,270,895).

 

38.  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

 

On 13 July 2020, the Group announced that lawyers acting for Aries Clean Energy LLC of Franklin, Tennessee, USA ("Aries") filed a complaint in a Californian court on 9 July 2021 against the Company and others, alleging patent infringement through the use of the Group's advanced gasification technology in the North Fork Community Power plant in California USA. 

 

On 22 March 2021 the Company announced the Aries had withdrawn its patent infringement complaint. The joint stipulation that the action be voluntarily dismissed with prejudice was filed in the United States District Court Eastern District of California on 19 March 2021 and operates as a final determination on the merits of the case, forbidding Aries from filing another lawsuit on the same grounds.

 

39.  COMMITMENTS

 

As disclosed in Note 21, consideration of €335,914 (£282,000) will become payable on the achievement of certain conditions precedent related to development milestones of the Southport Project on or before a date 12 months from the date of signing of the Share Purchase Agreement  (i.e. 27 September 2022) to acquire full ownership of the Southport Hybrid Energy Park project through the acquisition of Shankley Biogas Limited

 

40.   APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 22 April 2022.

 

 

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