Company Announcement:

Vestas - Share-based incentive programme 2018


Vestas Wind Systems A/S, Aarhus, 17 April 2018
Company announcement No. 16/2018

Share-based incentive programme 2018

The Board of Directors of Vestas Wind Systems A/S has decided to continue the share-based incentive programme for all participants, including the Executive Management, and launch a new programme for 2018 based on the terms and conditions governing the restricted performance share programme for the year 2017, cf. Vestas’ remuneration policy and general guidelines for incentive pay.

The share-based incentive programme follows the structure of the previous programme and will still be based on restricted performance shares. The programme has a performance period of three years and a performance measurement based on financial key performance indicators as well as commercial targets as defined by the Board of Directors.

ParticipantsThe Executive Management and other specified senior management level positions.

The programme for 2018 includes approx. 200 participants.
Number of sharesThe number of shares to be granted is based on a defined target level for each position. No payments for any grants are made by the participants. If all KPIs are reached on target level, a total of 320,000 shares will be granted from the programme with a total present value calculated based on the current share price amounting to EUR 18m (value at close of Nasdaq Copenhagen on 16 April 2018).

The actual number of restricted performance shares available for distribution may range between 0 and 150 percent of the target level and is determined by Vestas’ performance in the financial years 2018, 2019 and 2020. The maximum grant of shares under the programme in total is 480,000 shares based on full performance achievement.

The number of shares that may be granted the combined Executive Management will as previous programmes follow Vestas’ general guidelines for incentive pay, allowing up to a total of 120,000 shares for target achievement. The 2018 target number of shares corresponds to approx.110 percent of the annual base salary for the Executive Management.
Time of grantThe restricted performance shares will be granted in 2021 and 2023.
Key Performance IndicatorsThe KPIs for all three performance years are based on financial targets including Earnings per share, Return on Capital Employed, Vestas group market share, as well as commercial targets for relevant participants. All KPIs and targets are defined by the Board of Directors.
ConditionsThe restricted performance shares are governed by the specific terms and conditions of the programme and subject to mandatory law. If a participant chooses to leave Vestas before the time of grant, the participant’s rights to receive the shares will generally lapse.
Adjustments to the programmeThe number of shares available for grant may be adjusted in the event of changes in Vestas’ capital structure. In addition, calculation of the key performance indicators may be adjusted for certain non-operational events. Further, in the event of a change of control, merger, winding-up or demerger of Vestas, an accelerated grant may extraordinarily take place. In the event of certain transfers of activities or changes in ownership interests within the Vestas Group, adjustment, replacement of the programme and/or settlement in cash of the programme entirely or partly may also take place.

Contact details
Vestas Wind Systems A/S, Denmark
Patrik Setterberg, Vice President                          
Investor Relations
Tel: +45 6122 1913