04.07.2005 – 18:38

BKW Energie AG

BKW FMB Energy Ltd: Swiss solution for Motor-Columbus - Purchase offer for Motor Columbus shares held by UBS AG

Berne (ots)

Indication: An enclosure with the MC/Atel Shareholder Structure can 
            be downlaoded under:
            http://www.presseportal.ch/de/story.htx?firmaid=100001009

BKW FMB Energy Ltd of Berne (BKW) has submitted
today to UBS AG of Zurich (UBS) an offer to purchase a substantial
stake of at least 30% in Motor-Colombus (MC). The offer ensures a
Swiss solution for MC and has been made with a view to securing the
future supply of electricity in Switzerland. In acquiring this stake
in MC, BKW will create the foundation for strengthening its
industrial cooperation with Aare-Tessin Ltd for Electricity  of Olten
(Atel), which at present is controlled by MC. In the interests of
building a strong electricity group in Western and Northern
Switzerland, BKW is also prepared, in tandem with appropriate
consortium partners, to acquire the entire UBS stake of 55.6% in MC.

UBS holds a 55.6% stake in MC. In turn, MC holds a majority stake
(58.5%) in Atel. UBS has repeatedly expressed its intention of
finding a sustainable Swiss solution for the sale of its MC holding.

BKW's offer, coupled with the proposal to purchase the entire
package of shares with a consortium of partners, would meet the
requirements of UBS for a solution led by strong Swiss partners. The
intention is to cooperate with all interested parties, and Atel in
particular, to build up a strong electricity group in Western and
Northern Switzerland ahead of the liberalised electricity market.

BKW's offer reinforces its commitment to ensuring a secure,
cost-effective supply of electricity in Switzerland.

Contact:

Media Communications
Viktoriaplatz 2
3000 Bern 25
Tél. +41/31/330'51'07
Fax +41/31/330'57'90
E-Mail: Info@bkw-fmb.ch
Internet: http://www.bkw-fmb.ch