Atel maintains its substantial growth
Active throughout Europe, energy-services provider Atel generated turnover of CHF 8.53 billion in the first nine months of 2006: 43 percent more than in the same period of 2005. Energy deliveries rose by 28 per cent to 90.0 TWh. Operating profit (EBIT) rose by 59 per cent over the previous year to CHF 663 million. This result was due to high sales volumes, increased energy prices and successful trading. The Energy Services segment benefited from increased demand from all sectors of the economy. The Atel Group generated total profits of CHF 496 million between January and September 2006, after funding costs and income taxes: 61 per cent more than the previous year. As we stated in the interim report of August 2006, the consolidated results include one-off special factors.
Outlook for 2006: subject to extraordinary events, Atel expects full-year turnover and profits for 2006 to be substantially ahead of the figures for the previous year. In comparison with its expectations in August 2006, Atel believes it will achieve further rises in operating profits. In addition, the value adjustments that were carried out earlier on the group's Swiss power stations are currently under review. They are expected to be adjusted, resulting in a further increase in profits.
Aare-Tessin Ltd. for Electricity Corporate Communications