BKW FMB Energy Ltd strengthens its commitment in France
Bern (ots)
BKW FMB Energy Ltd (BKW) is engaged in acquiring from Ascométal the Allevard hydroelectric power plant group in the French Alps near Chambéry. The Allevard power plant group comprises four hydroelectric power plants with a collective capacity of 30 Megawatts (MW) and an annual production volume of around 140 Gigawatt hours. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The transaction is subject to the approval of the responsible French authorities.
BKW is aiming to expand its hydroelectricity capacities in France. In addition to the selective acquisition of generating facilities, BKW will become actively involved in the forthcoming invitation by the French government to bid for hydroelectric power plant concessions.
Over the next five years the French government will be inviting bids for ten existing hydroelectricity concessions for a total capacity of 5'244 Megawatts. The first call for tender will commence in 2011.
About BKW With sales of CHF 3,592 million in 2009, BKW FMB Energy Ltd is one of Switzerland's leading energy providers. With its workforce of around 2,800, it covers all stages of the energy supply chain: from electricity production and transport to trading and sales. BKW supplies power to more than one million people in German- and French-speaking Switzerland, either directly or indirectly via its distribution partners, and is active on selected foreign markets through its trading and sales business. The BKW production portfolio covers hydroelectric power plants, a nuclear power plant, and renewable energy plants (wind and solar power). BKW has been purchasing electricity from the Fessenheim and Cattenom nuclear power plants for a number of years. Over the next few years BKW is aiming to build up a 750-MW wind power portfolio in Germany and Italy. Thanks to its commitment to renewable energies and its green power products distributed under the 1to1 energy brand, BKW is currently Switzerland's largest provider of green power. BKW also maintains an extensive, closely-knit electricity grid in Switzerland with around 20,000 kilometers of lines. Combined with a large number of switching and transformer stations, it covers the supply region right down to the most remote localities. Further information: www.bkw-fmb.ch
Contact:
Antonio Sommavilla
031 330 51 07
info@bkw-fmb.ch