Press Releases 2006

December 4, 2006
Bilfinger Berger Power Services receives major order for high-pressure piping system in RWE's Neurath power plant

Through Essener Hochdruckrohrleitungsbau (EHR), a subsidiary acquired in May 2006, Bilfinger Berger Power Services has been awarded a contract by RWE for the delivery of a high pressure piping system for two new 1,100 MW blocks in the lignite-based power plant located in Neurath, Germany. Together with a partner and in accordance with technical requirements set out by RWE, the company will carry out the forming, welding and installation of the water-steam cycle in the two power plant units. The order has a volume of about €170 million, of which €100 million are accounted for by EHR.

The project involves the prefabrication of 5,000 tons of pipes with a total length of over 20 kilometers, and their subsequent installation in the facility. Modern power plants operate at ever-increasing temperature and pressure levels. The necessary use of new composite materials that can be up to 100 millimeters thick places tremendous demands on the welding technology.

With the expansion of the Neurath location into the largest lignite-based power plant in the world, RWE continues to move forward with the renewal and modernization of its power plants. Whereas traditional facilities show an efficiency factor of up to 35 percent of the lignite fed into the system, the new lignite-based power plant with optimized technology (BoA) raises the efficiency factor to over 43 percent. The lower fuel requirement means that CO2 emmissions are reduced by about 30 percent per year as compared to similar energy generating methods. The new facility at the Neurath power station is to go into operation in 2010.

Through acquisitions, Bilfinger Berger has significantly expanded its Services business segment in recent years. Output volume from this segment will increase to more than €2.7 billion in 2006. The business is focused on Industrial Services, Power Services and Facility Services. In Bilfinger Berger Power Services, the Group combines those activities which, in addition to repair and maintenance, deal with efficiency enhancements, lifetime extensions and component construction for power plants. Growing demand for energy, the increasing need for plant rehabilitation along with stricter environmental requirements provide excellent perspectives. For the full year 2006, Bilfinger Berger Power Services is planning an output volume of €500 million.