Image via WikipediaÉlectricité de France S.A. (Electricity of France), or EDF, is the world’s largest utility company. Headquartered in Paris and with €65.2 billion in revenues in 2010, EDF operates a diverse portfolio of 120,000+ megawatts of generation capacity in Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle-East and Africa.
EDF is one of the world's largest producers of electricity. In 2003, it produced 22% of the European Union's electricity, primarily from nuclear power:
nuclear: 74.5%
hydro-electric: 16.2%
thermal: 10.2%
wind power and other renewable sources: 0.1%
Its 58 active nuclear reactors (in France) are spread out over 20 sites (nuclear power plants). They comprise 34 reactors of 900 MWe, 20 reactors of 1.3 GWe, and 4 reactors of 1450 MWe, all PWRs.
Contents [hide]
1 The EDF Group
1.1 Activities
1.1.1 Engineering and generating
1.1.2 Distribution network (RTE and ErDF)
1.2 Organization
1.2.1 Head office
1.2.2 The directorate
1.3 Business
1.3.1 Statistics (2010 estimate)
1.3.2 Main partners and affiliates
2 History
2.1 Status of EDF
2.2 Finances
2.3 Energy policy
3 Renewable energies
3.1 Plug-in hybrids and V2G
3.2 Carbon Intensity
4 Competitors
4.1 Main competitors
4.2 Locally controlled or between local councils
5 EDF's logo
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
[edit]The EDF Group
[edit]Activities
EDF is specialized in the global electrical process, from engineering to distribution.
[edit]Engineering and generating
The company's expertise covers everything from power plants design and construction to dismantling after final shutdown of the plant[2].
EDF is notably active in such power generation technologies as nuclear power, hydropower, marine enrgies, wind power, solar energy, biomass, geothermal energy, and fossile-fired energy.
[edit]Distribution network (RTE and ErDF)
The electricity network is composed of:
a high and very high voltage distribution system (100,000 km of lines). This part of the system is managed by RTE (transport system of electricity) who acts as an independent administrator of infrastructure, although it stays in the lap of EDF.
a low and medium voltage distribution system (1,200,000 km of lines), maintained by ErDF (Électricité Réseau Distribution France), formerly known as EDF-Gaz de France Distribution. It was spun off from EDF-Gaz de France Distribution in 2008 as part of the process of total separation of the activities of EDF and GDF Suez.
Before 1956, the electricity companies of France did not use a standardised voltage. Between 1956 and 1991, the voltage was standardized, and today the voltage is 230 V on all French territory.
Migration from 220 volts cost the equivalent of €70 per subscriber in the beginning, and €1,000 per subscriber in 1991. Eventually, the old usage of 220 volts in France standardized itself to 230 volts, in accordance with European standard.
[edit]Organization
[edit]Head office
EDF head office, 22-30 avenue de Wagram, Paris 8th arr.
The EDF head office is located along Avenue de Wagram in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. The EDF head office is located between several EDF sites in Greater Paris.[3]
[edit]The directorate
Chairman and CEO: Henri Proglio
[edit]Business
[edit]Statistics (2010 estimate)
Customers: 37 million customers in the world in 2010[4]).
2009 Turnover: €63.34 billion (23% from France) - €41.82 billion in 2002.
Profit: €3.96 billion in 2010 - €3.96 billion in 2009.
Net profit: €1 billion in 2010 - €3.92 million in 2009.
Net Debt: €34.4 billion in 2010 - €42.5 billion in 2009.
Revenue: €65.17 billion in 2010 - €59.14 billion in 2009.
The quantity of produced electrical power is about 630.4 TWh in 2010.
Employees: 158,842 persons (2010), among whom 110,000 are based in France.
[edit]Main partners and affiliates
In Europe:
United Kingdom: 100% EDF Energy, formerly British Energy Group PLC, which generates about 20 percent of British electricity, mainly from 8 nuclear plants, 100% EDF Trading.
Austria: 100% Vero, 20% Groupe Estag
Belgium: 100% Semobis,
France: 74.86% Électricité de Strasbourg, 67% Dalkia Investments, 51% TIRU, 50% Cerga, 50% Edenkia, 50% Dalkia International, 50% SIIF Énergies, 34% Dalkia Hdg
Germany: 100% EDF Ostalbkreis, 100% EDF Weinsberg, 50% RKI.
Hungary: 95,56% BE Zrt, 100% Démász
Italy: Edison S.p.A. (19,36% + 50% Transalpina di Energia (holding company which control 61,28% of Edison S.p.A.), 100% EDF Energia Italia which sells directly 2.2 TWh to Italy, 100% Fenice, 40% Finei, 30% ISE
The Netherlands: 100% Finelex, 50% Cinergy Holding
Poland: 76.63% Rybnik, 66.08% ECK, 49.19% ECW, 35.42% Kogeneracja, 24.61% Zielona Gora
Slovakia: 49% SSE
Spain: 100% EDF Iberica (EDF Península Ibérica, S.A)[5]
Sweden: 100% Skandrenkraft, 36.32% Groupe Graninge
Switzerland: 50% Chatelot, 50% Emosson, 14.25% Groupe ATEL, 26.26% Motor Columbus
In America:
United States: 100% EDF Inc., which controls fully or partially Unistar Nuclear Energy (100%), EnXco (100%), EDF Trading North America (100%) and Constellation Energy Nuclear Group (50% through a joint venture with Constellation Energy
Argentina: 25% Edenor, 45% Sodemsa, 22.95% Edemsa
Brazil: 100% Lidil, 10% Light Energy (Light Overseas Investment - 35.29% in 2001), 90% Norte Fluminense
In Asia:
China: 85% Synergie, 60% Figlec], 19.6% Shandong Zhonghua Power Cy
Vietnam: 56.25% Mecco
In Africa:
Côte d'Ivoire: 50% Azito O&M, 32.85% Azito Energie
[edit]History
[edit]Status of EDF
EDF was founded on April 8, 1946, as a result of the nationalisation of a number of electricity producers, transporters and distributors by the Minister of Industrial Production Marcel Paul and has become the main electricity generation and distribution company in France.
Until November 19, 2004, EDF was a state-owned corporation, but it is now a limited-liability corporation under private law (société anonyme). The French government partially floated shares of the company on the Paris Stock Exchange in November 2005,[6] although it retains almost 85% ownership as of the end of 2008.[7]
EDF held a monopoly in the distribution, but not the production, of electricity in France until 1999, when the first European Commission directive to harmonize regulation of electricity markets was implemented.
EDF was an EPIC (public establishment with industrial and commercial character), and as such, it was subject to the "principle of speciality", that is it had the right to sell electricity; the purpose of this principle of speciality was to prevent EDF competing in an unfair way on their own markets.
EDF's modification of status, announced in March, 2004 by the French government, became effective after the publication of the "Loi relative au service public de l'électricité et du gaz et aux entreprises électriques et gazières" (law relating to the public service of electricity and gas and in the electrical and gas firms) on November 19, 2004.
The transformation into a Société anonyme (public company) was implemented for several reasons:
EDF's status of 'EPIC' gave it an advantage over its rivals during the process of the opening of the electricity market because, as it benefited from the unlimited guarantee of the State, it could borrow at a lower cost
the status of Société anonyme, enabled EDF to raise capital from private investors, even though the law requires that the State must keep 70% of stock and voting rights
the status of SA allowed EDP to develop products other than electricity without being subjected to the "principle of speciality"
The specific regime of social welfare system and that of supplementary illness, cover 300,000 electricians and gas workers. A ratified agreement with only two labour unions, in November 2004, reached a deadlock and the three others opposed BOB.
[edit]Finances
For a long time, EDF suffered from very low profits for a group benefiting from such a monopoly, especially since its weak domestic results, were complemented by the poor performances of its foreign subsidiaries. Its balance sheet was very fragile, because of its international development, of its tariff policy in France and rapid deterioration of its profitability.
From 2001 till 2003, EDF was forced to reduce its equity capital due to untoward deviations of conversion in South America and write-down of its assets in Germany, Italy and in Brazil for a total of €6.4 billion total. However, according to the report of the Roulet Commission, international development, although costly, must be followed, because if EDF spent €15 billion euro on acquisitions, its rivals would spend €70 billion. The commission recommends a European strategy, an international presence, albeit focussed, and a larger drive to supply gas.
The most significant problem (in May, 2004) was the leverage of the balance sheet, between equity capital of €19 billion and €24.5 billion debt (November, 2004), as well as the following off-balance-sheet liabilities:
about €30 billion to meet its commitments to retirement of its workers in the electrical and gas industries (retirement at 55 years, favourable pension rates, etc.), which will be met over time by the new tax payable tariff by consumers.
€6.4 billion for financial commitments in Italy and in Germany, a sum which could come to more than €10 billion, from 2005.
and a large sum to establish reserves to finance the future dismantling of 58 nuclear power stations. A theoretical reserve currently valued at €28 billion was made, but it is far from being sufficient and it is used in fact to a greater extent for international development.
And, as of November, 2004, complete commitment will exceed the €35 billion euro, which seems to mean that it is not able to cope with its pension commitments or the dismantling of its nuclear power stations.
2002 was considered a bad year, with a small €481 million net profit. 2003 saw a small increase with a €857 million net profit. In the first quarter of 2004, the net profit rose to about €1.5 billion (up 50% in comparison with the 1st quarter of 2003).
The tariff policy ordered by the company contract of 1997-2000 had imposed a reduction of 14% of tariffs. Today, EDF's tariffs in France are among lowest in the world, which leaves room for maneuver to increase tariffs.
[edit]Energy policy
EDF produces its electricity primarily from nuclear power plants
France is the main country to use electricity of nuclear origin as the dominant method of production (78% of French production in 2007).
In May, 2004, the French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy reasserted, in front of the French Parliament, the primacy of a nuclear power, much to the relief of labour unions of EDF. In this speech the minister re-phrased the famous slogan, "We do not have oil, but we have ideas", by declaring: "We do not have oil, we do not have gas, we do not have coal, but we had ideas". Research by journalists have revealed that Depleted uranium from reprocessing the spent fuel of the 58 French nuclear power plants was exported from Le Havre to Russia in the last years and stored in Seversk where it was enriched, and the new fuel was exported back to France.[8]
[edit]Renewable energies
[edit]Plug-in hybrids and V2G
Further information: Plug-in hybrid and V2G
EDF is offering recharging points and trying the new Toyota Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle in France [9]
The French government kicked in $550M and sponsors partnership by Electricite de France with Renault-Nissan and with PSA Peugeot Citroen.[10]
[edit]Carbon Intensity
year Production (TWh) Emission (Gt CO2) kg CO2/MWh
2002 650 91.35 141
2003 669 96.34 144
2004 647 95.74 148
2005 647 93.52 145
2006 655 93.35 142
2007 706 101.91 144
2008 704 103.79 147
2009 652 88.09 135
See also: List of European power companies by carbon intensity
[edit]Competitors
[edit]Main competitors
Apart from the producers and foreign distributors, in France, there are some important companies, which, although their market share is weak with regard to that of EDF, are a significant competition. These are:
GDF Suez: the company formed after the merger of Gaz de France and Suez clearly intends to produce its own electricity, has bought stake in the future EPR nuclear reactors and is poised to become the most credible competitor of EDF in the newly liberalised French electricity market.
SNET (Société nationale d'électricité et de thermique): This company is the successor of depleting coal companies and primarily produce thermal electricity (2,5 TWh). Its capital (81%) belonged predominantly to Collieries of France and with EDF. A portion of the capital (30%) was sold to Endesa, the main Spanish electricity producer, another portion of 35% was sold in 2004. As of 2008 Endesa holds 65% of the equity of the generating company Snet. source
CNR (Compagnie nationale du Rhône): the capital of which is predominantly public, the company exploits 19 hydroelectric plants installed on the banks of the Rhône. Its production of 19 TWh makes it the second largest French producer with 4% of the market. CNR signed a partnership agreement with Electrabel (a Belgian subsidiary of Suez).
SHEM (Société hydro-électrique du Midi): a subsidiary of SNCF, of which it produces about 1/3 of the electricity used by SNCF. This company will probably be sold as part of a policy of refocusing of SNCF in due time. A partnership agreement was signed with Electrabel.
[edit]Locally controlled or between local councils
Among the other rivals of EDF, one can count a number of municipally governed companies, known under the generic term 'entreprises locales de distribution' ('local businesses of distribution'), who are electricity producers exploiting EDF's network.
The nationalisation of electricity and gas on April 8, 1946, which profoundly changed the French electrical and gas organization, had however acknowledged the right of villages to keep their role in the public distribution of electricity and gas.
In 1946, certain firms, villages or groups of villages, did not accept the proposal of nationalisation and created autonomous state controls (who held the monopoly of distribution, until 2004, in their area). To note, contrary to the initial idea, local controllers of electricity, have had, since 1946, the choice to continue to produce electricity. In fact, their production was rather marginal, except in Rhône-Alpes; having often preferred buying the majority of the electrical power from EDF. With the recent opening of the electricity market, local controllers are considering developing, augmenting and diversifying their own production, (e.g. Ouest Énergie, the subsidiary company of SIEDS) and/or to diversify their sources of supply.
To date, the number of local businesses of distribution is approximately 170 and holds 5% of the distribution of French electrical power in 2,500 villages. Created by local authorities, they serve about 3 million people and represent 7,000 jobs. Around thirty of them - 9 during creation in 1962 - are federated in a national entity known as ANROC [1].
Several departments are not therefore served entirely or partly by EDF, for instance:
Deux-Sèvres, supplied by SIEDS: Labour union between local councils of Electricity of Deux-Sèvres;
Vienne, supplied by SIEEDV: Labour union between local councils of Electricity and Works of the Department of Vienne;
Charente-Maritime, supplied by SDEER: Labour union of Electricity and Rural Works of the Department of Charente-Maritime;
Gironde, supplied by Gironde Electricity. However, the company was sold to EDF at the beginning of 2000 because it could not financially maintain the damage of the severe weather of December 1999, on its network;
Alsace;
Rhône-Alpes.
No comments:
Post a Comment