Eon
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Background
Eon is an international energy firm, headquartered in Germany, with interests in Europe and the US. [1] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_biog)
It aims to become “the world’s leading power and gas company”. Its website adds: “With annual sales of more than EUR56 billion and around 80,000 employees, we are already the world’s largest investor-owned energy service provider.” [2] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_biog1.5)
It operates 12 nuclear power stations in Germany (click here for locations (http://www.eon-kernkraft.com/frameset_german/main_frameset_reloader.phtml?top=http://www.eon-kernkraft.com/Ressources/frame_head_eng.jsp&bottom=http://www.eon-kernkraft.com/frameset_english/nuclear-energy_eng/nuclear-energy_eng_bottom.jsp)) and in Sweden is the majority stakeholder in one nuclear power plan and owns 30 percent shares in two others. [3] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_biog2) It has also shown interest in Romania, where new two new reactors are proposed, and Holland, which is also considering new nuclear power stations. [4] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_blog) Eon Nordic is a member of the World Nuclear Association. [5] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_nordic)
Eon’s UK arm owns the energy supplier Powergen, which has some 6m electricity and gas customers. Eon UK generates power, through a combination of coal, oil and gas power stations. It also operates 20 wind farms and a hydro scheme. [6] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_UK)
‘Environmentally Friendly’ Nuclear Power
Eon says nuclear power is “not only economical and reliable” but also “completely CO2-free”. It promotes nuclear as “part of a broad mix of energies which is essential in order to guarantee a secure supply of power”.
Its says: “We are convinced that nuclear energy can be used responsibly now and in the future. Along with conventional power plants, it plays a decisive role in supplying energy more safely and affordably… It is environmentally friendly and economical, and has enormous potential for further development.” [7] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_pronuke)
So, in common with other energy companies, Eon is repositioning nuclear as a green form of power.
But alongside Eon’s concern for the environment, it is applying to build the first coal-fired power-station in the UK for 20 years. [8] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_coal)
Eon and Nuclear in the UK
Eon is considering major investment in new nuclear power stations in the UK. In its submission to the Stern Review of the economics of Climate Change (http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk./independent_reviews/stern_review_economics_climate_change/sternreview_index.cfm), dated December 2005, the company stated: “Nuclear power: we are carrying out preliminary work on evaluating this as an investment option in the UK.” It continued: “In the UK, there has been little or no progress in the development of a regulatory framework that makes investment in nuclear power a real option for the market to consider. We will work with Government in moving this agenda forward” [9] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_stern)
It added: “Assuming that a nuclear design and site licensing and planning regime exists which minimises plant procurement costs, new nuclear construction can be broadly competitive and could become the preferred technology with a modest cost of carbon.” [10] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_stern)
The company is rapidly gaining influence within Government circles. Its chief executive Paul Golby is one of the Energy Minister’s Secretary of State for Trade and Industry’s key advisers on energy issues through his role as co-chairman of the Energy Research Partnership, alongside Dr David King. While Eon was lobbying for new nuclear power stations in the UK in 2006, its UK subsidiary, Powergen, also donated £8,000 to the Labour Party. [11] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_lobby)
Eon’s Teaching Packs for Schools
Eon is engaged in “a major new programme” to produce and promote teaching packs for schools, tied into the national curriculum for 14- to 16-year-olds. One activity encourages children to debate the motion: ‘Our class believes that nuclear is the right choice to meet the UK’s energy needs in the 21st century.’ Teachers can download an ‘activity card’ (http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/eeAssets/worldPDF/Energy_World_activity_card_6.pdf) to help them plan a lesson on the nuclear power debate. While the teaching pack website (http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/918.htm) provides links to Greenpeace and coverage of the Chernobyl disaster, it also points students towards the nuclear industry’s lobbying body, the World Nuclear Association.
Eon and the FA Cup - Great Brand Awareness
In Agust 2006, Eon became the sponsor of Britain's "FA Cup" for the next four years. In addition, the company became the sponsor of the FA Women’s Cup, the FA Youth Cup as well as the FA Schools Football Development Partner.
Speaking at the launch, E.ON UK Director of Brand Strategy and Retail Communications, Helen Merrick said, “We’re delighted to be able to launch our sponsorship of The FA Cup today. The FA Cup is recognised and respected throughout the world and we are extremely proud to associate our brand with this famous competition". [12] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_fa)
On its website, Eon explains how: "the sponsorship of The FA Cup is a major coup for the business and builds on our long standing heritage in sports involvement across the UK" which "provides E.ON with a very powerful vehicle to raise the awareness of a relatively new brand in the UK. The sponsorship will ensure our name is broadcast to millions of people in stadiums and living rooms across the UK each season". [13] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_web)
EU Threatens Fine Over Break-in
Eon is facing a fine of hundreds of millions of Euros after a sealed room was allegedly entered overnight during a two-day raid by European Union anti-cartel investigators, according to the Financial Times (http://www.ft.com).
The FT reported that the case is part of an inquiry into anti-competitive abuses in the energy sector. Neelie Kroes, EU competition commissioner, reportedly wrote to the company saying she believes it “intentionally or at least negligently” broke an official seal fixed on the door of an office targeted by her investigators in May. [14] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_FT)
PR
- Fishburn Hedges worked for Eon in 2005. [15] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_lobby)
Who runs Eon UK?
Eon UK’s website provides a list of its senior executives: [16] (http://www.nuclearspin.org/index.php/Eon#endnote_bosses)
- Dr. Wulf H. Bernotat, chairman - previously worked for Shell
- Paul Golby, chief executive - also a non executive director of AEA Technology (which was formed from the commercial arm of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority), co-chairman of the Energy Research Partnership and a fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers.
- Graham Bartlett, chief financial officer - previously worked for Transco, British Gas, Cable & Wireless, BT and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
- Nick Horler, managing director - spent 12 years in the oil industry
- Tony Cocker, managing director of Energy Wholesale - previously worked for Bass plc and for the LEK Partnership.
- Bob Taylor, managing director of Distribution (Central Networks) - worked in the energy industry since 1985
- Jarri Sandstrum, human resources director - formerly worked for Vickers Marine Division and Nestle.
- Erhard Schipporeit - on Eon AG’s Board
- Burckhard Bergmann - on Eon AG’s Board, previopus nuclear industry experience
- Fiona Stark, company secretary - lawyer
External links
- ^ Eon website: Corporate (http://www.eon.com/en/422.jsp), undated, accessed February 2006.
- ^ Eon website: Eon – The Integrated Power and Gas Company (http://www.eon.com/en/422.jsp), undated, accessed December 2006
- ^ Eon website: The company Eon Energy (http://www.eon-energie.com/frameset_german/main_frameset_reloader.phtml?top=http://www.eon-energie.com/Ressources/frame_head_eng.jsp&bottom=http://www.eon-energie.com/frameset_english/company_eng/company_facts_eng/com_annual_report/com_annual_report.jsp), undated, accessed February 2006
- ^ Nuclear Energy Institute blog: ‘German Utility Mulls European Markets for New Reactor Build’ (http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/2006/06/german-utility-mulls-european-markets.html) Juen 28, 2006.
- ^ World Nuclear Association – current membership (http://www.world-nuclear.org/aboutwna/membs.htm)], undated, accessed December 2006.
- ^ Eon UK: About us (http://www.eon-uk.com/Content/about/aboutus.aspx?MenuId=314), undated, accessed February 2006.
- ^ Eon website: Nuclear power (http://www.eon.com/en/unternehmen/8562.jsp) undated, accessed December 2006
- ^ Eon website: E.ON UK submits planning application for UK’s first new coal-fired units for over 20 years (http://www.eon-uk.com/pressRelease.aspx?id=1045), 11 December, 2006.
- ^ George Parker and Ralph Atkins 'Eon faces EU fine over break-in allegation' (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/f5194b24-7a5c-11db-8838-0000779e2340.html), Financial Times, 22 November 2006
- ^ Search for Powergen in the Electoral Commission’s Register of Donations to Political Parties (http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/regulatory-issues/regdpoliticalparties.cfm)
- ^ Football Association, Legends launch E.ON sponsorship (http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/NewsFromTheFA/Postings/2006/08/FASponsor_EON.htm), August 9, 2006
- ^ Eon UK Website (http://www.eon-uk.com/thefacup.aspx)
- ^ 'Stern review on the economics of climate change _ evidence by Eon UK', (pdf file) (http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/F7B/D6/climatechange_eonuk.pdf), December 2005.
- ^ Association of Professional Political Consultants: Register of members and clients Dec 04-May 05 (pdf file) (http://www.appc.org.uk/registers/APPC_register_Dec04-May05.pdf) and Register of members and clients June-Nov 05 (pdf file) (http://www.appc.org.uk/registers/APPC_register_June05-Nov05.pdf).
- ^ Eon UK's website: Board (http://www.eon-uk.com/Content/about/board.aspx?MenuId=57), undated, accessed February 2006.