BKW FMB Energy Ltd

History

1898

Foundation of the "Aktiengesellschaft Elektrizitätswerk Hagneck".
It is an era of pioneers and private investors who recognise the future potential and value of the fledgling power plant technology and its ability to transport electrical energy over long distances, and who wish to promote its breakthrough.
Eduard Will, a businessman from Nidau, was the driving force behind construction of the Hagneck plant. He is regarded as the true founder of BKW.

1903

Five years after its foundation the General Assembly votes to purchase the Kander plant with its Spiez power plant. The company name is changed to «Vereinigte Kander- und Hagneckwerke A.-G.» (United Kander and Hagneck Plants Ltd).

1909

Construction and acquisition of new power plants and electricity lines necessitates a substantial increase in share capital. The expanding company changes its name to «Bernische Kraftwerke AG» (Bernese Power Plants Ltd).

1917

Construction work begins on the seventh BKW hydroelectricity plant, Mühleberg Hydroelectricity Plant. Major difficulties are encountered in acquiring a licence and construction permit. The high construction costs and overstepping of credits are a controversial topic. The plant costs more than twice the budgeted cost.

1923

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Electricity changes everyday life. The general availability of electricity makes life simpler in all kinds of ways. In future, not only the affluent can afford a comfortable existence. This is most evident in lighting: The ubiquitous soot and daily cleaning associated with oil lamps is a thing of the past. More and more electrical appliances take over household tasks.
Trade and industry benefit from the new flexibility and freedom
from the ties of location. The use of electric engines means that
generating hydroelectricity is no longer restricted to river courses.

1925

In Oberhasli the value of hydroelectric power for energy production is recognised early on. In 1906 the Cantonal Executive grants licences to the United Kander and Hagneck Power Plants. In 1925 BKW establishes Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG (KWO) as a subsidiary. Later the Canton of Basle City and the cities of Berne and Zurich each acquire one-sixth of the share capital.
Phase I of the Handeck power plant with the Grimsel and Gelmer reservoirs is constructed between 1925 and 1932. This is extended and provisionally completed only in 1979 (8 dams, 9 power plant command centres) with the commissioning of the
Oberaar-Grimsel turbine pumping station.

1948

BKW has to procure one third of electrical energy from other electricity plants. In the 1950s, to meet the increasing demand for power, construction begins on a series of large hydroelectricity storage plants along the lines of the KWO plant. As a rule these are set up and operated by several electricity companies working in partnership. The electricity generated through intensive hydropower is often referred to as «white coal».

1958

Whereas BKW customers used electricity mainly for appliances and lamps in the first 25 years, electricity has since become an essential commodity in households, trade and industry. To reduce the risk of power failures, BKW links up its grid with other electricity plants.
In 1958 the Swiss, German and French grids are synchronously interconnected. Nowadays, all continental countries of Western Europe are connected to the international power grid. BKW has participated in cross-border exchanges of power from the outset.

1969

On 1 October 1969, trading in the BKW share begins on the Berne telephone stock exchange.

1972

The fact that our country is spared the ecologically negative consequences of oil, carbon and gas power plants is generally welcomed. BKW puts the Mühleberg Nuclear Power Plant into operation as Switzerland's third nuclear reactor.
Additional nuclear power plant projects meet with resistance among the population, initially due to the large cooling towers which are an unfamiliar sight in our country. Subsequently the opposition focuses on the technology in general. Insead of its own power plants, BKW and the other major electricity plants sign long-term contracts with Electricité de France (EDF) for the delivery of
electricity from French power plants.

1988

BKW implements comprehensive new measures in a more intensive campaign to save energy. It creates the BKW Energy Saving Club to offer more than a million customers practical, cost-effective ways of economising on electricity. In 1997 the club is renamed the BKW E-Club. The club now boasts 70,000 members
who benefit from information, useful tips and special offers in
various areas of energy consumption.

1995

In the 1980s BKW steps up efforts to promote the practical and efficient use of energy among its customers.
The expansion of tasks and offerings is also reflected in the new company name, «BKW FMB Energy Ltd». BKW is now a modern production, supply and energy service company. As a partner in the international power grid, it also trades regularly with major West European electricity companies. To consolidate its position in the liberalising market it enters into cooperative ventures, for instance with PreussenElektra, Europe's fourth-largest electricity group, and the two neighbouring plants, Aare Tessin AG für Elektrizität (Atel) ,
Olten, and Energie de l'Oest-Suisse SA (EOS), Lausanne.

1998

100 years of BKW! Some 500 jubilee presentations of the ElectriCircus were held in the Cantons of Berne and Jura to celebrate this anniversary. Over 100,000 visitors experience electricity in a series of spectacular performances and are amazed at the astonishing physical experiments.
The Federal Council grants the Mühleberg Nuclear Power Plant an extension of its operating permit until December 2012.

1999

On 25 June the Annual General Meeting votes to increase the share capital of BKW from CHF 120 to 132 million.
On 26 December hurricane-force storms massively impact the supply of power.
Over 3,800 kilometers of BKW lines of all voltage levels are temporarily out of action due to damage caused by Hurrican Lothar. Only thanks to the enormous efforts of some 450 experts can the BKW grid be largely restored to operation within ten days.

2001

To gear itself for the open electricity market, BKW launches the 1to1 energy brand in conjunction with 70 regional energy providers.

2002

BKW takes over 30.2% of E.ON Energie AG's holding in Electra Italia S.p.A., thereby assuming management responsibility for the company.

BKW joins forces with electricity companies ATEL, CKW, EGL, EOS and NOK to form swisselectric, the organisation for operators in the Swiss power grid.

2003

BKW and the canton of Jura sign an agreement governing the supply of power and a 35% holding in Energie du Jura SA.

2003

BKW FMB Energy Ltd shares have been listed on the main segment of the SWX Swiss Exchange since 28 May 2003. In a second placement on 25 June, 2003, approximately 8% of BKW shares were placed for public sale. In so doing, BKW laid the foundations for a greater spread of the share register as well as for more liquid trading in its shares. Following the placement the percentage of shares held by the public (free float) now amounts to approximately 27%, thus fulfilling the criterion for inclusion of the share in the Swiss Performance Index (SPI). The share was duly included on the SPI on 1 October.

2003

Wankdorf Nationalstadion AG presents BKW FMB Energy Ltd as the main partner of the Stade de Suisse. BKW FMB Energy Ltd is actively involved in the construction and operation of this major complex through the provision of technical know-how and attractive communication services.

In conjunction with the leading research centre at Mont-Soleil, the largest photovoltaic installation in Switzerland is being constructed on the stadium roof. BKW FMB Energy Ltd is planning a very special and unique visitor attraction on the ridge of the stadium roof: a modern energy platform, featuring an entertaining and informative presentation of state-of-the-art solar technology against the spectacular backdrop of the city and Alps.