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RWE unveils vision for independent grid in Germany German utility RWE is to reposition its grid company RWE Transportnetz Strom as an independent business unit in order to fulfil the requirements of the European Commission's Third Energy package. With immediate effect, the company's ultra-high voltage grid division will be directly managed by the CEO's division, and will be gradually expanded to become a fully functional enterprise with its own workforce capable of fulfilling all operational tasks. One of the biggest challenges will be the expansion and upgrade of the network to accommodate rapidly rising levels of renewable energy capacity, says Hans-Juergen Brick, Commercial Managing Director of RWE Transportnetz Strom. RWE says that the newly-aligned unit - based in Dortmund with 850 employees - will be renamed "Amprion" as of September 1, 2009. "The new name stands for the independent nature of our ultra-high-voltage grid," said Juergen Grossmann, CEO of RWE AG. "Amprion means strength, reliable power transmission and transparency. "Each and every customer will continue to have non-discriminatory grid access. RWE is committed to this approach and this is why we are fully implementing the Third Way." The new company will invest more than EUR3 billion over the next ten years in grid expansion. "By building 800 km of new lines, also towards Belgium and the Netherlands, we are setting the scene for even more competition on Europe's power markets. Our grid is the hub for European power trading," emphasised Klaus Kleinekorte, Technical Managing Director of RWE Transportnetz Strom. Earlier this year the European Parliament approved legislation designed to limit the market powers of large, vertically-integrated utilities and improve the competitive landscape in the region's energy markets. Although utilities are allowed to retain ownership of their high voltage transmission assets, they must be operated by an independent subsidiary. Finland's government recently announced that it would buy a majority stake in national grid company Fingrid in order to fulfil the new regulations. It is planning to buy the shares of Fortum and Pohjolan Voima, both of which control 25.1 per cent of Fingrid. Source: Utility Week © Faversham House Group Ltd 2009. News articles may be copied or forwarded
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