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BKW Energie AG (BKW; formerly known as Bernische Kraftwerke AG) is a power production and distribution utility with its headquarters in
Bern,
Switzerland. It also provides gas and heat through a number of subsidiaries or partner companies. It mainly operates in the
canton of Bern, but is also present in
Italy,
Germany and
Austria.
History
BKW was founded in 1898 as Aktiengesellschaft Elektrizitätswerk Hagneck. The name was changed to Bernische Kraftwerke AG in 1909. In 1995, it changed to its present name. BKW FMB Energie AG, to emphasize the internationalization of the company's business plan.
It has been quoted on the
BX Swiss since 1969.[citation needed] As from 2003, it is also present at the
Swiss Stock Exchange.[1] The largest shareholder is the
canton of Bern, with 52.54%.[2] The Swiss energy provider Groupe E SA holds a further 10% of BKW.[2] Although the German power company
E.ON Energie AG once also had a large stake (20.99% share as of 2007), in 2010 it began selling off its share of BKW.[3] By 2014 E.ON had only 6.7 of BKW and took steps to sell its remaining stake via exchangeable bonds, completing its divestiture by October of that year.[4]
Since 2013 the board chair of BKW Group has been Roger Baillod.[5] The CEO is Robert Itschner, who took over from Suzanne Thoma in late 2022.[5][6] Head of finances is Martin Zwyssig.[5]
In its annual report for 2022, BKW reported revenue of CHF 5.199 billion, an increase of 46% over 2021, and record-high earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of CHF 1.038 billion (+163% over 2021). Net profit increased 191% to CHF 712.9 million.[7]: 26–27 The total employee count grew by some 800 new workers to 11,500.[7]: 4
Power production
With a yearly energy sale of 24.2 TW⋅h the BKW is one of the biggest Swiss power utilities. Of this, 9.7 TW⋅h is produced by own plants or by shares in other facilities. As of 2007 the mix is mainly composed of nuclear (61.87%) and hydroelectric (37.96%) power. The remainder is produced by renewable sources like solar, wind, or biomass. Due to the necessity to diversify the mix and satisfy the increasing demand, BKW is introducing some fossil fuel power through shares in abroad plants.[8]
Fossil fuel power
In 2008 a new 800 MW combined cycle gas power plant started operation in
Livorno Ferraris (
province of Vercelli, Italy). BKW possesses a 25% share.
Hydroelectric power
BKW produces up to 52% of its power through owned or shared hydroelectric plants in Switzerland and Italy.[9]
The owned plants are located mainly in Bern canton:[10]
Around 60% of the energy produced comes from nuclear plants. BKW owns the
Mühleberg Nuclear Power Plant and three shares in other Swiss or French facilities:
In
Ottana (
province of Nuoro, Italy) BKW is present with a 10.5% share in a 35 MW biomass plant. The commercial operation should start in 2009.[12]
Fossil fuel power
In 2008 started the construction of a new 800 MW coal power plant in the city of
Wilhelmshaven (
Lower Saxony, Germany). BKW takes part to the project with a 33% share (240 MW). It should start production in 2012.[13]
BKW is considering to build with other partners a 900 MW coal power plant in
Dörpen (
Lower Saxony, Germany).[14]
Irsina (
province of Matera, Italy) has been chosen as possible location for a planned 400 MW combined cycle gas power plant.[8]
Hydroelectric power
In 2008, BKW started construction of a new run-of-the-river plant on the
Alpbach torrent in
Kandersteg (
canton of Bern, Switzerland). The 2.6 MW installation should start production in 2009. BKW possesses a 60% share.[16]
BKW has an 80% share in a company that is building a new small hydroelectric plant in
Wiler (
Valais, Switzerland). The 1.4 MW station should start operation in 2010.[17]
Schattenhalb 3 is a new 10 MW hydroelectric power plant which construction started in 2008. It is located in
Schattenhalb (
canton of Bern, Switzerland) and is planned to start production in 2010. It will be operated by a subsidiary of BKW.[18]
In the 2020s, the
Mühleberg Nuclear Power Plant will probably cease its activity and the contracts for importing nuclear energy from
France will expire. BKW and
Axpo founded
Resun AG to prevent the consequent energy lack. Its purpose is to manage the administrative procedure for building two new nuclear plants up to 1600 MW each.
Transmission grid
BKW provides around one million people in 400 municipalities in Bern Canton and surroundings with power, through its local and distribution networks of up to 132 kV. It also owns 665 km of 220 kV and 56 km of 380 kV lines, although their operation is entrusted to the national transmission company
Swissgrid AG.[20]
^"Statistik der Wasserkraftanlagen der Schweiz" [Statistics on the Swiss hydroelectric power plants] (in German, French, and Italian). Bundesamt für Energie BFE. 2008. Archived from
the original(ZIP compilation of PDF files) on 2011-05-20.