Rwe DF 2006
Rwe DF 2006
Rwe DF 2006
and Growth
RWE Power is Germany’s biggest RWE Gas Midstream has been in RWE npower is responsible for our UK
power producer. The company charge of the commercial optimization energy business. The company has an
produces lignite and generates of our non-regulated gas procurement, integrated business model. Operations
The RWE Group
electricity from coal, lignite, nuclear transport and storage business since include the generation of electricity
fuel, gas and renewables. January 2007. from coal, gas, oil and renewables as
well as the sale of electricity and gas.
RWE Dea produces gas and oil, RWE Trading ranks among Europe’s
focussing on Europe and North Africa. leading energy traders. We trade RWE Systems is our internal service
In the report on the financial year electricity, gas, coal and oil as well as provider. Its tasks run the gamut
that just ended, RWE Dea is still energy derivatives to hedge price risks. from IT, real estate management and
reported as a business unit of central purchasing to personnel and
RWE Power. RWE Energy is our sales and grid infrastructure services.
company in Continental Europe. The
company operates in twelve regions
in and outside Germany. We provide
electricity, gas, water as well as
related services from a single source.
The task is enormous: Some 60,000 megawatts of power generation capacity need to be replaced in Germany.
RWE alone will have to replace more than half its installed capacity. To accomplish this task, we will implement
the largest investment programme in our company’s history—spending up to 25 billion euros by 2012.
A substantial portion of this is earmarked for the construction of power plants. New, efficient techniques will
help us rise to the challenges of climate protection, security of supply and economic feasibility. The world’s
largest lignite-fired power plant with optimized plant technology, which will go onstream as early as 2010, will
play just as important a role as the nearly CO2-free power station scheduled for completion by 2014. By 2020,
renewables-based energy is supposed to account for 20 percent of all electricity generated in Europe. This is
the goal set by the EU Commission. We want to make a major contribution to this cause. Be it hydro or wind
power, biomass plants, geothermal energy or wave power, we will make use of any technology that proves to
be economically feasible over the long term. After all, we want to ensure climate friendly security of supply,
that makes economic sense—for our customers, our shareholders, and our employees.
Read more about this in the RWE Special on pages 119 to 140.
2006 CONTENTS
TO O U R I N V E S TO R S R E V I E W O F O P E R AT I O N S OUR RESPONSIBILI T Y
4 Letter from the CEO 19 Strategy and structure 96 Supervisory Board Report
8 The RWE Executive Board 23 Economic and political 101 Corporate Governance and
10 RWE on the capital market environment Compensation Report
35 Major events (Part of the Review of Operations)
44 Notes on reporting 112 Workforce
45 Business performance 114 Sustainability
62 Key figures by division
at a glance
64 Finance and capital expenditure
71 Net worth, financial position
and earnings situation of
RWE AG (holding company)
74 Workforce, research and
development, procurement
78 Risk management
84 Outlook for 2007
Icon legend:
RWE SPECIAL C O N S O L I D AT E D F I N A N C I A L F U R T H E R I N F O R M AT IO N
S TAT E M E N T S
120 From the power plant 142 Income Statement 202 Material Investments
to the home 143 Balance Sheet 205 The RWE Group’s
126 Interview with Harry Roels: 144 Cash Flow Statement value management
“We plan for future 145 Changes in Equity 207 Boards and Committees
generations” 146 Notes 215 Glossary
130 Washing, separating & storing 201 Auditor’s Report 218 Index
134 Treading new paths 220 Imprint
138 A global challenge Financial Calendar
Five-Year Overview
(Part of the Review of Operations)
4 Letter from the CEO
Harry Roels
If we look back on the last few years, it becomes clear that fundamental economic and
political changes as well as the increasing speed with which our markets are developing
have become perennial issues. We live and work in exciting times, in which the stage for
the energy infrastructure of future decades must be set anew—both on the national and
European levels. This requires forward thinking and action on a grand scale, since power
plants and grids are the lifeblood of modern economies. At the same time, consolidation
activities are being stepped up in our sector. Moreover, hardly a day passes without
us being confronted by new issues of energy policy. As you can see, our competitive
environment will change fundamentally.
This is why 2006 was a really challenging year for us. But it was also an especially suc-
cessful one. We achieved all the financial targets we set ourselves in the last three years.
We clearly exceeded the goal of growing our operating result organically by an average
of 5%: from 2004 to 2006, the average growth was roughly 12 %. By achieving our aim to
reduce costs by about €700 million a few months ago, we made a substantial contribution
to this. RWE’s success is also your success: We had set ourselves the goal of increasing
the dividend by at least 15% on average every year. If we included our proposed dividend
for 2006 of € 3.50 per share, the increase for this period would be 41%. This is an
excellent performance in the European energy sector.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 5
• Letter from the CEO
One of last year’s milestones was the successful sale of Thames Water. We recorded a
To Our Investors
book gain of about € 700 million, exceeding our expectations. We also initiated the sale
of American Water. I am confident that we will be able to say more about that in the
second half 2007. By taking these steps, we are focussing our portfolio on our traditional
core businesses: electricity and gas. In addition, we are improving our financial strength
significantly. Just a year ago, we had more than € 11 billion in net financial debt. Today,
Review of Operations
we have nearly €5 billion in net financial assets. Since 2003, we have worked hard to
obtain this financial flexibility. It opens up new opportunities to us. We have thus
paved the way for further profitable growth in our core business.
You are right to ask: What does this really mean? And how does RWE intend to stand its
ground when the press reports daily of impending mergers and acquisitions between
Our Responsibility
major power utilities? You may think the answer is unspectacular: By investing in our
long-established strengths. We have turned RWE into one of the most powerful energy
companies in Europe. Our balance sheet is more robust than it has been for years, our
employees are first-rate in terms of competence and performance, and our business
processes are much faster and more efficient than they were a few years ago. These are
RWE Special
good prerequisites for further organic growth. Furthermore, we plan to carry out a capex
programme of a dimension unrivalled in RWE’s history. In the next five years we want to
spend up to € 25 billion on power plants, electricity grids, pipelines, exploration for new
gas and oil reserves, and LNG activities. This would make us the largest private investor
With our extensive investment programme, we intend to secure our leading market posi-
tion. RWE ranks among Europe’s largest energy companies. And we intend to maintain
this position. Approximately one-third of our planned capital expenditure has been ear-
marked for growth projects. We currently believe that this is the most promising way to
Further Information
grow profitably. In other words, by carrying out projects to build power plants, e.g. in
Germany or the Netherlands, or expanding our gas production in Egypt, we are likely to
achieve higher long-term returns for you, our shareholders, than by acquiring companies
at overly high prices. My fellow Executive Board members and I are convinced that the
currently overheated acquisition market presents few opportunities for growth that
are attractive enough. But if attractive opportunities arise, we will consider them. Our
planned acquisition of the German gas utility Saar Ferngas is an example of the fact that
6 Letter from the CEO
There is another aspect to our big investment programme. By upgrading and expanding
our energy infrastructure, we intend to make a substantial contribution to ensuring
security of supply in the regions we serve. We are aware that this is part of the responsi-
bility we shoulder as an energy company, given the significant need to replace power
plants and modernize grids. In addition, there has been an increase in political risk as
regards international gas procurement. Security of supply has also moved up the political
agenda—both on the national and European level. Moreover, in the last few months,
issues of climate protection have been discussed more intensely than ever before. The
details of the emissions trading system are one of the major points of debate. Unfortu-
nately, the discussion is rarely unbiased—especially in Germany. Our position on this
subject is clear: Capacity to produce energy from renewables must be expanded, measures
to save energy must be promoted strongly, and every possibility to conserve the climate
and resources must be made use of. And this should be done with due consideration
and without being dogmatic. Security of supply cannot be guaranteed over future decades
without using coal and nuclear power. Especially if having competitive energy costs is
the objective. Germany is not an island. Today, even Europe cannot afford to be insular.
Electricity and gas markets are increasingly subject to global trends, all of which point
to high energy prices in the long run. It is high time that the right decisions are taken
for tomorrow’s infrastructure.
However, I have not seen politicians establish suitable framework conditions for this.
On the contrary, the draft national allocation plan for the 2008 to 2012 emissions trading
period increases the commercial risk involved in building power plants significantly.
The current debate on stricter German antitrust law and the possibility of a forced sale
of electricity and gas grids will also require the review of major investment decisions.
By the way, the investment environment is worsening not only for established German
energy companies, but also for new entrants. The disadvantages this will have for energy
supplies and competition in the medium term is something we constantly point out in
dialogue with representatives of the political arena and the public. Unfortunately, owing
to the negative sentiment caused by high energy prices, which I understand personally,
constructive discussions are an exception.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 7
• Letter from the CEO
Back to business: Once again, we set ourselves ambitious targets for the coming years.
To Our Investors
We want to increase the operating result by an average of 5 % per year through organic
growth. In addition, we will continue to work on improving efficiency. By 2010, we intend
to implement measures that will improve the annual operating result by a total of €600 mil-
lion. A major portion of this will come from measures with which we will improve the
performance of our regulated electricity and gas grids in Germany. By this, we want to
Review of Operations
at least partially offset the German regulator’s tariff cuts.
In light of our solid earnings trend, we also feel confident about our dividend. Our divi-
dend proposal for 2007 will be based on a payout ratio of 70 % to 80 % of recurrent net
income. The prerequisite is that we successfully complete the sale of a majority of
American Water. We want RWE to continue paying an attractive dividend in the future.
Our Responsibility
Our goal is to use our profitable integrated business model to offer you a stable invest-
ment on which you can rely over the long term as well.
You can also count on all the people who work for the RWE Group. I would like to take
this opportunity to express my heart-felt thanks to all our employees for their perform-
RWE Special
ance, their flexibility and their commitment. They have every reason to be proud of what
they have achieved. Although a lot remains to be done, RWE stands a good chance of
continuing to be among the leading companies in its sector—both in this year and the
ones to come.
Harry Roels
CEO of RWE AG
Further Information
Essen, February 12, 2007
8 The RWE Executive Board
Harry Roels Dr. Klaus Sturany Jan Zilius Berthold Bonekamp Alwin Fitting
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 9
• The RWE Executive Board
To Our Investors
Harry Roels, born in the Netherlands in 1948, obtained a degree in physical chemistry
in 1971. Worked for the Royal Dutch/Shell Group for 30 years. In July 1999, appointed
Managing Director of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and Group Managing Director
Review of Operations
of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of companies. Since February 1, 2003, Chief Executive
Officer of RWE AG. Group-level responsibilities: Corporate Strategy , Mergers & Acquisi-
tions, Legal/Board Affairs, Group CIO, Communications/Public Affairs, Environmental
and Energy Policy, Diversity Office, Executive Resources Development, Auditing.
Dr. Klaus Sturany, born in 1946 in Wehrda (Hesse), studied mathematics. From 1997
Our Responsibility
to 1999, Spokesman of the Board of Management of GEA AG. Since December 1999,
Executive Vice-President of RWE AG. Group-level responsibilities: Controlling, Finance,
Risk Management, Investor Relations, Accounting, Tax, Insurance.
Jan Zilius, born in 1946 in Marburg, studied law. Joined the RWE Group in 1990,
RWE Special
initially as Executive Vice-President and Labour Director of RWE Rheinbraun AG. Since
April 1998, Executive Vice-President of RWE AG. Since February 2005, also CEO of
RWE Power AG.
Alwin Fitting, born in 1953 in Westhofen (Rhine-Hesse). Joined the RWE Group in
1974. Trained master electrician. In 1996, appointed Chairman of the Combined Works
Council of RWE Energie AG. Since 2000, Executive Vice-President and Labour Director
of RWE Power AG. Since August 2005, Executive Vice-President and Labour Director
Further Information
of RWE AG. Group-level responsibilities: Human Resources Management, Security.
Dr. Rolf Pohlig, born in 1952 in Solingen. Studied economics. Until 1991, worked for
Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH. In 1992, appointed Executive Finance Director at GEHE AG
(now Celesio AG). From 1993 to 2000, Executive Vice-President of VEBA AG. From
2000 to 2006, Executive Vice-President Mergers & Acquisitions at E.ON AG. Since
January 2007 (and therefore not shown at left), Executive Vice-President of RWE AG.
CFO effective May 2007.
10 RWE on the capital market
RWE shares posted an above-average gain in value for the third straight year. Our
common stock achieved a total return of 37%, with preferred shares recording a total
return of 36%. By comparison, the DAX returned 22 %. The debt markets acknowl-
215
edged our robust financial policy with low credit default swap* prices.
20
10
RWE common share
RWE preferred share
Dow Jones STOXX Utilities 0
DAX 30
05
06
06
06
06
07
2/
/
1/
0/
0/
/
31
31
/3
/1
/3
/3
/
/
03
12
12
02
06
09
The DAX posted the German share index clearly up thanks to strong second half year. The upward trend wit-
fourth straight year-on- nessed on the stock exchanges since 2003 continued in 2006. On December 29, the last
year gain.
trading day in 2006, the German lead index, DAX 30, closed at 6,597 points. This was the
highest year-end close since 1999. For 2006, this represents a total return of 22 %. This per-
formance places the DAX in the premier group of indices on an international level. Mergers
and acquisitions as well as optimistic economic forecasts led to significant share-price
growth at the beginning of 2006. In May and June, however, the DAX lost these gains.
Investor sentiment was adversely affected above all because the European Central Bank and
the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates. Another negative effect was felt from the
boom in crude oil prices, which reached new record highs as the conflict in Lebanon came
to a head. The situation on the oil markets died down as the crisis in the Middle East eased
in August. Declining commodity prices, good economic data and the improved outlook for
corporate profit were the basis for another upswing on the stock markets, which persisted
beyond the end of the year.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 11
• RWE on the capital market
RWE common and RWE common share generates 37% return. RWE shares again clearly outperformed the
To Our Investors
preferred shares market in the fiscal year being reviewed. They closed 2006 at € 83.50, exceeding the prior
closed fiscal 2006
year’s closing price by 33%. The total return (rise in share price plus the dividend) was
with significant total
returns. 37 %. At year-end, RWE’s preferred shares traded at €72.00, delivering a total return of
36 %. Our positive share price trend was mainly driven by the favourable earnings outlook
for the German electricity generation business and the successful sale of our UK water busi-
Review of Operations
ness. The Dow Jones STOXX Utilities index (+40 %) marginally outperformed RWE’s shares.
The index was particularly strong because of merger and acquisition speculation in the
European utilities sector. RWE’s common shares recorded a new all-time high of € 89.85 on
December 15, 2006. They have since lost some ground. Among other things, announcements
about the tightening of framework conditions for emissions trading from 2008 onwards
resulted in some unease. Calls by politicians for massive intervention in the German energy
Our Responsibility
market also had a negative effect on investor confidence.
RWE Special
in % in %
DAX 5.7 iBoxx Euro Utilities 9.9
Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50 1.8 MSCI Euro Credit Corporate 1.0
Dow Jones STOXX Utilities 8.4 MSCI Eurosterling Credit Corporate 1.4
Further Information
important indices up to the end of 2006
in % p.a. 1 year 5 years 10 years
RWE common share 36.8 18.2 12.6
RWE preferred share 35.9 22.4 13.9
DAX 30 22.0 5.0 8.6
Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50 18.0 4.0 10.5
Dow Jones EUROPE STOXX 50 13.6 2.7 9.6
Dow Jones STOXX 20.8 6.7 10.3
Dow Jones STOXX Utilities 39.9 15.3 14.0
REXP 1
0.3 4.8 5.2
1 Index for the performance of government securities on the German bond market.
12 RWE on the capital market
We will propose to the Dividend payment doubled. The Supervisory and Executive Boards will propose a divi-
AGM to pay a dividend dend of € 3.50 per share for fiscal 2006 to the Annual General Meeting on April 18, 2007.
of € 3.50 per share for
This doubles the dividend compared with the previous year. Relative to recurrent net
fiscal 2006.
income*, this results in a payout ratio of 80 %. We are thus at the upper end of the target
ratio for the 2006 and 2007 fiscal years of between 70 % and 80 %. Based on the closing
60
share prices in 2006, this corresponds to a 4.2 % dividend yield on common shares and a
4.9 % yield on preferred shares. RWE thus continues to occupy a top position among DAX
companies.
Shareholder base markedly up in the UK and North America. At the end of 2006, insti-
tutional investors owned 56 % of RWE’s capital. The largest share of RWE’s capital (30 %)
was held by investors in North America and the UK. This was much higher than in 2005
(19 %). Institutional shareholders in Germany held 13% (2005: 26 %). The remaining 13%
was predominantly held in Continental Europe. Twenty-eight percent of RWE’s capital was
held by municipalities (2005: 31%). As in 2005, 16 % was held by private and employee
shareholders. The RWE common share’s free float amounted to 89 %.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 13
• RWE on the capital market
To Our Investors
Shareholder Structure of RWE AG in %*
RW Energie-Beteiligungs-
gesellschaft mbH 10
56 Institutional shareholders:
Other municipal
shareholders 18 16 UK
Review of Operations
14 US/Canada
Employee shareholders 2 13 Germany
12 Continental Europe excl. Germany
Private shareholders 14 1 Rest of the world
Our Responsibility
Low credit default swap Decrease in credit default swap prices. Concern about interest rates and M&A activity
prices reflect RWE’s also had a temporary impact on debt markets. In the first quarter, this led to a marginal
strong creditworthi-
rise in credit default swap (CDS) prices, which are used to hedge RWE’s credit risk. Of note
ness.
RWE Special
here is that takeovers can affect the credit ratings of the acquiring companies negatively.
The concern about interest rates resulted in higher corporate bond spreads*, affecting our
216
bonds as well. CDS prices began falling again in the second quarter. This is reflected in the
development of the CDS sector index iTraxx Europe Energy, which fell by eight basis points
Further Information
CDS sector index 40
iTraxx Europe Energy
in basis points
30
20
10
RWE
iTraxx Europe Energy 0
05
06
06
06
06
07
/
2/
/
1/
0/
0/
31
31
/3
/1
/3
/3
/
/
12
03
12
02
06
09
14 RWE on the capital market
Issues of energy policy RWE again receives awards for investor relations work. In 2006 our communications
and our growth strategy work focused on commenting on current affairs in the field of energy policy as well as our
were the focal points of
future growth strategy. We assisted investors and analysts in making realistic assessments
communications with
investors and analysts. regarding these topics by providing information and arranging discussions with RWE
experts. We met investors in 24 financial centres during 50 road shows and twelve confer-
ences as well as numerous one-on-one meetings. We hosted an RWE Credit Day for the first
time, offering our bond investors and credit analysts an event tailored especially to suit
their needs.
Analysts and investors recognize the quality of our communications work. As in the previous
year, RWE was ranked first in the European utilities category in the two major investor rela-
tions market surveys conducted among investors and analysts by financial information
provider Thomson Financial Extel and the trade magazine “Institutional Investor.”
Energy for the future:
2 010
Producing power efficiently:
From 2010 onwards, we will improve efficiency compared to older plants
by about twelve percentage points—with two new lignite-fired units.
Efficiency in the energy sector translates into conserving resources as much as possible and thus making
a contribution to protecting the climate sustainably. To make efficient use of the reserves of valuable
fossil fuels—thereby reducing the burden on the environment—RWE constantly optimizes the way it uses
energy: in the production and conversion of fossil fuels to energy and in transportation. After all, we are
Read more about this in the RWE Special on pages 120 to 125.
EFFICIENCY:
In two ways, fiscal 2006 was a year in which we made important progress. We
achieved another marked improvement in the company’s earning power, growing
the operating result by 14%. This strengthens our basis for investing in future growth
and allows us to pay an attractive dividend. Moreover, we made progress with our
planned exit from the water business: We sold Thames Water and paved the way
for the divestment of American Water. In sum, these are good prerequisites for the
continued success of our energy business in the new financial year.
R E V I E W O F O P E R AT I O N S
To Our Investors
RWE already ranks among Europe’s leading integrated electricity and gas companies.
Review of Operations
And we want to maintain this status. Nevertheless, the economic environment in
the years ahead will change substantially. We expect fiercer competition and more
demanding customers as well as more complex political and regulatory conditions.
At the same time, the continued convergence of European energy markets provides
new opportunities for a multiregional company such as RWE.
Our Responsibility
We are focusing on our Clear strategic goal. We want to secure our good market position and take advantage
established strengths: of opportunities for growth in this environment, which is very challenging at present.
our European electricity
To achieve this, we have established five strategic principles:
and gas business.
• We are concentrating our activities predominantly on electricity and gas.
• We are focusing on our European core markets.
RWE Special
• We intend to occupy leading market positions wherever we have business operations.
• We strive to be successful in all elements of the value chain and supply our customers
with electricity and gas from a single source (“integrated business model”).
• We aim to continuously increase the value of our company.
Focusing on Europe’s core markets. Our regional focus stretches from the UK to Eastern
Further Information
Europe. This is where we intend to safeguard and further expand market share. Concentrat-
ing on these countries will enable us to establish a well-balanced presence in mature and
growing markets. In light of the long investment cycles prevalent in our fields of business,
we are only active in markets offering attractive earnings prospects as well as a reliable
business and regulatory environment over the long term.
We rank among the top Leading market positions. Our major power generation, trading and supply markets are
three energy utilities currently in Germany, the UK and Central Eastern Europe. In these markets, in terms of
in our most important
sales, we rank among the top three suppliers of at least one of our main products, i.e.
markets.
electricity or gas. The advantage lies in the fact that leading market positions translate
into volume and cost benefits, enabling us to enhance our company’s value even in a
competitive environment.
20 Strategy and structure
Our activities cover all Integrated business model. Our operations are vertically integrated, i.e. we cover all of
of the major elements the major elements of the value chain. In the electricity business, for example, we are not
of the energy value
just producers, but traders, grid operators and a supply company as well. Our vertical align-
chain.
ment affords us greater flexibility in offsetting market fluctuations at the individual stages
of the value chain and enables us to make use of synergies. Thanks to our horizontal inte-
gration, e.g. the sale of electricity and gas via one regional energy company, we achieve
additional synergies. Furthermore, we have bundled our power and gas grids at the distri-
bution network level and placed them in single companies. Since these supply and distribu-
tion grid companies have a regional orientation, we can establish and nurture very close
ties to our customers.
UK RWE RWE
npower npower
Investors benefit Growing the value of our company sustainably. Increasing the value of our business
from our focus on in the long term in the interest of our investors takes centre stage in RWE’s strategy. To
increasing the value
achieve this goal, we take the three following approaches:
of our business over
the long term.
1. Constant optimization of our existing business: Our “operating excellence” projects are
designed to make business processes more efficient, to reduce costs and to identify key
value drivers, in order to find ways to make additional improvements.
2. Investment in growth at the right time: We must make investments today to safeguard
our market positions tomorrow. This is the only way for us to continue to achieve stable
and attractive returns in the future. Here the focus lies on our power plant and grid
operations as well as our oil and gas production activities.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 21
• Strategy and structure
We want to grow also 3. Selective acquisitions that create value: We constantly sift through options for expand-
To Our Investors
through acquisitions. ing our existing portfolio via acquisitions. In so doing, we adhere to our strict strategic
Opportunities are
and financial acquisition criteria. Acquired activities must at least earn their cost of
currently limited due
to high purchase prices. capital no later than in the third year of their full inclusion. Moreover, these activities
may not jeopardize a Single A credit rating. However, given present market conditions,
patience is of the order. Privatization in Eastern Europe is progressing at a moderate
Review of Operations
pace. Potential for external growth is limited in other regions and other bidders are
exhibiting keen interest. This results in high purchase prices.
Value added is RWE’s central controlling instrument. It is calculated by taking each divi-
sions’ return on capital employed, minus the cost of capital. Value added, in addition to
individually agreed goals, is a yardstick for determining the performance-linked compensa-
Our Responsibility
tion of our executives and salaried employees. Regular reviews of target agreements make
transparent the contribution made by each area and its management to the success of the
business. For details on value management at RWE, please turn to pages 56/57 and 205/206.
Seven divisions are active on the market. Our seven divisions oversee the RWE Group’s
RWE Special
operations and manage the business units, which are subordinate to them:
• RWE Power encompasses our Continental European power generation activities, including
lignite production.
Further Information
to RWE Energy.
• RWE Trading is our energy trading arm, acting as our hub for all tradable commodities*
215
such as electricity, gas, coal and oil. In the 2006 annual report, RWE Trading is treated
as part of the RWE Power Division.
• RWE Energy is our supply and grid company for Continental Europe and supplies cus-
tomers in this region with electricity, gas and water. Six integrated regional companies
operate under this division in Germany, with another six active in our other Continental
European markets. Supraregional electricity and gas grid operations are grouped under
an independent company.
22 Strategy and structure · Economic and political environment
• RWE npower is responsible for power generation as well as electricity and gas supply in
the UK.
• RWE Systems provides internal services for the other divisions. The company is included
in “Other, consolidation” in the financial statements.
RWE AG is the RWE Group’s management holding company, which as such carries out man-
agement tasks, e.g. corporate development, mergers & acquisitions, finance, controlling,
executive development and communications. Fundamental strategic and operating deci-
sions are prepared by the Group Business Committee (GBC). The GBC consists of the Group
Executive Board, the CEOs of our divisions as well as the Head of Corporate Strategy,
214
Mergers & Acquisitions and the Head of the Legal Department.*
To Our Investors
Economic environment
Review of Operations
Our core markets, Robust growth on RWE core markets. The global economic upturn witnessed since 2003
Germany and the UK, continued in 2006. At an estimated 3.7 % to 3.9 %, the world economy’s real growth was
saw economic growth
even higher than in the preceding year. While the US economy lost some of its momentum
estimated at 2.7%.
following the most recent interest rate hikes, the pace of expansion in some of our core
European markets accelerated. Developments were as follows:
Our Responsibility
• Gross domestic product (GDP) in the Eurozone was an estimated 2.7 % up on the previous
year. GDP growth thus nearly doubled. The increase is being driven above all by capital
expenditure on property, plant and equipment as well as exports. In addition, consumer
spending picked up slightly.
RWE Special
• German GDP advanced 2.7% in real terms, exceeding all the growth rates recorded since
2000. Positive stimuli from foreign trade and industrial production spilled over to domes-
tic demand through investments made in property, plant and equipment. The construc-
• The UK economy also posted 2.7 % growth. The cyclical upswing benefited from high
capacity utilization and good corporate earnings, with investment as the main driver.
• The economies of Central Eastern Europe continued their rapid development. Most of the
countries in this region benefit from their increased international competitiveness. This
resulted in high growth rates, above all in industrial production and exports. Slovakia
recorded the strongest growth among RWE markets in Central Eastern Europe, posting an
Further Information
estimated rise of nearly 8 %. According to preliminary estimates, GDP growth was 6 % in
the Czech Republic, 5 % in Poland, and 4% in Hungary.
• The US economy cooled after getting off to a dynamic start early in the year. Most
recently, low real income and asset growth had an adverse effect on consumer sentiment.
Another factor influencing the economic trend was the US Federal Reserve’s tight mone-
tary policy, which caused consumer loans to become more expensive and corporate refi-
nancing costs to rise. Nevertheless, US GDP in 2006 was still 3.4% higher than the year
before.
24 Economic and political environment
However, fluctuations in the economic cycle have limited effect on our business. Energy
consumption generally shows relatively small reactions to changes in GDP. Economic
dynamism is primarily reflected in demand from industrial enterprises. Household energy
consumption predominantly depends on temperatures. The economy has even less of an
effect on the water sector.
The strong industrial Mild weather in fourth quarter reduces demand for energy. In 2006, energy consump-
cycle drove up tion in our European core markets was marked by opposing effects. Industrial growth
electricity demand.
caused demand to rise—primarily in the electricity market. In contrast, the high level of
energy prices resulted in more careful consumption. Demand for gas and electricity for
heating purposes either declined or stagnated. Temperatures at the beginning of 2006
were colder than average, in contrast to the extremely mild weather in the fourth quarter.
In Germany, electricity consumption was roughly 0.5 % up on the previous year, owing to
the positive business activity in industry. Demand for natural gas rose 1.5 %, driven by
power generation and industry. Household and commercial gas consumption was on par
with the year-earlier level. Effects resulting from the colder than average weather at the
beginning of the year and mild weather in the fourth quarter counteracted each other.
In the UK, energy consumption was up 0.5 % as well. Conversely, demand for gas was down
an estimated 5 %. The high price of power plant gas caused electricity producers to shift to
other fuels.
On Central Eastern Europe’s energy markets, the favourable cyclical trend had a much
stronger impact on demand. Electricity consumption was up 4% in Slovakia and Poland
and 1.3% in Hungary. High prices and mild weather had an adverse effect on gas
consumption in the fourth quarter. As a result, consumption in the Czech Republic and
Hungary stagnated.
Crude oil prices on the decline again following record levels in August. The significant
rise in demand for commodities from newly industrializing countries such as China, India
and Brazil characterized developments on international energy markets in 2006 again. This
resulted in major price spikes, above all for crude oil. A barrel* of Brent crude cost US$ 65
215
averaged for the year—20 % more than in 2005 and more than double the average of the
last ten years. The main reason for this was the aforementioned rise in demand and the fact
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 25
• Economic and political environment
that production capacity in oil-producing countries was tight. In addition, political unrest in
To Our Investors
Nigeria, the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme and—above all—warlike activity in
Lebanon had a negative effect on the markets. At the beginning of August, a barrel of Brent
fetched a record price of US$79. Subsequently, growing stockpiles and waning tension in
the Middle East caused oil prices to drop significantly. At the end of 2006, they came close
to the 60-dollar mark, returning to the level witnessed at the beginning of the year.
Review of Operations
Gas prices were at a Substantial increase in gas prices. Prices on the Continental European market track the
high level averaged price of oil with a lag of several months. In the year under review, import prices to Ger-
over the year.
many were up an average of 33% over 2005. This development was mirrored in end cus-
tomer prices. Private households in Germany saw prices advance by 18 % averaged over the
year, while industrial customers experienced a 29 % rise. An independent regulator is in
Our Responsibility
charge of determining gas prices on a quarterly basis in the Czech Republic. The regulatory
authority largely looks to prices quoted on the world’s oil markets and major exchange
rates when setting prices. Prices for Czech household customers rose 17 % compared with
2005.
RWE Special
At the beginning of 2006, UK gas spot* prices were far above the level they achieved a year
216
earlier. In the first quarter, they were more than 80 % up year on year. Decisive factors here
were the cold temperatures during this period, high crude oil prices, and problems at the
UK’s largest gas storage facility. The situation eased over the course of the year. In the
Hard coal prices remain high. Hard coal prices on the Rotterdam spot market increased
early in 2006, before stabilizing between US$ 65 and US$70 per metric ton (including
freight and insurance to Rotterdam) in August. The average for the year was US$ 64, com-
pared with US$ 61 a year earlier. Sea freight rates are still high compared to the multi-year
Further Information
average. This reflects high demand for raw materials in China and India. So far, the further
expansion of the ship fleet has been unable to keep up with the rise in demand for trans-
ports. In 2006, sea freight rates averaged US$16 per metric ton for the standard route from
South Africa to Rotterdam, equalling the prior-year level. However, they recorded an upward
trend over the course of the year. The prices which are relevant for our long-term purchas-
ing agreements for German hard coal are determined by the German Federal Office of Eco-
215
nomics and Export Control (BAFA)*. They track developments on the spot market, albeit
26 Economic and political environment
with a lag of several months. In the first three quarters, BAFA prices averaged € 61 per
metric ton of hard coal equivalent. A similar figure is expected for the fourth quarter. In
the period under review, the BAFA price could thus be down on the price recorded in the
same period in 2005 (€ 65).
The significant fluctua- CO2 emissions trading: Prices down substantially since April 2006. The market for CO2
tion in CO2 certificate emissions allowances experienced substantial price fluctuations. A significant upward trend
prices was mirrored in
was witnessed in the first few months of 2006. The price of certificates for 2007 reached a
electricity prices.
record level of € 31 per metric ton of CO2. This development was mainly driven by the high
price of power plant gas. In consequence, UK electricity generators shifted their electricity
production to hard coal power plants, which have higher emissions than gas-fired facilities.
As a result, market participants were increasingly expecting a shortage of CO2 certificates
available for the first trading period (2005 to 2007). At the end of April, however, it became
clear that the amount of CO2 emitted by individual EU countries in 2005 was much lower
than anticipated. This resulted in the most significant decline in prices since the introduc-
tion of the emissions trading scheme. Within a few days, certificates for 2007 lost more
than half their value. Afterwards, prices traded between € 15 and € 18, before dropping
significantly again in the fourth quarter. In sum, certificates traded at an average of € 18
in 2006, which is roughly on a par with the level achieved in 2005. The price of certificates
for 2008 remained above the 15-euro mark until the end of the year, following a decline in
April, which was also substantial. This is because a much greater shortage in allocated cer-
tificates is expected in the second trading period, which begins in 2008. Averaged over the
period under review, certificates for 2008 traded at more than € 20 per metric ton of CO2.
Development of
CO2 certificate prices in 40
the European emissions
trading system 30
in €/metric ton of CO2
20
05
06
/
/
01
31
31
/
/
/
12
12
01
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 27
• Economic and political environment
High fuel costs, the Boom on Europe’s electricity exchanges. Last year, the high level of prices for fuel and
To Our Investors
weather and CO2 emis- CO2 emissions certificates affected the development of prices on Europe’s electricity
sions trading impacted
exchanges. In addition, extreme weather conditions had an impact on spot trading: Tem-
the development of
wholesale electricity peratures, which were lower than usual in the first quarter, caused power consumption to
prices. rise. In July, hot, dry weather had a negative effect on the availability of some generation
plant. The aforementioned factors resulted in significant price increases on Europe’s whole-
Review of Operations
sale electricity markets.
Development of wholesale
140
electricity spot prices
in Germany 120
in €/MWh
Our Responsibility
100
80
60
Peak load 40
Base load 20
Average monthly figures.
RWE Special
Source: European Energy Exchange (EEX), 0
Leipzig, Germany.
Year traded: 2004 Year traded: 2005 Year traded: 2006
RWE sells almost all of its production forward, and thus the development of prices in prior
Further Information
years for forward contracts for delivery in 2006 was the main determinant of earnings. In
the 2004 and 2005 trading years, the average market price per MWh of base-load power
for 2006 was € 38. In the 2003 and 2004 trading years, the corresponding market price
for forward contracts for delivery in 2005 was € 31 per MWh. Thus the forward contracts
for delivery in 2006 cost over 20 % more than those for 2005.
28 Economic and political environment
Development of one year Forward for delivery in Forward for delivery in Forward for delivery in
forward wholesale 2005 2006 2007
100
electricity prices
in Germany 80
in €/MWh
60
40
Peak load
20
Base load
Average monthly figures.
Source: RWE Trading. 0
Year traded: 2004 Year traded: 2005 Year traded: 2006
The trend in electricity prices for end customers and distributors in Germany reflects rising
prices on the wholesale market. Due to the sharp climb in the cost of purchasing electricity
and an increase in the burdens stemming from the German Renewable Energy Act, utilities
raised their tariffs for all customer segments. In 2006, prices paid by households and small
commercial operations were up an average of 4% over 2005. Industrial enterprises had to
pay 12 % more. For deliveries to this customer group, the share of electricity procurement
costs in the total price is especially high. Excluding the burden caused by the state, average
net electricity prices for industrial customers were roughly the same as in 1998, the year in
which the deregulation of the German energy market began. Prices for household customers
were 8 % lower than in 1998.
Development of wholesale
100
electricity spot prices
in the UK
80
in £/MWh
60
40
Peak load
20
Base load
Average monthly figures.
Source: RWE Trading. 0
Year traded: 2004 Year traded: 2005 Year traded: 2006
In the UK, electricity UK electricity prices on the decline following record levels. Prices on the UK electricity
prices were affected exchange initially traded at an extremely high level, before following a clear downward
primarily by the level
trend as the year progressed. In addition to weather-related effects and CO2 prices, the
of gas prices.
development of gas prices was the main reason. This is because in the UK, gas-fired power
plants have a significant impact on the formation of electricity prices, especially in the
winter. The average annual base-load power price in spot trading was up 6 % on 2005,
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 29
• Economic and political environment
to £40 (€59) per MWh. Spot prices for peak-load electricity rose 9 % to £52 (€76). Average
To Our Investors
forward prices were also higher year on year. In April 2006, forward purchases of base-load
power for 2007 cost up to £57 (€ 83) per MWh. Due to the major drop in prices of CO2 cer-
tificates and the decline in gas prices which began in June, however, the price of a forward
contract for 2007 decreased significantly. By the end of the year, 2007 forwards traded at
£ 33 (€49) per MWh.
Review of Operations
Development of one year Forward for delivery in Forward for delivery in Forward for delivery in
forward wholesale 2005 2006 2007
100
electricity prices
in the UK
in £/MWh 80
Our Responsibility
60
40
Peak load
Base load 20
Average monthly figures.
RWE Special
Source: RWE Trading.
0
Year traded: 2004 Year traded: 2005 Year traded: 2006
UK end customer The development of UK wholesale trading prices also had a delayed impact on business
electricity bills with end customers. Due to the significant increase in procurement costs, power suppliers
reflected the rise in
raised their tariffs. In 2006, households and small commercial customers paid 22 % more on
Further Information
procurement costs.
average, compared with 2005. Price increases for industrial and corporate customers were
higher, since prices in this segment generally adjust more quickly to developments on the
wholesale market.
Electricity prices advanced on our Central Eastern European markets as well. Prices for
household customers were up 14% in Hungary, 5 % in Slovakia and 3% in Poland.
30 Economic and political environment
Political environment
The political environment is a key factor for our business. One of the main issues on the
political agenda in Brussels and Berlin last year was the regulation of the energy market.
The centrepiece of debate was the European CO2 trading system for 2008 to 2012, on which
a final decision will be reached this year. In Germany, the details of incentive-based regula-
tion* of national grids will play a very important role. This is another area where the stage
216
will be set in 2007.
From 2009 onwards, Details of incentive-based regulation for German electricity and gas grids. The details
grid fees will no longer of incentive-based regulation, which will replace the calculation of grid fees on the basis of
be determined on the
cost alone, are decisive to the development of earnings in our German grid business over
basis of individual
costs alone. Instead, the long term. On June 30, the German Federal Network Agency submitted its proposed
the cost base of the model for future regulation to the German Federal Ministry of Economics. The ministry used
most efficient grid this proposal as a basis to establish the first cornerstones of the required legal directive,
operators will also be
which were published in November. The Federal Network Agency and the Ministry of Eco-
taken into account.
nomics want to have costs reviewed on the basis of the current method in 2007 and new
notices issued for 2008. From January 1, 2009, onwards, grid fees will no longer be calcu-
lated on the basis of individual costs alone. Instead, the cost base of grid operators classi-
fied as “efficient” by the German Federal Network Agency will also be taken into account.
Based on current assumptions, the other grid operators will be required to raise efficiency
to match that of these “benchmark” companies within two four-year regulatory periods.
Therefore, the maximum profit allowable for grid operators will be limited continuously
during the regulatory periods.
In our opinion, this model is not suitable for setting incentives geared towards improving
efficiency. This is because the grid operators cannot achieve or exceed the standards,
although this is clearly demanded by the German Energy Act. In addition, contrary to the
assessment made by the Federal Network Agency, the model does not guarantee a suffi-
cient degree of planning security for upcoming investments in grid infrastructure. Another
problem is the planned different treatment of grid operators: Companies with fewer than
10,000 customers connected to the electricity or gas grid are to be allowed to decide
whether they wish to be subject to incentive-based regulation. We explain our point of view
at the political level and are working on measures that will enable us to react to the future
requirements of incentive-based regulation.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 31
• Economic and political environment
Directive for connecting new German power plants to the grid. The Federal Ministry of
To Our Investors
Economics wants to issue a new grid access directive for power plants in 2007. The current
draft envisions non-discriminatory access to grids for all power plants based on clear proce-
dural steps. It further envisions giving new power plants preferred access over older ones
in the event that transmission grid capacity becomes insufficient. We oppose discriminating
against existing plants in this manner, because we believe it distorts competition.
Review of Operations
The German Federal New model for simplified access to German gas grids. In November of last year, the Ger-
Network Agency’s man Federal Network Agency made further decisions enabling simplified use of Germany’s
model for simplified
gas grids. The “two-contract model” envisions simply a feed-in and a withdrawal contract
grid access is expected
to intensify competition for grid usage. Although transferring existing gas supply agreements to the new contract
on the German gas model will take a great effort over the short term, the new model will make gas grid access
Our Responsibility
market significantly. much simpler over the long term. Competition on the gas market is expected to intensify
significantly as a result.
RWE Special
sector more strictly. Therefore, the ministry submitted a bill to supplement the German Act
Against Restraint of Competition. The amendment envisions stricter monitoring of energy
prices by the state, among other things. This would allow antitrust authorities to intervene
in situations where a power utility charges higher prices than other utilities, even if the
Statement of objections from the Federal Cartel Office. In December of 2006, RWE
Further Information
received a statement of objections from the German Federal Cartel Office. It has accused
us of using improper methods to factor the cost of CO2 into electricity prices for industrial
customers in the 2005 calendar year. We firmly reject the Federal Cartel Office’s opinion.
Similarly to the Ministry of Economics, the Cartel Office is neglecting the fundamental
principles of competitive price determination on the electricity market and disregarding the
incentive mechanism of the emissions trading system needed to pursue a successful climate
protection policy in Europe. The emissions trading system can only work if CO2 certificate
prices are reflected in commercial decisions regarding the use of power plants.
32 Economic and political environment
Emissions trading thus has an impact on electricity prices, and this is intended by policy-
makers. This is the only way to incentivize targeted climate protection measures by saving
energy and making investments in low-emissions power plants. RWE will take legal recourse
against possible injunctions from the Federal Cartel Office.
EU Commission publishes emissions balances for 2005. In the middle of May 2006, the
EU Commission submitted the emissions balances of 21 of the 25 member states participat-
ing in the emissions trading scheme. According to the submission, CO2 emissions in Europe
in 2005 were significantly below the upper limit for certificates granted despite the
unfavourable weather conditions and high gas prices. Provisional estimates by the EU Com-
mission suggest there was a surplus of 44 million metric tons of certificates compared to
1,785 million metric tons of emissions in Europe. Only the UK, Ireland, Spain and Italy had
notable deficits for 2005. Germany is the biggest emitter in Europe with a total of 474 mil-
lion metric tons of emissions. Of the 21 million metric tons of certificates allocated in
excess of actual emissions in Germany, 9 million metric tons were the result of efforts made
by participating companies to protect the climate. The remaining 12 million metric tons are
the result of special rules in the German Allocation Act, which led to a surplus of certificates
in certain cases. However, the German government expects that the majority of these cer-
tificates may be withdrawn by the German Emissions Trading Agency retroactively.
EU Commission makes first decisions on the national allocation plans for 2008 to
2012. Germany submitted the first draft of its National Allocation Plan II (NAP II) for the
second CO2 emissions trading period from 2008 to 2012 to the European Commission for
approval before the June 30, 2006 deadline. The UK government submitted its draft on
August 21, 2006. On November 29, the European Commission published its decision on the
drafts submitted by ten of the 27 EU member states participating in the emissions trading
scheme in the future. The UK plan was accepted almost without amendment, but the EU
Commission announced stricter framework conditions for Germany. This caused the German
government to conduct a thorough review of its allocation plan, whose results are to be
considered in a new allocation act by the middle of 2007.
The German govern- The EU Commission’s decision concerning the draft German NAP demands, among other
ment will reduce the things, that the total allocation of CO2 certificates be reduced to 453 million metric tons per
total allocation of CO2
year. Compared to the current allocation plan for the first trading period, this would result
emissions allowances
to the German energy in a significant reduction of certificates allocated to the energy sector. In addition, the
sector from 2008 Commission has made it clear that it rejects any allocation guarantees that take effect in the
onwards. period after 2012 for reasons of competition. Germany’s government accepted the Commis-
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 33
• Economic and political environment
To Our Investors
emissions allowances to new and existing plants from 2008 onwards. The system would
use fuel-dependent standard values according to the best available technology. The plants’
average capacity utilization from 2000 to 2005 would be used as a basis for defining the
allocation for existing plants. Conversely, for new plants, the allocation would be made
based on standard capacity utilization parameters. Plant operators may also meet their
Review of Operations
emissions targets with certificates acquired through climate protection projects outside
216
Germany within the scope of Joint Implementation* (JI) and the Clean Development
Mechanism* (CDM). The German government plans to limit the use of JI and CDM-sourced
215
certificates to 20 % of a plant’s allocation.
In the UK, the The draft national allocation plan for the UK approved by the EU envisions a total annual
Our Responsibility
conditions governing allocation of 246.2 million metric tons of CO2. This includes 9.5 million metric tons in alloca-
emissions allocations
tions to facilities previously not involved in the emissions trading scheme. Without taking
for the energy sector
after 2008 will also this into account, the total annual allocation is 236.7 million metric tons, compared with
be stricter. the 245.5 million metric tons in NAP I. The energy industry is expected to bear the full
reduction in emissions. The government plans to auction 7 % of the certificates. The entire
RWE Special
amount auctioned is to be taken from the energy industry’s emissions budget. A cap of 8 %
has been set for the use of certificates from JI and CDM projects.
The EU Commission European Union presents draft concepts for the future deregulation of energy markets
Further Information
progress required to create a single market for energy and the final report on the sector
inquiry. Within the scope of the inquiry, the Commission has been investigating the com-
petitive situation on Europe’s electricity and gas markets since June 2005. The European
Union will provide further details on its position at the Congress Spring Session of the
Council of Europe in March 2007. Proposed legal directives will then be drafted taking into
account the results of the Council’s deliberations.
34 Economic and political environment · Major events
We support all political measures that strengthen competition in the EU and contribute
to an economically and ecologically sensible climate protection strategy. We believe that
the unbundling of ownership of electricity and gas grids from the generation and supply
business does not increase competition. RWE transferred its electricity and gas transmission
and distribution grids to legally autonomous companies and separated them from the
supply business as early as 2003. We were thus one of the first grid operators to comply
with the European Commission’s legal unbundling requirement. Furthermore, we already
grant non-discriminatory access to our grids.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 35
• Economic and political environment
• Major events
Major events
To Our Investors
At the end of 2006, Successful sale of Thames Water—public offering of American Water planned. On
Review of Operations
we sold Thames Water December 1, 2006, we sold our UK water company Thames Water. The buyer was Kemble
with a book gain of
Water Limited, a consortium led by Macquarie’s European Infrastructure Funds. The transac-
€ 0.7 billion.
tion has a value of £ 8.0 billion based on the price of £4.8 billion and net financial debt
of £ 3.2 billion. This corresponds to a total value of € 11.9 billion. We achieved a book gain
of € 0.7 billion. The transaction encompasses Thames Water’s UK activities as well as its
international water business outside North America. Thames Water’s Continental European
Our Responsibility
activities had already been integrated into RWE Energy at the beginning of the 2006 fiscal
year. Income after taxes generated in fiscal 2006, the book gain, and income from the
unwinding of hedges associated with the financing of Thames Water are stated under
“income from discontinued operations” (€ 1.3 billion).
RWE Special
The planned sale of our North American water business is to be conducted via a public offering
in the US. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval from 13 of the 29 US states in
which American Water is active as well as from the Supervisory Board of RWE AG. Seven of
the US states have given us the go-ahead. We are working on a public offering in 2007. But the
RWE Solutions sold. In August 2006, RWE Energy sold the companies of RWE Solutions
to the financial investor Advent International. Advent thus acquired a package comprising
the SAG group, Nukem, RWE Industrie-Lösungen, Lahmeyer International and RWE Space
Solar Power. In 2005, these companies generated revenues of € 1.7 billion.
Exit from the Kazakhstan oil business. In July 2006, RWE Dea sold its 25 % stake in the
Kazakhstan joint venture KazGerMunai (KGM) to Kazakhstan-based Kazmunaigas. KGM has
Further Information
been producing oil in Central Kazakhstan since the end of 1998. We are still interested in
activities around the Caspian Sea, but intend to focus on gas production in the region.
Divestment of Harpen’s real estate business. In December 2006, we sold Harpen’s real
estate business to a bidding consortium consisting of asset managers Whitehall Funds and
Cerberus. The divestment will reduce the RWE Group’s revenue by about €40 million. Since
we spun off its energy division in May 2006, Harpen had been focussing on the real estate
business, which is not one of our core activities. Harpen’s former distributed energy supply
business now belongs to RWE Key Account Contracting GmbH, a subsidiary of RWE Energy.
The renewables-based power generation business was integrated into RWE Power.
36 Major events
Acquisition of Saar Ferngas. In May 2006, we agreed with RAG AG to transfer ownership
of its 77 % stake in Saar Ferngas AG to RWE. The transaction is pending approval, including
that of the Federal Cartel Office. Saar Ferngas is a regional natural gas distributor, located
in Saarbrücken, Germany. Its customer base consists of utilities, industrial companies and
power plant operators, primarily in Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Bavaria. In the 2005
financial year, Saar Ferngas recorded gas sales amounting to 45 billion kilowatt hours.
Entry into market for liquefied natural gas (LNG*). The liquefaction, shipment and
216
regasification of gas is becoming increasingly important for the supply of gas in Europe.
This is why we are working on entering this market. To this end, we acquired a stake in a
project for the construction of a plant for the regasification of liquefied natural gas (LNG)
in the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands. Agreement was reached between RWE and the
Dutch project company Gate Terminal B.V. in June 2006 for RWE to acquire a 10 % stake in
the project company. Through the arrangement, we are entitled to an annual regasification
throughput capacity of 3 billion m3 of gas into the European network from this plant. The
facility is scheduled for commissioning in 2010. RWE also holds a stake in an LNG project in
Croatia.
At the end of November, we took another step en route to setting up our European LNG
business. RWE signed a contract with US-based Excelerate Energy to market all the gas sup-
plied by Excelerate to its Teesport terminal in Teesside (UK). Our partner has LNG tankers
designed to carry out regasification on board. This eliminates the need to invest in large-
scale plants on the mainland and allows the gas to be marketed more flexibly. The new ter-
minal was commissioned in February 2007. It has a daily supply capacity of roughly 11 mil-
lion m3. This corresponds to about 3% of daily peak consumption in the UK.
The LNG business presents our own gas production activities with attractive options. RWE
plans to market a substantial part of the gas it will produce in North Africa as liquefied gas
in other regions. This will depend on our gaining access to liquefaction capacity. This is
why we intend to obtain a stake in the expansion of one of the existing plants in Egypt.
The new RWE Gas New company to manage the Group’s gas midstream activities. To strengthen our posi-
Midstream company tion on the gas market, we decided to combine our gas midstream activities and place
handles the commercial
them under a new company. RWE Gas Midstream GmbH began commercial operation
optimization of our
non-regulated gas effective January 1, 2007. The term “midstream” encompasses the wholesaling, transport
procurement, transport and storage of gas. RWE Gas Midstream handles all the purchasing agreements with third
and storage activities. parties as well as transport, transit and storage contracts for non-regulated activities. The
new company will initially handle gas procurement for RWE Energy’s supply operations and
RWE Power’s power plants as well as the commercial management of gas sales for RWE Dea,
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 37
• Major events
the LNG business, and the commercial optimization of the various sales activities, including
To Our Investors
gas wholesaling. We want to combine our midstream business with RWE Trading as soon as
the further development of the Continental European gas trading market provides a sensible
basis for this.
Czech gas supply secured over the long term. At the end of December 2006, we extend-
Review of Operations
ed our gas purchasing agreement for the Czech Republic with Russian-based Gazprom until
2035. The contract covers a supply volume of 9 billion m3 a year. Furthermore, we agreed
with Gazprom to continue working together on Russian gas transit—also until 2035. Approx-
imately one third of the gas supplied by Russia to Western Europe flows through our Czech
gas grid.
Our Responsibility
Gas pipeline from the Czech Republic to Belgium planned. In February 2007, we
announced our plan to build a gas pipeline from the Czech Republic to Belgium. The gas
pipeline is to begin in Sayda at the Czech border, go through Werne, Germany, and be
connected to the Belgian system in greater Aachen. This would create a direct connection
between RWE Energy’s Czech and German gas transmission grids. In addition, the pipeline
RWE Special
would establish optimal conditions for purchasing additional quantities of gas from Russia,
the Middle and Far East and perhaps Egypt as well. Gas could be transported from various
sources to Germany, the UK and the Benelux countries. Investment in this project would
be an estimated € 1 billion. The new pipeline could be in operation by autumn 2011 and is
We are planning a Strong investment in power plant business. In light of mounting demands concerning
Further Information
number of large-scale climate protection and the declining availability of spare generation capacity, we plan to
projects to modernize
invest heavily in modernizing and expanding our European power plant portfolio. Since the
and expand our power
plant portfolio. We will end of 2005, we have announced a number of projects which would result in a significant
thus make an important increase in investment in power generation in the next five years. They would complement
contribution to climate projects which have already been initiated—especially the construction of a lignite-fired
protection and security
power plant, which got underway at the beginning of 2006 in Neurath in the vicinity of
of supply.
Cologne, Germany. However, the realization of some of these projects is still subject to
certain conditions. Most importantly, the political framework must not jeopardize their
economic feasibility.
38 Major events
• At our location in Hamm, Germany, we intend to construct a hard coal-fired twin unit with
a total net installed capacity of 1,530 MW. We have set aside an investment budget of
€ 2.0 billion for this. Commercial commissioning is scheduled for 2012.
• We are currently considering building another hard coal-fired twin unit in Germany. The
envisioned site for this 1,530 MW plant is Ensdorf, Saarland. According to the present
budget, this project would require an investment of € 2.0 billion. The power plant could
come onstream in 2012 at the earliest.
• At our site in Lingen, Germany, we intend to build an 875 MW combined-cycle gas turbine
power plant and a pipeline that enables flexible gas procurement. Capital expenditure
will total about €500 million. Required approvals have been obtained. Construction is to
commence in April 2007, and commissioning is scheduled for 2009.
• In the Netherlands, we are planning the construction of a hard coal-fired twin unit at the
coastal site in Eemshaven. The plant is to have an installed capacity of 1,560 MW and
enable the co-combustion of biomass. It could go online in 2012. Associated capital
expenditure would amount to some € 2.2 billion.
• In the UK, RWE npower plans to invest more than € 1.3 billion to increase its generation
capacity by nearly one-fourth. € 1.2 billion has been earmarked for the construction of
a combined-cycle gas turbine power plant, which is scheduled to start this year. We are
currently looking into two possible locations: Staythorpe in the vicinity of Newark
(Nottinghamshire) and Pembroke in the west of Wales. The power plant, rated at a maximum
of 2,000 MW, is to begin operation in 2009. In addition, our UK subsidiary is investing
approximately € 150 million in three new wind farms with a combined installed capacity
of 100 MW. They are to come onstream in 2008.
We want to build the Large-scale entry into nearly CO2-free electricity generation. By building a coal-fired
world’s first nearly power plant with almost no CO2 emissions, we intend to take an innovative approach to pro-
CO2-free large-scale
ducing power in an environmentally friendly manner. RWE Power plans to build the world’s
coal-fired power plant.
first large-scale coal-fired power plant with integrated coal gasification and CO2 separation.
One aspect of this project is the secure underground storage of carbon dioxide. The plant
is designed to handle a capacity of roughly 450 MW and is scheduled to come onstream in
2014, given optimal planning and implementation procedures. We estimate the investment
for the entire project at roughly € 1 billion, including transport and storage of the CO2. Our
UK energy company RWE npower is also exploring the use of CO2-free coal power plant
technology. It is conducting a feasibility study on the possibility of separating carbon diox-
ide from flue gas in the 1,000 MW hard coal-fired power plant in Tilbury.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 39
• Major events
RWE involves German municipalities in planned large-scale power plant. Within the
To Our Investors
scope of the planned construction of new power plants, we offered our municipal customers
an opportunity to acquire stakes in a hard coal power station in Germany. In December,
RWE Power and 25 municipal utilities signed a letter of intent to this effect. The 25 municipal
utilities are to have 350 MW in capacity at their disposal. Construction supervision and
plant operations will be handled by RWE.
Review of Operations
Lifetime extension for Biblis A nuclear power plant applied for. In September 2006,
RWE Power filed a request for an extension of the service life of Block A of the Biblis nuclear
power station with the German government. Our power plant subsidiary intends to transfer
30 terawatt hours (TWh) to the facility in Biblis from the electricity allowance of RWE’s
Mülheim-Kärlich nuclear power plant, which is being dismantled. This is possible under the
Our Responsibility
German Nuclear Energy Act, but requires approval from the Federal Environment and Eco-
nomics Ministries as well as from the Chancellor’s Office. The consensus on nuclear power
between the German government and the country’s energy utilities led to the shutdown of
our Mülheim-Kärlich nuclear power plant. In compensation, RWE received an electricity pro-
duction allowance of about 107 TWh that is to be transferred to other nuclear power stations.
RWE Special
RWE Energy launches nationwide internet sales operations in Germany. In December
2006, we took an important step towards expanding our electricity supply business.
RWE Energy reached an agreement with Stadtwerke Mainz to fully acquire eprimo GmbH.
German Federal Network Agency approves grid fees for the first time. According to the
German Energy Act, electricity and gas grid operators must receive approval for their grid
Further Information
fees from the German Federal Network Agency or state regulators. In November 2005, we
submitted applications to the Federal Network Agency to obtain approval for our electricity
and gas grid fees. The approval procedures are proving to be very lengthy. By the end of
2006, most electricity and gas grid operators had not yet received approval for their grid
fees. In contrast, a decision has already largely been reached on the grid fees of our
electricity transmission system operator and our regional companies (electricity and gas).
40 Major events
The electricity grid fees for which RWE Transportnetz Strom sought approval were reduced
by 9 %. Cuts implemented at our electricity distribution grid operators amounted to
between 10 % and 14%. The notices are valid until December 31, 2007. As a result of elec-
tricity grid regulation, our revenue was reduced by € 165 million compared with 2005. Since
the notices only became effective in the second half of the year, they did not take full
effect. We expect grid regulation to negatively impact revenue from the electricity grid busi-
ness for 2007 to the tune of € 600 million compared with the revenue generated before grid
regulation.
At the end of 2006, notices were issued for gas grid fees applied for by our distribution
network operators Mitgas, RWE Westfalen-Weser-Ems and Süwag. At the beginning of 2007,
the German Federal Network Agency definitively informed us of the costs it would recognize
for RWE Rhein-Ruhr’s gas distribution grid. These notices remain in effect until March 31,
2008. The regulator has cut the gas grid fees for which we requested approval by 19 % on
average. The negative effect on revenue for 2006 was € 15 million. In fiscal 2007, the
adverse effects will amount to € 100 million.
In 2007, grid regulation We expect the negative effect on revenue from electricity and gas grid fees to total
will have a negative €700 million, compared with the level of grid fee revenue before regulation. These reduc-
effect on revenue
tions represent a substantial intervention in our grid business. In determining allowable
from electricity and
gas grid fees of around fees, the Federal Network Agency interpreted some calculation factors to the disadvantage
€700 million. of the grid operators. We intend to partially compensate for the negative impact of the
application of the German Energy Act by taking measures to reduce costs and improve
efficiency within RWE Energy.
Changes in the Executive Board of RWE AG. In December 2006, the Supervisory Board of
RWE AG appointed Dr. Rolf Pohlig (53) to the Executive Board as of January 1, 2007. Rolf
Pohlig will succeed Dr. Klaus Sturany (60) as Chief Financial Officer effective May 1, 2007.
Rolf Pohlig’s most recent position was that of Executive Vice-President of E.ON AG, mainly
responsible for mergers and acquisitions. Klaus Sturany will retire on April 30, 2007. Further-
more, the Supervisory Board decided that Dr. Ulrich Jobs (53) be appointed to the Executive
Board of RWE AG as of April 1, 2007. Ulrich Jobs will succeed Jan Zilius (60) as Executive
Vice-President of RWE AG and Chief Executive Officer of RWE Power AG effective May 1, 2007.
Ulrich Jobs is currently the CEO of RWE Transgas. Jan Zilius will retire on April 30, 2007.
Energy for the future:
2 012
Innovation through investments:
By 2012, RWE intends to invest up to 25 billion euros in power
plants, in grids, and in research and development.
The RWE Group has placed on its agenda for the coming years the most extensive investment and innovation
programme in its corporate history. With this programme, we will strengthen our pioneering role in the
German and European energy sectors—and safeguard thousands of jobs. To this end, RWE is counting on
reliable political and societal conditions, above all in Germany. After all, only if the fundamentals are right
can we plan and build power plants or modernize and expand grids designed to ensure the secure supply
Read more about this in the RWE Special on pages 126 to 129.
INVESTMENTS:
€ 25,000,000,000
44 Notes on reporting · Business performance
Notes on reporting
Our reporting for 2006 was impacted by several non-operational one-off effects. Among
other things, this resulted in the following changes:
• We now refer to the old “RWE Thames Water” Division as the “Water Division.” Having com-
pleted the most recent divestments and implemented the reclassification of RWE Aqua (see
below) in 2006, this division only includes the activities of American Water. UK-based
Thames Water was sold effective December 1, 2006. In the year under review, we also sold
our water operations in Chile, the United Arab Emirates, Spain and China. In compliance
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), we report Thames Water and the
other divested water companies, including the result from the deconsolidations, in the con-
solidated income statement under “discontinued operations.” Therefore, figures for these
companies are no longer included in revenue, EBITDA*, the operating result, the non-oper-
215
ating result, the financial result, or taxes on income. Prior-year figures have been adjusted
accordingly. However, in compliance with IFRS, the divested water companies are still rec-
ognized in the cash flow statement and capital expenditure.
• Effective January 1, 2006, we transferred activities from other divisions to RWE Energy.
These are RWE Aqua (from the Water Division), which holds our minority stake in Berliner
Wasserbetriebe, and Harpen’s distributed energy supply business (from RWE Power).
• According to IAS 32, a contract that contains an obligation for the RWE Group to pur-
chase its own equity instruments gives rise to a financial liability. This rule also applies to
forward purchases of minority interests and put options, which were granted to minority
shareholders of RWE Energy in the past. These minority interests were reclassified from
equity to liabilities this fiscal year, in order to state the potential purchase price obliga-
tions. In addition, goodwill was capitalized in the amount of the difference between the
present value of the liabilities and the carrying amount of the minority interests. This
new accounting policy reduces the RWE Group’s financial result as well as the minority
interest; net income remains unchanged. Prior-year figures have been restated. Detailed
159
explanations on this issue can be found in the notes.*
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 45
• Notes on reporting
• Business performance
Business performance
To Our Investors
Power plant capacity by RWE Power1 RWE npower RWE Group2
Review of Operations
primary energy source
as of 12/31/2006 in MW Total Germany Total Germany
Hard coal 9,471 9,471 4,415 13,986 9,571
Lignite 10,712 10,015 – 10,729 10,015
Nuclear 6,308 6,308 – 6,308 6,308
Gas 3,706 3,706 2,931 6,892 3,960
Hydro, oil, other 3,067 2,872 2,026 3
5,519 3,298
Our Responsibility
Total 33,264 32,372 9,372 43,434 33,152
1 Figures for RWE Power also include capacities of power stations not owned by RWE that we can deploy at our discretion on the
basis of long-term agreements, totalling 6,483 MW (hard coal), and 2,261 MW (hydro, oil, other) at the end of 2006.
2 Including RWE Energy’s capacity in Germany.
3 This does not take into account the fact that RWE npower has a 33% share in a joint venture that had 392 MW of installed wind
power capacity at the end of the year under review.
RWE Special
Compared with 2005, Power generation slightly higher than previous year despite unplanned outages. In
we generated more the fiscal year that just ended, the RWE Group produced 223.7 billion kWh of electricity.
electricity from hard
RWE Power generated 184.0 billion kWh of electricity, accounting for 82 % of the RWE
Group’s total output. This includes electricity generated from power plants not owned by
RWE that we can deploy at our discretion on the basis of long-term agreements. RWE Power
produced roughly the same amount of electricity as in 2005. We stepped up the use of hard
coal power plants significantly to take advantage of favourable market conditions. We also
increased output from nuclear power stations. In 2005, we had taken Block B of the Biblis
nuclear power plant offline for several months for inspection. Biblis had limited availability
Further Information
in 2006 as well. During an inspection of Block A in October 2006, we discovered that the
installation of screw anchors for plant components was faulty. A detailed check revealed
that Biblis B was also affected. We thus took this block offline as well. Work on remedying
these faults will probably take until summer 2007. We replaced the production shortfall with
purchases made on the wholesale market. In line with the nuclear consensus reached with
the German government, the existing generation allowance for Biblis will not be affected by
the outage. It may be used at a later point in time. We decreased the use of our gas-fired
power stations due to low margins. This was because of the high price of power plant gas.
We also generated less electricity from lignite, in part due to planned maintenance outages.
Furthermore, unplanned outages occurred primarily due to a fire at our site in Niederaussem,
Germany.
46 Business performance
As of December 31, 2006, RWE Power had 33,264 MW of generation capacity at its disposal.
This was slightly less than in the previous year, in part due to the closure of a lignite unit in
Frimmersdorf, Germany. Lignite is the major source of energy used by RWE Power, account-
ing for 32 % of installed capacity, followed by hard coal at 28 %, nuclear at 19 % and gas at
11%. Renewables account for about 3% of generation capacity.
In the year under review, RWE npower generated 36.5 billion kWh of electricity—up 9 %
year on year. The company increased generation from hard coal in order to capitalize on
favourable market conditions, despite the fact that the hard coal blocks in Aberthaw and
Tilbury were taken offline for certain periods due to transformer damage. RWE npower’s
oil-fired power plants also saw increased utilization compared with 2005, due to improved
margins. We produced slightly less electricity from gas, because gas prices were high. This
was despite the fact that the 420 MW gas-fired power station in Great Yarmouth, which
we purchased in November 2005, was available to us for the entire year for the first time.
In addition, there were unplanned outages at the sites in Didcot and Little Barford.
At the end of 2006 RWE npower had a total of 9,372 MW of power plant capacity. Hard coal
accounts for 47%, with gas, oil and renewables representing shares of 31%, 21% and 1%,
respectively. This does not include 392 MW of installed wind capacity in plants in which
RWE npower holds a 33% stake through a joint venture.
RWE Energy made a small contribution of 3.2 billion kWh to total power produced. This
output is largely attributable to German regional companies.
To Our Investors
fiscal 2006, RWE’s power plants emitted 149 million metric tons of CO2, compared with
150 million metric tons in 2005. We were allocated certificates for 141 million metric tons,
compared with 142 million metric tons in 2005. This resulted in a shortage for 2006 of
8 million metric tons of CO2, for which we had to purchase certificates on the market.
Review of Operations
Gas production rises by 27%, oil production drops. RWE Dea, the upstream* company
217
subsumed under the RWE Power Division, produced 2,977 million m3 of gas. This figure was
27 % up year on year. One contributing factor was that we commenced production in gas
fields in the UK North Sea in autumn 2005 and 2006. We increased our German production
as well: At the beginning of 2006, we sold significant amounts of gas on the spot market,
in addition to the quantities covered by long-term agreements, in order to meet a weather-
Our Responsibility
related increase in demand. Our German production in the summer was up year on year as
well. Conversely, oil production was down 18 % to 3,805,000 m3. This was mainly because
shares in oil production from the Snorre oilfield in Norway held by the consortium partners
were redetermined in accordance with the contract. As a result, the amounts allocated to
us were reduced. The sale of our oil production activities in Kazakhstan also contributed to
RWE Special
the decline in oil production. Furthermore, production was naturally reduced as existing
reserves were depleted.
RWE Energy and Electricity sales up 4%. In fiscal 2006, RWE’s external electricity sales totalled 312.1 bil-
Further Information
RWE npower sold more lion kWh. They are typically lower than the amount of power generated. This is due to grid
electricity year on year,
losses as well as our in-house consumption by lignite production and pumped storage
despite the extremely
mild weather in the power plants. Electricity sales volumes were up 4% on 2005. All of the divisions active in
fourth quarter. the energy business increased sales compared to the previous year.
External power sales generated by the RWE Power Division amounted to 96.8 billion kWh.
This does not include sales from trading with purchased electricity. Compared with 2005,
this division recorded an increase of 4%, on the back of nearly unchanged generation
volumes. This is mainly because RWE Trading sold more electricity on the wholesale market
and less within the group than in the previous year.
48 Business performance
RWE Energy sold 158.7 billion kWh of electricity. This was 5 % more than in 2005. Most
significantly, there was a rise in sales compliant with the laws for the promotion of renew-
ables-based energy (Renewable Energy Act—REA) and combined heat and power* generation
216
(CHP Act) that is fed into our grid. This explains the marked increase in sales to distributors.
Sales to the other customer segments declined marginally. This was partially due to the
mild temperatures at the end of 2006. We were unable to extend all of the contracts that
expired in Germany. Some customers, whose consumption we used to cover completely,
now purchase some of the electricity they use from other utilities. However, we acquired
some new key accounts. Electricity sales volumes at our supply companies outside Germany
showed a generally stable development. We sold less electricity in Hungary as users
switched providers as a result of deregulation. This was contrasted by increases in sales
volumes in the fast-growing Polish market.
At the end of 2006 RWE Energy and its subsidiaries served 15.8 million electricity cus-
tomers—slightly more than in the prior year. The increase is largely due to the acquisition
of customers in Poland and the Netherlands. In Germany, our main market, 11.9 million
customers currently buy electricity from us. In Hungary, we supply electricity to 2.1 million
customers, with 0.8 million and 0.6 million served in Poland and Slovakia respectively.
In the fiscal year being reviewed, RWE npower sold 56.4 billion kWh of electricity. This was
2 % more than in the previous year. The increase was exclusively driven by business with
industrial and corporate customers. Demand per customer increased substantially in these
segments. In the private household and small commercial customer segments, RWE npower
roughly maintained its level of sales from the previous year. Sales growth resulting from
customer acquisition was offset by weather and price-induced declines in consumption.
At the end of 2006, 4.1 million household customers obtained electricity from RWE npower,
compared with 3.9 million a year earlier. This represents a 16 % share of the market. The
number of industrial, corporate and small commercial customers declined by 40,000 to
348,000.
UK 18.1 (18.5)
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 49
• Business performance
External gas sales volume RWE Power1 RWE Energy RWE npower RWE Group
To Our Investors
by customer segment
Billion kWh 2006 2005 2006 2005 2006 2005 2006 2005
Private and commercial customers – – 70.5 73.5 41.4 39.7 111.9 113.2
Industrial and corporate customers 3.5 3.3 110.4 104.7 8.7 8.0 122.6 116.0
Distributors 21.5 17.0 104.9 110.6 – – 126.4 127.6
Review of Operations
Total 25.0 20.3 285.8 288.8 50.1 47.7 360.9 356.8
1 Including RWE Trading.
Gas sales were margin- Gas sales volume improved slightly. RWE sold 360.9 billion kWh of gas in the year being
ally up on 2005, in part reviewed—marginally more than in the previous year. One of the contributing factors was
because RWE npower
the successful acquisition of customers in the UK.
Our Responsibility
grew its customer base
significantly.
Gas sales generated by RWE Power largely correspond to the quantities RWE Dea produces
and sells to distributors and end customers. These sales are supplemented by small volumes
achieved by RWE Trading, which are procured from Czech-based RWE Transgas and RWE Dea
and sold on the wholesale market. Gas sales generated by this division totalled 25.0 billion
RWE Special
kWh. They were thus 23% up on the prior year. This reflects RWE Dea’s increased production.
Gas sales achieved by RWE Energy amounted to 285.8 billion kWh, falling just shy of the
prior year’s figure. One reason for this was the weather-induced drop in demand in the
At present, RWE Energy and its subsidiaries provide 7.7 million customers with gas—roughly
0.6 million fewer than in 2005. This was because we sold shares in gas utilities in the Czech
Republic and Hungary as part of an asset swap. Germany and the Czech Republic are our
main markets, with 3.1 million and 2.3 million customers, respectively.
Further Information
RWE npower sold 50.1 billion kWh of gas, exceeding the previous year’s figure by 5 %
despite the negative effect of the weather. We benefited from the fact that we were able
to increase our customer base in the private household segment even further.
In total, 2.5 million household customers obtained their gas supplies from RWE npower at
the end of the year under review. This represents an increase of 0.4 million customers over
the previous year. RWE npower thus has an 11% share of the market. Approximately 2.1 mil-
lion UK household customers purchase both electricity and gas from us. This corresponds to
a rise of 0.5 million compared with 2005. We believe this can be traced back to our success-
ful brand and marketing strategy and improved levels of customer service.
50 Business performance
Revenue up 12 % year on year. In fiscal 2006, the RWE Group generated €44.3 billion in
external revenue. This was 12 % more than in the previous year. In the forecast we pub-
lished in February 2006, we expected revenue to be in the order of the prior year. This
forecast was significantly exceeded on the strength of a price-driven gain in revenue from
RWE Energy’s electricity and gas businesses. As explained earlier, the revenues of Thames
Water are no longer included in Group revenue for 2005 or 2006.
To Our Investors
RWE Group revenue by region in 2006 (20051) in %
Review of Operations
UK 20.3 (16.4)
Our Responsibility
Net of non-operating Higher prices for electricity, gas and water as well as slight improvements in sales were the
one-off effects, Group main reason for the rise in Group revenue. Growth was marginally weakened by deconsoli-
revenue was up 16 %.
dations—especially the sale of the Dutch coal trading company SSM Coal in December 2005
(- €779 million) and the divestment of RWE Solutions in August 2006 (- € 612 million).
RWE Special
Changes in the US dollar and pound Sterling-to-euro exchange rate did not have a significant
effect. The average dollar-to-euro exchange rate was US$1.26/€. US currency lost some of
its value compared to 2005 (US$1.24/€). Sterling was unchanged from the previous year.
The exchange rate was £ 0.68/€. In organic terms, i.e. net of all aforementioned one-off
External revenue posted by RWE Power decreased by 4% to € 6,574 million. This was
caused by the Power Generation Business Unit (including RWE Trading), which recorded a
decline of 8 %. The single-largest effect was from the sale of SSM Coal. In addition, we
transferred Harpen’s distributed energy supply business to RWE Energy (- € 162 million).
Net of these one-off effects, revenue achieved by our Power Generation Business Unit was
up 13%. The basis for this was the development of prices on the wholesale market. Rev-
Further Information
enue recorded by RWE Dea rose 9 % year on year, primarily due to the increase in oil and
gas prices and higher gas production. The decrease in oil production had a counteracting
effect.
External revenue generated by RWE Energy rose 13% to € 27.4 billion. The division’s
electricity revenue increased by 12 % to € 15.8 billion. This was largely because of higher
procurement costs that we passed through to our customers. Our German regional companies
lifted general tariffs for households and small commercial enterprises as of January 1, 2006.
52 Business performance
However, the price increases approved by the federal states were usually far lower than
those that had been applied for. Süwag Energie AG was not granted approval to raise tariffs
for 2006. Our gas activities made an even larger contribution to the rise in revenue than the
electricity business. Gas revenue generated by RWE Energy was up 24% to € 9.7 billion,
despite the marginal reduction in sales volume. The main driver was the high price of oil,
to which both our procurement costs and the price of gas we charge customers are linked.
RWE npower grew external revenue by 33% to € 8,485 million. Electricity revenue rose from
€ 4,820 million to € 6,174 million, and gas revenue increased from € 1,221 million to
€ 1,777 million. Our UK energy company lifted electricity and gas tariffs as of January 1,
April 1, and October 1, 2006 to reflect rising procurement costs. We sold more gas as a
result of acquiring new customers.
External revenue generated by the Water Division amounted to € 1,702 million. This division
now only includes the activities of American Water, because of the reclassifications*
44
mentioned earlier. However, the previous year’s figure still includes RWE Aqua (which was
reclassified to RWE Energy as of January 1, 2006) among other activities. This and other
one-off effects caused revenue to drop by 9 %. Net of one-off effects, revenue was marginal-
ly higher. This was predominantly due to tariff increases approved by regulators.
To Our Investors
operating activities to EBITDA in %
€million
Income from operating activities 4,902 4,001 22.5
+ Income from investments 790 736 7.3
- Non-operating result 414 634 -34.7
Review of Operations
Operating result 6,106 5,371 13.7
- Operating income from investments -386 -447 13.6
+ Operating depreciation and write-downs 2,141 2,171 -1.4
EBITDA 7,861 7,095 10.8
1 Figures restated. Thames Water and the other water activities sold in 2006 are not included.
Our Responsibility
Our operating result Operating result and EBITDA clearly improved over previous year. In the year under
was 14% higher year review, the power generation business was the main driver for further improvement in the
on year. Excluding
Group’s earnings. EBITDA climbed 11% to €7,861 million. The operating result rose 14% to
one-off effects, it
rose by 17%. € 6,106 million. We were thus slightly above the originally forecasted range. RWE npower
clearly exceeded our expectations. Currency effects only had a slight impact on the
RWE Special
development of earnings. Net of all one-off effects—above all those from the sale of
RWE Solutions—EBITDA was up 14%. On this basis, the operating result improved by 17 %.
Further Information
Other, consolidation -58 -48 -20.8
RWE npower 512 437 17.2
Water Division 425 5862 -27.5
Other, consolidation -81 -271 70.1
RWE Group 6,106 5,371 2
13.7
1 Including RWE Trading.
2 Figures restated. Thames Water and the other water activities sold in 2006 are not included.
54 Business performance
RWE Power’s operating In 2006, RWE Power posted an operating result of € 2,744 million. The division thus sur-
result was substantially passed the year-earlier figure by 30 %. The following is a breakdown of the operating result
higher than in 2005,
by business unit:
due to the develop-
ment of electricity, oil
and gas prices. • Power Generation (including RWE Trading): The operating result recorded by this business
unit rose by 28 %. This was primarily due to improved margins owing to the development
of electricity prices on the wholesale market. However, there were some adverse effects.
In the fourth quarter, unplanned outages of both the blocks in the Biblis* nuclear power
45
plant led to a substantial production shortfall. Consequently, our operating result was
reduced by some € 280 million. Furthermore, we experienced a rise in procurement costs:
Higher fuel prices added €70 million to costs compared with the previous year. The cost
of purchases of CO2 emissions certificates doubled to approximately € 80 million. This
includes the cost of certificates for power plants not owned by RWE that we can deploy
at our discretion on the basis of long-term agreements. Costs for staff and power plant
maintenance were also up. RWE Trading essentially matched the good operating result
achieved in 2005.
• RWE Dea: The continuing price boom on the oil and gas markets led to a clear improve-
ment in the operating result recorded by our upstream activities. Furthermore, RWE Dea
benefited from higher gas production. However, this was contrasted by negative effects,
above all from the fall in oil production and the increase in production royalties and
exploration costs.
RWE Energy matched RWE Energy generated an operating result of € 2,506 million, closing the fiscal year on a par
the previous year’s with the previous one, despite burdens arising from German grid regulation. Contributing
operating result,
factors were the inclusion of RWE Aqua and of Harpen’s distributed energy supply business.
despite the negative
impact of German grid The deconsolidation of RWE Solutions had a counteracting effect. Net of all non-operating
regulation. Improved effects, the operating result posted a 4% gain. Cost reductions were a contributing factor.
margins in the Czech Furthermore, margins improved in the Czech gas business. Tariff cuts implemented by the
gas business were a
German Federal Network Agency over the course of the second half of the year led to a
contributing factor.
burden of € 180 million compared with 2005. The following is a breakdown of the operating
result by business unit:
• German regions: RWE Energy’s regional companies recorded an operating result that was
11% lower than in the previous year. This mirrored the aforementioned tariff reductions
in the distribution grid business imposed by the regulator. We partially compensated for
these effects by cutting costs and improving efficiency.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 55
• Business performance
• International regions: The operating result of our Continental European supply business
To Our Investors
outside Germany improved by 6 %. The marked gain is partially due to the Czech regional
distributors, for which the Czech regulator approved higher tariffs.
• Electricity & Gas Transmission: This business unit oversees our German extra-high-voltage
power grid, our German gas transmission grid, and Czech-based RWE Transgas’ gas trans-
Review of Operations
mission and gas trading operations. This unit also includes two new companies: RWE Key
Account GmbH, to which we transferred RWE Solutions’ key account business effective
April 1, 2005, and RWE Key Account Contracting GmbH, including Harpen’s former distrib-
uted energy supply business. The operating result stated for “Electricity & Gas Transmis-
sion” was up 68 %, in part due to one-off effects. The Czech regulator approved higher
margins for RWE Transgas in its business with regional distributors. This offset costs
Our Responsibility
incurred in the previous year, which had not yet been reflected in 2005 prices. However,
our German electricity transmission grid business faced reductions in grid fees required by
the regulator.
• RWE Solutions’ companies, which have now been sold, closed the fiscal year with an oper-
RWE Special
ating loss of € 27 million. We deconsolidated them in the third quarter of 2006.
RWE npower signifi- The operating result earned by RWE npower rose 17 % to €512 million, exceeding the fore-
cantly improved its cast we made in February 2006. We had expected it to stabilize at the level achieved in the
operating result in
Further Information
American Water saw The operating result recorded by the Water Division amounted to €425 million. This was
a rise in costs, which exclusively attributable to American Water. The comparison with the previous year is skewed
it was not yet able
by non-operating one-off effects—mainly due to the transfer of RWE Aqua to RWE Energy.
to pass through to
customers. Net of currency effects, the operating result achieved by American Water declined by 12 %,
despite the increase in tariffs. This is due to the increase in the cost of energy and materials
as well as the additional expense incurred for continued service improvements. Further-
more, depreciation rose in line with American Water’s investing activity. These charges will
be passed on to customers as American Water is seeking recovery through rate cases.
56 Business performance
Key figures for value Operating Capital ROCE Capital Relative Absolute Absolute
management1 result employed costs before value added value added value added
in fiscal 2006 taxes in 2006 2005
€million €million % % % €million €million
RWE Power2 2,7443 6,976 39.5 10.5 29.0 2,023 1,328
RWE Energy 2,506 13,994 17.9 9.0 8.9 1,246 1,4314
RWE npower 512 6,969 7.3 10.0 -2.7 -185 -227
Water Division 425 7,607 5.6 7.5 -1.9 -145 -1165
Other, consoldiation -81 -2,782 – – – 230 355
RWE Group 6,1063 32,764 18.7 9.0 9.7 3,169 2,4515
1 See commentary on the RWE Group’s value management on pages 205 and 206.
2 Including RWE Dea and RWE Trading.
3 To determine ROCE and value added, one must add € 12 million in interest income from lease accounts receivable.
4 Figure restated on the basis of the new rate of capital costs of 9 %.
5 Figure restated. Thames Water and the other water activities sold in 2006 are not included.
At 18.7%, our return ROCE target for 2006 exceeded. We increased the value of the company considerably in
on capital employed 2006 again. The measure is the return on capital employed (ROCE). In the year being
was more than double
reviewed, ROCE was 18.7 %, clearly surpassing the Group’s capital costs of 9.0 % before tax.
our capital costs.
This was primarily driven by the positive earnings development. In addition, due to the sig-
nificant inventory of depreciated plants, we have a relatively low level of capital employed.
We have clearly exceeded our ROCE target for 2006 of at least 14.0 %.
Our strong organic performance is reflected above all in the development of absolute value
added, the central control parameter for all our Group activities. The higher the value added,
the more attractive the activity is to our portfolio. It is a key criterion for the assessment
of investments and the benchmark for bonuses paid to our executives. Value added is
derived by multiplying the difference between ROCE and capital costs by capital employed.
As with the procedure applied to the operating result, figures for Thames Water have been
deducted from capital employed in 2005 and 2006. Value added by the RWE Group
amounted to € 3,169 million for the 2006 financial year. This was €718 million, or 29 %,
more than in 2005.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 57
• Business performance
To Our Investors
• Value added by RWE Power totalled € 2,023 million, representing the largest contribution
within the Group. This was an increase of € 695 million year on year, and was due to
the improved earnings of our German power generation operations and of RWE Dea’s
upstream activities.
Review of Operations
• RWE Energy made a value contribution of € 1,246 million. The rate of capital costs
applied was 9.0 % before taxes. In the past, we used a rate of 10.0 %. By reducing the
capital cost, we are taking into account the current risk profile of the regulated business.
Compared with value added in 2005, which we adjusted accordingly, value added by
RWE Energy declined by € 185 million, although earnings remained constant. This is
Our Responsibility
because this division increased in capital employed, in part owing to the inclusion of
RWE Aqua and of Harpen’s distributed energy supply business.
• In the fiscal year being reviewed, RWE npower was not yet able to earn its cost of capital.
The UK energy company closed the fiscal year with value added of - € 185 million. This is
RWE Special
a slight improvement over the previous year, which results from the positive earnings
performance. However, annual average capital employed increased—especially due to the
acquisition of the gas-fired power plant in Great Yarmouth at the end of 2005.
Further Information
58 Business performance
Net income was Net income improved by 72 %. The reconciliation of the operating result to net income is
impacted by positive marked by positive one-off effects from the sale of Thames Water and a change in tax law.
one-off effects—
Charges against the non-operating result slowed earnings growth.
above all the sale
of Thames Water.
The non-operating result increased by € 220 million to - €414 million. The components
developed as follows:
• Capital gains advanced by € 191 million to €463 million. The main contributing factor
was the sale of RWE Dea’s 25 % stake in oil producer KazGerMunai in Kazakhstan.
RWE Power’s sale of shares in the technology division of uranium enricher Urenco also
resulted in a book gain. The sale of real estate not required for operating purposes by
RWE npower also had a positive effect.
• Impairment losses in the reporting period were marginal and are attributable to
RWE Systems. In contrast, the previous year’s figure included a charge of €759 million,
which was allocable to American Water.
• The result stated under “Restructuring, other” decreased by €724 million to -€ 871 million.
This was primarily because we had to build extensive provisions in fiscal 2006. € 180 million
related to reorganization measures taken in order to limit the negative impact on earn-
ings from German grid regulation. € 90 million were accrued in connection with old-age
part-time arrangements at RWE Power. Income from the change in nuclear provisions
was more than halved, from € 396 million to € 164 million. We amortized RWE npower’s
customer base by € 327 million (previous year: € 328 million).
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 59
• Business performance
To Our Investors
€million in %
Interest income 2,102 1,306 60.9
Interest expenses -2,824 -2,048 -37.9
Net interest -722 -742 2.7
Interest accretion to non-current provisions -1,143 -1,247 8.3
Review of Operations
Other financial result -170 408 -141.7
Financial result -2,035 -1,581 -28.7
1 Figures restated; see comments on pages 44 and 159.
The financial result Financial result down year on year due to absence of exceptional income. The finan-
Our Responsibility
declined by 29 %; cial result amounted to - € 2,035 million. Compared to the previous year, this represents a
however, the prior-year
decrease of €454 million. This reflected the fact that we had realized significant book gains
figure included signifi-
cant book gains from from the sale of securities in 2005. The increased use of interest-rate derivatives led to a
the sale of securities. substantial rise in interest income and interest expenses. Net interest was marginally up on
balance, in part because we repaid financings used by subsidiaries and replaced them with
RWE Special
lower-cost refinancings. However, we also incurred additional expenses owing to the rise in
short-term market interest rates. The decrease in the interest accretion to non-current provi-
sions also had a positive impact on the financial result.
Further Information
Income from continuing operations after tax rose 29 % to € 2,675 million. Income of
€ 1,338 million was recorded from discontinued operations. € 330 million in income gener-
ated by Thames Water and all the income from the other water companies divested in the
year under review is included in this figure. It also includes income from the deconsolidation
of Thames Water in the amount of € 991 million. Of this sum, €725 million is attributable
to the book gain, and € 266 million is allocable to income resulting from the unwinding of
hedging instruments. The minority interest decreased from € 224 million to € 166 million.
60 Business performance
Net income generated by the RWE Group thus amounted to € 3,847 million. This represents
an increase of 72 % on the previous financial year. This was far more than originally fore-
casted. It was due to the aforementioned one-off effects: the early sale of Thames Water
and the changes in tax legislation. Earnings per share increased from € 3.97 to € 6.84.
Recurrent net income The key figure that is decisive for our dividend policy is recurrent net income. This figure is
rose to € 2,466 million. calculated by subtracting from net income the non-operating result (which is affected by
This corresponds to
one-off effects) and non-recurrent effects on the financial result and taxes. The deconsolida-
€ 4.38 per share.
tion effect of the sale of Thames Water is not considered in this figure, either. However,
income contributed by the water company’s ongoing operations is still included. In the year
under review, recurrent net income totalled € 2,466 million. This was 9 % more than in 2005.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 61
• Business performance
To Our Investors
€million
Reorganization 150 160 190 500
Acquisition synergies 60 30 50 40 180
Total 60 180 210 230 680
Review of Operations
In fiscal 2006, we Cost-cutting programmes successfully completed—new programme launched. Constant
realized € 230 million cost control and the realization of savings potential are essential when it comes to securing
in cost reductions.
our competitiveness and ability to invest over the long term. Once again, we took comprehen-
sive measures for this purpose in 2006. We completed two cost-cutting programmes initiated
in prior years as planned. Our goal was to reduce annual costs by a total of €680 million by
Our Responsibility
the end of 2006 within the scope of the two programmes:
• €500 million are allocable to measures taken by the first programme linked to the reor-
ganization of the RWE Group, which was initiated in 2003. Here, the German energy busi-
ness, the water activities, and our IT operations were the prime targets.
RWE Special
• With the second programme, launched in 2002, we capitalized on synergies from the large-
scale acquisitions made in the past. Targeted savings totalled € 180 million. € 100 million
of this sum was allocable to the combining of the back office functions of our UK-based
By the beginning of 2006, we had already realized €450 million in savings. We fully realized
the outstanding € 230 million in savings despite the sale of Thames Water and the planned
public offering of American Water. Synergy potential lost in the Water Division was compen-
sated by measures taken in the energy business.
Further Information
intend to improve the operating result by a total of € 600 million by 2010 (see page 86).
62 Key figures by division at a glance
To Our Investors
Review of Operations
RWE npower 2006 2005 +/-
in %
External revenue €million 8,485 6,382 33.0
Intra-group revenue €million 8 3 166.7
Total revenue €million 8,493 6,385 33.0
EBITDA €million 658 561 17.3
Our Responsibility
Operating result €million 512 437 17.2
Return on capital employed (ROCE) % 7.3 6.6 –
Weighted average cost of capital (WACC) before tax % 10.0 10.0 –
Value added €million -185 -227 18.5
Capital employed €million 6,969 6,645 4.9
Capital expenditure €million 407 542 -24.9
RWE Special
Property, plant and equipment €million 396 315 25.7
Financial assets €million 11 227 -95.2
12/31/06 12/31/05
Workforce1 11,624 10,125 14.8
Further Information
Return on capital employed (ROCE) % 5.6 6.3 –
Weighted average cost of capital (WACC) before tax % 7.5 7.5 –
Value added €million -145 -116 -25.0
Capital employed €million 7,607 9,352 -18.7
Capital expenditure €million 1,588 1,405 13.0
Property, plant and equipment €million 1,584 1,388 14.1
Financial assets €million 4 17 -76.5
12/31/06 12/31/05
Workforce2 6,809 16,306 -58.2
1 Figures restated. Thames Water and the other water activities sold in 2006 are stated as “discontinued operations.”
2 Converted to full-time positions.
64 Finance and capital expenditure
Financial flexibility. We have flexible financing tools besides our high and stable cash
flows from operating activities. We raise long-term funds on the capital market via a
€ 20 billion debt issuance programme*. A US$5 billion commercial paper programme* is at
215
our disposal to meet short-term financing needs on the money market. At the end of 2006,
drawings on the debt issuance and the commercial paper programmes totalled € 14.5 billion
215
and € 0.3 billion, respectively. Furthermore, RWE has a €4 billion syndicated credit line*,
which serves as a liquidity reserve. Half of this credit line has a term of 364 days, and the
217
other half has a term of five years. None of our finance programmes or our credit facility
contain specific financial covenants such as interest coverage, leverage or capitalization
ratios that could trigger actions, such as acceleration of repayment or additional collateral.
Likewise, they do not contain rating triggers.
Moody’s and Standard High credit rating. Creditworthiness assessments by independent rating agencies have
and Poor’s confirmed a substantial influence on a company’s options to raise capital. The better the rating, the
our strong credit-
easier it is to gain access to international credit markets and the better the conditions for
worthiness.
raising capital. Therefore, we benefit from the fact that the two leading rating agencies,
Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, confirm our strong creditworthiness. This is reflected in our
strong Single A rating*, which has not changed since the end of 2002. Both of the rating
216
agencies last confirmed their ratings in October (Standard & Poor’s) and November
(Moody’s) 2006. The following table provides an overview of our current credit ratings:
Our strong creditworthiness has a positive impact on our interest expenses. In 2006, they
To Our Investors
amounted to 5.1% of the RWE Group’s average gross financial debt (including the interest
expenses for hedges) and were thus slightly lower than in the previous year (5.2 %).
We recorded net Positive net financial position after sale of Thames Water. At the end of 2006, we
financial assets for recorded net financial assets for the first time since June 2001—of around €4.7 billion. We
Review of Operations
the first time since
had closed fiscal 2005 with net financial debt of € 11.4 billion. The sale of Thames Water
June 2001. At
the end of 2006, boosted our financial position more than anything else. All in all, proceeds from divest-
they totalled ments in 2006 amounted to € 8.8 billion. Deconsolidations removed a total of €4.8 billion
€4.7 billion. in financial liabilities from our balance sheet. Free cash flow, which totalled € 2.3 billion,
also had a positive impact on net financial assets. Changes in accounting policies required
by IFRS caused our net financial liabilities to decrease by € 0.2 billion. Changes in foreign
Our Responsibility
exchange rates resulted in a reduction of another € 0.2 billion. In contrast, the € 1.2 billion
dividend payment made in fiscal 2006 had a counteracting effect.
We will fund some Pension obligations externalized. In the financial year underway, we will fund some of
€ 8 billion pensions our pension obligations externally. This will initially be done via a contractual trust arrange-
obligations externally.
RWE Special
ment (CTA) with RWE Pensionstreuhand e.V. This special purpose entity will receive the
This will be done via
a CTA and a Pensions- funds to cover our employees’ pension entitlements. The funds are purpose-specific and
fonds*. may not be used for any other purpose. In addition, we plan to set up a Pensionsfonds*
later in the year, to which we will transfer the pension obligations for those of our staff
We have established New debt cap accounts for externalizing of pension obligations. By transferring our pen-
a cap of between sion obligations, we will reduce cash and cash equivalents on the assets side and provisions
€ 22 billion and € 24
for pensions on the equity and liabilities side of our balance sheet. Only the first of these
Further Information
billion for our net debt.
This takes into account two effects will be mirrored in our net financial position. The decline in provisions will not
the externalizing of be taken into account in the net financial position. As a result of this change, we will rede-
pension obligations. fine our debt cap. In the future, the basis for our cap will be the net financial position plus
pension obligations. In this context, we refer to “net debt” or “net assets.” Based on this
new definition, we have established a cap of between € 22 billion and € 24 billion for our
net debt.
66 Finance and capital expenditure
Nominal volume of RWE bonds outstanding drops to €16.7 billion. The nominal volume
of bonds issued by RWE companies amounted to € 16.7 billion at the end of 2006. The
decline compared to the end of 2005 (€ 18.6 billion) is largely due to the sale of Thames
Water and the resulting deconsolidation of bonds. Furthermore, we repaid € 0.7 billion in
bonds that came due. They primarily comprised three bonds with nominal amounts totalling
£0.5 billion. € 2.2 billion in bonds come due in the 2007 financial year. We will not refi-
nance them by issuing new bonds. At the end of 2006, the weighted average remaining
maturity of bonds issued by the RWE Group was ten years.
1.5
1.0
0.5
RWE AG/RWE Finance
American Water 0
‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10 ‘11 ‘12 ‘13 ‘14 ‘15 ‘16 ‘17 ‘18 ‘19 ‘20 ‘21 ‘22 ‘23 ‘24 ‘25 ‘26 ‘27 ‘28 ‘29 ‘30 ‘31 ‘32 ‘33 ‘34 ‘35 ‘36 ‘37 ‘38
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 67
• Finance and capital expenditure
Financial debt in British currency reduced significantly. In 2006, the RWE Group’s for-
To Our Investors
eign-currency debt changed substantially due to the sale of Thames Water. Sterling bonds
issued by the water company were removed from the scope of consolidation. Including cur-
rency hedges, at the end of 2006, 38 % of our debt was in US dollars, 38 % was in Sterling,
and 24% was in euros and other currencies. Sterling’s share of our debt thus decreased
markedly compared to the previous year (62 %). In addition, we released instruments for
Review of Operations
hedging interest rates and currencies as part of the divestment process. In 2006, our gross
financial debt declined by € 8.4 billion to € 19.4 billion.
Our Responsibility
RWE Dea (477) (290) (187)
RWE Energy 1,174 1,064 110
RWE npower 396 315 81
Water Division 1,584 1,388 196
North America (626) (520) (106)
RWE Special
Other, consolidation 38 58 -20
RWE Group 4,494 3,667 827
Excluding Thames Water 3,536 2,799 737
1 Including RWE Trading.
Further Information
shares in Hungarian-based DDGÁZ and two Czech gas distributors.
68 Finance and capital expenditure
Capital spending by RWE Power amounted to € 1,307 million—up €465 million on the previ-
ous year. Nearly all of this money was spent on property, plant and equipment. The major
investment was the construction of the 2,100-MW dual-block lignite-fired power plant in
Neurath near Cologne, Germany, which we commenced in January 2006. Furthermore, we
began preparatory work on the construction of the planned 875 MW combined-cycle gas
turbine power station in Lingen and invested capital to retrofit lignite power plants in
Weisweiler near Cologne and Visonta, Hungary, with gas topping turbines. In addition, we
bought real estate around our opencast lignite mines. RWE Dea increased its capital expen-
diture on property, plant and equipment by € 187 million to €477 million. The additional
investment was mainly used to expand gas production in the UK and Egypt.
Capital spending at RWE Energy was up € 223 million to € 1,461 million. Investment on
property, plant and equipment rose to € 1,174 million. About 80 % of the capital expendi-
ture budget was spent on the expansion and modernization of our network infrastructure.
Projects in 2006 included grid connections for new power plants and the modernization of
transformers. RWE Energy spent € 287 million on financial assets—€ 113 million more than
in 2005. A large portion of this capital expenditure was used to increase shareholdings in
the Hungarian and Czech gas business.
Last financial year, RWE npower spent €407 million on investments compared with the
€542 million recorded in the previous year. The UK energy company increased capital
expenditure on property, plant and equipment to € 396 million. The largest projects were
the retrofitting of the Aberthaw power plant with a flue gas desulphurization unit, which
began in 2005, and the expansion of our capacity to generate electricity from wind power.
Capital expenditure on financial assets in 2006 was low. The prior-year figure included the
purchase price of the 420 MW Great Yarmouth combined-cycle gas turbine power plant.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 69
• Finance and capital expenditure
The Water Division’s capital expenditure totalled € 1,588 million. This includes Thames
To Our Investors
Water for 11 months. Despite opposing one-off effects, capital spending by the Water Divi-
sion increased by € 183 million.
Review of Operations
€million in %
Cash flows from operating activities 6,783 5,304 27.9
Impact of the change in working capital (-534) (204 ) 1
-361.8
Cash flows from investing activities -2,471 -2,049 -20.6
Cash flows from financing activities -2,948 -3,384 12.9
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and other
changes in value on cash and cash equivalents -1 34 -102.9
Our Responsibility
Total net changes in cash and cash equivalents 1,363 -95 –
RWE Special
1 Figure adjusted; see commentary on pages 44 and 159.
Free cash flow rose Free cash flow improved by 40 %. In 2006, cash flows from operating activities amounted
Cash flows from operating activities, minus capital expenditure on property, plant and
equipment, results in free cash flow, which rose by € 652 million to € 2,289 million owing
to the significant rise in cash flows from operating activities.
Further Information
70 Finance and capital expenditure · Net worth, financial position and earnings situation of RWE AG (holding company)
€million in % €million in %
Assets
Non-current assets 51,999 55.6 71,680 65.5
Intangible assets (14,901) (15.9) (18,551) (16.9)
Property, plant and equipment (26,034) (27.9) (36,089) (33.0)
Current assets 41,456 44.4 37,778 34.5
Other receivables and other assets (7,673) (8.2) (11,112) (10.2)
Securities (16,788) (18.0) (10,344) (9.5)
Total 93,455 100.0 109,458 100.0
We increased equity Balance sheet structure: equity ratio improved to 15.1%. Our balance sheet was sub-
from € 12.4 billion to stantially affected by the sale of Thames Water and RWE Solutions. These transactions were
€ 14.1 billion.
primarily responsible for the fact that the balance sheet total dropped by € 16.0 billion to
€ 93.5 billion compared to the prior-year figure.
On the assets side, property, plant and equipment and goodwill were down € 10.1 billion
and € 3.3 billion, respectively. A substantial portion of cash provided by the sale of Thames
Water was invested in money market funds and securities. At year-end, derivatives were
€ 9.3 billion down year on year.
On the equity and liabilities side, the aforementioned effects led to comparable changes.
We repaid €4.0 billion in long-term capital market debt and € 1.4 billion in short-term
capital market debt. In addition to the divestments, the RWE Group’s positive earnings
also made a major contribution to the rise in equity from € 12.4 billion to € 14.1 billion.
The equity ratio thus improved from 11.3% to 15.1%.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 71
• Finance and capital expenditure
• Net worth, financial position and earnings situation of RWE AG (holding company)
To Our Investors
situation of RWE AG (holding company)
Review of Operations
RWE AG is the management holding company of the RWE Group. It handles general man-
agement tasks such as the corporate strategy, corporate finance and corporate accounting.
RWE AG’s situation is largely determined by the Group’s activities.
The financial statements of RWE AG, which have been issued an unqualified audit opinion
Our Responsibility
by PricewaterhouseCoopers Aktiengesellschaft Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, are submit-
ted to Bundesanzeiger Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Cologne, Germany, the operator of the
electronic Bundesanzeiger (Federal Gazette) and published in the electronic Bundesanzei-
01
ger. They can be ordered from RWE AG and are also available on the Internet.*
RWE Special
Financial statements. The financial statements of RWE AG are prepared in accordance with
the German Commercial Code and the German Stock Corporation Act. A brief overview is
provided below:
Further Information
Equity 7,424 5,995
Provisions 10,468 8,565
Accounts payable to affiliated companies 28,563 30,901
Other liabilities 2,979 6,819
Total equity and liabilities 49,434 52,280
72 Net worth, financial position and earnings situation of RWE AG (holding company)
Assets. The net worth of RWE AG is determined by the management of investments and the
activities it undertakes for the Group companies. The holding company holds the shares in
the operating companies and handles financing for them. This is reflected in corresponding
accounts receivable from and payable to affiliates. The increase in provisions is largely
attributable to pension obligations, which rose by € 1.5 billion, primarily due to the adjust-
ment of measurement parameters. Provisions for pensions also include coverage for the
vested benefits of subsidiaries’ current and former employees. RWE AG is reimbursed for
pension expenses by the companies concerned. This resulted in a corresponding reduction
in income from investments.
Financial position. In 2006, RWE AG’s financial position was positively influenced above
all by the sale of Thames Water. It is also characterized by the procurement of financial
resources for the subsidiaries’ operating activities. As a well-known bond issuer on the capi-
tal market, RWE AG has launched a € 20 billion debt issuance programme. € 14.5 billion of the
volume had been subscribed by December 31, 2006. As of the balance sheet date, we had
issued € 0.3 billion of the US$5 billion commercial paper programme we issued separately.
Doubling of dividend planned. In 2006, RWE AG’s net profit amounted to € 2,413 million
and was thus 30 % up on the previous year. €445 million was transferred to retained earn-
ings. Distributable profit thus totalled € 1,968 million. The Supervisory Board and the
Executive Board of RWE AG will propose to the April 18, 2007 Annual General Meeting that
a dividend of € 3.50 per share be paid for fiscal 2006. This dividend proposal would cause
the dividend to double compared with the previous year.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 73
• Net worth, financial position and earnings situation of RWE AG (holding company)
Disclosure pursuant to Sec. 315, Para. 4 and Sec. 289, Para. 4 of the German Commer-
To Our Investors
cial Code. RWE AG’s subscribed capital remained unchanged, consisting of 523,405,000
non-par-value common shares in the name of the bearer (93.1% of the subscribed capital)
and 39,000,000 non-par-value preferred shares in the name of the bearer without voting
rights (6.9 % of the subscribed capital). The remaining rights and obligations are deter-
mined by the German Stock Corporation Act. Holders of non-voting preferred shares have
Review of Operations
a right to a preferred share of profits of € 0.13 per share when the distributable profit is
distributed.
Our Responsibility
Executive Board members are appointed and dismissed in accordance with Secs. 84 et seq.
of the German Stock Corporation Act in connection with Sec. 31 of the German Co-Determi-
nation Act. Amendments to the articles of association are made pursuant to Secs. 179 et
seqq. in connection with Sec. 16, Para. 4 of the Articles of Association of RWE Aktien-
gesellschaft.
RWE Special
Pursuant to the resolution passed by the Annual General Meeting on April 13, 2006, the
Executive Board was authorized to purchase shares of any class in RWE until October 12,
2007, totalling up to 10 % of the share capital. It is at the Executive Board’s discretion to
RWE AG’s syndicated credit line has a change of control clause in line with generally
accepted practice. It is a contractual provision which grants a contracting party certain
rights (most importantly the right to termination) in the event of a change of control or the
majority shareholder at the other contracting party.
The 2005 long-term incentive plan (Beat) for the Executive Board and executives of RWE AG
Further Information
and of affiliated companies includes a provision for a change of control. In such events, all
holders of performance shares under the Beat programme receive a compensatory payment.
The amount of the compensatory payment is determined by multiplying the price paid
for RWE shares as part of the takeover with the final number of performance shares.
The latter is determined when the takeover offer is made, in line with the plan conditions.
74 Workforce, research and development, procurement
The main aim of our Efficiency improvements and emissions reductions in fossil fuel-fired power plants are the
To Our Investors
R&D activities is to main focus of our R&D measures, because of the weight they carry in a balanced energy
ensure a supply of
mix. Our ability to compete depends decisively on our ability to supply energy reliably, at
energy that is secure,
climate-friendly and low cost, and in a way that conserves the climate and natural resources. In this field, we
makes economic sense cooperate with partners in plant engineering and the chemical industry. Therefore, the
in the long term. activities are only partially included in our R&D expenditure.
Review of Operations
We plan to commission the world’s first large-scale nearly CO2-free coal-fired power plant
in 2014. The facility will incorporate coal gasification and CO2 separation. Electricity will
be generated in gas and steam turbines. Concurrently, we are developing a method for
separating CO2 from flue gas. The aim here is to retrofit existing plants with this technology
to reduce emissions over the long term. The first set of pilot runs is scheduled for 2008
Our Responsibility
and tests are to be carried out in demonstration plants on the premises of our lignite-fired
power stations from 2010 onwards. Preparatory work in the run-up to these projects is one
of the main areas of our development work this year. In addition, we have joined research
consortia to engineer technologies enabling the safe storage of carbon dioxide in deep
rock formations. However, this work is still surrounded by substantial legal uncertainty.
RWE Special
The prerequisite for the implementation of the nearly CO2-free production of power from
coal besides the development of novel technologies is a reliable legal and regulatory
environment that provides us with the planning security necessary to store carbon dioxide
in geological formations.
Further Information
Germany and abroad, engineers are putting next-generation materials and power plant
components to the test in COMTES700. These components provide reliable performance
under high pressure and at temperatures exceeding 700 degrees centigrade. The project is
subsidized by the European Union. Results are expected to be presented in 2009. After
that, the researchers and engineers will be faced with the next challenge: the construction
of a demonstration power plant to provide conclusive evidence of the technology’s commer-
cial readiness. In the medium term, the aforementioned projects—lignite pre-drying and the
700-degree power plant—will make it possible to generate electricity from coal with efficien-
cies of more than 50 %. The European average of 36 % is currently much lower.
76 Workforce, research and development, procurement
In the field of renewables-based energy, we are concentrating on tapping into new ways to
make use of biomass. In Neurath, Germany, we are building a 700 kW biomass-fired pilot
power station, aiming to make progress in these types of plants in terms of both technology
and efficiency. Another task at hand is to improve the productivity of the agricultural sector.
The objective is to make increasing use of specially cultivated energy crops in biomass-fired
plants, paying tribute to ecological needs and regional climates.
Nuclear energy is Nuclear energy covers approximately 30 % of Germany’s power consumption. It is thus one
another area of our of the country’s pillars of electricity production, which is nearly irreplaceable short term,
R&D activities, where
especially when taking climate-protection goals into account. To ensure that our nuclear
we focus on the secure
and economic use of power stations are run safely and profitably, we upgrade them to the state of the art con-
our power plants. tinuously. Our R&D activities in this field pursue the same goal. In collaboration with the
European association for power and heat generation, VGB PowerTech e.V., we are working
on key issues such as plant safety and the efficient use of fuels. In addition, we are in
cooperation with European partners to engineer more economical reactors with optimized
safety features, keeping the door open to the use of nuclear energy against the backdrop of
an ever-changing energy industry and societal environment. Seeking to secure and improve
know-how in Germany, we are supporting nuclear research and instruction at the technical
university in Aachen by funding a foundation professorship.
Also targeted by our R&D work is the safe, profitable and environmentally-friendly opera-
tion of our electricity and gas grids. Among other things, we are investigating the possibili-
ty of improving materials for cables used in ultra high-voltage lines. Furthermore, we are
working on innovative methods for assessing the state of underground cable networks. The
development of new gas storage techniques and associated facilities is another area of
focus. To this end, we are exploring the technical and economic aspects of using smaller
units to store gas in its liquid state. Such plants could help us make supply more affordable
during local consumption peaks.
Corporate Purchasing Procurement structures further improved. Corporate Purchasing is in charge of our pro-
reduced its annual curement activities, giving rise to substantial cost-cutting potential. We have already real-
costs by about
ized about € 340 million in annual savings from services and materials purchased as a result
€ 340 million as a result
of a cost reduction of a savings programme initiated in 2002. Framework agreements valid throughout the
programme initiated Group, the management of procurement via international purchasing processes, and the
in 2002. introduction of an extensive supplier management system are the core elements of all effi-
cient procurement strategies. In 2006, over 70 % of the items we ordered were processed
using electronic catalogues and lean, low-cost processes. Transparency and efficiency were
further improved through the introduction of a groupwide purchasing portal. Moreover, we
launched a qualification campaign for our procurement staff in 2006. We also value the
auditable and transparent processing of all purchasing transactions very highly. In the
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 77
• Workforce, research and development, procurement
year under review, all of Corporate Purchasing’s procurement transactions and processes
To Our Investors
were audited by an independent auditor. Most of the sub-areas received ‘best practice’
certification.
The amount of hard coal purchased to generate electricity rose from 21 million metric tons
of hard coal units* (HCU) in 2005 to approximately 24 million metric tons in 2006. This
Review of Operations
216
includes coal used in power plants not owned by RWE that we can deploy at our discretion
on the basis of long-term agreements. In the financial year that just ended, RWE Power
purchased 16.7 million metric tons of HCU. This is 2.0 million metric tons more than in
2005. At RWE npower, hard coal usage increased by 1.0 to 7.1 million metric tons. As
explained on pages 45 and 46, both divisions stepped up electricity generation based on
hard coal due to attractive margins.
Our Responsibility
RWE sources lignite from proprietary opencast mines. In the Rhineland, our main mining
region, we produced about 96 million metric tons of lignite in 2006. Our power plants used
85 million metric tons to generate electricity, and we used 11 million metric tons to manu-
facture refined products.
RWE Special
In the 2006 financial year, we set the stage to fundamentally reorganize our gas procure-
ment activities. As explained on pages 36 and 37, most of these operations have been
grouped under RWE Gas Midstream GmbH, which was founded in January 2007. Activities
Further Information
78 Risk management
Risk management
Groupwide risk The risk-management system’s organizational structure. The RWE Group has a group-
management records, wide risk-management system for the early identification as well as standardized reporting,
evaluates, controls and
assessment, control and monitoring of risks. We thus fulfil the requirements of the German
monitors risks.
Control and Transparency in the Corporate Sector Act (KonTraG). We have formed risk-man-
agement boards both at the Group and divisional levels. They are responsible for the risk
management system’s continued development and establish rules for the risk-management
process. The basis for this is provided by a groupwide risk management guideline.
In addition, the Executive Board of RWE AG has entrusted a Risk Committee with the
management of risks arising from the volatility of the price of commodities and of credit
risks arising from trading, sales and procurement activity. This committee meets on a
monthly basis. This ensures that the risks that are most important to us are closely moni-
tored. As Chairman of the Risk Committee, the CFO of RWE AG is responsible for planning,
managing and monitoring the aforementioned risks. The Head of Risk Management and
the Head of Group Finance of RWE AG support him in making decisions. The CFOs of
RWE Power, RWE Energy and RWE npower as well as the member of the Board of Manage-
ment of RWE Trading responsible for finance are also members of the Risk Committee, as
is the member of the Board of Management responsible for finance of RWE Gas Midstream,
who joined the Committee on January 1, 2007. They ensure that the Risk Committee’s
guidelines are implemented uniformly across their organizational units.
RWE AG
RWE AG
CFO
Chairman of the Risk Committee
Head of Head of
Risk Management Group Finance
RWE Divisions
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 79
• Risk management
We fully integrated Risk-management process. Our risk-management activities are designed to obtain infor-
To Our Investors
risk reporting in mation on risks and their financial impact as early as possible, in order to be able to coun-
our planning and
teract them with suitable measures. Moreover, the planning and controlling process also
controlling process.
aims to identify and make use of opportunities as well as associated earning potential. We
evaluate risks according to their probability of occurrence and damage potential and aggre-
gate them at the business unit, divisional and Group levels. The damage potential is de-
Review of Operations
fined against the operating result and equity of the business unit concerned and the Group
as a whole. We can thus ensure a systematic and uniform analysis of our current risk situa-
tion throughout the Group, on the basis of which specific risk-control initiatives can be
developed. Our risk reporting scheme is fully integrated in our standardized planning and
controlling process. The RWE Group’s management and supervisory bodies are regularly
informed of the current risk situation. The efficiency and efficacy of our risk management
Our Responsibility
system is monitored internally and verified by the external auditor.
Opportunity and risk categories. We break down major risks and opportunities into the
following categories:
RWE Special
The future of the company: At present, there are no identifiable risks that could jeopard-
ize the continued operation of RWE AG or the RWE Group.
Changes in the general economic climate: Economic trends in our core markets can affect
Volatility of commodity and product prices: Certain risks and opportunities are inherent
above all in our electricity generation business. The latter is significantly influenced by the
development of market prices for electricity, fossil fuels—especially hard coal and gas—as
well as by the development of the price of CO2 certificates. A risk arises, e.g., if higher
commodity prices cannot be passed on by increasing electricity prices. Opportunities stem
from the widening of the spread between electricity prices and prices for fossil fuels. Addi-
tional risks and opportunities arise from our oil and gas production operations. Unexpected
disadvantageous changes in price in this area are also minimized through the strategic
Further Information
use of derivative hedges. In addition to production, supply operations are also exposed
to risks. Such risks arise, e. g., as a result of unexpected fluctuations in demand owing to
changes in temperature. Our price risks on purchasing and sales markets are determined
using special evaluation models, while taking current forward prices and expected price
volatility into account. Among other things, we use financial derivatives to mitigate risks
associated with sales and procurement.
80 Risk management
Our electricity and gas businesses face price and sales risks as well as marketing oppor-
tunities resulting from the deregulation of Europe’s electricity and gas markets. We address
these risks with differentiated pricing strategies and appropriate marketing policies as well
as with effective measures to cut costs.
Our energy trading activities are principally designed to mitigate earnings risks stemming
from price fluctuations on energy markets. In this context, our trading business functions
as a central platform for hedging commodity price risks throughout the RWE Group. This
enables us to create a stable basis of planning for our company. In addition, we conclude
trades in order to take strategic advantage of price changes to a limited extent. This leads
to risks from unexpected price fluctuations as well as credit risks in the event that counter-
parties fail to fulfil their contractual obligations. The RWE Group’s integrated trading and
risk management system for the energy trading business is firmly aligned with best practice
as applied to the trading business. Specific benchmarks for price risks are established on a
daily basis. The RWE AG Risk Committee sets risk limits that are continuously monitored.
Among other things, we use the value-at-risk method* to quantify price risks associated
217
with energy trading.
Volatility of financial prices: Within the scope of our operations, we are also exposed to
currency, interest-rate and share-price risks. Due to our international presence, currency risk
management is very important. Sterling and US dollar are our major foreign currencies for
two reasons: We conduct commercial transactions in both these currency zones. Further-
more, fuel prices are quoted in these currencies. Group companies are generally obliged to
hedge all currency risks via RWE AG. The parent company determines the net financial posi-
tion for each currency and hedges it with external market partners if necessary. Risks are
quantified using the value-at-risk (VaR) method. The Executive Board of RWE AG has estab-
lished a system that limits risks. At the end of 2006, the VaR for RWE AG’s foreign currency
position was € 0.1 million. This and all VaR figures mentioned hereinafter are based on a
215
confidence level* of 95 % and a holding period of one day.
Interest rate management is also ascribed significant importance. Our interest-rate risks pri-
marily stem from our financial debt and interest-bearing investments. Negative changes in
value caused by unexpected interest rate movements are hedged with non-derivative and
derivative financial transactions. On December 31, 2006, the VaR from interest obligations
connected to our financial debt and associated hedges was € 34.4 million. The VaR from
interest-bearing investments including hedges amounted to € 18.8 million. We are also
exposed to both risks and opportunities associated with share investments. At the end of
2006, the VaR for share price risks was € 24.8 million.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 81
• Risk management
Opportunities and risks from changes in the value of securities are controlled by a profes-
To Our Investors
sional fund management system. The Group’s financial transactions are recorded using cen-
tralized risk management software and monitored by RWE AG. This enables the balancing of
risks across individual companies. A more detailed description of the tools used to hedge
financial risks can be found in the notes.* Range of action, responsibilities and controls are
189
set forth in internal guidelines to which our Group companies are obliged to adhere.
Review of Operations
Creditworthiness of business partners: Most of the credit transactions performed by our
finance and trading departments are with banks and business partners of good creditwor-
thiness. We mitigate credit risks from these activities by placing limits on transactions and—
if necessary—receiving cash collateral. In addition, we conclude credit insurance policies
and bank guarantees. Credit risks are monitored daily for energy trading transactions and
Our Responsibility
weekly for finance transactions. In our supply business, we are exposed to credit risks due
to the possibility that customers may fail to meet their financial obligations. We mitigate
this risk by subjecting our customer portfolio to a regular creditworthiness check on the
basis of credit risk guidelines.
RWE Special
Liquidity: Liquidity risks arise if liquidity reserves are no longer sufficient for the Group to
meet its financial obligations in a timely manner. Such obligations result from the refinanc-
ing of the liabilities. Furthermore, we are obliged to put up cash collateral within the scope
of our trading transactions with counterparties, in order to collateralize negative market
Further Information
increase. Our grid business is exposed to the risk of facilities being destroyed by force
majeure such as severe weather conditions. We address these risks through high safety
standards as well as regular audit, maintenance and servicing work. As appropriate, insur-
ance policies also limit possible effects of damage.
82 Risk management
Regulation: The RWE Group’s exposure to the constant change in the political, legal and
social environment in which it does business can be expected to have an impact on earn-
ings. Lignite and hard coal power plants account for a significant portion of our electricity
generation portfolio. This represents a risk due to the EU-wide CO2 emissions trading sys-
tem. Risks can arise from changes made to the allocation rules and national emissions plans
for the second trading period (2008 – 2012) and from unexpected increases in the price of
CO2 certificates. Therefore, CO2 price risk management is an integral component of our cen-
tralized risk-management system. No reliable statements on the details of the international
or European CO2 certificate trading system for the period after 2012 have been made so far.
We intend to continue reducing CO2 emissions and make our power generation portfolio
more flexible by investing in power plants in the future. Significant risks exist in our German
electricity and gas grid businesses as a result of regulatory intervention. We intend to par-
tially offset some of the negative effects stemming from the enforcement of the German
Energy Act by taking measures to cut costs and enhance efficiencies throughout RWE Energy.
IT security: RWE has established a mandatory groupwide process for engineering, manag-
ing and auditing IT projects in order to manage IT risks during the development of IT solu-
tions designed to support business processes. The IT solutions are largely based on stan-
dard, commercially available software. IT operations are run in modern computing centres
with continuously updated IT infrastructure which is subject to a groupwide security direc-
tive.
Competing for qualified staff: We compete with other companies for the best talent in an
increasingly contested market. This involves opportunities and risks, especially in light of
our ambitious organic earnings growth targets. To secure and strengthen RWE’s position
when competing for qualified personnel, in our HR management work, we highlight RWE’s
attractiveness as an employer and strive to retain experts and executives over the long
term. In addition to performance-based compensation and progressive employee benefits,
we put a lot of effort into the varied prospects offered throughout the RWE Group: trainee
programmes, cross-disciplinary career paths, assignments in various European Group compa-
nies, and attractive continued education and advanced training offerings.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 83
• Risk management
Legal procedures: RWE Group companies are involved in litigations and arbitration pro-
To Our Investors
ceedings connected with their operations. However, we do not expect any major negative
repercussions from these proceedings on the RWE Group’s economic or financial position.
Additionally, companies belonging to the RWE Energy Division are directly involved in vari-
ous procedures with public authorities (including approval procedures) or are directly affect-
ed by their results.
Review of Operations
Raw materials production and power generation activities might be curtailed by risks aris-
ing from approval processes for our opencast mines and nuclear power plants. We prepare
our applications for approval with great care and ensure that approval processes are han-
dled competently in order to prevent such risks from arising.
Our Responsibility
Outside shareholders initiated several legal proceedings to examine the appropriateness of
the conversion ratios and the amount of cash paid in compensation in connection with
company restructurings pursuant to company law. We are convinced that the conversion
ratios and cash compensation calculated on the basis of expert opinions and verified by
independent auditing firms are adequate.
RWE Special
A further risk arises from the fact that the German Federal Cartel Office may not fully recog-
nize CO2 costs in sales prices for industrial customers, which could lead to reimbursement
claims or customers withholding partial payments. The arguments put forth by the German
In sum, thanks to its uniform, groupwide risk management practice, the RWE Group is capa-
ble of counteracting all aforementioned risks and taking advantage of opportunities as they
arise.
Further Information
84 Outlook for 2007
Economic forecasts Economic research institutes forecast positive economic data. Despite the negative
for RWE’s main markets effect of higher interest rates, economic forecasts for 2007 are generally favourable. Lead-
are still favourable.
ing economic institutions expect the world economy to grow by more than 3%. Germany,
our largest market, is expected to increase real gross domestic product (GDP) by 1.8 %—a
lower growth rate than in 2006. This is due to the negative impact of the higher value
added tax on consumption. However, it is anticipated that this will be limited to the first
few months. The basic trend thus remains robust, on the strength of good business activity
in industry and the resulting improvement of the labour market. The current upswing in the
UK is expected to continue, largely driven by the favourable investment climate. Economic
researchers expect the UK to produce 2.5 % economic growth in real terms. The prognosis
for Central Eastern European EU member states is even more positive. Real GDP in these
economies may rise by 5 % on average. In Hungary, however, government savings measures
are slowing growth. The outlook for the US has worsened, above all owing to higher interest
rates and weak consumer spending. Against this backdrop, the US economy is nevertheless
expected to achieve price-adjusted growth in the order of 2.5 %.
Oil and gas markets ease. In 2007, the world energy market will again be significantly
affected by strong demand from newly industrializing countries such as India and China.
However, production and transport capacity are likely to remain tight. Furthermore, the
energy markets are subject to sudden influences such as weather conditions and political
developments, which are difficult to predict. The conflict in Lebanon was partly responsible
for the boom in oil prices in 2006. Since August, the situation on the world’s oil markets
has eased significantly. At the deadline for this report (February 12, 2007), a barrel of Brent
crude cost US$57—28% down on the record level achieved in summer 2006. We expect
Brent prices to be slightly more moderate in 2007 than they were in 2006, as long as the
geopolitical situation remains stable. If so, the price of gas should also be lower than the
high average recorded in 2006. It was on the decline in the last few months of the year, as
a result of the mild weather. Hard coal prices maintained their high level. In mid-February, a
metric ton of hard coal traded at US$ 69 on the Rotterdam spot market (including freight
and insurance to Rotterdam). We expect prices for the full year to be at least on a par with
the levels achieved in 2006. The same applies to prices established by the German Federal
Office for Economics and Export Control (BAFA).
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 85
• Outlook for 2007
CO2 emissions trading: low prices for 2007 certificates. CO2 emissions certificates for the
To Our Investors
current year are expected to continue trading at low prices. In the middle of February, they
were quoted at € 1.30 per metric ton of CO2. Last year, they averaged € 18 per metric ton.
According to the market’s expectations, carbon dioxide emissions in the first trading peri-
od, which will last until the end of 2007, will be completely covered by certificates allocated
by European governments. In contrast, a significant reduction in available emissions
Review of Operations
allowances is expected in the second trading period from 2008 to 2012. In mid-February,
certificates for 2008 traded at € 14 per metric ton of CO2. Prices may move substantially
depending on the national allocation plans, which will be finalized in the coming months.
Despite fluctuations, High electricity prices across Europe. European electricity prices are expected to remain
European electricity high over the medium term, as a result of persistently high fuel costs and the continued
Our Responsibility
prices are expected
scarcity of generation capacity on many of Europe’s energy markets. Emissions trading will
to remain high, above
all due to the tightness also contribute to this, although CO2 prices have dropped significantly. The mild weather at
of spare generation the beginning of the year caused spot prices to decrease. Electricity prices on the German
capacity. forward market continued their stable trend. In the middle of February 2007, base-load
forward contracts for 2008 traded at €51 per MWh. UK electricity prices declined after gas
RWE Special
prices eased substantially. Most recently, the price of a 2008 forward contract, at £ 33 per
MWh (€49 per MWh) was far below the record posted in April 2006. The RWE Group has
sold forward nearly all of its 2007 electricity production. In mid-February, we had already
sold more than 60 % of our 2008 German electricity production.
Further Information
organic growth over big acquisitions. We continue to set ourselves ambitious targets in this
regard:
86 Outlook for 2007
• In 2007 and 2008, we want to lift recurrent net income, which is the basis for determin-
ing the dividend payment, by an average of 10 % per year.
• We have initiated an additional programme to improve efficiency until the end of 2010.
Plans include measures to reduce costs and improve revenue, which should gradually
grow our annual operating result by a total of € 600 million. One of the points of focus
is to improve the performance of our regulated German electricity and gas grids. The aim
is to at least partially compensate for the effect of the tariff cuts required by the German
regulator. In addition, we plan to take comprehensive measures to improve the technical
availability of our power plants. This year, we intend to add some € 100 million to the
operating result with the new programme.
Political conditions Substantial capital expenditure in all divisions. We gradually increased capital expendi-
allowing, RWE will ture on property, plant and equipment in the energy business in the last two years. In the
become the largest
next five years, we intend to spend up to € 25 billion on this business. Centre stage will be
private single investor
in Germany. taken by projects which will modernize and expand our power plants as well as our electrici-
ty and gas grids. Political conditions allowing, RWE will thus become the largest private sin-
gle investor in Germany. We also plan to make extensive investments in property, plant and
equipment in power plants in the UK, the Netherlands and Central Eastern Europe. Expanding
our gas business is another focal point. Pipeline projects, the exploration for new reserves,
and LNG activities* will be the focus here. The newly established RWE Gas Midstream com-
216
pany will serve as an international platform for growth. About a third of planned capital
expenditure has been set aside for growth projects.
A measured acquisition strategy. We will continue to pursue our policy concerning growth
through acquisitions. We have a clear idea of how we can strengthen our position on the
European energy market in part by making acquisitions. In the medium to long term, we
believe there are opportunities for external growth particularly in neighbouring Western
and Eastern European markets. Currently, however, we are not planning to make any major
acquisitions. There are two reasons for this: In many cases, the present wave of consolida-
tion in the European utility sector has driven prices of companies to levels we feel are unac-
ceptable. We join bidding processes only if our profitability criteria are met. Acquisitions
must earn their cost of capital no later than in the third full year following the date of their
consolidation. The second reason for our reluctance is political processes, which can make
takeovers much more difficult. Examples of such processes are delayed market liberalization
and privatization as well as—most recently—the trend towards mergers between energy
utilities at the national level.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 87
• Outlook for 2007
To Our Investors
the majority of American Water by the end of the year.* This would impact the annual
35
financial statements. In line with the procedure applied to Thames Water, we would report
American Water’s operating result and any deconsolidation result in the income statement
under “discontinued operations.” As a result, figures for the US water utility would no
longer be included in revenue, EBITDA, the operating result, the non-operating result, the
Review of Operations
financial result or taxes on income. We would then adjust the prior-year figures in accor-
dance with IFRS. However, pursuant to IFRS, American Water would still be included in the
cash flow statement, including capital expenditure. For the time being, the newly estab-
lished RWE Gas Midstream remains assigned to RWE Energy for reporting purposes.
Group revenue expected to be slightly higher year on year. In 2007, revenue without
Our Responsibility
American Water is anticipated to be marginally up on 2006. This and the following forecasts
are based on an assumed exchange rate of £ 0.70/€. The rise in revenue will be largely driv-
en by electricity price increases, with which we pass through to the customer the rise in
procurement costs. The decrease in our German grid fees required by the German Federal
Network Agency since the middle of 2006 will have a counteracting effect. We anticipate
RWE Special
that this will reduce revenue by about €700 million compared with the period before grid
regulation. The sale of RWE Solutions will eliminate around € 800 million in revenue.
Further Information
1 American Water as a “discontinued operation.”
2 Forecast based on pro-forma figures for 2006.
88 Outlook for 2007
We expect that the Earnings expected to improve. We are confident that we will succeed in improving the
operating result and Group’s earnings. According to our forecast, EBITDA will rise by 5 % to 10 %. The operating
recurrent net income
result is expected to grow in the order of 10 %. We anticipate that net income will decline
for 2007 will improve
by about 10 %. substantially. The 2006 figure benefited from one-off effects. Recurrent net income, which
is adjusted for one-off effects and is the yardstick for determining the dividend, is expected
to rise again. We forecast an increase of about 10 %.
RWE Power is expected RWE Power (including RWE Dea and RWE Trading) is expected to post another marked
to increase its operating improvement in its operating result. We anticipate that growth will be in double-digit per-
result significantly
centage territory. RWE Power’s main driver will be the effect on the operating result of the
despite the lengthy
outage of the Biblis significant improvement in electricity prices on the German wholesale market in the past
nuclear power plant. two years. RWE Power has already sold most of its 2007 electricity production. However, we
also expect burdens. The Biblis nuclear power plant is scheduled to go back on stream in
the summer*. As a result of the outage, we had to buy electricity on the wholesale market
45
to cover the output we had already sold forward. All in all, we do not anticipate further sig-
nificant increases in our costs due to higher prices for coal, gas or CO2 certificates. RWE Dea
is expected to close the fiscal year at least on a par with the last one. This is based on the
assumption that we will have higher gas production. However, the contribution from the oil
production activities in Kazakhstan will be eliminated, since they were sold in 2006. In
addition, we expect production and exploration costs to rise.
We expect RWE Energy’s RWE Energy (including RWE Gas Midstream) is expected to record a significant year-on-year
German grid business decrease in its operating result. This is primarily due to regulatory intervention in our Ger-
to record a substantial
man electricity and gas grid fees. Reductions implemented by the German Federal Network
drop in earnings.
Agency in the second half of 2006 will have an effect on all twelve months in 2007.
RWE Energy intends to limit the negative impact on earnings caused by grid regulation by
taking extensive measures to cut costs, concentrating on Germany. However, these meas-
ures will largely take effect in the coming years. We anticipate that the earnings situation
in the electricity and gas supply business will remain stable. The obligation to obtain
approval for electricity tariffs for household and commercial customers will be abolished as of
July 1, 2007. This may result in new opportunities, depending on the competitive environ-
ment. As regards the Czech gas business, we expect that RWE Transgas will not be able to
maintain the high profit margins achieved in 2006. The newly established RWE Gas Midstream
will have received all of the activities that are supposed to be transferred to it by the end of
the year. Therefore, we are currently reporting this company under RWE Energy, whose gas
procurement portfolio will be transferred to RWE Gas Midstream.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 89
• Outlook for 2007
RWE npower will According to our present forecast, RWE npower will close fiscal 2007 clearly up year on
To Our Investors
benefit from higher year. We expect a double-digit percent gain, largely driven by the generation business.
earnings in the
Here, we will benefit from the substantial improvement in wholesale electricity margins.
generation business,
but margins in the end Furthermore, we anticipate that power plant availability will increase. Changes in the price
customer business will of fuel and CO2 emissions certificates are not expected to have a big negative impact on
be under pressure. the operating result. In the electricity and gas supply business, we expect margins to be
Review of Operations
under significant pressure in a volatile competitive environment. We expect additional
expenses to arise from the cost of energy savings measures in UK households, which energy
companies are obliged to promote by the government.
Dividend payment to maintain high level. Our dividend proposal for fiscal 2007 will be
linked to a payout ratio of 70 % to 80 %. The prerequisite is that we successfully complete
Our Responsibility
the sale of a majority of American Water. The basis for calculating the payout ratio is recur-
60
rent net income*, which is adjusted for one-off effects.
We plan to invest some Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment up year on year. We will clearly
€ 4 billion in energy step up capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment this year. The greatest rise is
projects in 2007.
RWE Special
planned for RWE Power’s German power plant business. The construction of a dual lignite
block in Neurath is the main project. Furthermore, in 2007, we will start building the
875 MW combined-cycle gas turbine power plant in Lingen, Germany. RWE Dea will also
increase its capital spending—predominantly on its gas production activities in the UK and
Further Information
definition of debt to current market standards and now include provisions for pensions. We
use the term “net debt” to refer to the sum of the items stated under “net financial debt”
and provisions for pensions. On this basis, we disclosed € 6.9 billion in debt for the end of
2006. Despite the high dividend payment planned for April and the increase in capital
expenditure, we will probably reduce net debt even further in the current financial year.
This will be as a result of the expected high level of cash provided by operating activities
90 Outlook for 2007
and our assumption of being able to sell the majority of American Water by the end of 2007.
In 2007, we will fund some € 8 billion in pension obligations and associated plan assets.
This will be done via a contractual trust arrangement (CTA)* and a Pensionsfonds*. However,
65
this will not impact debt according to our new definition. We have defined a cap of € 22
to € 24 billion for the Group’s net debt; this includes provisions for pensions. Thanks to the
216
good reputation we have as bond issuer, we always have access to short- and long-term
financing sources. In 2007, € 2.2 billion in bonds will mature, which we do not intend to
refinance.
Employee headcount: decrease due to the sale of American Water. In fiscal 2007 we
expect our workforce will continue to shrink, particularly as a result of the planned sale of
American Water. Excluding this one-off effect, however, we expect the Group’s labour force
to increase.
Procurement: no major price risks for 2007. As mentioned earlier, we have already sold
forward nearly all our 2007 electricity production. In principle, our approach involves pur-
chasing the fuel required to generate contracted amounts when the supply agreements are
signed, thus hedging fuel prices at the same time. This also applies to the purchase of CO2
certificates. Therefore, costs incurred to purchase gas, hard coal and emissions allowances
are largely determined by price developments on forward markets in the past, as is our elec-
tricity revenue. We have no fuel price risk exposure from our lignite-based generation of elec-
tricity since we produce this fuel in our own opencast mines. Uranium required to run our
nuclear power stations has been secured under firm conditions via long-term purchasing
agreements. In the nuclear energy sector, fuel procurement costs typically account for a
small portion of total generation costs. However, it is only possible to make limited forecasts
for our procurement costs since the actual usage of fuel and demand for emissions certifi-
cates may deviate from our plans considerably. Unplanned power plant outages and fluctua-
tions in spot prices can lead to sudden adjustments in the capacity utilization of individual
plants. We believe that savings can again be realized when purchasing materials and services
in 2007. We are placing commercial responsibility for all our gas purchasing activities in
Europe with the newly founded RWE Gas Midstream and thus strengthening our market
position.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 91
• Outlook for 2007
We have earmarked half Research and development: budget enlarged. Our planned R&D budget for fiscal 2007 is
To Our Investors
our R&D budget for the €74 million. Once again, in 2007, measures will centre on improving efficiency and reducing
continued development
emissions in the power generation business (see pages 74 to 76). Since we are one of
of climate-friendly
power generation Europe’s largest producers of CO2 emissions, we accord special importance to the develop-
technology. ment of climate-friendly technologies. This year, we have set aside approximately half our
R&D budget for this task. In 2007, the single-most important project will be the construc-
Review of Operations
tion of a lignite drying pilot facility at our site in Niederaussem, Germany. The planned con-
struction of a nearly CO2-free power station is expected to have a significant impact on the
R&D budget from 2011 onwards. As mentioned earlier, generating electricity from renew-
ables is another area for our R&D activities. Here, we are focussing on the construction of a
cutting-edge 700-kW biomass-fired power plant in Neurath. Furthermore, we want to secure
know-how in the field of nuclear energy and develop it over the long term. This will allow
Our Responsibility
us to keep open the option of making use of this climate-friendly technology in a changing
energy industry and social environment.
RWE Special
Consolidated Financial Statements
Further Information
Forward-looking statements. This annual report contains forward-looking statements
regarding the future development of the RWE Group and its companies as well as economic
and political developments. These statements are assessments that we have made based on
information available to us at the time this document was prepared. In the event that the
underlying assumptions do not materialize or additional risks arise, actual performance can
deviate from the performance expected at present. Therefore, we cannot assume responsi-
bility for the accuracy of these statements.
Energy for the future:
2 0 14
Innovating to protect the climate:
RWE is scheduled to commission its first nearly carbon dioxide-free
coal-fired power station in 2014.
To counter climate change, RWE plans to become the world’s first power utility to construct a nearly
CO2-free coal power plant on a large scale. Greenhouse gas will be captured before the electricity
generation process and safely stored underground after it has been transported. If this technology
achieves a worldwide breakthrough, it could provide lasting relief to our planet’s atmosphere and
secure the role of coal, our major domestic source of energy. This is what we are committed to.
Read more about this in the RWE Special on pages 130 to 133.
CLE AN COAL:
Dear Shareholders,
In fiscal 2006, the Supervisory Board fulfilled all of the duties imposed on it by German law
and the company’s articles of association. It regularly advised the Executive Board on run-
ning the company and monitored business management measures. It was consulted on all
decisions of fundamental importance to RWE. The Executive Board informed the Supervisory
Board of business developments extensively and in a timely manner both in writing and ver-
bally. Focal points were the company’s risk situation and risk management, issues concern-
ing the strategic and operational development of the Group and its companies, and materi-
al business transactions. In the year under review, the Supervisory Board convened six
meetings, of which one was a constituent session following last year’s Annual General
Meeting and one was an extraordinary meeting.
All of the Supervisory Board members attended at least half the meetings. The average
participation rate significantly exceeded 90 %. The Supervisory Board was informed of
business transactions that were especially important to the company between meetings
as well. When in session, the Supervisory Board passed all required resolutions on the basis
of reports and decision proposals submitted by the Executive Board in compliance with the
law and articles of association. When necessary, it was asked for approval by circular. The
Chairman of the Supervisory Board was constantly in touch with the members of the Executive
Board in order to discuss as soon as possible events of material importance to the RWE
Group’s situation and development.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 97
• Supervisory Board Report
Continued focus on the core business. One of the focal points of the Supervisory Board’s
To Our Investors
debates was the implementation of the change in strategy for the water business, which
was introduced in 2005. Of notable mention is the sale of Thames Water, which was con-
cluded successfully in December 2006. In the run-up to the transaction, the Supervisory
Board discussed two options for the sale in several sessions: The alternatives were to do a
public offering or sell to a financial investor. The Supervisory Board debated with the Execu-
Review of Operations
tive Board the advantages and disadvantages of these options in detail. In its extraordinary
meeting on October 21, 2006, the Supervisory Board approved the sale of Thames Water to
financial investor Kemble Water Ltd.* In addition, in several sessions, the Supervisory Board
35
reviewed progress made in preparing the planned public offering of American Water. Also
on the agenda were the intended acquisition of a majority stake in the long-distance gas
company Saar Ferngas and the sale of RWE Solutions. In July 2006, the Supervisory Board
Our Responsibility
approved both transactions, subsequent to consultations in preceding meetings, which
were conducted by circular.
Focus on issues of energy policy and strategy. A considerable amount of time was dedi-
cated by the Supervisory Board to discuss changes in conditions underlying energy policy
RWE Special
and their impact on the company’s future development. The Supervisory Board dealt exten-
sively with the new regulatory framework for the grid-based energy sector and the German
Federal Network Agency’s first approval of grid fees. Special attention was also paid to the
RWE Group’s research and development work. R&D is ascribed mounting importance above
The RWE Group’s strategic orientation and positioning on the market were the main topics
at the September 22 and December 13 sessions. In September, the Executive Board pre-
sented its concept for the further development of the gas midstream business to the Super-
visory Board. The pivotal issue was the grouping of the gas midstream operations of the
Group’s companies under the newly established RWE Gas Midstream GmbH. In December,
the Executive Board presented to the Supervisory Board its strategy for the further develop-
ment of the RWE Group. Together with the Executive Board, the Supervisory Board discussed
Further Information
the strategy at length, including the expansion of the Group’s market position along the
value chain and new sales concepts.
Other main topics of deliberation. During the meetings, the Executive Board informed
the Supervisory Board in detail of the background and progress of the EU Commission’s fol-
low-up sector inquiries in May and December 2006 for possible violations of antitrust law
on the European electricity and gas markets.
The Group’s revenue and earnings trend as well as its financial situation were also regular
topics of deliberation. In its December 13 session, the Supervisory Board dealt with the
2007 budget submitted by the Executive Board as well as the forecast for 2008 and 2009.
Where deviations from previous budgets and goals arose, the Executive Board explained
them in detail.
98 Supervisory Board Report
Committees. The Supervisory Board has four committees. Their members are listed in the
chapter on “Boards and Committees*.“ These committees are mainly charged with prepar-
207
ing issues and resolutions of the Supervisory Board meetings. In certain cases, they exert
decision-making powers conferred on them by the Supervisory Board. During the Supervisory
Board sessions in 2006, committee chairmen delivered in-depth reports on the committees’
work.
The Executive Committee convened four times in the 2006 financial year. Its activity pri-
marily consisted of preparatory work for the Supervisory Board debates. The main subjects
of the committee’s preparations were the financial statements of the parent company and
the Group for fiscal 2005, issues regarding the Group’s strategic alignment, progress made
by current divestment and acquisition projects, and the corporate budget for 2007.
The Audit Committee convened five times in fiscal 2006. It discussed the interim results
and financial statements of the parent company (RWE Aktiengesellschaft) and the Group at
length and prepared the award of the audit contract to the independent auditor. The inde-
pendent auditor was present at some of the meetings. Debates also centred on the impact
of major divestments on the company’s balance sheet and tax position, the company’s tax
strategy and the results of the tax audit, commodity and credit risk management, the
effects of the planned transfer of provisions for pensions from the balance sheet*, impair-
65
ment test methods, and issues pertaining to internal auditing. Deliberations also dealt with
the impact of regulation in the grid sector and internal business optimization programmes
within RWE Energy.
The Human Resources Committee held four meetings. Debates primarily addressed the
compensation system and the amount of remuneration paid to members of the Executive
Board as well as recommendations for new appointments to the Executive Board.
Once again, in fiscal 2006, there was no reason to convene the Mediation Committee,
which complies with Sec. 27, Para. 3 of the German Co-Determination Act.
Explanation of statements made in compliance with Sec. 289, Para. 4 and Sec. 315,
Para. 4 of the German Commercial Code. We have commented on the disclosure man-
dated by Sec. 171, Para. 2, Sentence 2 of the German Stock Corporation Act and Secs. 289,
Para. 4, and 315, Para. 4 of the German Commercial Code in the review of operations on
page 73 of this annual report as follows:
The composition of the company’s subscribed capital, namely the non-voting preferred
shares issued by RWE, complies with statutory regulations and the articles of association
and is self-explanatory. In accordance with legal requirements, RW Energie-Beteiligungsge-
sellschaft informed us in October 2002 that it held a 10.94% share of voting stock in our
company at the time. The authorization to conduct share buybacks, the clause governing
changes in control over the syndicated credit line, and the compensation provisions of the
2005 long-term incentive plan (Beat) comply with generally accepted standards for German
companies geared towards the capital market.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 99
• Supervisory Board Report
Financial statements for fiscal 2006. The financial statements of the parent company,
To Our Investors
which were prepared by the Executive Board in compliance with the German Commercial
Code; the financial statements of the Group, which were prepared in compliance with
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs); the combined review of operations for
RWE Aktiengesellschaft and the Group; and the accounts were scrutinized by Pricewater-
houseCoopers Aktiengesellschaft Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft and were issued an
Review of Operations
unqualified auditor’s opinion. The auditors were elected by the AGM on April 13, 2006,
and commissioned by the Supervisory Board to audit the financial statements of RWE AG
and the Group. Documents supporting the annual financial statements, the annual report
and the auditor’s audit report were submitted to all the members of the Supervisory Board
in good time. The Executive Board also commented orally on the documents in the Super-
visory Board’s balance sheet meeting of February 21, 2007. The responsible auditors
Our Responsibility
attended the meeting, presented the material results of their audit, and were available
to answer questions. In the run-up to the balance sheet meeting, during its session on
February 20, 2007, the Audit Committee concerned itself in depth with the financial state-
ments and audit reports and recommended that the Supervisory Board approve the finan-
cial statements as well as the appropriation of profits proposed by the Executive Board.
RWE Special
The Supervisory Board thoroughly reviewed the financial statements of RWE Aktiengesellschaft
and the Group, the combined review of operations for RWE Aktiengesellschaft and the Group,
and the proposed appropriation of distributable profit. No objections were raised as a result
Changes in personnel on the Supervisory and Executive Boards. The tenure of the share-
holder representatives on the Supervisory Board ended on conclusion of the Annual General
Meeting on April 13, 2006. Ms. Dagmar Mühlenfeld, Dr. Paul Achleitner, Carl-Ludwig von
Further Information
Boehm-Bezing, Dr. Thomas R. Fischer, Heinz-Eberhard Holl, Dr. Gerhard Langemeyer,
Dr. Wolfgang Reiniger, Dr. Manfred Schneider and Prof. Karel Van Miert were re-elected.
Dr. Dietmar Kuhnt retired from the Supervisory Board. Prof. Dr. Ekkehard D. Schulz was
newly elected to the Supervisory Board. At the end of the Annual General Meeting on April
13, 2006, the employee representatives Messrs. Berthold Huber, Bernhard von Rothkirch,
Klaus-Dieter Südhofer and Jürgen Wefers retired from the Supervisory Board. They were
succeeded by Messrs. Sven Bergelin, Werner Bischoff, Heinz Büchel and Erich Reichertz.
Ms. Simone Haupt as well as Messrs. Frank Bsirske, Wifried Donisch, Dieter Faust, Günter
Reppien and Uwe Tigges were re-elected. The tenures of Dr. Thomas R. Fischer as Chairman
and Mr. Frank Bsirske as Deputy Chairman were confirmed in the Supervisory Board’s con-
100 Supervisory Board Report · Corporate Governance
stituent meeting on April 13, 2006. The committees* were re-staffed. At the end of August 8,
210
2006, the employee representative Mr. Wilfried Donisch retired from the Supervisory Board.
As of August 9, 2006, he was succeeded by Ms. Dagmar Schmeer, who had been elected
substitute to Mr. Donisch at the meeting of delegates on March 2, 2006.
The Supervisory Board thanks the exiting Supervisory Board members for their committed
and constructive cooperation and their dedication for the benefit of the company.
In its December 13, 2006, meeting, the Supervisory Board appointed Dr. Rolf Pohlig and
Dr. Ulrich Jobs to the Executive Board of RWE Aktiengesellschaft effective January 1, 2007,
and April 1, 2007, respectively. As of the end of the day on April 30, 2007, Dr. Klaus Sturany
and Jan Zilius will retire from the Executive Board in compliance with the company’s age
limit. The Supervisory Board thanks both of these gentlemen for their years-long successful
commitment and the service they rendered the RWE Group.
The Supervisory Board thanks the Executive Board and the RWE Group’s entire staff for the
work they did in 2006. With their commitment and expertise, they made a decisive contri-
bution to the company’s economic success.
Corporate Governance
To Our Investors
Responsible, transparent corporate governance oriented towards creating added value
Review of Operations
sustainably has always been extremely important to RWE. This is why we continue to
comply with all of the recommendations of the current version of the German Corpo-
rate Governance Code.
As in previous years, Comprehensive implementation of the Code. In 2006, the German Government Corporate
we comply with all of Governance Code Commission decided to make further amendments to the Code. They were
Our Responsibility
the recommendations of
occasioned by the law on the disclosure of executive board compensation (VorstOG), which
the German Corporate
Governance Code. entered into force in August 2005, and the law on corporate integrity and modernization of
the right of contestation (UMAG), which was enacted in September 2005. The adjustments
to the Code became effective on July 24, 2006. RWE had already largely complied with the
legal requirement to publish executive board remuneration a year earlier. This conformity
RWE Special
was voluntary, as the requirements were not yet mandatory for the 2005 financial state-
ments. Therefore, hardly any adjustments needed to be made for this year’s compensation
report. RWE thus continues to put into practice all of the recommendations and—with just a
few exceptions—the suggestions for voluntary action included in the Code. We are therefore
The following is a list of noteworthy issues regarding our corporate governance practice:
• In fiscal 2006, no material transactions were concluded between RWE AG or a Group com-
pany and an Executive Board member or related party. Furthermore, no contracts were
concluded between the company and members of the Supervisory Board. Executive Board
and Supervisory Board members had no conflicts of interest.
• Executive Board members purchased RWE shares again in 2006. As in the previous year,
Further Information
they were acquired to satisfy the requirement for RWE Executive Board members to invest
their own money in shares to participate in the 2005 long-term incentive plan (Beat). The
following is a breakdown of the transactions:
Transaction Name Reason for Type of financial ISIN Transaction Price Number of
date mandatory dis- instrument type (pur- per share/€ shares
closure/position chase/sale)
03/29/2006 Harry Roels Member of the RWE common share DE 0007037129 Purchase 70.5052 873
Executive Board
03/29/2006 Berthold Bonekamp Member of the RWE common share DE 0007037129 Purchase 70.5052 2,262
Executive Board
03/29/2006 Alwin Fitting Member of the RWE common share DE 0007037129 Purchase 70.5052 2,737
Executive Board
03/29/2006 Dr. Klaus Sturany Member of the RWE common share DE 0007037129 Purchase 70.5052 587
Executive Board
03/29/2006 Jan Zilius Member of the RWE common share DE 0007037129 Purchase 70.5052 625
Executive Board
102 Corporate Governance
The securities dealings were reported in accordance with Sec. 15a of the German Securi-
ties Trading Act and published on RWE’s website.
• The number of shares in the company and related financial instruments directly or indi-
rectly held by members of the Executive and Supervisory Boards is below 1% of the
shares issued by RWE (Item 6.6 of the Code).
For further information on our corporate governance practices, please turn to our website*.
04
It contains information on the tasks of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board of RWE
AG as well as their cooperation, the Group Business Committee (GBC), which was introduced
in 2003 to advise the Executive Board, and the Annual General Meeting of RWE AG. Our cur-
rent and past statements of compliance as well as past corporate governance reports can
also be found on the RWE website.
Compensation model for the Executive and Supervisory Boards (part of the Review of
Operations). The compensation of the Executive Board members and the structure of such
are established by the Human Resources Committee of the Supervisory Board and reviewed
on a regular basis. The objective is to ensure that the Executive Board members are com-
pensated in a manner commensurate with their activities and responsibilities, taking into
account their personal performance and the company’s business situation, as well as its per-
formance and prospects for the future. The Executive Board members’ total cash compensa-
tion consists of a fixed component and a variable, performance-related component. Their
total cash compensation breaks down into roughly 40 % for the fixed component and 60 %
for the variable, performance-related component. The variable component consists of a
company bonus, accounting for 70 %, and an individual bonus, accounting for 30 %. In the
2006 fiscal year, the company bonus was based equally on the Group’s budgeted figures for
value added and free cash flow. If the figures budgeted for the fiscal year in question are
achieved, the degree to which the target has been achieved is 100 %. The company bonus
can amount to a maximum of 150 %. The personal bonus depends on the achievement of
the goals agreed between the Chairman of the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board
member at the beginning of the financial year. The maximum degree to which this target
can be achieved is 120 %. Above and beyond this, Executive Board members receive non-
cash compensation and other compensation, consisting primarily of sums reflecting the
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 103
• Corporate Governance
use of company cars according to German fiscal guidelines and accident insurance premiums.
To Our Investors
Compensation also includes payment for exercising Supervisory Board mandates at affiliates,
which is accounted for as variable compensation in accordance with contractual provisions.
The compensation paid to members of the Executive Board for fiscal 2006 is as follows:
Review of Operations
Executive Board Short-term compensation
compensation in 2006
Fixed Variable Non-cash Payment Total
compensa- compensa- and other for exercise
tion tion remu- of man-
€ ‘000 neration dates1
Harry Roels 1,400 2,354 24 120 3,898
Our Responsibility
Berthold Bonekamp 680 1,087 52 93 1,912
Alwin Fitting 450 728 15 32 1,225
Dr. Klaus Sturany 1,000 1,305 37 80 2,422
Jan Zilius 680 1,111 54 69 1,914
Total 4,210 6,585 182 394 11,371
1 Income from the exercise of mandates on supervisory boards of affiliated companies is added to variable compensation.
RWE Special
In addition, members of the Executive Board received long-term compensation by exercising
stock appreciation rights granted in 2004 as part of the 2002 Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
Further Information
Jan Zilius 2,787
Total 18,827
As of January 1, 2005, the Beat programme replaced the 2002 Long-Term Incentive Plan
(LTIP). The Beat programme recognizes the lasting contributions made by executives to the
company’s success. The company’s performance is measured using Total Shareholder Return
(TSR)—which covers both the development of the share price and reinvested dividends—in
comparison to the TSR of other companies included in the Dow Jones STOXX Utilities
Index. Executives entitled to participate in Beat receive a conditional allocation of perfor-
mance shares every year. A performance share consists of the conditional right to receive a
pay-out in cash following a waiting period of three years. If the performance of the RWE
share on conclusion of the waiting period does not exceed that of 25 % of the Dow Jones
STOXX Utilities Index peer group, measured in terms of their index weighting as of the
inception of the programme, nothing is paid out. Payment corresponds to the average RWE
share price during the last 20 stock market trading days prior to expiration of the pro-
gramme, the number of conditionally allocated performance shares, and the pay-out factor.
The pay-out factor is determined based on the weighting of RWE’s TSR compared to
Europe’s major utilities included in the Dow Jones STOXX Utilities Index. Here, the position
occupied by RWE in this comparison is relevant, as are the positions of the other compa-
nies. Payment under the 2005 tranche is limited to three times the value of the performance
shares as of the grant date and, under the 2006 tranche, to double (for Executive Board
members one-and-a-half times) the value of the performance shares as of the grant date.
If during the waiting period there is a change in corporate control, a compensation pay-
ment amounting to the product of the price paid during acquisition of the RWE shares and
the final number of performance shares shall be granted. The latter shall be determined as
per the regulations of the scheme with regard to the time when the bid for corporate con-
trol was submitted. In the event of a merger with another company, compensation shall be
calculated on the basis of the expected value of the performance shares at the time of the
merger, multiplied by the prorated number of performance shares corresponding to the
ratio of the total waiting period to the waiting period until the merger takes place.
Performance shares granted under Beat in the year under review break down as follows:
Executive Board members still hold performance shares from the Beat programme’s 2005
To Our Investors
tranche from the previous year.
Review of Operations
No. € ’000
Harry Roels 161,100 3,000
Berthold Bonekamp 53,700 1,000
Alwin Fitting 10,000 186
Dr. Klaus Sturany 80,600 1,501
Jan Zilius 53,700 1,000
Total 359,100 6,687
Our Responsibility
1 Waiting period not yet expired.
€ 1,900,000 of the Executive Board’s compensation was paid by subsidiaries for mandates
exercised on their management boards in fiscal 2006.
RWE Special
In total, the Executive Board received € 11,371,000 in short-term compensation components
in fiscal 2006. In addition to this, long-term compensation components from the 2006
tranche of the Beat programme amounting to € 6,667,000 were allocated. Total compensation
Furthermore, members of the Executive Board received pension commitments (direct com-
mitments), which grant them entitlement to a life-long pension and surviving dependants’
benefits. The amount of qualifying income and the level of benefits determined based on
the duration of service is taken as a basis for each member’s individual pension and surviv-
ing dependants’ benefits. The ceiling for pension benefits for members of the Executive
Board is 60 % of the last qualifying income on the day before they turn 61. There are some
differences in the pension commitments in terms of the calculation of the level of benefits,
Further Information
the crediting of other pensions and benefits, and the adjustment mode selected for pen-
sions and surviving dependants’ benefits.
The service cost* of pension commitments in the year under review totalled € 1,954,000.
216
As of December 31, 2006, the present value of the defined benefit obligation* was
€ 19,744,000. The following is a breakdown of service costs and the present value of
215
pension benefits, taking into account both age and service life.
106 Corporate Governance
Until December 31, 2004, Executive Board members had the option to convert parts of
their variable compensation into a benefit commitment backed by reinsurance coverage.
Dr. Klaus Sturany is entitled at the age of 65 to a payment and surviving dependants’
benefits currently amounting to € 932,000. This entitlement stems from the conversion
of variable compensation components which were reported in the previous years’ annual
reports.
Individually arranged exit agreements were reached with Dr. Klaus Sturany and Jan Zilius
with respect to the early end of their mandates on the Executive Board effective April 30,
2007. The agreements contain the following compensation and benefit commitments as
redemption for their existing contractual rights. Depending on the remaining terms of their
employment contracts, the two gentlemen shall receive individually agreed compensatory
payments, determined on the basis of their fixed pay and the redemption of existing con-
tractual rights to bonuses and company cars. Payment for both gentlemen shall be made at
the end of April 2007. Performance shares granted until the agreed exit date shall retain
their validity, in accordance with plan conditions.
The compensatory payment calculated on this basis owed to Dr. Klaus Sturany as redemp-
tion for his employment contract, which has an original term ending on September 19,
2007, amounts to € 943,733. The prorated bonus for the period from January 1, 2007, to
April 30, 2007, already determined amounts to € 473,400. As of September 20, 2007,
Dr. Klaus Sturany was entitled to a company pension in accordance with contractual arrange-
ments. The compensatory payment for Mr. Jan Zilius for redemption of his employment con-
tract, which has an original term ending on March 31, 2008, amounts to € 1,732,271. The
prorated bonus for the period from January 1, 2007, to April 30, 2007, already determined
amounts to € 395,250. As of April 1, 2008, Mr. Jan Zilius was entitled to a company pen-
sion in accordance with contractual arrangements.
The compensation of the Supervisory Board is set forth in the bylaws and is determined by
the Annual General Meeting. Supervisory Board members receive a fixed compensation of
€ 40,000 for their services at the end of each fiscal year. The sum increases by € 225 for
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 107
• Corporate Governance
every € 0.01 by which the dividend exceeds € 0.10 per common share. The Chairperson of
To Our Investors
the Supervisory Board receives three times the total compensation paid to ordinary mem-
bers, and the Deputy Chairperson receives twice these amounts. If a committee has been
active at least once in a fiscal year, committee members receive one-and-a-half times the
total compensation and the committee chairperson receives twice the total compensation.
If a member of the Supervisory Board holds several offices concurrently, he or she receives
Review of Operations
compensation only for the highest-paid position. Out-of-pocket expenses are refunded.
Our Responsibility
Dr. Paul Achleitner 60 115 175
Sven Bergelin (since April 13, 2006) 29 55 84
Werner Bischoff (since April 13, 2006) 43 83 126
Carl-Ludwig von Boehm-Bezing 80 153 233
Heinz Büchel (since April 13, 2006) 43 83 126
RWE Special
Wilfried Donisch (until August 8, 2006) 24 46 70
Dieter Faust 60 115 175
Simone Haupt 55 104 159
Heinz-Eberhard Holl 60 115 175
Further Information
Prof. Dr. Ekkehard D. Schulz (since April 13, 2006) 43 83 126
Klaus-Dieter Südhofer (until April 13, 2006) 17 32 49
Uwe Tigges 60 115 175
Prof. Karel Van Miert 40 76 116
Jürgen Wefers (until April 13, 2006) 11 22 33
Total 1,195 2,286 3,481
In total, the emoluments of the Supervisory Board amounted to € 3,481,000 in fiscal 2006.
Additionally, certain Supervisory Board members were paid compensation of € 194,000 for
exercising mandates at subsidiaries.
108 Corporate Governance
RWE Aktiengesellschaft complies with all of the recommendations of the German Govern-
ment Corporate Governance Code Commission issued in the July 24, 2006, version of the
Code. Likewise, from the last statement of compliance on February 21, 2006, to July 24,
2006, RWE Aktiengesellschaft has complied with all of the recommendations of the version
of the Code issued on July 20, 2005, and since July 25, 2006, has complied with all of the
recommendations of the July 24, 2006, version of the Code.
Whether wind, biomass or water—renewable energy is becoming increasingly important when it comes to
supplying people with electricity and heat. RWE uses natural sources of energy wherever economically
feasible. A wave power plant is being set up on the Scottish coast, wind farms in France and Spain, and
biogas facilities in Germany. This is how we are investing in energy for Europe.
Read more about this in the RWE Special on pages 134 to 140.
ENERGY FROM
RENE WAB LE S:
+ Wind
+ Biomass
+ Water
112 Workforce
Only with qualified, motivated employees will we be able to meet the mounting
demands of our customers and shareholders over the long term. A corporate culture
that fosters goal-oriented thinking and action creates the foundation for this. Projects
taking centre stage in addition to training and executive resource development in
2006 were tailored to help improve the work-life balance.
In Fiscal 2006, we Again, we trained more people than needed to meet our own needs. Recruiting talented
trained 90 % more young adults into positions in the energy sector was one of our major objectives last year
people than required to
as well. Roughly 900 teenagers embarked on a training programme with us in 2006—for
satisfy our own needs.
more than 30 professions in the industrial-technical and general commercial fields. All in all,
we had 2,845 apprentices and trainees at the end of the year. Associated expenses in the
year under review exceeded €70 million. We thus trained ten times more people than
required to satisfy our own needs. In so doing, we are fulfilling our responsibility to society,
as well as seizing the opportunity to discover young talent and retain it early on. After the
first year of training, we afford especially capable candidates the opportunity to pursue a
course of study accompanying their apprenticeship at a university of applied sciences or a
job academy.
Launched in 2004 under the motto ‘I’ll Make It!’ our initiative to prepare people for train-
ing was well received. Last year alone, we admitted to the programme 88 teenagers, who
were unable to find an apprenticeship after graduating from school (as of December 2006).
They are prepared for the labour market in a programme lasting up to a year, during which
they do project work in skilled trade and complete job application training courses. Initially
limited to a maximum of three years, we extended the programme until 2010, owing to the
high rate of referrals: On completion of ‘I’ll Make It!,’ about three quarters of the partici-
pants found a permanent apprenticeship—generally outside the RWE Group.
Identifying and promoting high potential. We staff management positions from within
our own ranks wherever possible and sensible. This enables us to reduce costs incurred to
familiarize employees with their tasks and give qualified personnel an incentive to perform
to the best of their capabilities. Our standard, groupwide process ensures that we discover
and foster suitable candidates. Our executives submit proposals for high-potential staff. To
ensure the quality of such selections, proposals must be confirmed by at least one execu-
tive at the next highest management level. The result of this assessment determines the
nature and scope of the promotion measures. Possibilities run the gamut from personalized
development plans and systematic talent fostering to groupwide succession management.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 113
• Workforce
Family-friendly jobs. Job attractiveness is a key factor when competing for high-potential
To Our Investors
talent. The work-life balance plays an increasingly important role in the job-selection
process. Our flexitime models, remote working offers and company-subsidized daycare help
our personnel remain dedicated to their profession without neglecting family duties. Our
efforts were recognized: In May 2006, RWE AG received certification pursuant to the
‘berufundfamilie’ (‘workandfamily’) audit. The patrons of the audit, which was initiated
Review of Operations
by the Hertie Foundation (a charitable organization) are Germany’s Federal Family and
Economics Ministries.
In the last five years, Number of work-related accidents continues to decline. The health of our employees is
we succeeded in also dear to our hearts. Our work in this field goes far above and beyond statutory require-
nearly halving the
ments. In August 2006, the Executive Board of RWE adopted a uniform occupational and
Our Responsibility
accident rate within
the RWE Group. health safety policy. It calls on all our divisions to determine further steps en route to
improving safety at work. One aspect involves including a reduction in accidents in target
agreements reached with our executives. Moreover, we launched a comprehensive cam-
paign to inform our workforce of issues pertaining to occupational safety. The campaign
is already bearing its first fruit: In 2006, the number of reportable work-related incidents
RWE Special
per million work hours dropped from 6.4 to 5.6. We recorded 8.2 accidents for every 1,000
staff members. In 2005, this ratio was 10.6. In the space of five years, we succeeded in
nearly halving our accident rate.
Further Information
103
creates a uniform, groupwide framework for long-term compensation incentives. Our
programme recognizes the success of RWE relative to its European competitors: After a
three-year waiting period, executives receive payment only if the performance of the RWE
share exceeds that of 25 % of its peer companies in the Dow Jones STOXX Utilities Index.
With this rule, we have raised the bar for performance-based compensation yet again.
114 Sustainability
Six fields of action for RWE’s sustainability strategy. Sustainable management is not in
contradiction to returns and efficiency. In fact, it is an essential element in the long-term
management of risk and safeguarding the future of a company. Our measures are focussed
on six action fields derived from our business model as a power utility and the conditions
prevailing on our markets. When we identified these fields of action, we drew on the results
of a comprehensive survey among all our divisions and public stakeholder groups. Our sus-
tainability strategy is reviewed regularly, adjusted to new developments, and coordinated
with the RWE Group’s overall strategy.
Protecting the climate and generating electricity while conserving resources. Climate
protection, security of supply and profitability—this is the envisioned triangle to which we
are aligning our energy business. It is paramount to the composition of our power plant
portfolio, since every source of primary energy has certain pros and cons. We will continue
to offset the individual risks in the future through a balanced mix of various energy fuels,
running the gamut from nuclear and coal to gas and renewables.
We will make an Our power stations have lifetimes of several decades. This alone explains how important it
important contribution is for us to do business abiding by the principle of sustainability. The new power plants we
to climate protection
build have the highest efficiencies attainable worldwide. This will enable us to conserve
by replacing old power
plants with modern resources and make a substantial contribution to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and,
ones. in turn, protecting the climate, since CO2 is a major cause of the greenhouse gas effect.
Electricity generated from nuclear power stations is very climate-friendly, since they do
not release any CO2.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 115
• Sustainability
At the same time, we are already developing the next generation of coal-fired power sta-
To Our Investors
tions with efficiencies exceeding 50 %. By comparison, the world average is 31%. For exam-
ple, the pre-combustion fluidized-bed drying process we will use to produce electricity from
lignite will allow us to achieve the same degrees of efficiency as state-of-the-art hard coal
power plants. Engineering a nearly zero-CO2 coal-fired power plant offers new prospects for
generating electricity from fossil fuels. This is not just a technological challenge: The trans-
Review of Operations
portation and storage of CO2 also requires public consensus.
We had increased our Renewables are an integral part of our power generation portfolio. We had 1,374 MW in
renewables-based renewables-based capacity at the end of 2006. We want to increase the share of renewables
capacity to 1,374 MW
in our generation mix through additional investments. Here, our preferred option is wind
by the end of 2006.
power, with hydro and biomass also playing a role.
Our Responsibility
Social responsibility. We intend to be a reliable partner to the regions in which we do
business. By carrying out large-scale projects, including constructing new power plants and
high-voltage lines as well as expanding opencast mines, we are making a substantial contri-
bution to securing and creating jobs. Such ventures can only be implemented with the pub-
RWE Special
lic’s acceptance. This is why, besides maintaining constant dialogue with the parties affect-
ed, we always strive to obtain a fair balance of interests.
Several thousand We are committed to social issues wherever we are active: working with teenagers, advanc-
Further Information
company gives them time off and helps them in organizational matters. One of the stand-
out events was the support provided to the 2006 Soccer World Cup for People with Disabili-
ties. Several thousand employees participated in these programmes. They serve to embed
116 Sustainability
the RWE Group in our regions of activity and engrain within the workforce a feeling of
cohesiveness and team spirit. Another way we assume responsibility for these regions is
by enabling young adults to launch their careers. Further details of these measures are
explained on page 112.
Goals Recommendations
RWE advises customers Resource efficiency. Efficiency is something we strive for not only in the generation of
To Our Investors
in making careful use electricity, but also in terms of its use. Handling energy economically both in one’s own
of energy: We grant
company and on the customer’s premises helps reduce CO2 emissions and thus supple-
subsidies to household
customers who use ments our climate protection strategy. RWE supports the German Energy Agency’s (dena)
heat pumps. energy efficiency campaign and advises customers in making careful use of electricity and
heat. RWE Energy’s regional subsidiaries grant subsidies to household customers for using
Review of Operations
heat pumps. They absorb heat from the environment and convert it into energy for heating
purposes.
Nature and landscape conservation. Thanks to the modern filters we use in our power
plants and the extensive noise-abatement and dust-protection measures we implement in
our opencast lignite mines, we have been meeting the most stringent of environmental pro-
Our Responsibility
tection standards for years. We are dedicated to the conservation of nature and landscapes
with the same degree of care. Two measures we are taking to this end are the line mainte-
nance and recultivation of space used for opencast mining that ensure an ecological bal-
ance. Case in point: the renaturation of the Inde river in the Rhenish lignite mining region
(Germany). In 2006, we spent a total of € 690 million to protect the environment. Our
RWE Special
environmental spending was 30 % down year on year. The main reason for the decline is
the deconsolidation of Thames Water.
Further Information
118 Sustainability · RWE Special
2010—Energy efficiency
2014—Clean coal
A global challenge
Page 138
120 RWE Special From the power plant to the home
From the power plant to the home RWE Special 121
2 010
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
From the power
plant to the home
RWE does all it can to make the most efficient use of energy, with a view
to preserving the environment. Be it the production of lignite, the generation
of electricity, the transmission of power, or consumption in households,
commercial and industrial operations, RWE explores many techniques to
improve efficiency and thus help protect the environment. Fluidized-bed
drying in lignite power plants is just as important an issue as the installation
of heat pumps in single-family homes.
122 RWE Special From the power plant to the home
August 23, 2006 was extremely important to Angela Since this eliminates the need to run the backup trans-
Merkel: It was the day on which she laid the corner- formers, every superconductive circuit breaker will reduce
stone for the new twin unit in the Neurath power atmospheric pollution by approximately 2,000 metric
station in the Rhineland town of Grevenbroich. It tons of CO2 per annum.
will go online in 2010, as the world’s largest lignite- Heat pumps of the type RWE contract technicians
fired power plant, thanks to its 2,100 megawatts of such as Christoph Weber install in single-family homes
installed capacity. The plant’s flagship feature is its do not appear all that important at first glance. How-
43 percent efficiency rating which places it 12 per- ever, every new heat pump reduces CO2 emissions
centage points above conventional lignite power from the generation of comfortable heat by 40 percent.
stations. Besides cutting back on fuel, this will also Weber’s motto: “We make use of the energy present
relieve the Earth’s atmosphere of six million metric in the air, earth and water.”
tons of CO2 every year. From the lignite opencast mine to the socket, RWE,
Another power-saving initiative was launched in “The Energy Efficiency Company,” has the entire value
October 2006. It had a lower profile, but carries equal chain in full view. The task at hand is to reduce power
weight when it comes to protecting the environment. consumption and thus cut back on greenhouse gas emis-
The Ines 110 project is subsidized by the EU as part of sions. Germany has set its sights on an ambitious target,
its “Life” environmental programme. Preparatory work as it aims to be the world champion in energy efficiency
is being done in cooperation with plant manufacturer by 2020. Japan is the title holder at present. The German
Nexans SuperConductors to test a superconductive Chancellor charged the nation with reducing energy
circuit breaker, which is currently being developed. usage by 40 percent by 2020, compared with 1990 levels.
From 2009 at the latest, the new superconductor is This is more than the European Commission is asking of
to act as a circuit breaker to replace complex backup the 25 EU member states in its green paper entitled
transformers when connecting 110-kilovolt grids. “Energy Efficiency: Doing More with Less.”
Fortunately, Germany doesn’t have to start from And household customers need not fear they might
scratch: over the last 15 years, the country curbed power be left out: RWE actually offers bonuses to energy savers
consumption per unit of gross domestic product about (see “Climate protection begins at home”).
a fifth. But the country still has substantial potential. RWE sets a good example. The conveyor belts in use
According to estimates by the German Energy Agency, throughout its opencast lignite mines have been running
dena, German industry could reduce energy usage by on new carrier castors since last year, resulting in an
20 percent, and homes could achieve a hefty 45 percent energy saving of five percent. Moreover, since the belts,
drop. And RWE’s always there to lend a helping hand: which are often several kilometres long, are now capable
businesses can avail themselves of a host of services to of turning corners, the need for cross-loading has been
save energy, running the gamut from contracting to utility eliminated. The upshot is another two percent in energy
management. What RWE does for contracting customers savings.
is take over their facilities and manage them on commis- However, our single-most important project is still
sion. A case in point is our heating service. By the end the Neurath lignite power station, featuring optimized
of 2006, RWE had installed 650 heating units with a plant technology. The engineering work was done by
combined capacity of 105 megawatts and a total output RWE specialists and a host of suppliers in the steel,
of 280 gigawatt hours per year. In the field of utility turbine construction and systems engineering sectors.
management, RWE Key Account Contracting handles the The resulting technology has been in use in the Nieder-
management of gas, water and power deployment and aussem power plant since 2003. Now it is being put into
usage, with a view to improving efficiency. practice on an even larger scale.
124 RWE Special From the power plant to the home
Efficiency is enhanced through an extensive chain they are heated to approximately 110 degrees centigrade
of improvements: higher steam temperatures and higher and the water evaporates from the lignite particles. Part
pressure drive the turbines, which are fitted with ad- of the evaporated water is fed back into the dryer and
vanced design turbine blades. Added benefits are the used again to fluidize more lignite. The other part is used
use of exhaust heat and the reduction in electricity con- to heat the dryer or the power plant boiler’s feed-water.
sumption in power plant operations. This is what we mean by “using internal exhaust heat.”
But this is far from exhausting the ingenuity of our Once dried, the powder is fed into the utility boiler for
engineers. The next step has already been prepared—from combustion, achieving an increase in efficiency. This
2008 onwards, lignite used to fire the Niederaussem facil- interplay of technologies will turn the RWE power plant
ity will be pre-dried using the fluidized-bed method, into the world champion of lignite efficiency.
making use of internal exhaust heat. This technique will RWE is involved in engineering power plants capable
generally raise the plant’s efficiency by about another of withstanding internal temperatures of up to 700 de-
four percentage points. The lignite is first ground to a grees centigrade—nearly 100 degrees more than they do
fine powder, with particle sizes of no more than a milli- today. The first material trial runs are already underway
metre—“as fine as flour,” says Hans-Joachim Klutz, head in a unit of the Gelsenkirchen-Scholven power station,
of engineering at RWE Power in Cologne. Afterwards, the which produces power for RWE. Dr. Johannes Heithoff,
powder is fed into the fluidized bed dryer, which has a head of research at RWE, is certain: “In 2020, we will
cross-sectional area of eight by eight metres, with inte- commission the first lignite-fired power plant with an
grated heat exchange pipes heated with steam. Water efficiency of more than 50 percent.”
vapour is blown onto the coal particles, causing them to The German government is certain to send a re-
flow like a liquid around the heat pipes. In the process, presentative to the groundbreaking ceremony for this
environmental milestone.
»We have steadily expanded the utility services we offer our industrial customers.
We take advantage of numerous ways to make efficient use of energy, while
conserving resources. Close cooperation between our electricity and gas sales
operations as well as the contracting business enable a host of synergies.«
Thomas Birr, General Manager, RWE Key Account
Superconductors
Superconductive circuit breakers (SCBs) are actually a
paradox in and of themselves. They transmit electricity
beautifully, but they also prevent electricity from flow-
ing when it shouldn’t. This enables SCBs to transmit
electricity through interconnectors with virtually no
losses. However, they heat up as soon as a short circuit
occurs, which causes them to lose their conductivity
and drop the connection. This eliminates the need to
deploy the two transformers required today to connect
110-kV subgrids.
From the power plant to the home RWE Special 125
Light or heat: Germans simply can’t get enough with the best possible strategy. The self-help guide entitled
of either. Only US residents use more energy. “Save Energy Now” contains numerous pointers for house-
Interestingly enough, it’s the small tricks that help hold customers. Furthermore, RWE consultants lend cus-
light up your home and keep it warm using less ener- tomers power gauges that help them sniff out the power
gy. After all, it’s still true that the cheapest electricity gluttons that live in their homes.
is the electricity that isn’t used in the first place. Heaters are the biggest power users, as they account
for more than half of the energy bill. It pays off to install
Hobby chefs are actually in the know: every pot needs a lid. a heat pump particularly in homes with good insulation
It’s a real shame that, all too often, this rule is forgotten in and under-floor heating. This investment can roughly halve
the heat of the moment. In fact, cooking with a closed pot annual energy costs. Earth heat pumps cost approxima-
reduces power consumption by two thirds. This results in tely 18,000 euros, making them about 10,000 euros more
savings of at least 20 euros for a cooker alone, which uses expensive than modern condensing value boilers, but
an average of 575 kilowatt hours of electricity per year in thanks to the reduction in operating costs they achieve,
a four-person household. they are a worthwhile investment. They limit power con-
And the list of power-gobblers goes on: TV sets in sumption to the electricity needed to run the pump.
standby mode, dishwashers run on full cycle with just a Energy required for heating comes for free from the earth
handful of dirty plates, overhead lights that use 60 watt or, when using air heat pumps, from the atmosphere.
bulbs instead of the mere 12 watts needed by an energy Added bonus: users receive state subsidies as well as a
saving bulb, etc. One can easily cut electricity consumption 500-euro bonus from RWE for installing the pumps. This
throughout one’s home. The potential for savings is im- essentially makes heat pumps a zero-cost investment for
mense. After all, a one-person household consumes the first year. In addition, they provide relief to the envi-
1,800 kilowatt hours of electricity a year, excluding energy ronment. Compared to an oil heating system, CO2 emis-
used for hot water. A three-person home consumes some sions are reduced by approximately 40 percent.
5,000 kilowatt hours. RWE is there to help people come up
1 2 3
1 Earth probe
2 Earth collector
3 Air heat pump
Be it via groundwater, soil or air, all heat pumps work based on the
same principle: they take advantage of differences in temperature to
heat water for heating systems or immediate consumption.
126 RWE Special Interview with Harry Roels
Interview with Harry Roels RWE Special 127
2 012
INTERVIEW WI TH HARRY ROEL S
Mr. Roels, your group put in an outstanding performance our customers benefit from this as well. But most impor-
last fiscal year. Is that reason to be proud? tantly, we rely on our profits to make investments in the
Roels: What this proves most of all is that our employees supply of energy within Germany and Europe.
have done outstanding work. And this is something that
I’m proud of. Nevertheless, Germany’s Economics Minister believes our
electricity prices jeopardize the survival of Germany Inc.
Aren’t you worried that the debate surrounding allegedly Roels: It’s the Economics Minister’s job to concern him-
exorbitant prices and “monopolistic” profits earned by self with the future of Germany as a place to do business.
energy groups may be revived? But let’s not forget that electricity prices—excluding state
Roels: I do indeed have qualms about this debate, fees and taxes—paid by industry last year were roughly
because it pays no regard to the economic facts. We the same as in 1998, the year in which the energy market
don’t set prices haphazardly. In fact, wholesale prices was liberalized. So the situation can’t be all that alarming.
are determined on the EEX energy exchange in Leipzig Again, we don’t establish the prices. They’re driven by
by the year, the month and the hour. They serve as a the rise in energy costs on the world’s markets, increases
guideline for us. Our profits serve to fulfil our investors’ in taxes and levies, and climate-protection measures such
return expectations. In this context, RWE is committed as the introduction of CO2 certificates, which also have
to a long-term, value-oriented corporate strategy that an impact on the price of electricity. Furthermore, the
serves the interests of our owners. Our employees and mounting shortage of generation capacity in Germany
and our neighbouring countries is already being felt. We
must stop pointing fingers and initiate an all-encompass-
ing dialogue on the future of energy supply in Germany.
The only way to achieve this is to take stock—free of
ideological preferences and prejudice.
engineers. The joint efforts we are putting into conserv- integrated coal gasification and CO2 separation and stor-
ing energy don’t mean for a moment that we don’t need age. Besides representing a major step en route to con-
an energy concept built on foundations that remain viable verting energy in an environmentally friendly manner
until 2020. After all, by then we will have to replace a total using state-of-the-art technology, it underscores our aspi-
of 60,000 megawatts of capacity installed in Germany’s ration to be the technology leader, above all as regards
power plants. producing electricity from coal. But we need political
support for this. When it comes to protecting the envi-
Aren’t you overtaxing politicians with this? ronment, the power utilities’ commitment isn’t enough.
Roels: Political conditions allowing, we want to roll out Society has to make its own pledge to the cause as well.
the biggest capex programme in our corporate history.
We intend to invest up to 25 billion euros by 2012, Does that mean that RWE is relying on coal as a source
of which 15 billion have been earmarked for power of energy?
stations, opencast mines and grids in Germany alone. Roels: We’re banking on a broad energy mix building on
This is a clear pledge to Germany Inc. and will safe- all available energy sources, without ruling out a particu-
guard a large number of jobs. In turn, it is up to the lar energy fuel for ideological reasons from the onset.
policymakers and society to create reliable conditions Every primary source of energy, including renewables,
to safeguard these investments. We’re planning to plays its part and is justifiably included in this mix.
build a nearly CO2-free coal-fired power plant. It is However, for reasons of supply security and competitive-
scheduled to go online in 2014 and generate electricity ness, lignite and hard coal will maintain their dominant
beyond the middle of the century. You see, we plan for status for several decades to come. Let’s not forget that
future generations, so 2020 is just a milestone. Germany still has enough domestic lignite to cover
demand for more than 200 years and we’re mining it
Do you think the CO2-free power plant has a chance without subsidies.
of success?
Roels: We’re absolutely convinced it does. And we have
plans to construct the world’s first large-scale plant with
Interview with Harry Roels RWE Special 129
»We’re banking on energy from How much weight do you accord to renewables-based
energy in your plans?
renewables being able to stand Roels: To us, they’re a key component in the supply
up to the competition« of energy and we support the EU’s goal to double
renewables’ share in electricity generation in the next
15 years. We will make a major contribution to achiev-
ing this aim by investing 650 million euros over the
next five years. However, renewable energies must
prove their mettle against the competition. This is why
we demand that an end be put to the over-subsidization
of individual energy sources and that Europe’s
systems of subsidy be harmonized.
2 0 14
CLE AN COAL
The test benches of the German Aerospace Centre The nation’s key energy source may be capable of
(DLR) in Cologne are normally used to check aircraft and producing power essentially free of emissions.
rocket engines for output, consumption and durability. The challenge is huge. The engineers have to find a
But a different type of turbine has been running in DLR way to prevent CO2 released during the process from es-
laboratories for a year now: gas turbines for next-genera- caping into the air. This means they have to capture it.
tion power plants, which burn hydrogen-rich gas obtain- In principle, there are three ways to do this: extract the
ed from coal. “The ignition characteristics of these tur- carbon dioxide before combustion of the gas which has
bines resemble those of rockets,” says Dr. Peter Moser, been produced from the coal using the IGCC (Integrated
who works on RWE Power’s research team. He and his col- Gasification Combined Cycle) method, or separate it after
leagues provide assistance to the people working at DLR. combustion using the oxyfuel technique (burning the
Wolfgang Apel, head of the Geo Support Centre at coal using purified oxygen) or by washing the CO2 out of
RWE Dea in Hamburg, is also tracking the progress made the flue gases.
in Cologne. His task complements the work done by his “We’re going with the IGCC method in our new power
colleagues: he has teamed up with geophysicists, petro- plant, because we believe this represents the most ad-
physicists, storage experts and IT professionals to ex- vanced technology and allows for the highest degree of
plore ways of storing CO2 underground using databases flexibility,” explains Peter Moser. Instead of being com-
and calculation models. bus-ted immediately, the coal is first converted to H2-rich
Moser and Apel are working on one of RWE Group’s gas. Once the CO2 has been captured, the gas, which is
most significant future-oriented projects: the nearly free of carbon dioxide, is then fed to a turbine of the
CO2-free coal-fired power plant. If everything goes type which is currently being tested at DLR in Cologne
according to plan, the power station will go live with an (see figure below).
installed capacity of 450 megawatts in 2014. The capex The disadvantage: the method is complex and uses
budget is expected to amount to a billion euros. In energy. It reduces the efficiency of a modern lignite-fired
addition, it will open up entirely new prospects for lignite power plant—presently 43 percent—by ten to twelve
which has served as the source of roughly 25 percent of percentage points. “Converting the coal to gas costs us
Germany’s electricity generation in the past. three to four percent alone,” says Moser. However, this is
Gasification Gas processing and CO2 capture Power generation First you capture it ...
Air fractionation Gasifier Raw gas cooling Sulphur CO conversion CO2 capture and Gas turbine Waste heat Cooling tower
Dust removal capture compression boiler and In a power plant with an inte-
steam turbine
grated gasification combined
N2 to the gas turbine CO + steam CO2 + H2 cycle, coal is not burned immedi-
Air
O2 Raw gas CO + H2 + ... Purified gas CO + H2 H2-rich gas Nearly CO2--free exhaust gas ately. Instead, it is heated to a
very high temperature and sub-
Steam jected to a pressure of approxi-
Fuel options: Steam
N2 mately 35 bar in a gasifier, which
thereby converts it to a gas that
Lignite
mainly consists of carbon mon-
CO2 + H2 Electricity
Dryer
oxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2).
To sulphur processing
Water vapour is used to convert
Hard coal Water Air the CO into H2 and CO2 via a
Biomass
Waste
Electricity “shift reaction”. Membrane-based
methods are then employed to
Dust re- To pro-
cycling cessing CO2 to storage remove the CO2 from the hydro-
gen and capture it separately.
Washing, separating & storing RWE Special 133
a shortcoming the RWE researchers won’t give in to. kilometres. And for economic reasons, the storage site
Using new materials and process engineering, they should be situated close to a suitable power plant.
intend to increase the efficiency of IGCC power stations Apel and his team’s search is presently focused on
back up to at least 40 percent. northern Germany and south of the North Sea. These
But our engineers are seeking ways to capture regions have suitable geological conditions. Appropriate
carbon dioxide in power stations using conventional coal sites are to be shortlisted by 2008. The next step will
combustion processes as well. When employing the CO2 entail conducting sophisticated seismological studies to
washing technique, the good old smoke stack is com- create special three-dimensional simulations in concert
plemented by a washing tower, in which solvents such with the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and
as amines absorb the greenhouse gas and redirect it to a Natural Resources. The 3D information will help the sci-
separator. Here the amines are heated, upon which they entists detect tectonic faults. Storage durations of sever-
release CO2. The solvents are then reintroduced into the al thousand years are only possible if the site is stable.
washing tower, and more carbon dioxide is captured. RWE plans to submit a proposal for a location in 2008
After this, the CO2 has to be transported to a safe and hopes that it will have received all the permits
storage facility. Saline aquifers are the most suitable required to begin construction by 2010.
option. They are deep sandstone formations containing However, the venture will succeed only if, beside the
saltwater. The rock has enough pores to absorb the CO2. technical requirements, the legal framework has been
“The method itself is both known and proven,” says Apel: established and the construction permits for the IGCC
“It just comes down to finding the right location.” In power plant and CO2 storage are in line with each other.
aquifers, the CO2 is deep enough to be kept under suffi- The nearly CO2-free power plant represents a bold step
cient pressure to ensure that it remains supercritical, i.e. for RWE on its way to achieving substantial reductions in
in liquid state. A sealing layer must be present to prevent greenhouse gas emissions. But RWE cannot go down
the CO2 from rising to the surface. Last, but not least, this road alone, without the support of policymakers
the aquifer has to be big enough to accommodate the and society.
CO2 captured from a power plant with a lifetime of, e.g.
40 years. The aquifier can extend over several square
2020
ENERGY FROM RENEWAB LES
The Outer Hebrides in northern Scotland are normally improved technologically. Moreover, some of these alter-
associated with sheep farming and stormy weather. natives cannot be implemented sensibly in the UK or
This could change in coming years. RWE npower, one of Germany. For instance, photovoltaic technology is costly
the major UK electricity and gas companies, is investigat- and only works during daylight hours, thus it is not suit-
ing the feasibility of building a new type of wave power able for widespread use in Europe.
plant off the coast of Siadar, a small village on the Isle Geothermal energy is a different story. In the fault of
of Lewis. Located in a breakwater-type structure, the the Upper Rhine Graben, the nation’s “boiler,” groundwa-
electricity turbines would be driven by airstreams created ter flows at depths of 2,000 to 4,000 metres, at tempera-
by the waves. tures peaking at 180 degrees centigrade. These are actual-
The demonstration project could have a capacity of ly ideal conditions for running thermal power stations as
three to four megawatts-enough to power around 1,500 in Iceland or Hawaii. RWE specialist Dr. Thorsten Blanke,
homes and save up to 6,000 metric tons of carbon who had complex drilling work performed in the Upper
dioxide, which would result from the use of fossil fuel. Rhine Graben fault, however, dampened the euphoria
Harnessing the power in waves is a huge challenge, somewhat: “The rocks on the Upper Rhine Graben are not
“but we can’t afford to turn a blind eye to this source permeable enough to allow the required 100 litres of
of energy,” says Jon Boston, who is spearheading the water per second to be pumped up to the surface.”
Siadar project (see the interview “The potential out Bottom line: here, large-scale power generation is out of
there is huge”). the question for the time being.
Siadar would play a small but significant role in mas- RWE is currently focusing on the most cost-effective
tering a huge challenge: increasing the share of power renewable technologies. Based on present knowledge,
generated from renewables to 20 percent in both the wind, hydro and biomass are viable options. In its quest
UK and Germany by 2020. Here in Germany, the ratio is to promote these energy sources, the group will invest
currently nearly twelve percent. But oil and gas are finite 650 million euros over the next five years. But it is also
resources, making supply security an increasingly press- important to consider technologies that are further off
ing issue. Moreover, every single country must use all (such as wave energy) since these could be important
means necessary to cut down on CO2 emissions and put sources of energy in the future.
a halt to climate change, or at least slow its rate. For RWE, water is not a new source of energy. The
Possibilities of achieving this objective abound: wind Heimbach hydro storage power plant in the Eifel region
and hydroelectric power, geothermal energy, biomass and already set technological standards for producing elec-
photovoltaics—although some of them must still be tricity from water back in 1904. The RWE Group has at
Interview with npower renewables’ Jon Why has Siadar been selected as the location for this
Boston, who’s in charge of assessing the project?
Boston: The sea is at the optimum depth (seven metres)
feasibility of one of the UK’s first wave only a few hundred metres from the shore and has the
power stations. right type of waves, too: they’re powerful, have the
right rhythm, and are plentiful, since the area boasts
Electricity from waves-doesn’t that sound like a future rough weather—a well-known phenomenon. The site
fantasy? was also attractive since the idea for the project was
Boston: Yes, but it’s one that may soon become a born there. The local fishing community could benefit
Wave power plants reality. We aren’t the only ones looking into this. from the scheme as the technology we are considering
Projects are in the making in Spain, Portugal and would provide shelter for the launching of small boats.
The force created by the movement of Australia, too. Estimates for the future level of global
production from wave power vary, but it is clear that Laymen are surprised at the fact that it isn’t the waves
water in the seas and oceans around the
the potential in wave energy is too large for us to themselves, but rather the airstream created by them,
world represents an inexhaustible source ignore. that drives the turbines
of energy. So far, we’ve only been able to Boston: The force of waves is so strong that they could
What are the parameters for success? destroy a turbine. We believe that we have an advan-
take advantage of it using tidal power sta- Boston: As with most projects of this nature, it’s the tage by using air turbines, since all the moving parts
tions. RWE npower is carrying out studies cost-benefit ratio. How much would I have to invest are out of the water and housed in a secure structure.
in the wave power station? How much energy will it There are lots of other concepts that we may consider
to assess the feasibility of a wave power yield? We’re currently carrying out feasibility work as well, but as a first step we are happy that we have
plant on the Atlantic coast in Scotland. to find the answers to these questions. In addition, selected one of the safest and most reliable technolo-
wave power plants need a favourable coastal forma- gies. As I said before, we’re still at the beginning, but
tion, and you can’t always find this exactly where the potential out there is huge.
Treading new paths RWE Special 137
Wind power has come to account for five per- In Germany, the effort that needs to be put into obtaining
cent of the electricity generated in Germany. energy from the sun is much higher than the reward.
Run-of-river power plants have been Oilseed, wood, corn, liquid manure, straw, and one day
a major source of electricity in Germany perhaps even algae—a great number of basic commodities
for more than 100 years. lend themselves to producing energy from biomass.
its disposal pumped storage, hydro storage and run-of- tributing to setting up the country’s largest wind farm,
river power plants with a combined installed capacity of scheduled for completion in 2008.
3,300 megawatts. But Germany lacks room to extend In Germany, twelve billion kilowatt hours of electri-
capacity. The only notable addition will come from the city were produced from biogas last year. This fuel thus
construction of the Albbruck-Dogern power station on accounts for about 20 percent of the country’s renew-
the Rhine, in which RWE holds a majority stake, and ables-based energy. The biggest hurdle is the immense
which will contribute 24 megawatts. logistic challenge of collecting and transporting biomass
Wind power has almost run out of options in to the facilities. RWE’s outlook for this source of energy
Germany—at least as regards the mainland. While RWE is positive nevertheless. Regenerative feedstock could
npower builds wind farms in the Irish sea, “we’re focus- be planted in recultivated opencast lignite mines.
ing on Spain and France,” says Thomas Leitl, head of A 700-kilowatt biogas plant in Neurath near Cologne is
engineering for renewables-based electricity generation already under construction. The fuel of choice here is corn.
at RWE Power. Spain has the largest potential, as the As with the wave power station in Siadar, this biogas-
country intends to expand its capacity to fired power plant represents but a small step. But if the
20,000 megawatts by 2011. Via its subsidiary Aersa, RWE pilot projects are successful, entirely new paths can be
operates several wind farms with a combined installed trodden, with a view to increasing renewables’ share in
capacity of 200 megawatts. And in France, RWE is con- electricity generated.
138 RWE Special A global challenge
2020
C L I M AT E P R OT E C T I O N W O R L D W I D E
A global challenge
The conservation of our climate is the challenge of the century—in every region
of the world. This is why RWE is doing more than just reducing emissions from
its own power plants: we’re helping other countries lower emissions as well. The
Kyoto Protocol sets forth the methods and options for achieving this goal until
2012. Ideas on how to preserve our climate thereafter are being sought.
A global challenge RWE Special 139
Abu Qir Fertilizer Co.’s factory in the vicinity of Abu Qir is one of 500 projects worldwide that employ
Alexandria is of great importance to Egypt. Five-and-a- the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to slow global
half million metric tons of fertilizer are shipped out of warming. The necessary groundwork comes courtesy of
the plant every year. The production problem is that year the Kyoto Protocol, which dates back to 1997. It spells out
after year, the factory’s sulphuric acid facility used to the commitment of 38 industrial nations to reduce green-
emit about 4,100 metric tons of laughing gas (N2O), one house gas emissions in their countries by 5.2 percent from
of the most harmful greenhouse gases. The effect this 2008 to 2012, compared to 1990 levels. In the resulting
has on the climate is 310 times greater than that of car- EU Burden-Sharing Agreement of 1998, Germany even
bon dioxide. Annual emissions corresponded to almost pledged to cut back emissions by 21 percent. But efforts
1.3 million metric tons of CO2, or the exhaust fumes of to keep climate change at bay must continue afterwards
approximately 500,000 diesel engines travelling as well. “We have to start thinking beyond the Kyoto
20,000 kilometres. In part thanks to the efforts put in by Protocol today,” demands RWE CEO Harry Roels.
RWE, this pollution has been history since November In its quest to achieve climate goals, the European
2006. Since then, Abu Qir’s production has been virtually Union predominantly makes use of the emissions trading
emissions-free. A 20-metre tall, 20-ton KruppUhde system. It involves national governments issuing CO2
EnviNOx® catalytic converter eliminates nearly 99 percent emissions certificates to businesses. These emissions
of the laughing gas from the exhaust fumes at tempera- allowances fall short of actual expected emissions.
tures exceeding 400 degrees centigrade. Companies have three options: they can reduce emis-
The installation cost some 5.5 million euros. Annual sions in their own plants, buy additional CO2 certificates, or
operating costs total around one million euros. This see to it that fewer emissions are produced elsewhere. The
investment was made possible by the fact that the fertil- global climate doesn’t really care where the greenhouse
izer plant can now issue emissions certificates, on which gases originate—the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere is
many companies in industrialized countries depend. One a global problem. Therefore, chemical enterprises, steel
of them is RWE Power. “By 2012, we will have purchased foundries and power producers can also purchase certifi-
a total of 2.6 million emissions certificates at a fixed cates by cooperating with businesses in other industrial-
price through this project. Plus, we will receive an option ized countries (Joint Implementation), or helping reduce
to buy additional certificates at prices linked to the emissions in emerging and newly developing countries
development of an index,” explains Dr. Michael Fübi, (Clean Development Mechanism). In fact, CDM projects
who, along with his team, negotiated the contracts. are all the rage. “The success has come as a surprise,” says
Janos Pasztor, coordinator of the secretariat of the and ERUs. To help Fübi and his team make even more
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate efficient use of their resources, RWE Power forged a joint
Change (UNFCCC). Headquartered in Bonn, Germany, venture with Austrian-based Carbon Projektentwicklungs-
this UN authority is in charge of approving each and every gesellschaft. Austria has long-standing experience in
project and issuing certified emissions reductions (CERs) projects for the avoidance of emissions. Indeed, they
for CDM activities, which can be submitted in the investor’s organized the investment in Abu Qir and are working on
home country in place of emissions allowances. a second project. In early 2007 a laughing gas filter was
RWE is one of the companies active on this market. installed in the South Korean chemical plant Hu-Chems—
Michael Fübi has a budget of 150 million euros to invest much like in the Egyptian village of Abu Qir. Here too, the
in projects throughout the world in order to reduce savings achieved by 2012 will correspond to almost 1.3 mil-
emissions and receive CERs—for JI projects—or ERUs lion metric tons of carbon dioxide avoided every year.
(emission reduction units) in return. RWE specialists are However, projects aren’t the only way to gain millions
especially keen on projects with which—as in Abu Qir— of certificates in one fell swoop. By the summer of 2007,
one can avoid emitting laughing gas. This is because three wind power plants, each rated at 800 kilowatts,
N2O reductions are a way of achieving major relief for will have been erected on San Cristóbal, one of the
the environment. But activities that capture methane Galapagos Islands. As members of the e8, an initiative of
gas from coal mines or cut the amount of carbon dioxide the world’s leading power utilities for sustainable energy,
escaping from power stations and district heating plants RWE is a partner in this project. Renewables-based elec-
are of interest. Besides Egypt, RWE has narrowed its tricity will thus be introduced to the Galapagos Islands
search down to countries such as China, India, South within the scope of the United Nations Development
Korea and South Africa. Of pivotal importance here are Programme (UNDP). The wind farm will replace some
the country ratings which certify that their creditworthi- 50 percent of the electricity previously generated using
ness is solid enough for a long-term investment. diesel oil. It will thus reduce annual carbon dioxide emis-
The search for partners isn’t easy. Municipalities and sions by about 2,900 metric tons, while mitigating the
factories the world over want to cooperate with compa- risk to the ecosystem arising from the transportation of
nies from industrialized countries, in order to modernize diesel oil. RWE could buy approximately 20,000 CERs.
their facilities and partake of the profit made from CERs
To Our Investors
Review of Operations
C O N S O L I D AT E D F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
Our Responsibility
145 Changes in Equity
146 Notes
201 Auditor’s Report
RWE Special
F U R T H E R I N F O R M AT I O N
Further Information
(Part of the Review of Operations)
142 Income Statement · Balance Sheet
To Our Investors
Assets
€ million Note 12/31/06 12/31/05
Non-current assets
Review of Operations
Intangible assets (10) 14,901 18,551
Property, plant and equipment (11) 26,034 36,089
Investment property (12) 225 476
Investments accounted for using the equity method (13) 2,271 2,617
Other non-current financial assets (14) 1,684 1,842
Financial receivables (15) 1,537 1,500
Other receivables and other assets (16) 1,093 6,815
Our Responsibility
Income tax assets (17) 636
Deferred taxes (18) 3,618 3,790
51,999 71,680
Current assets
Inventories (19) 2,226 2,257
RWE Special
Financial receivables (15) 2,945 3,155
Trade accounts receivable (20) 8,876 8,325
Other receivables and other assets (16) 7,673 11,112
Current tax assets 154 276
Marketable securities (21) 16,788 10,344
Further Information
Minority interest 672 926
14,111 12,357
Non-current liabilities
Provisions (25) 28,632 28,064
Financial liabilities2 (26) 15,672 21,458
Other liabilities (28) 5,021 10,670
Deferred taxes (18) 3,077 4,873
52,402 65,065
Current liabilities
Provisions (25) 5,434 4,784
Financial liabilities (26) 3,710 5,994
Trade accounts payable (27) 8,148 7,497
Current tax liabilities 123 86
Liabilities held for sale 533
Other liabilities (28) 9,527 13,142
26,942 32,036
93,455 109,458
1 Prior-year figures restated.
2 Including € 15,233 million in non-current interest-bearing liabilities (previous year: € 21,255 million).
144 Cash Flow Statement of the RWE Group · Changes in Equity of the RWE Group
To Our Investors
of the RWE Group1
Note (23) Subscribed Additional Retained Accumulated other RWE Minority Total
capital of paid-in earnings comprehensive income Group interest
RWE AG capital of and interest
Review of Operations
RWE AG distributa- Currency Fair value
ble profit translation measurement
adjustments of financial
€ million instruments
Balance at 01/01/05 1,440 1,288 6,036 -126 943 9,581 874 10,455
Repayment of equity -3 -3
Dividends paid2 -844 -844 -168 -1,012
Other comprehensive income 282 -110 172 56 228
Our Responsibility
Income 2,231 2,231 224 2,455
Other changes 291 291 -57 234
Balance at 12/31/05 1,440 1,288 7,714 156 833 11,431 926 12,357
Repayment of equity -9 -9
Dividends paid 2
-984 -984 -136 -1,120
RWE Special
Other comprehensive income 64 -899 -835 51 -784
Income 3,847 3,847 166 4,013
Other changes -20 -20 -326 -346
Balance at 12/31/06 1,440 1,288 10,557 220 -66 13,439 672 14,111
Further Information
146 Statement by the Executive Board · Basis of presentation · Scope of consolidation
The Executive Board of RWE AG is responsible for the com- the control systems are continuously monitored throughout
pleteness and accuracy of the consolidated financial state- the group.
ments and the review of operations of the group, which has
been combined with the review of operations of RWE AG. In line with the requirements of the German Corporate Con-
trol and Transparency Act (KonTraG), our risk management
The consolidated financial statements for the period ended system enables the Executive Board to identify potential
December 31, 2006, have been prepared in accordance with risks at an early stage and initiate countermeasures, if nec-
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as appli- essary.
cable in the EU. The previous year’s figures have been calcu-
lated according to the same principles. The consolidated financial statements, the combined review
of operations and the report of the independent auditors
Internal control systems, the use of uniform directives are discussed in detail by the Audit Committee and at the
throughout the group, and our programmes for basic and Supervisory Board’s meeting on financial statements with
advanced staff training ensure that the consolidated finan- the independent auditors present. The results of the Super-
cial statements and combined review of operations are ade- visory Board’s examination have been included in the report
quately prepared. Compliance with legal regulations, the of the Supervisory Board (pages 96 to 100) of this annual
internal guidelines as well as the reliability and viability of report.
Basis of presentation
To Our Investors
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in Several balance sheet and income statement items have
accordance with the IFRSs, as applicable in the EU, as well been combined in order to improve clarity. These items are
as in accordance with the supplementary accounting regula- stated and explained separately in the notes to the financial
Review of Operations
tions applicable pursuant to Sec. 315a, Para. 1 of the Ger- statements. The income statement is structured according to
man Commercial Code (HGB). They also comply with the the nature of expense method.
IFRSs effective up to the balance-sheet date.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
Changes in equity have been disclosed in addition to the euros. Unless otherwise specified, all amounts are stated in
income statement, the balance sheet and the cash flow millions of euros (€ million).
Our Responsibility
statement. Statements made in the notes to the financial
statements also include segment reporting. These consolidated financial statements were prepared for
the 2006 fiscal year (January 1 to December 31).
RWE Special
Scope of consolidation
Further Information
are accounted for in accordance with IAS 39. Subsidiaries method, and other investments are listed on pages 202 to
which are not included in the scope of consolidation 204 of this annual report.
account for less than 1% of the Group’s revenue, income
148 Scope of consolidation · Consolidation principles
Eight companies domiciled in Germany and 18 companies including two outside of Germany, were accounted for using
domiciled outside of Germany were consolidated for the first the equity method for the first time. 65 investments, which
time in the year under review. One hundred and seventy- had been accounted for using the equity method in the
three companies, 148 of which are headquartered outside of previous year, including 56 outside of Germany, were sold,
Germany, are no longer included in the scope of consolida- merged or were fully consolidated for the first time.
tion; five companies, two of which are based outside of First-time consolidation and deconsolidation generally take
Germany, were merged. Three associates or joint ventures, place when control is transferred.
The activities of RWE Umwelt, which were sold as per con- Investments accounted for using the equity method:
To Our Investors
tract signed on September 28, 2004, were reported as dis- • Prazská plynárenská, a.s., Czech Republic
continued operations in the 2005 financial statements. The • Déldunántúli Gázszolgáltató Zrt., Hungary
key figures for RWE Umwelt are presented in the following
tables: All in all, a net - €7,600 million in non-current assets (in-
cluding deferred taxes), - € 2,011 million in current assets
Review of Operations
Key figures for RWE Umwelt (excluding cash and cash equivalents), - € 996 million in
€ million 2005
cash and cash equivalents and - € 10,956 million in non-
Revenue 614
current and current liabilities were assumed or transferred
Expenses/Income -585
as a result of the acquisition or disposal of consolidated
Ordinary income from discontinued
operations before tax 29 enterprises.
Taxes on income -15
Our Responsibility
Income from the disposal -34 The total selling price of divested subsidiaries amounted to
Income from discontinued operations -20 €7,752 million (previous year: € 205 million), which was paid
in cash or cash equivalents.
€ million 2005
Cash flows from operating activities 341 Further information on major share disposals is provided on
RWE Special
Cash flows from investing activities -402 page 35 in the review of operations.
Cash flows from financing activities 19
Effects of changes in the scope of consolidation have been
With regard to subsidiaries and investments accounted for stated in the notes insofar as they are of particular impor-
Subsidiaries:
• RWE Solutions Group (38 fully consolidated companies)
• Harpen Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG, Dortmund
Further Information
Consolidation principles
The financial statements of German and foreign companies liabilities and contingent liabilities are measured at full fair
included in the scope of consolidation are prepared using value, regardless of the amount of the minority interest.
uniform accounting policies. On principle, subsidiaries with Intangible assets are reported separately from goodwill if
a different balance-sheet date prepare interim financial they are separable from the company or if they stem from
statements as of the group’s balance-sheet date. a contractual or other right. In accordance with IFRS 3, no
new restructuring provisions are recognized within the
Business combinations are reported according to the pur- scope of the purchase price allocation. Acquisition costs
chase method. Pursuant to this method, capital consolida- not allocated to assets, liabilities, or contingent liabilities
tion takes place by offsetting the purchase price against the are capitalized as goodwill. Negative goodwill from first-
acquired subsidiaries’ revalued prorated net assets at the time consolidation is included in income.
time of the acquisition. Subsidiaries’ identifiable assets,
150 Consolidation principles · Currency translation · Accounting policies
Capitalized goodwill is not amortized. It is tested for impair- These consolidation principles also apply to investments
ment once a year or more frequently if there are indications accounted for using the equity method, in respect of which
of impairment. In deconsolidation, residual carrying amounts recognized goodwill is reported on the balance sheet under
of capitalized goodwill are taken into account when calculat- investments. This goodwill is not amortized either. If neces-
ing income from disposals. sary, impairment losses on the equity value are reported
under income from investments accounted for using the
Expenses and income as well as receivables and payables equity method. The financial statements of investments
between consolidated companies are eliminated. Intra- accounted for using the equity method are also prepared
group profits and losses are eliminated. using uniform accounting policies.
In their separate financial statements, the companies meas- financial statements conduct their business activities inde-
ure non-monetary foreign currency transactions at the bal- pendently in their national currencies. Differences to previ-
ance-sheet date using the exchange rate in effect on the ous-year translations are reported in other comprehensive
date they were initially recognized. Monetary items are con- income without an effect on income. Goodwill is translated
verted using the exchange rate valid on the balance-sheet as an asset of the economically autonomous foreign entity
date. Exchange rate gains and losses from the measurement at the exchange rate in effect on the balance-sheet date. For
of monetary assets or monetary liabilities in foreign currency expense and income items, the annual average exchange
occurring up to the balance-sheet date are recognized in rates are used for foreign currency translation. Annual finan-
the income statement under other operating expenses or cial statements of group companies based in a country with
income. hyperinflation are translated according to IAS 29. No mate-
rial entities were headquartered in a country with hyperinfla-
Functional foreign currency translation is applied when con- tion in the fiscal year or previous year. When translating the
verting foreign companies’ financial statements. In the con- adjusted equity of foreign companies accounted for using
solidated financial statements, the balance-sheet items of all the equity method, the same procedure is followed.
foreign companies are translated into euros at the average
exchange rate prevailing on the balance-sheet date, since The following exchange rates (among others) were used as a
principal foreign enterprises included in the consolidated basis for foreign currency translations:
Accounting policies
To Our Investors
Intangible assets are accounted for at amortized cost. est identifiable group of assets which generates cash inflows
With the exception of goodwill, all intangible assets have that are largely independent of cash inflows from other
finite useful lives and are thus amortized using the straight- assets or groups of assets), the impairment loss is calculated
Review of Operations
line method. Software for commercial and technical applica- based on the recoverable amount of this unit. If this results
tions is amortized over three to five years; easement agree- in the carrying amount of a cash-generating unit to which
ments in the electricity and gas business generally have use- goodwill was allocated exceeding the recoverable amount,
ful lives of up to 20 years. Concessions in the water business the allocated goodwill is initially written down by the differ-
have terms of up to 50 years. Capitalized customer relations ence. Impairment losses which must be recognized in addi-
are amortized over a useful life of ten years. Useful lives and tion to this are taken into account by reducing the carrying
Our Responsibility
methods of amortization are reviewed on an annual basis. amount of the other assets of the cash-generating unit on a
prorated basis. If the reason for an impairment loss recog-
Goodwill is not amortized; instead it is subjected to an nized in prior years has ceased to exist, a write-back is per-
impairment test once every year or more frequently if formed, whereby the increased carrying amount resulting
there are indications of impairment. from the write-back may not exceed the amortized cost.
RWE Special
Impairment losses on goodwill are not reversed.
Development costs are capitalized if a newly developed
product or process can be clearly defined, is technically Property, plant and equipment is stated at depreciated
feasible and it is the company’s intention to either use the cost. The borrowing cost is not capitalized as part of the
Further Information
amount. If the asset is part of a cash-generating unit (small- costs are recognized as expenses.
152 Accounting policies
With the exception of land and leasehold rights, property, This property is measured at depreciated cost. Transaction
plant and equipment is generally depreciated using the costs are also included in the initial measurement. Depre-
straight-line method, unless in exceptional cases another ciable investment property is depreciated over 12 to 80
depreciation method is better suited to the usage pattern. years using the straight-line method. Fair values of invest-
The depreciation of typical property, plant and equipment ment property are stated in the Notes under (12) and are
is calculated according to the following useful lives, which determined using internationally accepted valuation meth-
apply throughout the group: ods such as the discounted cash flow method or are derived
from the current market prices of comparable real estate.
Useful life in years
Buildings 12 – 80 Impairment losses for investment properties are recognized
Technical plants according to the principles described for intangible assets.
Thermal power plants 15 – 20 If the reason for an impairment loss recognized in prior
Electricity grids 20 – 35 years has ceased to exist, a write-back is performed, where-
Water main networks 20 – 100 by the increased carrying amount resulting from the write-
Gas and water storage facilities 20 – 100 back may not exceed the depreciated cost.
Gas distribution facilities 14 – 20
Mining facilities 4 – 25 Investments accounted for using the equity method are
Mechanical and electrical engineering facilities 4 – 15 initially accounted for at cost and thereafter based on their
Mining developments 33 – 35 amortized prorated net assets. The carrying amounts are
Exploratory wells owned by RWE Dea up to 28 increased or reduced annually by the prorated profits or
losses, dividends distributed and other changes in equity.
Property, plant and equipment held under a finance lease is Recognized goodwill is included in the carrying amount and
capitalized at the lower of the fair value of the leased asset is not amortized. An impairment loss is recognized for com-
or the present value of the minimum lease payments, and is panies accounted for using the equity method, if the recov-
depreciated using the straight-line method over its expected erable amount is less than the carrying amount.
useful life or the lease term, whichever is shorter.
Other financial assets are comprised of shares in non-con-
Impairment losses for property, plant and equipment are solidated subsidiaries, in associates and joint ventures not
recognized according to the principles described for intangi- accounted for using the equity method, as well as other
ble assets. If the reason for an impairment loss recognized investments and non-current marketable securities; these
in prior years has ceased to exist, a write-back is performed, assets are nearly exclusively classified as “available for sale”.
whereby the increased carrying amount resulting from the Initially and in the following periods, they are measured at
write-back may not exceed the depreciated cost. fair value as long as such can be determined reliably. They
are initially valued on their settlement date. Unrealized
Investment property is all real property held to earn gains and losses are stated as other comprehensive income,
rental income or for long-term capital appreciation rather with due consideration of any deferred taxes. Gains or losses
than for use in production or for administrative purposes. are recognized in the income statement at the time of sale.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 153
Notes
• Accounting policies
If there are substantive objective indications of a reduction the 25.0 % corporate income tax rate and the 5.5 % solidarity
To Our Investors
in the value of an asset, an impairment loss is recognized surcharge, as well as the group’s average local trade tax rate
with an effect on income. in Germany. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities
are netted against each other for each company and/or tax
Receivables are comprised of financial receivables, trade group.
accounts receivable and other receivables. With the
Review of Operations
exception of financial derivatives, accounts receivable and Inventories include all assets which are held for sale in the
other assets are stated at amortized cost. Allowances for ordinary course of business (finished goods and goods for
doubtful accounts are based on the actual default risk. Pre- resale), which are in the process of production (work in
payments received from customers for consumption which progress – goods and services) or which are consumed in the
is yet to be metered and billed are netted out against trade production process or in the rendering of services (raw
accounts receivable of the utilities. materials including nuclear fuel assemblies and excavated
Our Responsibility
earth for lignite mining).
Company loans reported under financial receivables are stat-
ed at amortized cost. Loans with interest rates common in Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable
the market are shown on the balance sheet at nominal value. Production costs include full costs directly related to
value; as a rule, non-interest or low-interest loans are dis- production and are determined based on the normal capaci-
RWE Special
closed at their present value discounted using an interest ty. Specifically, in addition to directly allocable costs, pro-
rate that is commensurate with the risks involved. duction costs include adequate portions of required materi-
als and production overheads, including production-related
CO2 emission allowances are accounted for as intangible depreciation. The borrowing cost is not capitalized as part
Further Information
ty. The amount of deferred taxes is assessed based on the Depreciation is determined by operation and capacity,
tax rates that are applicable or expected in the individual based on consumption and the reactor’s useful life.
countries at the time of realization, with due consideration
of the tax regulations valid or adopted as of the balance-
sheet date. The tax rate used to calculate German deferred
taxes is 39.4%, as in the previous year. This is derived from
154 Accounting policies
Securities classified as current marketable securities Non-current assets held for sale are no longer depreciated or
essentially consist of marketable securities held in special amortized; they are recognized at fair value less costs to sell,
funds as well as fixed-interest securities with a maturity of as long as this is lower than the carrying amount.
more than three months and less than one year from the
date of acquisition. All of these securities are classified as Results from the valuation of specific assets held for sale
“available for sale” and are stated at fair value. Upon initial and of disposal groups are stated under income from con-
recognition, the transaction costs directly associated with tinuing operations until final completion of the sale.
the acquisition of the financial asset are included in the
initial measurement. These securities are initially measured Gains or losses on the valuation of discontinued operations
on their settlement date. Unrealized gains and losses are at fair value less costs to sell are reported under income
included in other comprehensive income, with due consider- from discontinued operations. The same procedure is
ation of any deferred taxes. Gains or losses are recognized in applied for profits or losses from operating activities or from
the income statement at the time of sale. If there are sub- the sale of such operations.
stantive objective indications of a reduction in the value of
an asset, an impairment loss is recognized with an effect on The groupwide stock option plans are accounted for as cash-
income. settled share-based payment. At each reporting date, a
provision is recognized in the amount of the prorated fair
Financial assets are derecognized when the contractual value of the payment obligation; changes in the fair value
rights to cash flows from the assets expire or the entity are recognized with an effect on income. The fair value of
transfers the financial asset. The latter applies when sub- options is determined using generally accepted valuation
stantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the methodologies.
asset are transferred, or the entity no longer has control
of the asset. Provisions are recognized for all legal or constructive obli-
gations to third parties which exist on the balance-sheet
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, de- date and relate to past events, and with regard to which it is
mand deposits and current fixed-interest securities with a probable that an outflow of resources will be required and
maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition. the amount of which can be reliably estimated. Provisions
are carried at the individually most likely outcome and are
Assets are stated under “Assets held for sale” if they can not offset against reimbursement claims. Provisions based
be sold in their present condition and if their sale is highly on a large number of similar events are stated at expected
probable. Such assets may be certain non-current assets, amounts.
asset groups (“disposal groups”) or operations (“discontin-
ued operations”). Liabilities intended to be sold in a trans- All non-current provisions are recognized at the most likely
action together with assets are a part of a disposal group or outcome that is discounted as of the balance-sheet date.
discontinued operations, and are reported separately under The settlement amount also includes the cost increases
“Liabilities held for sale". to be taken into account as of the balance-sheet date.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 155
Notes
• Accounting policies
For decommissioning, restoration and similar provisions, Actuarial gains and losses exceeding 10 % of the greater of
To Our Investors
changes in the estimated timing or amount of the payments the benefit obligations or the fair value of plan assets are
and changes in the discount rate are taken into account at amortized over the anticipated average remaining working
the same amount in measuring the existing provision as lives of the entitled employees, with an effect on income.
well as the respective asset. If the decrease in the provision
exceeds the carrying amount of the underlying asset, the In the case of defined contribution plans, the enterprise‘s
Review of Operations
excess is recognized immediately in profit or loss. Releases obligation is limited to the amount it contributes to the
of provisions are credited to the same expense account on plan. The contributions to the plan are recognized as
which the provision was originally recognized. expenses and disclosed under staff costs.
Provisions for pensions and similar obligations are recog- Waste management provisions in the nuclear energy sector
nized for defined benefit plans. These are obligations of are based on obligations under public law and restrictions
Our Responsibility
the company to pay future and ongoing post-employment stipulated in operating licenses. The amount of provisions
benefits to entitled current and former employees and their recognized for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel assemblies
surviving dependents. In particular, the obligations refer to covers the expected costs, in particular reprocessing costs
retirement pensions in the form of both basic and supple- on the basis of contractual agreements and costs for direct
mentary benefits. Individual commitments are based on the final disposal. Thus, the cost of transporting, treating and
RWE Special
differing industry- and country-specific benefit arrangements taking back waste, including the cost of temporary storage
and are generally calculated according to the employees’ are also included in the provisions.
length of service and compensation. As benefits, the
obligations of US group enterprises for their employees’ The provision recognized for the decommissioning of
Further Information
parameters. The provision is reduced by the amount of the Waste management provisions also include the cost of final
plan assets. The service cost, i.e. the increase in the obliga- storage and associated pre-financing costs calculated based
tion related to the service by the employees during the on data from the German Federal Office for Radiation Protec-
reporting period, are disclosed in staff costs, and the inter- tion. It is expected that these provisions will be used up by
est cost and expected return on plan assets are reported 2080.
in the financial result.
156 Accounting policies
Provisions for mining damage are recognized to cover recul- Deferred income and prepayments from customers are re-
tivation obligations and obligations to restore mining dam- cognized as liabilities under other liabilities. Deferred income
age that has already occurred or been caused. Such risks includes advances and contributions in aid of construction
and obligations are those that exist as of the balance-sheet and building connection that are carried as liabilities by the
date or are identifiable when the balance sheet is being pre- utilities which are generally amortized and included in in-
pared. They must be recognized due to obligations under come over the term of the corresponding asset. Moreover,
public law, such as the German Federal Mining Act, and for- this item also generally includes taxable and non-taxable
mulated, above all, in operating schedules and water law government grants for capital expenditure on non-current
permits. Provisions are generally recognized based on the assets, which are recognized as other operating income in
increase in the obligation, e.g. in line with lignite produc- line with the assets‘ depreciation.
tion. Such provisions are measured at full expected cost or
according to estimated compensation payments. Upon conclusion of the contract, derivative financial
instruments are initially recognized as assets or liabilities,
Furthermore, provisions are made owing to obligations as of the settlement date. All derivative financial instru-
under public law to dismantle production facilities and fill ments are stated at fair value regardless of their purpose.
wells. The amount of these provisions is determined on the Changes in the fair value are recognized with an effect on
basis of total cost estimates, which reflect past experience income, unless the instruments are used for hedging pur-
and the comparative rates determined by the German Asso- poses. In such cases, recognition of changes in the fair
ciation of Oil and Natural Gas Production Industry. Similar value depends on the type of hedging transaction.
assumptions for foreign subsidiaries are also taken into
account. Fair value hedges are used to hedge the risk of a change in
the fair value of an asset or liability carried on the balance
A provision is recognized to cover the obligation to return sheet. Hedges of unrecognized firm commitments are also
CO2 emission allowances; this provision is measured at the recognized as fair value hedges. For fair value hedges
book value of the CO2 allowances capitalized for this pur- changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument are stat-
pose. If a portion of the obligation is not covered with the ed in the income statement, analogously to the changes in
available allowances, the provision for this portion of the the fair value of the respective underlying transactions, i.e.
obligation is measured using the market price of the gains and losses from the fair valuation of the hedging
allowances on the reporting date. instrument are allocated to the same line items of the
income statement as those of the related hedged item. In
Liabilities consist of financial liabilities, trade accounts this regard, changes in the fair value must pertain to the
payable and other liabilities. Upon initial recognition, hedged risk. In the event that unrecognized firm commit-
liabilities are stated at fair value. In the periods thereafter, ments are hedged, changes in the fair value of the firm com-
liabilities (except for financial derivatives) are carried at mitments with regard to the hedged risk result in the recog-
amortized cost. Liabilities from finance lease agreements nition of an asset or liability with an effect on income.
are measured at the lower of fair value of the leased asset
or present value of minimum lease payments.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 157
Notes
• Accounting policies
Cash flow hedges are used to hedge the risk of variability in accordance with the company’s expected purchase, sale or
To Our Investors
cash flows related to an asset or liability carried on the bal- usage requirements (own-use contracts) are not accounted
ance sheet or related to a highly probable forecast transac- for as derivative financial instruments, but rather as executo-
tion. If a cash flow hedge exists, unrealized gains and losses ry contracts. If the contracts contain embedded derivatives,
from the hedge are initially stated as other comprehensive the derivatives are accounted separately from the host con-
income. Such gains or losses are disclosed in the income tract, if the economic characteristics and risks of the embed-
Review of Operations
statement when the hedged underlying transaction has an ded derivatives are not closely related to the economic char-
effect on income. If forecast transactions are hedged and acteristics and risks of the host contract. Written options to
such transactions lead to the recognition of a financial asset buy or sell a non-financial item which can be settled in cash
or financial liability in subsequent periods, pursuant to IAS are not own-use contracts.
39 the amounts that were recognized in equity until this
point in time are recognized in the income statement in the Contingent liabilities are possible obligations to third
Our Responsibility
period during which the asset or liability affects the income parties or present obligations, which are not recognized
statement. If the transaction results in the recognition of because it is not probable that an outflow of economic ben-
non-financial assets or liabilities, the amounts recognized in efits will be required to settle the obligations or the amount
equity without an effect on income are included in the ini- of which cannot be measured reliably. On principle, contin-
tial cost of the asset or liability. gent liabilities are not recognized on the balance sheet. The
RWE Special
amounts disclosed in the notes correspond to the exposure
Hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity are used to at the balance-sheet date.
hedge the currency risk from investments with foreign func-
tional currencies. Unrealized gains and losses from hedges Management judgments in the application of accounting
Further Information
ineffective portion of a hedge is recognized immediately in cial assets available for sale”, and “financial assets at fair
the income statement with an effect on income. value through profit or loss”.
• With regard to provisions for pensions and similar liabili-
Contracts that were entered into and continue to be held for ties, there are various options for the recognition of actu-
the purpose of receipt or delivery of non-financial items in arial gains and losses.
158 Accounting policies · Changes in accounting policies
• With regard to assets held for sale, it must be determined The impairment test for goodwill is based on certain
if they can be sold in their current condition and if the assumptions pertaining to the future. Based on current
sale of such is highly probable. If this is the case, the knowledge, changes in these assumptions will not cause the
assets and any related liabilities must be reported and carrying amounts of the cash-generating units to exceed the
measured as “Assets held for sale” or “Liabilities held for recoverable amounts, and thus lead to an adjustment of the
sale”, respectively. carrying amounts in the next fiscal year. Due to the planned
disposal of the North American water business, the valua-
The explanation of the accounting policies contains a tion of these cash-generating units is based on market-relat-
description of the decisions taken by the RWE Group with ed data, and changes in such may have an impact on the
regard to these items. carrying amount. In particular, the valuation depends on
equity market conditions, the development of long-term
Management estimates and judgments. Preparation of interest rates on the capital market and the development of
consolidated financial statements pursuant to IFRS requires assets subject to regulation as well as the decisions of the
assumptions and estimates to be made, which have an local regulatory authorities.
impact on the recognized value of the assets and liabilities
carried on the balance sheet, on income and expenses and All assumptions and estimates are based on the circum-
on the disclosure of contingent liabilities. stances and forecasts prevailing on the balance-sheet date.
Furthermore, as of the balance-sheet date realistic assess-
Amongst other things, these assumptions and estimates ments of overall economic conditions in the sectors and
relate to the accounting and measurement of provisions. regions in which the Group conducts operations are taken
With regard to pension provisions and similar obligations, into consideration with regard to the expected future devel-
the discount rate is a very important estimate. An increase opment of business. Actual amounts may differ from the
or decrease of one percentage point in the discount rate estimated amounts due to deviation between the assess-
would result in a reduction of € 1,535 million or an increase ments and the actual development of such overall condi-
of € 2,075 million, respectively, in the pension obligations tions. In such cases, the assumptions, and, if necessary, the
of our pension plans in Germany. For the group companies carrying amounts of the affected assets and liabilities are
in the UK, an identical change in the discount rate would adjusted accordingly.
reduce or increase pension obligations by € 628 million or
€774 million, respectively; the pension obligations of the As of the date of preparation of the consolidated financial
US group companies would decrease by € 132 million or statements it is not presumed that there will be a material
increase by € 153 million in the event of such a change. As change in the assumptions and estimates, and therefore
actuarial gains and losses may only be recognized if they viewed from the current perspective there is no expectation
exceed 10 % of the greater of the total pension obligations of material adjustment to the carried amounts of the recog-
or the fair value of the plan assets, changes in the discount nized assets and liabilities in the 2007 fiscal year.
rate for the benefit systems in the RWE Group do not gener-
ally have an effect on the carrying amount of the provisions
in the following fiscal year.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 159
Notes
• Accounting policies
• Changes in accounting policies
To Our Investors
The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) has In line with the development of international accounting
approved a number of changes to the existing International practice, RWE is also applying this rule since January 1, 2006,
Financial Accounting Standards (IFRSs) and adopted several analogously to forward purchases of minority interests and
Review of Operations
new IFRSs, which became effective as of January 1, 2006. The put options owned by minority shareholders. Certain minority
RWE Group is applying the following IFRSs in the reporting interests are thus now presented as other liabilities. The dif-
period for the first time: ference between the agreed purchase price and/or the agreed
exercise price and the carrying amount of the minority inter-
IFRS 6 “Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral est is recognized as contingent consideration that depends
Resources” includes rules for accounting expenses related to on future events, in line with the rules for the accounting of
Our Responsibility
the exploration and evaluation of minerals, oil, natural gas business combinations pursuant to IAS 22 and IFRS 3.
and similar finite resources before their technological and eco-
nomic production can be proven. IFRS 6 does not mandate Prior-year figures were retrospectively restated. As of Janu-
an accounting policy specific to exploration and evaluation ary 1, 2005, this resulted in additional other liabilities of
expenses. Instead, it sets forth the basic conditions under € 2,082 million (of which €749 million were non-current),
RWE Special
which the company preparing the accounts selects an additional goodwill of € 1,444 million, a reduction in ad-
accounting method. Furthermore, IFRS 6 prescribes that vance payments made of € 100 million, and a reduction in
impairment tests pursuant to IAS 36 be carried out on equity of €738 million. The last of these amounts primarily
exploration and evaluation assets. First-time application of includes the derecognition of minority interest (€ 663 mil-
Further Information
exception of additional information disclosed in Note 25, first- Furthermore, various amendments to IAS 39 became effec-
time application of the new version of IAS 19 does not have tive for the first time. These amendments relate to the option
an impact on the RWE Group’s consolidated financial state- to classify financial instruments as “financial assets or finan-
ments. cial liabilities recognized at fair value through profit and loss,”
to the recognition of cash flow hedges for hedging currency IFRIC 5 “Rights to Interests Arising from Decommission-
risks associated with highly probable forecast intragroup ing, Restoration and Environmental Rehabilitation Funds”
transactions, and to the recognition of financial guarantees governs the recognition and measurement of claims and obli-
issued, which will fall under the scope of IAS 39 in the future. gations from funds accrued for the decommissioning of plants
The first-time application of these amendments had no mate- and similar obligations. The first-time application of this Inter-
rial impact on the RWE Group’s consolidated financial state- pretation had no impact on the RWE Group’s consolidated
ments. financial statements.
IFRIC 4 “Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains IFRIC 6 “Liabilities Arising from Participating in a Specif-
a Lease” lists the criteria for identifying lease elements in ic Market – Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment”
arrangements which are not formally referred to as leases. governs the accounting of provisions related to disposal liabil-
Contractual elements that meet IFRIC 4 criteria must be ities stemming from the European Union’s Directive on Waste
accounted for as leases in accordance with IAS 17. The first- Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The first-time application
time application of this Interpretation had no material impact of this Interpretation had no impact on the RWE Group’s con-
on the RWE Group’s consolidated financial statements. solidated financial statements.
The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and IFRS 8 “Operating Segments” contains new regulations on
International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee the presentation of segment reporting. Pursuant to IFRS 8,
(IFRIC) have adopted further standards and interpretations, segment reporting is to be prepared according to the “man-
which were not yet effective in the 2006 financial year. These agement approach”. This means that the definition of seg-
IFRSs can only be applied if they are endorsed by the EU, ments and the disclosures for these segments are based on
which is still pending in some cases. the information which is used internally by management in
deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing the per-
IFRS 7 “Financial Instruments: Disclosures” combines formance of the divisions. IFRS 8 becomes effective for the
and expands disclosures of financial instruments previously first time for fiscal years starting on January 1, 2009, or there-
required under IAS 32 and those previously required under after. The first-time application of IFRS 8 is not expected to
IAS 30 only for banks and similar financial institutions. IFRS 7 have a material impact on the RWE Group’s consolidated
will be effective across all sectors in the future. With the pub- financial statements.
lication of IFRS 7, IAS 1 was amended to add requirements
for disclosures about capital management. IFRS 7 and the
new regulations to IAS 1 become effective for the first time
for fiscal years that start on January 1, 2007, or thereafter.
With the exception of the additional information in the notes,
the first-time application of IFRS 7 does not have a material
impact on the RWE Group’s consolidated financial statements.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 161
Notes
• Changes in accounting policies
• New accounting policies
IFRIC 7 “Applying the Restatement Approach under IAS IFRIC 11 “IFRS 2 Group and Treasury Share Transac-
To Our Investors
29 ‘Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies’” tions” provides guidance on how to apply IFRS 2 to
clarifies certain issues related to the application of IAS 29 for share-based payments involving a company’s own equity
cases in which the country, the currency of which is the func- instruments or equity instruments of a company from the
tional currency of the reporting enterprise, becomes a hyper- same group. This Interpretation becomes effective for the
inflationary country. The application of IFRIC 7 becomes first time for fiscal years starting on March 1, 2007, or there-
Review of Operations
effective for the first time for fiscal years starting on March 1, after. The first-time application of IFRIC 11 is not expected
2006, or thereafter. The first-time application of IFRIC 7 is to have a material impact on the RWE Group’s consolidated
not expected to have a material impact on the RWE Group’s financial statements.
consolidated financial statements.
IFRIC 12 “Service Concession Arrangements” governs the
IFRIC 8 “Scope of IFRS 2” clarifies the applicability of IFRS accounting of arrangements in which a public agency con-
Our Responsibility
2 “Share-based Payment” to agreements, in which the report- cludes a contract with a private company for the supply of
ing company makes share-based payments for apparently nil public services. In order to provide these services, the private
or inadequate consideration. This Interpretation becomes company uses infrastructure which remains in public owner-
effective for the first time for fiscal years starting on May 1, ship. The private company is responsible for the construction,
2006, or thereafter. The first-time application of IFRIC 8 is operation and maintenance related to the infrastructure. This
RWE Special
not expected to have a material impact on the RWE Group’s Interpretation becomes effective for the first time for fiscal
consolidated financial statements. years starting on January 1, 2008, or thereafter. The impact
of the first-time application of IFRIC 12 on the RWE Group’s
IFRIC 9 “Reassessment of Embedded Derivatives” consolidated financial statements is currently being reviewed.
Further Information
ment” applies to the interaction of the regulations of IAS 34
on Interim Financial Reporting and the regulations of IAS 36
and IAS 39 on the reversal of impairment losses with regard
to certain assets. The Interpretation makes it clear that im-
pairments recognized in interim reports may not be reversed
in the annual financial statements. This Interpretation be-
comes effective for the first time for fiscal years starting on
November 1, 2006, or thereafter. The first-time application of
IFRIC 10 is not expected to have a material impact on the
RWE Group’s consolidated financial statements.
162 Notes to the Income Statement
(1) Revenue (including natural gas tax/electricity tax) The segment reporting on pages 193 to 196 contains a
Revenue is recorded when the risk stemming from a delivery breakdown of revenue (including natural gas tax/electricity
or service has been transferred to the customer. tax) by division and geographical region. Deconsolidations
and first-time consolidations reduced revenue by a net
To improve the presentation of business development, € 1,280 million.
revenue generated by energy trading operations is stated
as net figures. This means that revenue only reflects realized Natural gas tax/electricity tax are the taxes paid directly by
gross margins. By contrast, electricity, gas, coal and oil Group companies.
transactions that are subject to physical settlement are
stated as gross figures. Energy trading revenue is generated
by RWE Trading. In fiscal 2006, gross revenue (including
energy trading) amounted to €71,915 million (previous year:
€57,071 million).
Income from the disposal of non-current financial assets A decrease of € 19 million in other operating income is
and loans is disclosed under income from investments if it attributable to changes in the scope of consolidation.
relates to investments; otherwise it is recorded as part of
the financial result as is the income from the disposal of
current marketable securities.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 163
Notes
• Notes to the Income Statement
(3) Cost of materials Converted to full time equivalents, the RWE Group’s average
To Our Investors
personnel headcount (excluding RWE Thames Water) totalled
€ million 2006 2005 72,793 (previous year: 76,999). One full time equivalent is
Cost of raw materials and equal to a full-time position, whereas part-time and fixed-
of goods for resale 22,325 19,891
term employment relationships are included in accordance
Cost of purchased services 5,115 4,214
with the ratio of the part-time work or the duration of the
Review of Operations
27,440 24,105
employment to the annual employment time. In addition,
on average the Group employed 2,644 trainees (previous
The cost of raw materials used also contains expenses for year: 2,778).
the use and disposal of spent nuclear fuel assemblies as well
as € 119 million (previous year: € 103 million) in taxes paid A decrease of € 201 million in staff costs is attributable to
for RWE Dea’s foreign production companies. changes in the scope of consolidation.
Our Responsibility
Cost of materials in exploration totalled € 100 million in the
reporting period (previous year: € 66 million). (5) Depreciation, amortization, impairment losses
Depreciation and impairment losses on property, plant and
A total of € 27,659 million in material costs (previous year: equipment amounted to € 2,011 million (previous year:
RWE Special
€ 17,584 million) was netted out against energy trading € 1,996 million) and to € 21 million (previous year: € 28 mil-
revenue. A decrease of € 884 million in cost of materials is lion) on investment property. Intangible assets were written
attributable to changes in the scope of consolidation. down by €497 million (previous year: € 1,254 million), of
which € 327 million (previous year: € 328 million) pertained
Further Information
€ 271 million). This is composed of € 190 million in current property. Impairment losses of € 3 million (previous year:
service cost (previous year: € 266 million), amortization of € 0 million) were recorded on intangible assets (with the
past service cost of -€ 199 million (previous year: € 0 million) exception of goodwill); € 6 million in impairment losses on
and recognized actuarial losses with an effect on income in goodwill were recognized in the year under review (previous
the amount of € 16 million (previous year: €5 million). year: €759 million).
Amongst other items, miscellaneous other operating ex- A decrease of € 89 million in other operating expenses is
penses include fees and membership dues amounting to attributable to changes in the scope of consolidation.
€ 142 million (previous year: € 92 million). Other operating
expenses of € 32 million (previous year: € 13 million)
were recognized in relation to exploration activities.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 165
Notes
• Notes to the Income Statement
To Our Investors
Income from investments includes all income and expenses comprised of income from investments accounted for using
which have arisen in relation to operating investments. It is the equity method and other income from investments.
Review of Operations
Income from investments accounted for using the equity method 408 529
of which: amortization and impairment losses on investments accounted for using the equity method (70) (22)
Income from non-consolidated subsidiaries 12 10
of which: amortization and impairment losses on non-consolidated subsidiaries (5) (6)
Income from other investments 13 59
of which: impairment of shares in other investments (42) (11)
Our Responsibility
Income from the disposal of investments 331 202
Expenses from the disposal of investments 13 39
Income from loans to investments 36 37
Expenses from loans to investments 62
Other 3
Other income from investments 382 207
RWE Special
790 736
Further Information
Other financial income 780 1,095
Financial income 2,882 2,401
Interest and similar expenses 2,824 2,048
Interest accretion to
Provisions for pensions and similar obligations 511 537
Provisions for nuclear waste management as well as to mining provisions 529 567
Other provisions 103 143
Other finance costs 950 687
Finance costs 4,917 3,982
-2,035 -1,581
Net interest includes interest income from all interest-bear- (9) Taxes on income
ing securities and loans, expenses and income relating to
marketable securities and all interest expenses. Net interest € million 2006 2005
also includes shares in profit and dividends from non-current Current taxes on income 689 941
To Our Investors
Tax reconciliation
€ million 2006 2005
Income from continuing operations before tax 3,657 3,156
Theoretical tax expense 1,441 1,243
Differences from foreign tax rates -155 -63
Tax effects on
Review of Operations
Tax-free domestic dividend income -153 -86
Tax-free foreign dividend income -41 -22
Other tax-free income -26 -8
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 71 102
Impairment losses on goodwill from capital consolidation 2 299
Accounting for associates using the equity method
Our Responsibility
(including impairment losses on associates’ goodwill) 5 -82
Unutilizable loss carryforwards and/or utilization of unrecognized loss carryforwards
and write-downs on loss carryforwards -38 -309
Income on the disposal of investments 67 -173
Other -191 185
Effective tax expense 982 1,086
RWE Special
Effective tax rate in % 26.9 34.4
Cost
Balance at 01/01/05 117 1,958 2,906 16,317 35 21,333
Additions/disposals due to changes in the scope of consolidation -1 -203 -562 3 -763
Additions 72 161 23 256
Transfers 18 -22 -4
Currency translation adjustments 4 30 84 710 3 831
Disposals 1 427 1 429
Balance at 12/31/05 191 1,537 2,990 16,465 41 21,224
Accumulated amortization/impairment losses
Balance at 01/01/05 61 1,167 549 494 2,271
Additions/disposals due to changes in the scope of consolidation -1 -90 -549 -640
Amortization/impairment losses in the reporting period 30 139 328 814 1,311
Currency translation adjustments 2 7 15 93 117
Disposals 1 382 383
Write-backs 3 3
Balance at 12/31/05 91 838 892 852 2,673
Carrying amounts
Balance at 12/31/05 100 699 2,098 15,613 41 18,551
1 Including discontinued operations.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 169
Notes
• Notes to the Balance Sheet
In the reporting period, a total of €73 million (previous year: The impairment test involves determining the recoverable
To Our Investors
€55 million) was spent on research and development. Devel- amount of the cash-generating units, which corresponds to
opment costs of €62 million (previous year: €72 million) were the fair value less costs to sell or the value in use. The fair
capitalized. Intangible assets in exploration accounted for value reflects the best estimate of the sum that an inde-
€101 million in the reporting period (previous year: €144 mil- pendent third party would pay to purchase the cash-generat-
lion). ing units as of the balance-sheet date; selling costs are
Review of Operations
deducted. Value in use is the present value of the future
Goodwill was allocated to cash-generating units at the seg- cash flows expected to be derived from a cash-generating
ment level or at a level beneath the segment level to carry out unit. Fair value and value in use are determined on the basis
impairment tests. The carrying amounts of goodwill break of a business valuation model, whereby the fair value is
down as follows: assessed from an external perspective and the value in use
from a company-internal perspective. Fair values and values
Our Responsibility
Goodwill in use are determined based on future cash flows, which are
€ million 12/31/06 12/31/05
based on the business plan for a period of five years, which
RWE Power 829 963
has been approved by the Executive Board and which is valid
of which: RWE Trading (434) (434)
when the impairment test is performed. Business plans are
RWE Energy 5,118 5,235
based on experience as well as on future expected market
RWE npower 4,370 4,330
RWE Special
trends. If available, market transactions or third-party
Water Division 2,001 5,079
valuations of similar assets in the same sector are taken
of which: North America (2,001) (2,221)
as a basis for determining the fair value.
Other 6
12,318 15,613
Further Information
Harpen real estate business in the RWE Power Division. natural gas and coal, CO2 emission allowances, wholesale
and retail electricity and gas prices as well as to the devel-
In the period under review, impairment losses of € 6 million opment of market shares and regulatory framework condi-
were recognized on goodwill (previous year: € 814 million; tions.
€759 million without discontinued operations). The carrying
amount of goodwill decreased by € 23 million due to
currency effects (previous year: increase of € 617 million).
170 Notes to the Balance Sheet
Basic conditions established by regulators constitute further RWE extrapolates future cash flows going beyond the
key assumptions underlying the business plan for the water detailed planning horizon based on constant growth rates
business in North America, which primarily operates in regu- of 0 to 1.26 %, in order to account for expected inflation.
lated markets. These conditions determine end consumer These growth rates are derived from experience and future
prices, the budget of capital expenditure and the return expectations for each division and do not exceed the aver-
achievable in the corresponding regulatory period. age growth rates of the markets on which the companies are
active. The cash flow growth rates are determined subtract-
The discount rates used for business valuations are deter- ing the capital expenditure required to achieve them.
mined on the basis of market data and range from 5.7 to
6.9 % for cash-generating units after tax (previous year: 5.5
to 6.9 %). The rate generally applied is 6.5 %. For RWE Power
and the water business in North America the discount rates
used are 6.9 % and 5.7 %, respectively. Before tax, all of the
interest rates used are between 7.5 to 10.5 %, as in the pre-
vious year.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 171
Notes
• Notes to the Balance Sheet
To Our Investors
Land, land Technical Other Prepayments Plants Total
rights and plant and equipment, to other under
buildings incl. machinery factory enterprises construction
buildings on and office
€ million third-party land equipment
Review of Operations
Cost
Balance at 01/01/06 12,158 74,281 2,338 96 1,188 90,061
Additions/disposals due to changes in the scope of consolidation -5,239 -10,369 -226 14 -47 -15,867
Additions 770 2,522 209 263 752 4,516
Transfers -4 17 -40 -308 -335
Currency translation adjustments -58 -576 -10 1 -10 -653
Disposals 111 953 171 13 1,248
Our Responsibility
Balance at 12/31/06 7,516 64,905 2,157 334 1,562 76,474
Accumulated depreciation/impairment losses
Balance at 01/01/06 4,899 47,154 1,802 117 53,972
Additions/disposals due to changes in the scope of consolidation -1,537 -2,849 -180 -120 -4,686
Depreciation/impairment losses in the reporting period 473 1,772 167 1 2,413
RWE Special
Transfers -7 -112 -1 -120
Currency translation adjustments -35 -62 3 2 -92
Disposals 60 823 149 1,032
Write-backs 8 7 15
Cost
Balance at 01/01/05 12,793 71,426 3,428 95 1,034 88,776
Additions/disposals due to changes in the scope of consolidation -1,452 -267 -1,138 -4 -137 -2,998
Additions 690 2,296 247 16 620 3,869
Transfers -39 333 -25 -11 -329 -71
Further Information
Currency translation adjustments 298 1,581 57 37 1,973
Disposals 132 1,088 231 37 1,488
Balance at 12/31/05 12,158 74,281 2,338 96 1,188 90,061
Accumulated depreciation/impairment losses
Balance at 01/01/05 5,060 46,518 2,668 12 54,258
Additions/disposals due to changes in the scope of consolidation -678 -464 -868 -2 -2,012
Depreciation/impairment losses in the reporting period 487 1,644 178 114 2,423
Transfers -25 -4 9 -20
Currency translation adjustments 124 415 26 565
Disposals 60 953 211 7 1,231
Write-backs 9 2 11
Balance at 12/31/05 4,899 47,154 1,802 117 53,972
Carrying amounts
Balance at 12/31/05 7,259 27,127 536 96 1,071 36,089
1 Including discontinued operations.
172 Notes to the Balance Sheet
Of additions/disposals due to changes in the scope of con- the form of land charges and chattel mortgages. Of the car-
solidation, € 0 million (previous year: €556 million) results rying amount of property, plant and equipment, € 105 mil-
from the disposal of assets held for sale. lion (previous year: €52 million) is attributable to assets
leased under finance leases. These assets are principally
Property, plant, and equipment in exploration accounted comprised of technical plant and equipment amounting to
for € 118 million in the reporting period (previous year: € 91 million (previous year: € 33 million). Disposal of proper-
€ 35 million). ty, plant and equipment resulted from the sale and decom-
missioning of plants.
Property, plant and equipment are subject to restrictions in
the amount of €59 million (previous year: € 160 million) in
€ million € million
Cost Cost
Balance at 01/01/06 827 Balance at 01/01/05 884
Additions/disposals due to changes in the scope Additions/disposals due to changes in the scope
of consolidation -390 of consolidation -16
Additions 2 Additions 3
Transfers 19 Transfers 67
Currency translation adjustments Currency translation adjustments 1
Disposals 20 Disposals 112
Balance at 12/31/06 438 Balance at 12/31/05 827
Accumulated depreciation/impairment losses Accumulated depreciation/impairment losses
Balance at 01/01/06 351 Balance at 01/01/05 377
Additions/disposals due to changes in the scope Additions/disposals due to changes in the scope
of consolidation -153 of consolidation -9
Depreciation/impairment losses in the reporting period 21 Depreciation/impairment losses in the reporting period 28
Transfers 6 Transfers 20
Disposals 12 Disposals 51
Write-backs Write-backs 14
Balance at 12/31/06 213 Balance at 12/31/05 351
Carrying amounts Carrying amounts
Balance at 12/31/06 225 Balance at 12/31/05 476
As of December 31, 2006, the fair value of investment prop- the fair value (previous year: € 115 million) is based on valu-
erty amounted to € 331 million (previous year: € 642 mil- ations made by independent appraisers. Rental income
lion). The fair value of investment property is derived from generated in the reporting period amounted to €48 million
the current market prices of comparable real estate or deter- (previous year: €53 million). Direct operating expenses
mined using internationally accepted valuation methods totalled € 23 million (previous year: € 20 million).
such as the discounted cash flow method. € 90 million of
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 173
Notes
• Notes to the Balance Sheet
To Our Investors
The following summaries present the key items from the bal-
ance sheets and income statements of companies accounted
for using the equity method:
Review of Operations
€ million 12/31/06 12/31/05
Equity
Assets 17,447 17,562
Liabilities 11,295 11,545
6,152 6,017
Adjustment to RWE interest and equity method -3,881 -3,400
Our Responsibility
2,271 2,617
RWE Special
Income 703 802
Adjustment to RWE interest and equity method -295 -273
408 529
Further Information
Other investments 464 641
Non-current securities 1,047 1,012
1,684 1,842
12/31/06 12/31/05
12/31/06 12/31/05
€ million Non-current Current Non-current Current
Derivatives 445 6,040 6,211 9,544
Pension plan assets 419 554
Prepayments for items other than inventories 250 263
Accounts receivable from investment grants and subsidies 10
CO2 emission allowances 408 178
Prepaid expenses 136 262
Miscellaneous other assets 229 839 50 855
1,093 7,673 6,815 11,112
Other receivables and other assets are measured at amor- (17) Income tax assets
tized cost, which essentially corresponds to their fair value. On December 13, 2006, upon entry into force of the act
Derivative financial instruments are stated at fair value. on fiscal measures accompanying the introduction of the
European Company and the amendment of other fiscal regu-
As of December 31, 2006 the carrying values of exchange- lations (SEStEG), a legally unconditional claim was created
traded derivatives with netting agreements were offset, in as of December 31, 2006 for the refund of corporate tax
accordance with IAS 32.42. Furthermore, in accordance with credits stemming from the previous tax credit system
IAS 1.57b, derivatives held for the purpose of trading were (cf. Sec. 37 of the German Corporate Income Tax Act, as
classified as current, regardless of the maturity of the con- amended, KStG). This results in tax income of € 636 million
tract. On the basis of materiality, no adjustments were in fiscal 2006. The distribution-dependent realization of the
made to the figures for the previous year. credit applicable in the past was replaced by a procedure by
which payments are made in instalments over a period of
Changes in the scope of consolidation reduced other receiv- 10 years (2008 to 2017; generally effective September 30).
ables and other assets by €516 million. Since the instalments do not bear interest, the receivable is
stated at its present value.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 175
Notes
• Notes to the Balance Sheet
To Our Investors
The deferred tax assets of € 3,618 million (previous year: assets and liabilities, respectively, will be realized within
€ 3,790 million) and deferred tax liabilities of € 3,077 mil- twelve months.
lion (previous year: €4,873 million) principally relate to
measurement differences to the tax bases. € 2,488 million The following is a breakdown of deferred tax assets and
and € 1,997 million of the total amount of gross deferred tax liabilities by item:
Review of Operations
Deferred taxes 12/31/06 12/31/05
€ million Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities
Non-current assets 197 3,482 802 5,297
Current assets 155 1,081 117 2,503
Exceptional tax items 453 510
Our Responsibility
Non-current liabilities
Provisions for pensions 971 11 1,482 74
Other non-current provisions 2,010 117 2,620 280
Current liabilities 2,333 916 2,765 635
5,666 6,060 7,786 9,299
Tax loss carryforwards 935 430
RWE Special
Gross total 6,601 6,060 8,216 9,299
Netting -2,983 -2,983 -4,426 -4,426
Net total 3,618 3,077 3,790 4,873
Further Information
loss carryforwards
€ million 12/31/06 12/31/05
Corporate income tax In the year under review, €50 million in deferred taxes
(or comparable foreign income tax) 509 164
(previous year: € 172 million) arising from the translation
Trade tax 426 266
of foreign financial statements and € 66 million (previous
935 430
year: € 142 million) from valuations without an effect on
income were offset against equity.
176 Notes to the Balance Sheet
(19) Inventories
Inventories are not subject to any restrictions on disposal (22) Cash and cash equivalents
and there are no further obligations.
€ million 12/31/06 12/31/05
(23) Equity
To Our Investors
A breakdown of equity is shown on page 145.
Subscribed capital is structured as follows:
Review of Operations
‘000 % ‘000 % € million € million
Common shares 523,405 93.1 523,405 93.1 1,340 1,340
Preferred shares 39,000 6.9 39,000 6.9 100 100
562,405 100.0 562,405 100.0 1,440 1,440
Common and preferred shares are no-par value bearer share and € 139 million in “financial instruments available for sale”
Our Responsibility
certificates. Upon allocation of the Company’s profits, pre- (previous year: €431 million) were disclosed under accumu-
ferred shares without voting rights are entitled to payment lated other comprehensive income without an effect on
of a preference dividend of € 0.13 per preferred share. income. In the reporting period, €7 million in cash flow
hedges were realized as income (previous year: expenses of
Contingent capital of €51,200,000 (previous year: € 90 million) and € 247 million in “financial instruments
RWE Special
€51,200,000) is available to offer subscription rights to available for sale” were realized as income (previous year:
common shares in the name of the bearer. The subscription income of €571 million).
rights were granted to members of the Executive Board
as well as to other executives of RWE AG and subordinate Dividend proposal
changes in the fair values of “financial instruments available Distributable profit €1,968,498,257.23
Further Information
for sale” and of cash flow hedges as well as such stemming
from foreign currency translation adjustments from foreign Minority interest
financial statements. The share ownership of third parties in group entities is pre-
sented in this item. In particular, significant minority inter-
In the year under review, - €784 million in changes in the ests are held in the Hungarian energy utilities and in the
fair values of cash flow hedges (previous year: - € 60 million) Czech gas companies.
178 Notes to the Balance Sheet
AOP-F1 LTIP2
2001A 2002 2003 2004
tranche tranche tranche tranche
Grant date 08/02/01 09/20/02 07/01/03 05/25/04
Number of options granted 5,262,300 5,950,350 6,677,450 9,192,800
Term 5 years 5 years 5 years 5 years
Vesting conditions Three-year waiting period, the quoted Two-year waiting period; the common share price must have
market price of the common share – risen by at least 10% prior to the exercise date and must have
calculated on the basis of the total outperformed the Dow Jones STOXX Utilities Price Index on ten
return approach – must increase prior consecutive days in the same period (this last condition does not
to the exercise date by at least 6% apply if the common share price increases by at least 20%).
annually on average and may not trail Upon achievement of the above performance targets, the options
the Dow Jones STOXX share index by can be exercised on a daily basis following expiration of the wait-
more than ten percentage points over ing period, with the exception of short blocking periods prior to
the same period. the publication of corporate data. The number of options which
Four-week exercise periods, starting may be exercised depends on the increase in the price of the
on the 21st trading day following the common share compared to the exercise price determined when
publication of the revenue and earnings the options are granted. In the event of a 20% price increase all
figures for the completed fiscal year and of the options can be exercised; for a 15 or 10% increase, 60 or
of the semi-annual results. 25% of the options can be exercised, respectively.
Exercise price The exercise price equals the quoted € 34.24 € 26.37 € 35.45
market price of the common share on
the first trading day after expiry of the
relevant exercise period, minus a per-
formance-related markdown. The mark-
down is limited to 40 percentage points.
Form of settlement Shares from contingent capital, existing Cash settlement amounting to the difference between the share
common shares or cash settlement price upon exercise and the exercise price or provision of com-
amounting to the difference between mon shares (at the discretion of RWE AG). Settlement is limited
the share price upon exercise and the to 50% of the exercise price.
exercise price (at the discretion of
RWE AG).
1 Executive Stock Option Plan.
2 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 179
Notes
• Notes to the Balance Sheet
To Our Investors
Beat
2005 tranche 2006 tranche
Grant date 01/01/05 01/01/06
Number of conditionally
granted performance shares 2,551,800 2,444,191
Term 3 years 3 years
Review of Operations
Pay-out conditions Automatic pay-out if following a waiting period of three years an outperformance of at least 25% compared to the
Dow Jones STOXX Utilities Index peer group has been achieved, measured in terms of their index weighting as of
the inception of the programme. Measurement of outperformance is carried out using Total Shareholder Return
(TSR), which takes into account both the development of the share price and reinvested dividends.
Determination of payment 1. Determination of the index weighting of the peer group companies which exhibit a lower TSR than RWE at the
end of the term
2. Performance factor is calculated by squaring this percentage rate and multiplying it by 1.25
3. Total number of performance shares which can be paid out is calculated by multiplying the performance shares
conditionally granted by the performance factor
Our Responsibility
4. Payment corresponds to the final number of performance shares valued at the average RWE share price during
the last 20 trading days prior to expiration of the programme (with a ceiling of two times and three times the
value of the performance shares as of the grant date, for the 2006 tranche and the 2005 tranche, respectively).
Change in corporate • If during the waiting period there is a change in corporate control, a compensation payment is made. This
control/merger is calculated by multiplying the price paid in the acquisition of the RWE shares by the final number of perfor-
mance shares. The latter shall be determined as per the regulations of the compensation plan with regard to
the time when the bid for corporate control is submitted.
• In the event of merger with another company, compensation shall be calculated on the basis of the expected
RWE Special
value of the performance shares at the time of the merger multiplied by the prorated number of performance
shares corresponding to ratio between the total waiting period and the waiting period until the merger takes
place.
Form of settlement Cash settlement
Further Information
The weighted average share price as of the exercise date
was €71.82 for the options from AOP-F exercised in the
year under review.
The average weighted share price as of the exercise date externally using a standard multivariate Black-Scholes model
amounted to € 64.87 for the options from LTIP exercised via Monte Carlo simulations on the basis of one million
fiscal 2006. The exercise prices of the outstanding LTIP scenarios each. In the calculations, due consideration was
options as of the balance-sheet date ranged from € 26.37 taken of the maximum payment stipulated in the programme’s
to € 35.45. The weighted average remaining contractual conditions for each conditionally granted performance
term amounted to 2.4 years. share, discount rates for the remaining term, volatilities and
the expected dividends of peer companies as well as the
Beat. The fair value of the performance shares conditionally expected dividends of RWE AG.
granted in the Beat programme amounted to € 17.48 per
share as of the grant date for the 2006 tranche and € 18.62 In the year under review, the number of performance shares
per share for the 2005 tranche. These values were calculated issued in the Beat programme developed as follows:
The remaining contractual term amounted to one year for In addition to the above, the following share-based payment
the 2005 tranche and two years for the 2006 tranche. systems with equity settlement for executives and employ-
ees are operated at the level of the divisions:
In the year under review, the number of outstanding Share- In the year under review, the total expense for the group-
To Our Investors
save Scheme options developed as follows: wide share-based payment systems amounted to € 94 million
(previous year: € 310 million). Of this amount, € 0 million
RWE Npower plc/RWE Trading GmbH Sharesave Scheme was attributable to equity-settled share-based payment
Outstanding at the start of the fiscal year 1,211,912 transactions of RWE AG, as in the previous year. As of the
Granted 390,756 balance-sheet date, provisions in the amount of € 97 million
Review of Operations
Forfeited 0 have been recognized for cash-settled share-based payment
Exercised -627,418 programmes (previous year: € 160 million). The intrinsic
Expired -40,290 value of the cash-settled share-based payment transactions
Outstanding at the end of the fiscal year 934,960 exercisable as of the balance-sheet date amounts to
Exercisable at the end of the fiscal year 32,815 € 2 million (previous year: € 3 million).
Our Responsibility
(25) Provisions1
12/31/06 12/31/05
RWE Special
Provisions for pensions
and similar obligations 11,584 11,584 11,997 11,997
Provisions for taxes 2,095 630 2,725 1,719 733 2,452
Provisions for nuclear
waste management 8,544 290 8,834 8,435 240 8,675
Further Information
Interest payment obligations 398 53 451 152 187 339
CO2 emission allowances 253 253 186 186
Miscellaneous other provisions 938 1,579 2,517 956 1,355 2,311
3,941 4,434 8,375 3,612 3,731 7,343
28,632 5,434 34,066 28,064 4,784 32,848
1 Including discontinued operations.
182 Notes to the Balance Sheet
Provisions for pensions and similar obligations: The com- The amount of provisions for defined benefit plans was cal-
pany pension plan consists of defined contribution and de- culated using actuarial methods, using the so-called corridor
fined benefit plans. In the reporting period, € 12 million approach. The following assumptions are applied:
was paid into defined contribution plans (previous year:
€ 12 million).
The expected return on plan assets was determined depend- trading prices and indices, in accordance with recognized
ing on the specific categories of assets. The expected return methods. The expected return on real estate was calculated
on investments in equities reflects the long-term average on the basis of marketing possibilities determined by con-
performance observed for the industries and geographical tractual obligations and local market conditions.
markets involved, taking into account the current composi-
tion of the equity portfolio. The expected return on fixed Provisions for pensions are broken down as follows:
income securities was derived from appropriately selected
The unrecognized actuarial gains/losses of - € 671 million arial assumptions. This amount is recognized as income or
To Our Investors
(previous year: - € 1,507 million) which have not yet been an expense over the anticipated average remaining working
recognized primarily result from actuarial gains/losses in lives of the employees, to the extent that it exceeds 10 % of
connection with changes in the number of employees and the greater of the benefit obligation or the fair value of the
differences in actual market trends compared with the actu- plan assets.
Review of Operations
Development of plan assets Fair value
€ million 2006 2005
Balance at 01/01 7,692 6,746
Expected return on plan assets 400 542
Employer contributions to the funded plans 179 91
Employee contributions to the funded plans 31 19
Our Responsibility
Benefits paid by the funded plans -402 -407
Actuarial gains (losses) related to plan assets -69 550
Currency translation adjustments 67 151
Changes in the scope of consolidation -1,779
Balance at 12/31 6,119 7,692
RWE Special
The actual return on plan assets totals € 331 million
(previous year: € 1,092 million).
Further Information
184 Notes to the Balance Sheet
Experience adjustments
€ million 2006 2005
Present value of benefit obligations 38 -61
Fair value of plan assets -69 550
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 185
Notes
• Notes to the Balance Sheet
An increase or reduction of one percentage point in the effects on the service and interest cost and on the com-
To Our Investors
assumed health care cost trend would have the following pany’s post-retirement medical benefit obligation:
Changes in the health care cost trend Increase of one Decrease of one
€ million percentage point percentage point
Effect on
Review of Operations
Service cost 2 -2
Interest cost 2 -2
Post-retirement medical benefit obligation 31 -27
Our Responsibility
released change in of conso-
discount lidation,
rate currency
adjust-
ments,
€ million transfers
Provisions for pensions 11,997 -35 547 -303 -622 11,584
RWE Special
Provisions for taxes 2,452 1,337 -47 -216 -801 2,725
Provisions for nuclear waste
management 8,675 92 -164 416 -30 -155 8,834
Provisions for mining damage 2,381 151 -15 113 -82 2,548
25,505 1,545 -226 1,076 -549 -1,660 25,691
Further Information
7,343 3,633 -509 103 -213 -1,982 8,375
Provisions 32,848 5,178 -735 1,179 -762 -3,642 34,066
of which: changes in the scope of consolidation (-727)
186 Notes to the Balance Sheet
Provisions for nuclear waste management are primarily Provisions for mining damage also consist primarily of
stated as non-current provisions, and their settlement non-current provisions. They are recognized at the settle-
amount is discounted to the balance-sheet date. As in the ment amount discounted to the balance-sheet date. An
previous year, an interest rate of 5.0 % was used as the dis- interest rate of 5.0 % was used as the discount rate as in the
count rate. Volume-based increases in the provisions are previous year. In the reporting period, allocations to provi-
measured at their present value. In the reporting period, sions for mining damage amounted to € 151 million (previ-
they amounted to € 92 million (previous year: € 154 mil- ous year: €407 million), due to an increase in the volume
lion). By releasing € 164 million in unused provisions (previ- of the obligations. This increase amounted to € 108 million
ous year: €581 million), we have taken into account that (previous year: € 338 million) and did not have an impact on
according to current estimates waste disposal costs are income as the same amount was capitalized under property,
expected to be lower. Additions to provisions for nuclear plant and equipment. The interest accretion of the additions
waste management primarily consist of an interest accretion to provisions for mining damage is € 113 million (previous
of €416 million (previous year: €440 million). € 640 million year: € 127 million).
in prepayments were deducted from the provisions for
nuclear waste management (previous year: € 644 million). Provisions for restructuring pertain mainly to measures for
socially acceptable payroll downsizing from previous years.
12/31/06 12/31/05
Financial liabilities to associates totalled € 105 million (previ- Changes in the scope of consolidation caused financial
ous year: € 28 million). liabilities to decrease by €5,802 million.
€ 15,233 million of the non-current financial liabilities were Outstanding bonds payable relate to RWE AG, RWE Finance
interest-bearing liabilities (previous year: € 21,255 million). B.V. and American Water Works Company, Inc. including its
To a great degree, bank debt stems from the former activi- subsidiaries. Nominal interest is between 0 and 8.0 % for
ties of acquired companies. Nominal interest depends on public bonds (previous year: 0 to 8.375 %), and between
the currency, term and conditions of the agreement and 0.78 and 10.0 % for private placements, as in the previous
ranges from 2.0 to 9 .0%, as in the previous year. year (depending on currency, term and time of issue).
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 187
Notes
• Notes to the Balance Sheet
To Our Investors
bonds payable as of December 31, 2006:
Review of Operations
RWE AG € 100 million € 86 million 5.625 June 2009
RWE AG € 100 million € 100 million Variable; Interest November 2017
payment dates:
05/15 and 11/15.
RWE AG € 750 million € 701 million 5.75 February 2033
RWE Finance B.V. € 1,357 million € 1,355 million 5.5 October 2007
RWE Finance B.V. € 1,282 million € 1,280 million 5.375 April 2008
Our Responsibility
RWE Finance B.V. CHF 500 million € 310 million 2.0 December 2008
RWE Finance B.V. £ 500 million € 744 million 4.625 August 2010
RWE Finance B.V. € 2,200 million € 2,079 million 6.125 October 2012
RWE Finance B.V. £ 750 million € 1,052 million 6.375 June 2013
RWE Finance B.V. € 650 million € 582 million 4.625 July 2014
RWE Special
RWE Finance B.V. € 850 million € 854 million 6.25 April 2016
RWE Finance B.V. € 1,200 million € 1,143 million 5.125 July 2018
RWE Finance B.V. £ 650 million € 957 million 6.5 April 2021
RWE Finance B.V. £ 600 million € 867 million 5.625 December 2023
Further Information
As of December 31, 2006, bonds payable (incl. other notes € 1.7 to € 3.7 billion). The interest rates ranged from 2.34
payable) had a fair value of € 17,046 million (previous year: to 5.62 % (previous year: 2.06 to 4.68 %). As of the cut-off
€ 21,085 million). The fair value of other financial liabilities date, RWE had issued commercial paper totalling
basically corresponds to the disclosed carrying amounts. €546 million (previous year: € 3,201 million).
Throughout the reporting period, euro and US dollar commer- Other financial liabilities primarily consist of finance lease
cial paper was issued on the European and US capital markets. liabilities. Lease agreements principally relate to capital
The equivalent of between €0.3 and €4.0 billion was raised goods in the electricity and water business.
within the framework of these programmes (previous year:
188 Notes to the Balance Sheet · Other information
Above and beyond this, other financial liabilities include (27) Trade accounts payable
collaterals for trading activities which must be provided to Accounts payable to associates amounted to € 90 million
RWE Group companies by our business partners pursuant (previous year: €74 million).
to European Energy Exchange regulations.
Exploration resulted in liabilities of €57 million (previous
€ 125 million (previous year: € 178 million) of the financial year: € 31 million).
liabilities are secured by mortgages, and € 13 million (previ-
ous year: € 65 million) by similar rights. Due to changes in the scope of consolidation, trade
accounts payable decreased by a total of € 623 million.
12/31/06 12/31/05
Miscellaneous other liabilities include €777 million (previ- ties from put options and forward purchases of minority
To Our Investors
ous year: €763 million) in non-current and € 1,159 million interests that are recognized in accordance with IAS 32.
(previous year: € 1,333 million) in current redemption liabili-
Review of Operations
Other information
(29) Earnings per share disclosed in the balance sheet, and the maximum default
Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing the net risk corresponds to the amount of financial assets. If default
Our Responsibility
income attributable to the shares by the average number of risks associated with financial assets are identified, they are
shares outstanding. This figure may become diluted by recognized through impairment.
potential shares (primarily share options and convertible
bonds). When determining diluted earnings per share, stock As a utility enterprise with international operations, the RWE
options issued by RWE as part of the stock option pro- Group is exposed to currency, commodity and interest rate
RWE Special
grammes are taken into account if they have a diluting risks in its ordinary business activity. Such risks are limited
effect. The earnings per share are the same for both via systematic risk management. Among other things, risks
common and preferred shares. are mitigated through hedges. Derivative financial instru-
ments are used to hedge currency, commodity and interest
Further Information
(30) Reporting on financial instruments derivatives may not be used for speculative purposes and
Financial instruments include non-derivative and derivative serve only to hedge risks arising from operations. Guidelines
financial instruments. have been established by the Group central risk manage-
ment department for commodities, stipulating that com-
Non-derivative financial assets essentially include other non- modity derivatives may be used to hedge price risks, opti-
current financial assets, accounts receivable, marketable mize power plant schedules and increase margins. Further-
securities and cash and cash equivalents. Financial assets more, commodity derivatives may be traded, subject to
available for sale are measured at fair value, while other strict limits. The limits are defined by independent organi-
financial assets are measured at amortized cost. Fair values zational units and monitored on a daily basis.
are derived from the relevant stock market quotations or are
measured on the basis of generally accepted valuation meth-
ods. On the liabilities side, non-derivative financial instru-
ments principally include liabilities recorded at amortized
cost. The balance of non-derivative financial instruments is
190 Other information
Credit risks associated with contractual partners are system- When interpreting the positive and negative fair values of
atically reviewed upon conclusion of the contract and con- derivative financial instruments, with the exception of the
stantly monitored. Furthermore, credit risk is reduced relatively low commodity trading volumes, it must be taken
through appropriate forms of collateralizing. The maximum into account that they are matched with underlying transac-
credit risk is equivalent to the amount of assets stated in the tions with offsetting risks. All derivative financial instru-
balance sheet, with due consideration of collaterals received. ments are recognized as assets or liabilities and are stated
at fair value regardless of their purpose.
Hedge accounting pursuant to IAS 39 is applied primarily
for hedges of net investments in foreign entities, for hedges Maturities of derivative interest rate, currency, share-price
of foreign-currency liabilities and interest rate risks from related or index-related and commodity transactions are
non-current liabilities, as well as for hedging price risks from based on the maturities of the underlying transactions and
sales and purchase transactions. are thus primarily short-term and medium-term in nature.
Maturities of up to 30 years can be agreed upon to hedge
Fair value hedges are mainly used to hedge fixed-interest foreign currency risks of foreign investments. Commodity
loans and liabilities against market price risks. Instruments derivatives held for the purpose of trading are stated as
used are interest rate swaps and interest rate currency current, regardless of the maturity of the contract.
swaps. In the case of fair value hedges, both the derivative
as well as the underlying transaction regarding the hedged The nominal volume of the derivatives outlined below is
risk are measured at fair value with an effect on income. specified without being offset. It represents the total of all
purchase and sales amounts on which the derivatives are
Cash flow hedges exist primarily to hedge variable-interest based. The level of the nominal volume enables estimates
loans and liabilities against interest rate risks as well as regarding the scope of the use of derivatives, but does not
against foreign currency and price risks from future sales reflect the risk the group is exposed to from the use of
and purchase transactions. Changes in the fair value of derivatives.
hedges used are disclosed under other comprehensive
income until the underlying transaction is realized. The The value-at-risk method is used to quantify the interest
hedge’s contribution to income is transferred from other rate, currency and share price risks for financial instruments
comprehensive income to the income statement when the in line with the international banking standard. The maxi-
underlying transaction is realized. mum expected loss arising from changes in market prices is
calculated and continuously checked on the basis of histori-
Hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity: RWE cal market volatility, with a confidence level of 95 % and a
hedges a significant portion of the foreign currency risks of holding period of one or five days.
net investment in foreign entities using bonds with various
terms in the appropriate currency as well as with interest Currency risks may exist for financial assets and liabilities in
rate currency swaps. Every hedge is assigned to an underly- foreign currency. Such risks are counteracted by derivative
ing transaction. Exchange rate changes from bonds used for financial instruments.
hedging purposes and changes in the fair value of interest
rate currency swaps are recognized under foreign currency Interest rate derivatives used to hedge interest rate risks are
translation adjustments in other comprehensive income. nearly exclusively interest rate swaps.
To Our Investors
Derivatives Of which:
Nominal volume remaining term > 1 year Fair value
Review of Operations
Interest rate currency swaps 10,063 17,355 1,417 8,407 79.2 1,266.5
16,961 24,145 3,287 9,237 -18.1 1,240.4
Interest rate derivatives 4,503 12,779 3,729 8,815 17.9 53.6
Share-price related/index-related derivatives 13 1,041 1,024 -51.4 -39.0
21,477 37,965 7,016 19,076 -51.6 1,255.0
Commodity derivatives
Our Responsibility
Options 5,057 2,164 1,385 822 -52.8 34.4
Swaps 11,086 1,254 196 938 -355.4 -654.8
Forwards 65,307 55,640 10,876 14,641 -101.3 213.7
Other 636 171 449 70 68.6 58.7
82,086 59,229 12,906 16,471 -440.9 -348.0
RWE Special
103,563 97,194 19,922 35,547 -492.5 907.0
Derivatives are exposed to default risks equivalent to their €0.3 billion are due; additionally, short-term debt is also due.
Further Information
Group companies. In 2007, capital market debt with a nomi-
nal volume of approximately € 2.2 billion and bank debt of
192 Other information
Contingent liabilities
€ million 12/31/06 12/31/05
Contingent liabilities resulting from general, draft and check guarantees 1 164
Contingent liabilities from granting collateral for third-party liabilities 10 22
Contingent liabilities from binding letters of comfort 2
Contingent liabilities from guarantees 38
Contingent liabilities from bank guarantees 1
Contingent liabilities from letters of credit 3
Contingent liabilities from surety bonds 33 13
Contingent liabilities from other contingencies 4 27
48 270
The group had € 2,193 million in capital commitments (pre- Payment obligations for non-current financial assets amount-
vious year: € 1,996 million). Moreover, as of December 31, ed to € 2 million (previous year: €59 million). As in the previ-
2006 assurances regarding acquisitions of investments exist- ous year, there was no joint liability for third-party payment
ed in the amount of €524 million (previous year: € 386 mil- obligations under Sec. 24 of the German Limited Liability
lion). Companies Act.
Rütgerswerke mbh, a subsidiary of RAG AG, was granted a The RWE Power Division has entered into long-term pur-
€400 million line of credit at fair market conditions, which chase and service agreements for uranium, conversion,
can be drawn down until June 29, 2007. enrichment, production and waste management.
Commitments from operating leases refer largely to long- RWE bears customary commercial liability for long-term con-
term rental arrangements for power generation and supply tracts in the plant construction business.
plants as well as rent and lease obligations for storage and
administration buildings. We bear the legal and contractual liability from our member-
ship in various associations which exist in connection with
Minimum lease payments are as follows: power plant projects, profit- and loss-pooling agreements
and for the provision of liability cover for nuclear risks,
Operating leases Nominal value amongst others.
€ million 12/31/06 12/31/05
Due within 1 year 79 76 By signing a mutual benefit agreement, RWE AG and other
Due within 1-5 years 228 226 parent companies of German nuclear power plant operators
Due after 5 years 221 254 undertook to provide € 2,244.4 million in funding to liable
528 556 nuclear power plant operators to ensure that they are able
to meet their payment obligations in the event of nuclear
damages. RWE AG has a 25.879 % contractual share in the
liability, plus 5 % for damage settlement costs.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 193
Notes
• Other information
RWE Group companies are involved in litigation and arbitra- in these antitrust suits and will defend itself with resolve.
To Our Investors
tion proceedings connected with their operations. However, Given the current assessment of the legal situation, there
RWE does not expect any material negative repercussions was no need to accrue provisions for risks arising from the
from these proceedings on the RWE Group‘s economic or antitrust suits as of December 31, 2006.
financial position. Additionally, companies belonging to the
RWE Energy Division are directly involved in various adminis-
Review of Operations
trative and regulatory proceedings (including approval pro- (32) Segment reporting
cedures) or are directly affected by their results. In the RWE Group, segments are distinguished on the basis
of the services provided by the group’s divisions. The seg-
Outside shareholders have initiated several legal proceedings mentation of divisions and geographical regions is based
to examine the appropriateness of the conversion ratios on the reporting system used by the management.
and the amount of cash paid in compensation in connection
Our Responsibility
with company restructurings pursuant to German company RWE Power is the segment comprising the entire Continental
law. We are convinced that the conversion ratios and cash European power generation business as well as the group’s
compensation calculated on the basis of expert opinions lignite production business. This segment also includes the
and verified by independent accounting firms are adequate upstream operations of RWE Dea (gas and oil production).
and will stand up to scrutiny in court. The trading activities of RWE Trading are also reported in
RWE Special
the segment RWE Power, in reflection of the closely inter-
In the year under review, the EU Commission conducted twined business activities of these two divisions.
several follow-up sector inquiries targeting energy utilities
in Germany and other European Union member states. The RWE Energy is the segment comprising distribution, trans-
Further Information
served a notice on RWE AG within the scope of the “CO2 ness and certain other international activities, is reported
Emissions Trading and Electricity Price Formation” antitrust separately as a discontinued operation for fiscal 2005 and
abuse proceedings that have been underway since August 2006.
2005. The Federal Cartel Office deems the formation of
prices charged to industrial customers (excluding small com- Consolidation effects, the Group Centre and other activities
mercial customers) for base-load power and general supply not allocable to the divisions presented separately are dis-
by RWE AG and its affiliates in the bilateral sales business closed under “Other/consolidation”. This primarily includes
in the 2005 calendar year abusive since the prices include the shared services provided by RWE Systems.
more than 25 % of the prorated market value of the CO2 cer-
tificates allocated free of charge. It is to be expected that
the Cartel Office will hand down a ruling on this basis in the
first half of 2007. RWE is convinced that it has a good case
194 Other information
Segment reporting RWE RWE RWE Water Other/ RWE RWE RWE
Divisions 2006 Power Energy npower Division consoli- Group Thames Group
dation Water incl.
(discon- RWE
tinued Thames
€ million operation) Water
External revenue 6,574 27,398 8,485 1,702 97 44,256 2,278 46,534
Intra-group revenue 8,531 748 8 -9,287
Total revenue 15,105 28,146 8,493 1,702 -9,190 44,256 2,278 46,534
Operating result 2,744 2,506 512 425 -81 6,106 711 6,817
Income from operating
activities = segment result 2,750 1,960 192 331 -331 4,902 698 5,600
Income from operating
investments 115 261 4 6 386 6 392
Income from investments
accounted for using
the equity method 195 211 4 -1 -1 408 4 412
Depreciation and
amortization 714 917 467 253 52 2,403 401 2,804
Operating depreciation
and amortization 743 932 150 264 52 2,141 401 2,542
Impairment losses
on goodwill 6 6 6
Total impairment losses 29 70 10 11 6 126 126
Other major non-cash
expenses relating to
the segment result 788 2,026 373 2 578 3,767 74 3,841
EBITDA 3,372 3,177 658 689 -35 7,861 1,106 8,967
Capital employed
(as per the value
management concept) 6,976 13,994 6,969 7,607 -2,782 32,764
Carrying amount of
investments accounted for
using the equity method 184 2,085 1 1 2,271
Segment assets 20,566 22,655 11,571 9,863 -43 64,612
Segment liabilities 26,292 15,506 3,192 1,622 7,548 54,160
Investments in
intangible assets, property,
plant and equipment and
investment property 1,302 1,174 396 1,584 38 4,494
To Our Investors
Segment RWE RWE RWE Water Other/ RWE RWE RWE- RWE RWE
reporting Power Energy npower Division Consoli- Group Thames Group1 Umwelt Group
Divisions dation Water (discon- inkl. RWE
2005 (discon- tinued Thames
tinued opera- Water
opera- tion) and RWE
€ million tion) Umwelt
External revenue 6,832 24,318 6,382 1,878 77 39,487 2,332 41,819 614 42,433
Review of Operations
Intra-group
revenue 6,323 865 3 4 -7,195
Total revenue 13,155 25,183 6,385 1,882 -7,118 39,487 2,332 41,819 614 42,433
Operating
result 2,112 2,507 437 586 -271 5,371 830 6,201 44 6,245
Income from opera-
ting activities =
segment result 2,211 2,168 92 -313 -157 4,001 745 4,746 22 4,768
Our Responsibility
Income from opera-
ting investments 95 265 2 68 17 447 31 478 22 500
Income from invest-
ments accounted for
using the equity method 117 358 2 46 6 529 28 557 12 569
Depreciation
and amortization 750 902 455 298 56 2,461 430 2,891 42 2,933
RWE Special
Operating depreciation
and amortization 783 900 126 298 64 2,171 430 2,601 50 2,651
Impairment losses
on goodwill 759 759 55 814 814
Further Information
Segment assets 28,324 20,988 10,635 25,792 471 86,210
Segment liabilities 33,992 15,720 2,609 4,116 5,887 62,324
Investments in
intangible assets,
property, plant and
equipment and
investment property 842 1,064 315 1,388 58 3,667
1 Prior to restatement; as reported in the 2005 Annual Report.
Notes on segment data: Intra-group revenue reflects the Capital expenditure includes spending on intangible assets,
level of revenue between segments and is priced at arm’s property, plant and equipment and investment property.
length. The segment revenue is the sum of external and
intra-group revenue. Income from investments accounted for using the equity
method comprises income and expenses from profit- and
Depreciation and amortization concern intangible assets, loss-pooling agreements, and prorated corporate results.
property, plant and equipment and investment property. It also includes impairment losses on goodwill and on the
investments accounted for using the equity method.
The definition of capital employed is derived from the value
management concept. Capital employed is compatible with
the operating result, which is also used for control purposes
within the group (cf. pages 205 to 206). In addition to capital
employed, the divisions’ segment assets and liabilities are
also disclosed. The following table shows the reconciliation
of gross assets and gross liabilities to segment assets and
segment liabilities:
Segment assets
€ million 12/31/06 12/31/05
Gross assets as per the balance sheet 93,455 109,458
Investments accounted
for using the equity method -2,271 -2,617
Other non-current financial assets -1,684 -1,842
Marketable securities -16,788 -10,344
Financial receivables -4,482 -4,655
Deferred tax assets -3,618 -3,790
64,612 86,210
Segment liabilities
€ million 12/31/06 12/31/05
Gross liabilities as per the balance sheet 79,344 97,101
Tax provisions -2,725 -2,452
Financial liabilities -19,382 -27,452
Deferred tax liabilities -3,077 -4,873
54,160 62,324
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 197
Notes
• Other information
To Our Investors
Reconciliation of the operating result
€ million 2006 2005 The cash flow statement classifies cash flows according to
Income from operating activities operating, investing and financing activities. Cash and cash
of continuing operations 4,902 4,001
equivalents in the cash flow statement correspond to total
+ Income from investments 790 736
cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet. Cash and
+/- Non-operating result 414 634
cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, demand deposits
Review of Operations
Operating result 6,106 5,371
and fixed-interest marketable securities with a maturity of
three months or less from the date of acquisition.
The reconciliation addresses the following points:
Flows of funds from the acquisition and sale of consolidated
Income from investments includes all expenses and income companies are included in cash flows from investing activi-
that have arisen in connection with operating investments. ties. Effects of foreign exchange rate changes are stated
Our Responsibility
Income from investments thus constitutes an integral part separately.
of the Group’s operating activity.
Among other things, cash flows from operating activities
Income and expenses that are unusual from an economic include:
perspective, or are the result of exceptional events, pre-
RWE Special
judice the assessment of operating activities. They are • cash flows from interest income of € 2,048 million (previ-
reclassified to the non-operating result. In the event that ous year: € 1,216 million) and cash flows used for interest
impairment losses are recognized on the goodwill of fully expenses of € 2,827 million (previous year: € 2,194 mil-
consolidated companies, such losses are contained in the lion);
Further Information
198 Other information
Cash flows from financing activities include € 984 million Other financial debt includes financial liabilities to non-
(previous year: € 844 million) which was paid out to RWE consolidated subsidiaries and investments, as well as other
shareholders and € 224 million (previous year: € 226 million) financial liabilities. Net financial debt is the difference
which was distributed to minority shareholders. New between financial assets and financial liabilities.
issuance of financial debt totalled €7,526 million (previous
year: €4,361 million) and was contrasted by repayments of
€ 9,257 million (previous year: € 6,672 million). (34) Information on concessions
Changes in the scope of consolidation resulted in a net A number of easement agreements and concession contracts
change in cash and cash equivalents of - € 996 million have been concluded in the fields of electricity, gas and
(previous year: - €41 million). water between RWE Group companies and governmental
authorities in the areas supplied by RWE.
Cash and cash equivalents of € 0 million (previous year:
€5 million) stemming from acquisitions are offset against In the fields of electricity and gas, easement agreements
capital expenditure on financial assets. Divested cash and relate to the use of public roads and rights of way for the
cash equivalents of € 996 million (previous year: €46 million) installation and operation of transmission lines which are
are included in proceeds from divestitures. part of the public energy supply network. These agreements
are limited to a term of 20 years. When the agreements
Exploration resulted in cash flows from continuing opera- expire, there is a legal obligation to transfer ownership of
tions in the amount of € 110 million (previous year: the local distribution facilities to the new energy supplier,
€50 million) and cash flows from investing activity of in exchange for appropriate compensation of RWE.
€ 101 million (previous year: €56 million).
Water concession agreements contain provisions for the
First-time consolidations and deconsolidations resulted in a right and obligation to provide water and wastewater ser-
decline of €4,783 million in net financial debt. vices, operate the associated infrastructure, such as water
utility plants, as well as to implement capital expenditure.
There are no restrictions on the disposal of cash and cash Concessions in the water business generally have terms of
equivalents. up to 50 years.
In the 2006 fiscal year, business transactions concluded The Economic Advisory Board was paid compensation of
To Our Investors
with major related parties led to the following items in € 363,000; above and beyond this, members of the Econom-
RWE’s consolidated financial statements: ic Advisory Board also received compensation of € 36,000 for
mandates at subsidiaries.
Key items from transactions
with associates
€ million 2006 2005 Declarations on the members of the Executive and Super-
Review of Operations
Revenue 938 634 visory Boards in accordance with Sec. 285 No. 10 of the
Expenses 125 74 German Commercial Code (HGB) are presented on pages
Receivables 951 777 207 to 211.
Payables 86 56
All business transactions are completed at arm’s length (36) Auditor’s fees
Our Responsibility
prices and on principle do not differ from the conditions for The following fees were recognized as expenses for the serv-
supply and services provided to other enterprises. € 232 mil- ices rendered in fiscal 2006 and in the prior year by the
lion of the receivables and € 86 million of the liabilities fall auditors of the consolidated financial statements, Price-
due within one year. In respect of the receivables there are waterhouseCoopers Aktiengesellschaft Wirtschaftsprüfungs-
guarantees of € 0 million (previous year: €5 million) and gesellschaft:
RWE Special
other collaterals amounting to €4 million (previous year:
€ 1 million). €720 million of the receivables are interest- Auditor’s fees
€ million 2006 2005
bearing (previous year: €730 million); there were no inter-
Audit services 16.7 13.1
est-bearing liabilities.
Other assurance and valuation services 4.8 8.6
Further Information
acquisitions and disposals. This item also includes fees for
Former members of the Executive Board and their surviv- review of the internal controlling system, in particular the
ing dependents received € 11,803,000. Of this amount, IT systems and expenses related to statutory or court-
€ 1,885,000 came from subsidiaries and € 2,787,000 was ordered requirements. Fees for tax services mainly include
related to the exercise of LTIP. The total amount also includes fees for consultation in relation to the preparation of tax
compensation from subsidiaries for the exercise of mandates returns and review of resolutions of the tax authorities as
amounting to € 38,000. As at the balance-sheet date, well as national and international tax-related matters. Up
€ 111,291,000 has been accrued for defined benefit obliga- to October 31, 2006, they also include tax consultation for
tions to former members of the Executive Board and their employees living abroad.
surviving dependents, of which € 23,672,000 was set aside
at subsidiaries.
200 Other information · Auditor’s Report
(37) Application of Sec. 264, Para. 3 and Sec. 264b of • RWE Rhein-Ruhr Verteilnetz GmbH, Wesel
the German Commercial Code • RWE Rhenas Versicherungsvermittlung GmbH, Essen
The following German subsidiaries made use of the exemp- • RWE Solutions Aktiengesellschaft, Alzenau
tion clause included in Sec. 264 Para. 3 and Sec. 264b of • RWE Systems Aktiengesellschaft, Dortmund
the German Commercial Code (HGB): • RWE Systems Computing GmbH, Dortmund
• RWE Systems Consulting GmbH, Essen
• BGE Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft für • RWE Systems Development GmbH & Co. KG, Dortmund
Energieunternehmen mbH, Essen • RWE Systems Immobilien Alzenau GmbH, Alzenau
• GBV Dreizehnte Gesellschaft für • RWE Systems Immobilien GmbH u. Co. KG, Essen
Beteiligungsverwaltung mbH & Co. KG, Essen • RWE Trading GmbH, Essen
• GBV Fünfte Gesellschaft für • RWE Transportnetz Gas GmbH, Essen
Beteiligungsverwaltung mbH, Essen • RWE Transportnetz Strom GmbH, Dortmund
• GBV Siebte Gesellschaft für • RWE Westfalen-Weser-Ems Aktiengesellschaft, Dortmund
Beteiligungsverwaltung mbH, Essen • RWE Westfalen-Weser-Ems Netzservice GmbH, Dortmund
• GBV Vierzehnte Gesellschaft für • RWE Westfalen-Weser-Ems Verteilnetz GmbH,
Beteiligungsverwaltung mbH, Essen Recklinghausen
• HEC GmbH, Dortmund • SKW Steinkohlen-Wärme GmbH, Kamp-Lintfort
• Kavernenspeicher Staßfurt GmbH, Staßfurt • Speicher Breitbrunn/Eggstätt RWE Dea & Mobil, Hamburg
• OIE Aktiengesellschaft, Idar-Oberstein • Thames Water Aqua Holdings GmbH, Essen
• Rheinische Baustoffwerke GmbH, Bergheim • Thyssengas GmbH, Duisburg
• rhenag Beteiligungs GmbH, Cologne
• RWE Aqua International GmbH, Essen
• RWE Dea AG, Hamburg
• RWE Dea Suez GmbH, Hamburg (38) Declaration according to Sec. 161 of the German
• RWE Energy Aktiengesellschaft, Dortmund Stock Corporation Act
• RWE Energy Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Dortmund The declarations on the German Corporate Governance Code
• RWE Fuel Cells GmbH, Essen prescribed by Sec. 161 of the German Stock Corporation Act
• RWE KAC Dezentrale Energien GmbH & Co. KG, Dortmund (AktG) have been submitted for RWE AG and its publicly
• RWE Key Account Contracting GmbH, Essen traded subsidiaries and have been made accessible to the
• RWE Key Account GmbH, Essen shareholders.
• RWE Kundenservice GmbH, Bochum
• RWE Plus Beteiligungsgesellschaft Mitte mbH, Essen
• RWE Power Aktiengesellschaft, Cologne and Essen (39) Events after the balance-sheet date
• RWE Rhein-Ruhr Aktiengesellschaft, Essen Information on events after the balance-sheet date is
• RWE Rhein-Ruhr Netzservice GmbH, Siegen presented in the review of operations.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 201
Notes
• Other information
• Auditor’s Report
Auditor’s Report
To Our Investors
We have audited the consolidated financial statements pre- dated financial statements and the combined review of
pared by the RWE Aktiengesellschaft, Essen, comprising the operations are examined primarily on a test basis within the
income statement, the balance sheet, cash flow statement, framework of the audit. The audit includes assessing the
Review of Operations
statement of changes in equity and the notes to the consoli- annual financial statements of those entities included in
dated financial statements, together with the combined consolidation, the determination of the entities to be includ-
review of operations for the business year from January 1 to ed in consolidation, the accounting and consolidation princi-
December 31, 2006. The preparation of the consolidated ples used and significant estimates made by the Company’s
financial statements and the combined review of operations Executive Board, as well as evaluating the overall presenta-
in accordance with the IFRSs, as adopted by the EU, and the tion of the consolidated financial statements and the com-
Our Responsibility
additional requirements of German commercial law pursuant bined review of operations. We believe that our audit pro-
to § (Article) 315a Abs. (paragraph) 1 HGB (‘Handelsgeset- vides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
zbuch’: German Commercial Code) are the responsibility of
the parent Company's Executive Board. Our responsibility is Our audit has not led to any reservations.
to express an opinion on the consolidated financial state-
RWE Special
ments and on the group management report based on our In our opinion based on the findings of our audit the con-
audit. solidated financial statements comply with the IFRSs as
adopted by the EU and the additional requirements of Ger-
We conducted our audit of the consolidated financial state- man commercial law pursuant to § 315a Abs. 1 HGB and
Further Information
in the combined review of operations are detected with rea- PricewaterhouseCoopers
sonable assurance. Knowledge of the business activities and Aktiengesellschaft
the economic and legal environment of the Group and Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
expectations as to possible misstatements are taken into
account in the determination of audit procedures. The effec- M. Wiegand Dr. N. Schwieters
tiveness of the accounting-related internal control system Wirtschaftsprüfer Wirtschaftsprüfer
and the evidence supporting the disclosures in the consoli- (German Public Auditor) (German Public Auditor)
202 Material Investments
To Our Investors
I. Affiliates Investment in Equity Net income/ Revenue Employees3
acc. with of the last loss of the last 2006 2006
Sec. 16 of the fiscal year fiscal year average
German Stock
Review of Operations
Corporation Act
% €’000 €’000 €million
RWE Energy
RWE Rhein-Ruhr Aktiengesellschaft, Essen 100 238,405 –1 5,694 4,773
RWE Rhein-Ruhr Netzservice GmbH, Siegen 100 25 – 1
984 31
RWE Rhein-Ruhr Verteilnetz GmbH, Wesel 100 25 –1 2,313 6
RWE Solutions Aktiengesellschaft, Alzenau 100 186,856 – 1
– 36
Our Responsibility
RWE Transgas, a.s., Prague/Czech Republic 100 3,022,606 289,743 2,781 306
RWE Transportnetz Gas GmbH, Essen 100 55 –1 274 66
RWE Transportnetz Strom GmbH, Dortmund 100 613,025 –1 4,582 365
RWE Westfalen-Weser-Ems Aktiengesellschaft, Dortmund 80 283,185 –1 5,140 2,662
RWE Westfalen-Weser-Ems Netzservice GmbH, Dortmund 100 25 –1 1,125 24
RWE Special
RWE Westfalen-Weser-Ems Verteilnetz GmbH, Recklinghausen 100 25 – 1
1,607 4
RWW Rheinisch-Westfälische Wasserwerksgesellschaft mbH,
Mülheim an der Ruhr 80 63,238 10,019 109 458
Severoceská plynárenská, a.s., Ústí nad Labem/Czech Republic 100 110,771 18,974 355 414
Further Information
RWE npower
RWE Npower Holdings plc, Swindon/UK2 100 718,739 -79,351 8,493 11,066
Water Division
Thames Water Aqua US Holdings, Inc., Wilmington/
Delaware/USA; American Water Group2 with 72 subsidiaries
in the US and Canada 100 3,453,897 -263,140 1,702 6,914
Other subsidiaries
RWE Finance B.V., Zwolle/Netherlands 100 10,345 2,251 – –
RWE Systems Aktiengesellschaft, Dortmund 100 150,507 – 1
1,988 1,461
1 Profit- and loss-pooling agreement.
2 Figures from the company’s financial statements.
3 Converted to full time equivalents.
204 Material Investments · The RWE Group’s value management
To Our Investors
Return-oriented control of the company. Increasing share- which is customary for a risk-free investment, plus risk
holder value lies at the heart of our strategy. Additional charges specific to the Group and the Group’s divisions.
value is created when the return on capital employed (ROCE) Here, we operate on the basis of a beta factor, which has
Review of Operations
exceeds capital costs. ROCE reflects the pure operating been increased from 0.7 to 0.74, because our business has
return. It is calculated by dividing the operating result by become more volatile due to the sale of the regulated water
capital employed. activities. The ratio of equity to debt is 50:50 (2005: 40:60).
We do not derive this parameter from the amounts carried
We calculate our cost of capital as a weighted average cost on the balance sheet, but, among other things, from the
of equity and debt. Equity capital costs cover the capital marked-to-market valuation of equity and assumptions con-
Our Responsibility
market’s expectation of company-specific returns when cerning the long-term development of our net financial posi-
investing in an RWE share over and above that of a risk-free tion and provisions. The adjustment to the 2005 parameters
investment. The cost of debt is linked to long-term financing is based on the significant improvement of our net financial
conditions in the RWE Group and allows interest on debt to position caused by the sale of Thames Water. The RWE
be classified as tax deductible (tax shield). Group’s cost of capital was thus 9.0 % before tax, as in 2005.
RWE Special
The table at the top of page 206 shows the parameters used Relative value added is the difference between ROCE and
to calculate capital costs. As of fiscal 2006, we adapted capital costs. Multiplying this figure by the capital employed
some of these parameters to developments on the market results in the absolute value added, which we employ as
Further Information
206 The RWE Group’s Value Management · Supervisory Board
Supervisory Board
To Our Investors
Dr. Thomas R. Fischer Werner Bischoff
Düsseldorf Monheim am Rhein
Chairman – since April 13, 2006 –
Review of Operations
Chairman of the Board of Management of WestLB AG Member of the Main Executive Board
• Audi AG of IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie
• AXA Konzern AG • CHEMIE Pensionsfonds AG
• Hapag-Lloyd AG • Continental AG
• Weberbank Actiengesellschaft (Chairman) • Degussa AG
• DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale • Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
Our Responsibility
• Deutscher Sparkassen Verlag GmbH • Hoechst GmbH
• KfW – Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau • RWE Power AG
• Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank • BGAG Beteiligungsgesellschaft der
Gewerkschaften GmbH
Frank Bsirske • THS TreuHandStelle für Bergmannswohnstätten
RWE Special
Berlin im rheinisch-westfälischen Steinkohlenbezirk GmbH
Deputy Chairman
Chairman of ver.di Carl-Ludwig von Boehm-Bezing
Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft Bad Soden
Further Information
• Allianz Elementar Versicherungs-AG (Chairman) Wilfried Donisch*
• Allianz Elementar Lebensversicherungs-AG (Chairman) Mülheim an der Ruhr
– until August 8, 2006 –
Sven Bergelin Chairman of the General Works Council of SAG GmbH
Berlin • RWE Energy AG
– since April 13, 2006 – • RWE Solutions AG
Trade Union Secretary of ver.di
Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft Dieter Faust
Eschweiler
Chairman of the Works Council, Plant Services/
Materials Management of RWE Power AG
To Our Investors
Frechen Bochum
– until April 13, 2006 – Chairman of the General Works Council
M.A. in mining engineering of RWE Westfalen-Weser-Ems AG
• RWE Energy AG
Dagmar Schmeer • RWE Westfalen-Weser-Ems AG
Review of Operations
Saarbrücken
– since August 9, 2006 – Prof. Karel Van Miert
Chairman of the Works Council of VSE AG Beersel
• VSE AG Professor, Nyenrode University
• Münchener Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG
Dr. Manfred Schneider • Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
Our Responsibility
Leverkusen • Anglo American plc
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG • De Persgroup
• DaimlerChrysler AG • Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
• Linde AG (Chairman) • SIBELCO N.V.
• Metro AG • SOLVAY S.A.
RWE Special
• TUI AG • Vivendi Universal S.A.
Further Information
• ThyssenKrupp Technologies AG (Chairman)
Klaus-Dieter Südhofer*
Recklinghausen
– until April 13, 2006 –
Former Trade Union Secretary of IG Bergbau,
Chemie, Energie
• RWE Dea AG
Executive Board
To Our Investors
Harry Roels Dr. Rolf Pohlig
Essen Mülheim an der Ruhr
CEO of RWE AG – since January 1, 2007 –
Review of Operations
• Deutsche Post AG Executive Vice-President of RWE AG
• RWE Energy AG (Chairman) • RWE Energy AG
• RWE Power AG (Chairman) • RWE Power AG
• RWE Npower Holdings plc (Chairman) • RWE Npower Holdings plc
• RWE Trading GmbH (Chairman)
Dr. Klaus Sturany
Our Responsibility
Berthold Bonekamp Dortmund
Grevenbroich Executive Vice-President of RWE AG
Executive Vice-President of RWE AG • Commerzbank AG
• Berlinwasser Holding AG • Hannover Rückversicherung AG
• RAG AG • Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
RWE Special
• RAG Beteiligungs-AG • RAG AG
• RheinEnergie AG • RAG Beteiligungs-AG
• RWE Rhein-Ruhr AG (Chairman) • Österreichische Industrieholding AG
• RWE Westfalen-Weser-Ems AG (Chairman)
Further Information
• RWE Energy AG
• RWE Systems AG ( Chairman)
To Our Investors
Dr. Heinrich von Pierer Marilyn Ware
Munich Pennsylvania
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Siemens AG – until January 31, 2006 –
Review of Operations
CEO Ware Family Office
Dr. Bernd Pischetsrieder
Wolfsburg Anton Werhahn
Volkswagen AG Neuss
– since January 1, 2007 –
Prof. Dr. Dieter Schmitt Chairman of the Board of Management of
Our Responsibility
Essen Wilh. Werhahn KG
– until September 30, 2006 –
Duisburg-Essen University, Essen Campus Wilhelm Werhahn
Neuss
Klaus Schneider – until December 31, 2006 –
RWE Special
Munich Personally liable partner in Wilh. Werhahn KG
Chairman of Schutzgemeinschaft der
Kapitalanleger e.V.
Further Information
214 Group Business Committee
Andrew Duff
CEO of RWE Npower Holdings plc
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 215
Boards and
Committees
• Group Business
Committee
• Glossary
Glossary
To Our Investors
BAFA price. Germany’s Federal Office of Economics and Commodity. Term for standardized, tradable goods such as
Export Control (BAFA) uses reports made by buyers of hard wheat, oil or gas.
coal to determine the price paid in Germany, including all
Review of Operations
costs incurred from the German border to the buyer. The Confidence interval. Range of probability used when esti-
price of power plant hard coal is published by BAFA quarterly mating a parameter. The confidence interval is expressed in
and annually in shipping tons and tons of hard coal units. degrees of probability.
Barrel. International unit of measurement for trading Credit default swap (CDS). Financial derivative for trading
petroleum, available in imperial and US variants. A US barrel default risks associated with debt financing. The party seek-
Our Responsibility
corresponds to 158.987 litres. ing to hedge such risks generally pays an annual fee to the
principal. In the event that the underlying credit is not
Clean Development Mechanism. In accordance with the repaid, the hedge-seeking party receives a contractually
Kyoto Protocol, companies and countries can obtain emis- agreed sum from the principal.
sions certificates by participating in projects to reduce
RWE Special
emissions in newly developing and developing countries, Debt issuance programme. Contractual master and model
which are not obliged to reduce emissions themselves. They documents for the issuance of bonds on domestic and foreign
can use these certificates to meet their own requirements. markets. It can be used as a flexible financing vehicle to
issue long-term debt.
Commercial paper. Tradable, unsecured bearer bond issued EBITDA. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
only for short-term debt financing. Commercial paper is a amortization.
revolving credit facility, with terms typically ranging from
one day to 24 months.
Further Information
216 Glossary
Equity accounting. Method for accounting for entities LNG. Acronym for liquefied natural gas. LNG is obtained by
whose assets and liabilities cannot be entirely included in cooling gas until it becomes liquid. It occupies only 1/600
the consolidated financial statements by fully consolidating of the space filled by natural gas in its gaseous state. There-
the entity. In such cases, the carrying amount of the invest- fore, it is very well suited for transportation and storage.
ment is recorded on the basis of the development of the
share held in the entity’s equity. This change is recorded in Megawatt (MW). Unit of measurement of electric output.
the income statement of the company which owns the share 1 megawatt = 103 kilowatts, 1 gigawatt = 106 kilowatts,
in the entity. 1 terawatt = 109 kilowatts.
Forward market/forward trading. Contracts for transactions Pensionsfonds. Separate legal entity under the supervision
to be fulfilled at a fixed point in time in the future are traded of the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority. Legal
on forward markets. The price of the forward is established standing differs from that of typical UK and US pension
when the contract is agreed. funds.
Hard coal unit (HCU). Unit of measurement for the energy Rating. Standardized method in international capital
content of primary energy carriers. One kilogram HCU corre- markets for assessing the risk exposure and creditworthiness
sponds to 29,308 kilojoules. of debt issuers. A Single A rating is given to borrowers of
strong creditworthiness.
Incentive-based regulation. Regulation model scheduled
to replace the current German cost control system from Service cost. Reflects the increase in the cost associated
2009 onwards. Based on the new model, grid fees will no with the net present value of an employee’s benefit entitle-
longer be calculated on the basis of individual costs alone. ments in accordance with the employee’s work performance
Instead, the main parameter will be the cost base of the in the period being reviewed.
most efficient grid operators, based on a model established
by the regulator. Spot market/spot trading. General term for markets where
payment and delivery are effected immediately on conclusion
Joint implementation. In accordance with the Kyoto Protocol, of the transaction.
companies and countries can obtain emissions certificates
by participating in projects to reduce emissions in certain Spread. Difference between the buying and selling price. As
other countries which are obliged to reduce emissions. regards bonds, the spread represents the difference in yield
They can use these certificates to meet their own reduction on bonds from different issuers.
requirements.
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 217
• Glossary
To Our Investors
backed by several banks, with a term of one to seven years.
Can be drawn down in various amounts, terms and curren-
cies. Generally used to secure liquidity.
Review of Operations
ment of a share investment over the long term. It takes into
account both the dividends paid as well as the changes in
share price for the duration of the investment.
Our Responsibility
of these resources into marketable raw materials meeting
generally accepted quality standards.
RWE Special
assuming a certain probability under normal market condi-
tions and that the position is held for a certain period of
time.
Index
A E
Accounting policies 151 et seqq. Earnings 56 et seq., 71 et seqq., 81
American Water 5, 18 et seq., 35, 44, 55, 57 et Earnings per share 12, 60, 189
seq., 66, 87, 90, 186 et seq., EBITDA 44, 52 et seq., 62 et seq., 87
203 et seq., 194
Annual General Meeting 12, 72 et seq., 96 et seqq., Economic Advisory Board 199, 212
177 Economic environment 23 et seqq., 84
Auditor’s report 201 Electricity price 27 et seqq., 51 et seq., 79,
85 et seqq., 193
B Electricity tax 50, 142, 162
Balance Sheet 71, 143 Emissions trading 6, 11, 26 et seq., 29, 31, 32 et
Balance sheet structure 70 seq., 82 et seq., 85, 97, 193
Boards and committees 207 et seqq. Employee shares 113
Bonds 11, 13, 66 et seq., 176, Environmental protection 114, 117, 181, 185
186 et seq., 190 Equity 44, 70 et seq., 79, 143 et seqq.,
Business performance 45 et seqq. 157, 177 et seqq.
Executive Board 4 et seqq., 40, 73, 99 et seqq.
C Executive Board
Capital costs 56 et seq., 205 et seq. compensation 101 et seqq.
Cash and cash equivalents 66, 71, 81, 143 et seq., 149 Executives 73, 82, 104, 112 et seq.,
Cash flow 12, 65, 69, 144, 148 et seq. 177 et seqq.
Cash flow hedges 157, 177, 190
Cash flow statement 44, 69, 144, 148, 197 F
Climate protection 6, 16, 32 et seqq., 37, 94, 114 Fair value hedges 156, 190
Combined heat and Financial assets 5, 62 et seqq., 65 et seqq.,
power technology 48 71 et seq., 173, 198
Compensation model for the Financial instruments 156 et seq., 159 et seqq., 164
executive and supervisory Financial result 44, 59 et seq., 162,
boards 101 et seqq. 165 et seq.
Concessions 151, 164, 168, 198 Free cash flow 65, 69, 102
Consolidation principles 149 et seq.
Corporate Governance 101 et seqq. G
Cost-cutting programmes 61 Gross domestic product (GDP) 23 et seq.
CTA 65, 90 Group Business Committee 22, 102, 214
Currency translation 150
Current assets 69 et seqq., 143 I
Impairment test 98, 150 et seq., 169
D Income from investments 53, 142, 165, 195 et seqq.
Deconsolidations 44, 51, 54, 59 et seq., 65 et Income statement 72, 142
seq., 74, 87, 117, 148, 162 et Inventories 143, 153, 176
seqq., 198 Investment 5 et seq., 20, 37 et seqq., 42,
Deferred taxes 143, 153, 166, 175, 196 68, 86, 194 et seqq.
Depreciation 53,55,58,142,144,150 et seq., Investment properties 143 et seq., 152, 172, 194
159 et seqq., 163 et seqq., Investments accounted for 142 et seqq., 147 et seq.,
167 et seq., 194 et seqq. using the equity method 194 et seqq.
Dividend 4, 7, 11 et seqq., 72, 85, 88 et Investor relations 14
seq., 99, 144, 177, 180, 189
Dividend payment 7, 12, 72, 86 et seq., 144, 177
Dividend proposal 4, 7, 12 et seq., 89, 99
To Our Investors Review of Operations Our Responsibility RWE Special Consolidated Financial Statements Further Information 219
• Index
To Our Investors
L R
Leasing 156, 160, 172, 187 et seq., Rating 13, 21, 64
206 Recurrent net income 12, 60, 86 et seqq.
Review of Operations
Liabilities and other assets 70 et seq., 143, 153, 157, Regulation 30 et seqq., 82
174 et seqq. Renewables 6, 46, 76, 91, 110, 114 et seq.
Liabilities 44, 65 et seq., 70 et seqq., Research and development 64 et seqq., 91, 169
143, 156, 159, 186 et seqq., Revenue 50 et seqq., 142, 148 et seq.,
192 162
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) 5, 21, 36 et seq., 86 Risk management 78 et seqq., 96, 189
Loans 153, 165, 174, 198, 206 ROCE 56, 62 et seqq., 205 et seq.
Our Responsibility
Long-Term Incentive Plan 73, 103 et seq., 178 Roll-forward of provisions 185
RWE AG 71 et seqq.
M RWE Gas Midstream 5, 20 et seq., 36 et seq., 77,
Material investments 202 86 et seqq.
Minority interests 44, 59 et seq., 142 et seq.,
177 S
Scope of consolidation 147 et seqq., 162 et seqq.
RWE Special
N Segment reporting 193 et seq.
National allocation plan 6, 32 et seqq. Shareholder structure 13
Net debt 65 et seq., 89 et seq., 198 Shares 10 et seqq., 60, 72 et seq.,
Net income 44, 58 et seqq., 87 et seqq., 101 et seqq., 113, 142,
Further Information
Pension funds 65, 174, 182 Supply security 1, 6, 114 et seqq.
Pension provisions 65, 155, 182 et seqq. Sustainability 114 et seqq.
Prepaid expenses 174, 206
Procurement 76 et seq. T
Property, plant and 62 et seqq., 67 et seqq., Tax loss carry forwards 153, 166, 175
equipment 143 et seq., 151 et seq., Thames Water 5, 35, 44, 50, 65 et seqq., 148,
171 et seq., 194 et seq. 194 et seq.
Provisions 58 et seq., 65 et seq., 143, Training 112
154 et seqq., 181
Provisions (mining) 165, 181, 185 et seq. V
Provisions for taxes 181, 185, 196 Value management 56 et seq., 205 et seq.
Value-at-risk method 80, 190
W
Water business 7, 18 et seq., 30, 35, 97, 148,
170
Workforce 62 et seqq., 74 et seq., 82, 90,
112 et seqq.
220 Imprint
Imprint
*All events will be broadcasted live on the Internet and can thus be followed by the
public at large, investors and analysts simultaneously. We will keep the recordings on
our website for at least three months.
RWE Aktiengesellschaft
Opernplatz 1
45128 Essen
Germany
T +49 201 12-00
F +49 201 12-15199
I www.rwe.com