History
2011
BKW acquires two wind farms, Holleben and Bippen, in the German states of Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony. The acquisition expands BKW's foreign wind portfolio to 270 MW and strengthens its
position in the field of wind power.
With a view to further developing its market position, BKW announces a Groupwide productivity enhancement and cost-cutting programme and adopts a package of measures in this connection. By
implementing this programme, BKW aims to achieve the targeted reduction in controllable costs and ensure the company's economic stability.
With the aim of introducing a holding structure, BKW Inc. submits a public exchange offer for a 1:1 exchange of all BKW FMB Energy Ltd. registered shares in free float. The offer is successfully
completed.
BKW and ten other Swiss electrical utilities combine their activities under the Swiss Smart Grid Association. The association's long-term goal is to drive forward the rollout and implementation of
the smart grid in Switzerland.
Energie Wasser Bern (ewb) and BKW acquire the Lüderstorf-Parstein wind farm in north-eastern Germany via the joint venture, Helvetic Wind.
BKW establishes a structural sustainability management system. This includes measurable targets, concrete measures and institutionalisation throughout the organisation. BKW publishes its third
Sustainability Report.
Cost savings due to efficiency measures in the grid area enable BKW to reduce its prices by an average of 3.2% as of 1 October 2011.
BKW founds BKW Wallis AG. The new location allows BKW to implement current and new energy projects in canton Valais even more efficiently and in closer touch with its customers.
BKW acquires two more wind farms in Italy from Fortore Energia S.p.A. The acquisition further enhances its position as a producer of wind power.
The Canton of Berne Office for Water and Waste (AWA) grants Bielersee Kraftwerke AG (BIK), in which the city of Biel and BKW each have a 50% stake, the construction permit for renovations to Hagneck
hydroelectric power station.
Together with its partners, sol-E Suisse AG, a subsidiary of BKW, inaugurated the first biogas facility in canton Ticino.
At its headquarters in Berne, BKW inaugurates the first smart charging station with two electricity products for electric cars.
JUVENT SA, which is managed by BKW subsidiary sol-E Suisse AG, commissions independent experts to develop a new method to determine the advantages and disadvantages of Switzerland's largest wind farm
on Mont-Crosin and Mont-Soleil in the Bernese Jura mountains.
A decision by the Federal Electricity Commission (ElCom) intends to reduce the chargeable costs in BKW's distribution grid by CHF 15 million per year.
Due to the devastating events in Japan, and in particular the Japanese nuclear power plants affected by the earthquake and tsunami, BKW supports the suspension of general licence permit applications
to build replacement nuclear power plants and the requirement to perform an additional stress test on existing nuclear power plants.
The majority of Bernese voters vote in favour of the project to build a replacement nuclear power plant in Mühleberg.
BKW acquires from Ascométal the Allevard hydroelectric power plant complex in the French Alps. However, the responsible French authorities prohibit the transfer of the concession to BKW.
Ahead of the cantonal referendum on 13 February 2011, BKW opens the doors of Mühleberg nuclear power plant and hydroelectric power plant, its solar power plants and wind farms and the Centre de
l'Aube, the French final depository for radioactive waste.
2005
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.
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
BKW and the canton of Jura sign an agreement governing the supply of power and a 35% holding in Energie du Jura SA.
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.
2001
To gear itself for the open electricity market, BKW launches the 1to1 energy brand in conjunction with 70 regional energy providers.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
1969
On 1 October 1969, trading in the BKW share begins on the Berne telephone stock exchange.
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.
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».
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.
1923
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.
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.
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).
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).
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.
