The founder of Kompogas AG, Walter Schmid, has entered into a long-term cooperation agreement with minority shareholder Axpo Group. Walter Schmid will remain the majority shareholder of Kompogas until 2011, and is expected to remain on the board of Kompogas until 2010. Axpo intends to acquire 100% of Kompogas Group in 2011.

In 2006, the Axpo subsidiaries Nordostschweizerische Kraftwerke AG (NOK) and Centralschweizerische Kraftwerke AG (CKW) acquired a total of 49% of Kompogas AG. Kompogas has since become a leading producer of biogas and electricity from green waste. Three new Kompogas plants were built in Switzerland for a total of CHF 14 million, and another 14 plants are currently being planned. The value chain was also expanded and the company's expertise in the processing and utilisation of fermented produce and compost was improved by, among other things, the acquisition of ROM AG in Frauenfeld.

Axpo regards Kompogas as an important and sustainable mainstay of its new energies strategy. Axpo is already the largest producer of renewable energy in Switzerland and aims to own a 40% share of the market in the medium term. To this end around CHF 100 million will be invested in the expansion of the Kompogas Group in Switzerland over the next four years. In this phase Walter Schmid, a well-known and successful pioneer in the production of energy from new renewable sources, will continue to put his expertise and experience at the service of Kompogas AG.

Walter Schmid and Axpo have agreed that the Axpo subsidiaries NOK and CKW will probably take over 100% of the Kompogas Group in 2011. The parties have agreed not to disclose any details about the agreement.

Further information/enquiries:
Axpo Holding AG, Corporate Communications
Daniela Biedermann, 044 278 41 20