The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The company is a holding company providing central services to the rest of the Group.
The Group consists of various anaerobic digester plants generating green energy, farming businesses growing the feedstock for use by the digesters, as well as new sites being developed for further energy production.
The directors are satisfied with the results of the Group. Commodity prices remained stable during 2025 and
remained within the levels expected. Gas and power prices for a proportion of output were fixed to protect the Group against adverse price fluctuations. .
The Group has continued to invest in equipment and technology aimed at reducing its carbon footprint.
During the year, a fatal incident occurred at one of the Group's sites. Related regulatory investigations remain ongoing and the Board continues to monitor developments.
Our new plants at Chittering and Mepal entered their first full year of trading and have been performing well. Work was underway during the year on the construction of additional plants at Chittering and Mepal. .
The Group and company balance sheets both show a strong net asset position. The Group has net assets of £88.2m (2024 - £81.3m) at the year end.
The directors have considered the key risks facing the business and have mitigated these in various ways. Each of the digester businesses has a contract to supply the majority of its output as green energy through the national gas and electricity networks. For supplying this energy the group receives government support under fixed price arrangements. The current contracts expire in 2034, 2037 and 2039.
To ensure continued supply of raw materials, the Group has its own farming entities that grow and store feedstock for use in the digesters, thereby reducing the risk of disruption to the supply of raw materials for use in the digesters.
To mitigate the impact of changes in wholesale energy prices, the Group has entered into forward contracts to sell part of its production at a fixed price. It has accounted for these contracts as a cash flow hedge.
The directors consider the financial position of the Group at the year-end to be strong. Performance of the underlying business remains in keeping with business plans. The new plants that came online in the prior year are performing well and new sites at Mepal and Chittering are expected to become operational in 2026.
The directors manage and monitor the business using various key performance indicators. The financial indicators are turnover, overall gross profit and earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).
In the period:
Turnover was £106m (2024: £97.7m)
Gross profit was £44.4m (2024: £43.5m)
EBITDA was £34.1m (2024: £38.0m)
The Directors also regularly review the Group's cash flow position and working capital requirements.
The companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018 requires qualifying companies to publish a statement explaining how the directors have had regard to matters set out in section 172(1)(a) to (f) of the Companies Act 2006 in performing their duties under section 172 of the Companies Act 2006.
In accordance with section 172, the board of directors confirms that they have acted in a way that they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of its shareholders. The paragraphs below summarise how the Directors have had regard to the matters set out in section 172(1) (a) to (f) of the 2006 Act.
The likely long-term consequences of decisions
The Company operates with an extended timeline and evaluates the consequences of significant decisions for the business several years into the future. Due consideration is given to the consequences of these decisions on the profitability of the business, the ability to provide a consistently improving environment for employees and the likely developments in local markets.
The board is closely managing the activities of the business whilst maintaining strong financial disciplines and controls to ensure that whatever the prevailing economic conditions, the business can operate well within available financing facilities.
The interests of the Company and group employees
The Group strives to provide a safe and stimulating working environment for its employees, and the Group's intention is to provide sustainable employment conditions over time and to have staff benefit from the success of the company in the short and long term. The company aims to be a supporter of local employment and is committed to providing opportunities and training to staff.
We believe that as a significant proportion of our employees have been with the company for an extended period of time, is a testament to the fact that we are meeting these goals.
Need to foster business relationships
The Company is acutely aware of the need to foster and maintain mutually beneficial relationships in order to achieve sustainable business success. Customer relationships are encouraged at all levels of the business with a focus on customer service at all times.
The desirability of the company maintaining a reputation of high standards of business conduct
The company is firmly convinced that ethics and transparency in all relations are fundamental issues and continuously strives to enhance these values by providing employees and target audiences, such as supplies, with instructions and guidelines on good behaviour and good conduct.
We are committed to continually improving our ethical and transparency practices.
Sustainability is one of our key drivers of the business strategy. Given the importance of this theme, decisions in this area are made by the board of directors. These include:
Feedstock supply - we try wherever possible to use our local farms to supply the feedstock for use by the production companies, this reduces the impact of transportation on the environment.
The energy we produce is green energy and is sold into the National Grid in support of the Governments stated ambition to move away from reliance upon fossil fuels.
Feedstock, we seek wherever possible to reduce the amounts of inputs either in terms of other types of energy or sprays and chemicals used in the growing process.
Social responsibility - Programs and actions along the supply chain aiming to respect and ensure the proper reconciliation of production with the well-being of employees.
This is at the heart of the culture of the business and the board always seek to ensure fairness between the different members of the group.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The results for the year are set out on page 10.
No ordinary dividends were paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
The group manages its cash and borrowing requirements in order to maximise interest income and minimise interest expense, whilst ensuring the group has sufficient liquid resources to meet the operating needs of the business.
The group is exposed to fair value interest rate risk on its fixed rate borrowings and cash flow interest rate risk on floating rate deposits, bank overdrafts and loans. The group enters into fixed interest borrowings wherever possible to enable it to accurately forecast future cash outflows.
The group’s principal foreign currency exposures arise from trading with overseas companies. Group policy permits but does not demand that these exposures may be hedged in order to fix the cost in sterling.
All customers who wish to trade on credit terms are subject to credit verification procedures. Trade debtors are monitored on an ongoing basis and provision is made for doubtful debts where necessary.
The group undertakes various research and development activities as part of its continuing process improvement plans.
Details on how the Group has fostered relationships with suppliers, customers and others can be found within the Group’s Section 172 statement in the Strategic Report.
On 14 May 2026, Pretoria Energy Company (Arable) Limited acquired 50% of the ordinary share capital of 5 Counties Contracting Limited through the subscription of one £1 ordinary share at a subscription price of £1,000,000.
On 7 July 2026, Pretoria Energy Group Limited completed a capital reduction and a related off-market share buyback for consideration of £18.4 million, funded from existing cash resources.
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Ensors be reappointed as auditor of the group will be put at a General Meeting.
Pretoria Energy Group Limited's annual UK energy usage for its financial year 2025 and the preceding year were: | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2025 / kWh |
| 2024 / kWh |
Electricity |
| 8,502,276 |
| 14,907,755 |
Fuel (diesel)* |
| 1,643,309 |
| 936,270 |
Total |
| 10,145,585 |
| 15,844,025 |
|
|
|
|
|
*Fuel (diesel) usage is equivalent to 164,331 litres (2024: 93,627 litres). | ||||
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|
|
|
|
Pretoria Energy Group Limited's associated greenhouse gas emissions (in tonnes of carbon dioxide | ||||
equivalent (CO2e)) for its financial year 2025 was: |
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2025 / kg CO2e |
| 2024 / kg CO2e |
Electricity |
| 1,805,288 |
| 3,165,364 |
Fuel (diesel) |
| 494,660 |
| 281,831 |
Total |
| 2,299,949 |
| 3,447,194 |
|
|
|
|
|
Emissions intensity ratios of: |
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2025 |
| 2024 |
Electricity |
| 2,834,092 kWh per employee |
| 4,969,252 kWh per employee |
Fuel (diesel) |
| £17.435 turnover per kWh diesel |
| £41.32 turnover per kWh diesel |
|
|
|
|
|
The methodologies used to calculate the above were the analysis of the specific bills covering the financial period for each of the three areas, along with the average headcount and bottle gas sales income.
Details on measures the Group has taken to improve energy efficiency can be found within the Group’s Section 172 statement in the Strategic Report. | ||||
United Kingdom company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the directors have elected to prepare the group and parent company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law, the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and parent company, and of the profit or loss of the group for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and parent company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group’s and parent company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and parent company, and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and parent company, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
We have audited the financial statements of Pretoria Energy Group Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2025 which comprise the group profit and loss account, the group statement of comprehensive income, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows, the company statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Basis for opinion
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
The information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
The strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above and on the Financial Reporting Council’s website, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud, the audit engagement team:
obtained an understanding of the nature of the industry and sector, including the legal and regulatory framework that the company operates in and how the company are complying with the legal and regulatory framework;
inquired of management, and those charged with governance, about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, including any known actual, suspected or alleged instances of fraud;
discussed matters about non-compliance with laws and regulations and how fraud might occur including assessment of how and where the financial statements may be susceptible to fraud.
However, it is the primary responsibility of management, with the oversight of those charged with governance, to ensure that the entity's operations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations and for the prevention and detection of fraud.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the parent company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the parent company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the parent company and the parent company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s loss for the year was £1,395,658 (2024 - £356,173 profit).
Pretoria Energy Group Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company limited by shares, domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Padro House Chear Fen, Ely Road, Chittering, Cambridge, CB25 9GE.
The group consists of Pretoria Energy Group Limited and all of its subsidiaries.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Pretoria Energy Group Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.
All financial statements are made up to 31 December 2025. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.
All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.
Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.
Entities in which the group holds an interest and which are jointly controlled by the group and one or more other venturers under a contractual arrangement are treated as joint ventures. Entities other than subsidiary undertakings or joint ventures, in which the group has a participating interest and over whose operating and financial policies the group exercises a significant influence, are treated as associates.
Investments in joint ventures and associates are carried in the group balance sheet at cost plus post-acquisition changes in the group’s share of the net assets of the entity, less any impairment in value. The carrying values of investments in joint ventures and associates include acquired goodwill.
If the group’s share of losses in a joint venture or associate equals or exceeds its investment in the joint venture or associate, the group does not recognise further losses unless it has incurred obligations to do so or has made payments on behalf of the joint venture or associate.
Unrealised gains arising from transactions with joint ventures and associates are eliminated to the extent of the group’s interest in the entity.
Based on the forecasts prepared, the expected trading performance of the company and the group, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company and group will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.
Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.
Revenue is recognised based upon meter readings on supply of gas and electricity transferred to the National Grid. Invoices are raised on a periodic basis. At each reporting date income is accrued based upon meter readings where no invoice is raised.
Revenue from Green Gas Certificates and Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates are recognised and measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Accrued revenue is subsequently assessed for impairment at each reporting date.
No amortisation has been recognised in respect of software, as the asset is not yet ready for its intended use. Amortisation will commence once the asset is available for use.
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.
Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except for those equity investments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably, which are recognised at cost less impairment until a reliable measure of fair value becomes available.
In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the group. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
An associate is an entity, being neither a subsidiary nor a joint venture, in which the company holds a long-term interest and where the company has significant influence. The group considers that it has significant influence where it has the power to participate in the financial and operating decisions of the associate.
Investments in associates are initially recognised at the transaction price (including transaction costs) and are subsequently adjusted to reflect the group’s share of the profit or loss, other comprehensive income and equity of the associate using the equity method. Any difference between the cost of acquisition and the share of the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the associate on acquisition is recognised as goodwill. Any unamortised balance of goodwill is included in the carrying value of the investment in associates.
Losses in excess of the carrying amount of an investment in an associate are recorded as a provision only when the company has incurred legal or constructive obligations or has made payments on behalf of the associate.
In the parent company financial statements, investments in associates are accounted for at cost less impairment.
Entities in which the group has a long term interest and shares control under a contractual arrangement are classified as jointly controlled entities.
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.
Interest capitalised as part of the cost of a tangible fixed asset are capitalised at the underlying rate applicable to the related borrowing.
Investment income earned on the temporary investment of specific borrowings pending their expenditure on qualifying assets is deducted from the borrowing costs eligible for capitalisation.
All other borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they are incurred.
At each reporting period end date, the group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The carrying amount of the investments accounted for using the equity method is tested for impairment as a single asset. Any goodwill included in the carrying amount of the investment is not tested separately for impairment.
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted. If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.
Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.
The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the group's balance sheet when the group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.
Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.
Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.
If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the group transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all of its liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans and loans from fellow group companies, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward selling exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.
Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the group's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the group.
Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured to fair value at each reporting end date. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss immediately unless the derivative is designated and effective as a hedging instrument, in which event the timing of the recognition in profit or loss depends on the nature of the hedge relationship.
A derivative with a positive fair value is recognised as a financial asset, whereas a derivative with a negative fair value is recognised as a financial liability.
The Company designates certain hedging instruments, including derivatives, embedded derivatives and non-derivatives, as either fair value hedges or cash flow hedges.
At the inception of the hedge relationship, the company documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item along with risk management objectives and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. At the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, the company documents whether the hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item.
Fair value hedges
Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recognised in profit or loss immediately, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk.
Cash flow hedges
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognised in other comprehensive income.
The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit or loss, and is included in the 'other gains and losses' line in this item.
Amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity are reclassified to profit or loss in the periods when the hedged item is recognised in the profit or loss in the same line as of the income statement as the recognised hedged item. However when the forecast transaction that is hedged results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or liability, the gains and losses previously accumulated in equity are transferred from equity and included in the initial measurement of the cost of the asset or liability concerned.
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases.
Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.
Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.
In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements.
The group operates on various sites which are leased. The individual company and the lessor have common owners and as such the group is of the view that the leases will be extended at the end of the current lease term. On this basis the group is depreciating certain fixed assets over 50 years rather than the life of the lease. Should the lease not be renewed then adjustments will be required to write down the value of those assets to their recoverable amounts at that time.
The individual company's within the group recognises tax assets and liabilities based upon estimates and assessments of many factors including past experience, advice received and judgements about the outcome of future events. To the extent that the final outcome of these matters is different from the amounts recorded, such differences will impact on the taxation charge made in the profit and loss account in the period in which such determination is made.
Significant judgement is applied in determining the value of harvested crops and growing crops held at the year end. The group capitalises costs directly attributable to the cultivation and production of crops and allocates relevant farming overheads on a consistent basis. Judgement is required in determining the nature and extent of costs to be included within stock and in assessing whether the resulting carrying value is recoverable through future sale proceeds. The directors are satisfied that the valuation methodology adopted provides a reasonable reflection of the cost of production at the balance sheet date.
The Group's turnover is all derived from its principal activity and is all generated within the UK.
During the prior year, the company recognised an exceptional gain of £3,558,957 arising from an amount previously accrued and payable to a connected company.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
Borrowing costs excluded from interest payable and included in the cost of assets during the year are as follows:
The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
The contracts intangible asset relates to two contracts with contractual lives that expire in 2034 and 2037.
Included within tangible fixed assets are assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts, as follows:
During the year, £4,602,763 (2024: £3,281,505) of interest costs directly attributable to the financing of the AD Plants were capitalised. The total capitalised interest at 31 December 2025 was £32,126,932 (2024: £27,524,169). Interest was capitalised at the underlying rate of borrowing.
Included within Plant and Equipment and Assets under construction were assets subject to a sale and finance leaseback arrangement. Proceeds of £4,681,635 were received in the year. The resulting loss of £582,668 has been deferred and will be released to profit and loss over the lease term in accordance with FRS 102.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2025 are as follows:
On 22 May 2025, the Company acquired the entire issued share capital of Pretoria Energy Company (Chittering 3) Limited for consideration of £1. The fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired was equal to the consideration paid and therefore no goodwill arose on the acquisition.
The group had two types of derivative financial instruments in the year. An interest rate swap used to mitigate changes in future borrowing rates with one of its lenders, which was settled when group borrowings were repaid in the year. In addition the group has entered into forward sale contracts to mitigate changes in wholesale energy prices.
The group entered into a new £227,500,000 loan in November 2025. Loan issue costs of £3,217,132 are being amortised over the life of the loan. This loan carries interest at 8% payable twice yearly and has a final repayment date in November 2031. The company and other group companies have entered into a debenture over the assets of the group in favour of the lender. The lender is related to a shareholder.
In the prior year, the group had various borrowings:
A long-term bank loan is secured by fixed charges over the assets of Pretoria Energy Company Holdings Limited and a cross guarantee between that company, Pretoria Energy Company (Arable) Limited, Pretoria Energy Company (Mepal) Limited and Pretoria Energy Company (Chittering) Limited. This loan has two parts a fixed interest element and a floating rate element and is repayable in full in 2028.
In addition the company has borrowings, which at the prior year end amounted to £45,000,000, The company along with the following subsidiaries, Pretoria Energy Company (Mepal 2) Limited, Pretoria Energy Company (Chittering 2) Limited and Pretoria Energy Company Holdings 2 Limited have given a debenture over all assets in favour of the lender. Repayments of capital are due to commence in June 2024 and will be made in instalments with the loan repayable in full within 60 months of initial drawdown.
Both loans noted above were repaid in the year.
Finance lease payments represent rentals payable by the company or group for certain items of plant and machinery. Leases include purchase options at the end of the lease period, and no restrictions are placed on the use of the assets. The average lease term is 5 years. All leases are on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company:
The deferred tax liability set out above is expected to reverse and relates to accelerated capital allowances. The other timing difference relates to the contracts intangible fixed asset and will reverse as the asset is amortised. The deferred tax on losses is expected to be utilised within 24 months.
A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund.
The A Ordinary shares rank pari passu in all respects, including rights to vote, receive dividends and participate in distributions on a winding up. The shares are non-redeemable.
The B Ordinary share does not carry voting rights. It is entitled to participate in returns of proceeds and capital distributions in accordance with the Articles of Association, including an entitlement to 5% of proceeds above the applicable B Ordinary Shares hurdle. The share is non-redeemable.
The share premium account includes any premium received on issue of share capital. Any transaction costs associated with issuing shares are deducted from share premium.
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives and other qualifying hedging instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated under the heading of hedging reserve, limited to the cumulative change in fair value of the hedged item from inception of the hedge.
Site incident
During the year, a fatal incident occurred at one of the Group's operating sites. The incident is subject to ongoing investigations by the relevant regulatory and enforcement authorities.
The Group is cooperating fully with these investigations and has undertaken its own review of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
As at the date of approval of these financial statements, the investigations have not been concluded and the outcome, including any potential financial consequences for the Group, cannot be determined with sufficient reliability.
Accordingly, no provision has been recognised in these financial statements in respect of this matter. The directors will continue to assess the position as further information becomes available.
Amounts contracted for but not provided in the financial statements:
On 14 May 2026, Pretoria Energy Company (Arable) Limited acquired 50% of the ordinary share capital of 5 Counties Contracting Limited through the subscription of one £1 ordinary share at a subscription price of £1,000,000.
On 7 July 2026, Pretoria Energy Group Limited completed a capital reduction and a related off-market share buyback for consideration of £18.4 million, funded from existing cash resources.
The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.
The company has taken the exemption afforded by FRS102 not to disclose transactions with entities within the Pretoria Energy Group Limited group.
During the year, the Group entered into the following transactions with other related parties:
The Group purchased £2,419,213 (2024: £8,072,849) of goods and services from companies under common control and made sales of £402,980 (2024: £142,496) to the same companies. In addition there are short term working capital movements between the companies. At the year end, the Group owed £130,446 (2024: £6,878,687) to these companies and had £2,410,284 (2024: £6,338,177) due from them.
Across the Group, an amount of £267,219 (2024: £267,219) was due from the directors.