Statement of position by Alpiq on the decision to suspend current general licence application procedures

Alpiq takes note of the decision by Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard to suspend the current general licence procedures. Alpiq shares the view of Federal Councillor Leuthard that the safety and welfare of the population come first.

Alpiq understands that the authorities wish to evaluate the events in Japan without any time pressure, and incorporate their findings in safety requirements. Alpiq will continue to cooperate with the authorities and support them in their work. This applies both to the existing Gösgen nuclear power station and the nuclear power station project in Niederamt, Solothurn.

The authorities will decide when to resume the general licence application procedures and on the form they will take. The referendum following the procedures offers all citizens the opportunity to make up their own minds about the future of Switzerland's energy supplies and weigh the pros and cons of the various power generation methods.


Alpiq: Roots in Switzerland – active throughout Europe

Alpiq Holding Ltd. is the leading energy trader and largest service provider in Switzerland, with a pan-European reach. The Alpiq Group was created in early 2009 as a result of the merger between the two energy pioneers Atel Holding Ltd. and Energie Ouest Suisse SA (EOS). Active in 33 nations, it has subsidiaries in 28 countries, employs more than 11,000 staff, and in 2010 generated consolidated annual revenue in excess of CHF 14 billion. Alpiq specialises in electricity generation and transmission, sales and trading, as well as energy services, and generates energy from power stations in nine countries. Alpiq is responsible for around one-third of Switzerland's electricity supplies.

More information on Alpiq: www.alpiq.com