Thames Water shareholders have agreed to provide a further £750 million of equity funding in AMP7, in addition to the £500 million of new equity funds Thames Water drew down on 30 March 2023 following the commitment made by shareholders in June 2022.

The water company has acknowledged that significant additional funding will be required during AMP8 (2025-2030), to further improve operational performance and financial resilience.

The June 2022 commitment was made by shareholders to support the delivery of Thames Water’s business plan for the current AMP7 regulatory period ending 31 March 2025 to improve performance and outcomes for customers, reduce leakage, improve river health, and accelerate delivery of Thames Water’s turnaround.

The water company said the equity funding provided by shareholders has helped reduce gearing to its lowest level in a decade.

Since the June 2022 commitment, shareholders have continued to work with the Thames Water Board and Executive on plans to provide additional equity funding to drive Thames Water’s turnaround over the remainder of the current regulatory period (AMP7) and to establish a solid foundation for its long-term growth.

The further £750 million in new equity funding across AMP7 is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including the preparation of a business plan that underpins a more focused turnaround that delivers targeted performance improvements for customers, the environment and other stakeholders over the next three years and is supported by appropriate regulatory arrangements.

Shareholders have also acknowledged that delivery of the Turnaround Plan will require the provision of further equity support in AMP8, significantly in excess of the current AMP7 commitment.

Indicatively, the AMP8 equity support is expected to be in the region of £2.5 billion. However, the nature and level of such medium-term support will depend on the finalisation of the business plan and the regulatory framework that will apply to the AMP8 period.

Thames Water said it will “carefully monitor” progress towards satisfying the conditions for the additional shareholder funding and will keep under review pathways to ensure Thames Water’s continued financial resilience.

The water company said it continues to maintain a strong liquidity position, including £4.4 billion of cash and committed funding, as at 31 March 2023.

Cathryn Ross and Alastair Cochran, Interim Co-CEOs of Thames Water said:

“This announcement is a major milestone for Thames and all our stakeholders. Since June 2022, we have engaged constructively with shareholders, working towards a common goal of developing a long term, comprehensive, financeable and enduring business plan for the Company to improve operational performance and financial resilience for the benefit of our customers and the environment.

“The substantial equity support package announced today will underpin the delivery of a more focused turnaround plan that builds on the foundations that have been put in place over the last two years and focuses expenditure on a smaller number of initiatives, which will deliver material and sustainable improvements in key performance metrics over the next three years.”

Ian Marchant, Chairman of Thames Water said:

“Our shareholders have consistently been very supportive of Thames Water by approving investment in the business over and above regulatory allowances, foregoing any income since 2017 and investing £500 million of new equity funding in March 2023. The additional investment announced today is the largest equity support package ever seen in the UK water sector and underscores our shareholders’ commitment to delivering Thames’ turnaround and life’s essential service for the benefit of our customers, communities, and the environment.”