BKW Energie AG is a power production and distribution utility with its headquarters in Berne, Switzerland. It also provides gas and heat through a number of subsidiaries or partner companies. It mainly operates in the canton of Berne, 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 Berne eXchange since 1969. As from 2003, it is also present at the Swiss Stock Exchange. Major shareholders are the Canton of Berne and the German power company E.ON Energie AG.
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 and hydroelectric 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.
Fossil fuel power
In 2008 a new 800 MW combined cycle gas power plant started operation in Livorno Ferraris. BKW possesses a 25% share.
Hydroelectric power
BKW produces around 40% of its power through owned or shared hydroelectric plants in Switzerland and Italy. The owned plants are mainly located in Berne Canton:
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:
BKW is considering to build with other partners a 900 MW coal power plant in Dörpen.
The Papierfabrik Utzenstorf AG and BKW are planning to build in Utzenstorf a combined cycle gas power plant. It should start operation in 2016 and deliver power, steam and heat.
Irsina has been chosen as possible location for a planned 400 MW combined cycle gas power plant.
Hydroelectric power
In 2008, BKW started construction of a new run-of-the-river plant on the Alpbach torrent in Kandersteg. The 2.6 MW installation should start production in 2009. BKW possesses a 60% share.
BKW has an 80% share in a company that is building a new small hydroelectric plant in Wiler. The 1.4 MW station should start operation in 2010.
Schattenhalb 3 is a new 10 MW hydroelectric power plant which construction started in 2008. It is located in Schattenhalb and is planned to start production in 2010. It will be operated by a subsidiary of BKW.
BKW and the municipality of Tinizong-Rona will build a new 7.5 MW plant that will exploit the Errbach torrent.
Nuclear power
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 Berne 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.
