Power Generation Central

Despite the lower demand for energy due to difficult economic conditions, 2009 was an excellent year for Alpiq's power generation facilities in Central Europe. Their operating performance was outstanding, and they reached all targets, translating into near 100 % availability and high profitability of the power stations. Business relations with key customers proved highly satisfactory, as a result of which the drive to expand power generation in Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria is now well under way.

Alpiq Germany opts for gas-fired combined cycle power stations

In Germany, work on modernising the Spreetal I gas-fired combined cycle power station in Dresden was completed on schedule and within budget. After successfully obtaining an operating licence, the power station came online in the third quarter and started to deliver its first positive contribution margins. Another German gas-fired combined cycle power station is planned in Premnitz, 70 kilometres west of Berlin. On 8 September 2009, Alpiq's German subsidiary Havelland Kraftwerk GmbH was given the go-ahead for the plant by Matthias Platzeck. The Chief Minister of the German federal state of Brandenburg made a point of visiting the future power station site in person to bring the good news from the State Environmental Agency, which has granted permission for construction of a 400 MW facility at that location. The 70,000 square metre site is now being cleared and prepared for construction.

Expansion plans in Hungary and the Czech Republic

In Hungary, the contract with state-run MVM, Csepel's largest electricity customer, was renegotiated and revised to cater to the changed market conditions. Preparations for expansion are currently under way, and the licensing procedure for an additional gas-fired combined cycle block (Csepel III) has been initiated.

High availability and reliability are also the hallmarks of the outstanding performance recorded by Alpiq subsidiaries Kladno and Zlín Energy in the Czech Republic. As operator and regulator, the Czech state has changed the market conditions for grid services, opening up additional opportunities for expansion. To simplify structures, three formerly autonomous companies in Kladno were successfully combined under a new organisation. Plans to expand capacity in Kladno by an additional 135 MW are progressing well, with all the necessary licences and permits in place.

Bulgaria: wind farm to go online in late 2010

The wind farm being built by Alpiq subsidiary Vetrocom is making good progress. A ground-breaking ceremony on 7 May 2009 marked the start of construction near the city of Kazanlak, 200 kilometres east of Sofia. Vetrocom is installing 20 wind turbines with a total capacity of 50 MW at the site in Buzludja, at a cost of EUR 80 million. The facility is scheduled to start delivering electricity to the grid by the end of 2010.

Thermal power stations in Hungary and the Czech Republic in 2009

Thermal power stations in Germany in 2009