Deutsche Essent and SWM co-operate

Energy consumption is rising continuously, in particular due to the hunger for energy in threshold countries such as China and India. Natural resources, in contrast, are becoming increasingly scarce. Rising prices for oil, gas and coal are the consequence. At the same time, climate changes bring enormous challenges with them. New, sustainable energy strategies are therefore urgently required.

Collaboration planned for both wind energy and ultra-modern gas and steam power plants

Against this background, the two energy suppliers Deutsche Essent and SWM have decided to join forces in the development and implementation of new energy strategies. A corresponding co-operation agreement has now been signed. The goal is to focus commitment on the field of regenerative energy, in particular wind power. Beyond this, co-operation is also conceivable for additional energy projects, such as participation in ultra-modern, environmentally friendly gas and steam power plants and collaboration in the natural gas upstream field (import, storage etc.).

Deutsche Essent GmbH is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Essent N.V., the largest energy company in the Netherlands, the shareholders of which are the Dutch provinces and municipalities. From its headquarters in Düsseldorf, the company co-ordinates all wind energy activities of the Essent Group, beginning with investment in the expansion of renewable energy at an early stage. The company's first wind park was connected to the grid in the Netherlands in 1987. In 2002, Deutsche Essent acquired a 100% shareholding in WINKRA in Hanover. This enabled Essent to become one of the leading operators of wind energy plants in north-west Europe. Essent has erected some 500 wind energy units in recent years, the majority in coastal areas, but also in inland areas with strong wind resources. The next stage will be the establishment of high-performance offshore wind parks. Deutsche Essent Managing Director Paul van Son on the co-operation with SWM: "For many years now we have enjoyed successful co-operation with Stadtwerke München via Kom-Strom AG, as well as indirectly via novogate GmbH. We are delighted to be able to expand our collaboration to date to cover the fields of wind energy and other energy projects."

SWM is the largest municipal company and the sixth-largest energy supplier in Germany. SWM considers itself to have a special responsibility towards sustainable environmental and climate protection. For decades now, SWM has consistently placed faith in the expansion of regenerative energy creation via hydroelectric power and, in recent years, geothermal energy, wind energy, solar energy and biomass. Dr. Kurt Mühlhäuser, Chairman of the Board of Management at SWM: "SWM has set itself an ambitious target. Munich is set to be the first German city in which it is possible for all private households to be supplied with electricity produced in own facilities, using regenerative energies. In order to achieve this, SWM also requires strong, reliable partners with a similar vision with regard to energy policy aspects. With Deutsche Essent we have found an outstanding co-operation partner with which we have already collaborated well in the field of municipal gas procurement via Bayerngas."

Deutsche Essent corporate portrait
Deutsche Essent GmbH pursues a long-term growth strategy and holds 51% of shares in swb AG, Bremen. Through swb AG, the company also has shares in suppliers in Bremerhaven, Bielefeld, Gütersloh, Soltau, Greifswald and Ahlen. Deutsche Essent GmbH owns a majority stake in KOM-STROM AG in Leipzig, using this to further expand power activities. Deutsche Essent is also active in the gas market and continues to expand this business field via novogate. novogate is a joint subsidiary with Bayerngas GmbH. In addition, Deutsche Essent also operates a gas storage facility in Epe.

SWM corporate portrait
The Stadtwerke München (SWM) is the municipal supply and service company of the Bavarian state capital, Munich. For decades now, SWM has stood for the secure, resource-efficient supply of the Bavarian metropolis with energy (electricity, natural gas, district heating) and natural drinking water from the Bavarian alpine uplands. The transport subsidiary MVG is responsible for underground, bus and tram services and is a significant component of the Munich public transport network. In addition, SWM also operates one of the most modern bathing facilities in Germany, with 18 indoor and outdoor swimming pools. With its reasonably-priced products and customer-oriented services, SWM makes an important contribution to the provision of municipal utilities and the quality of life in Munich. SWM employs around 6,600 employees. In the business year 2007 group sales stood at approximately 4.5 billion euros.

Published: 21 February 2008