The CEO of sterreichische Elektrizittswirtschafts-Aktiengesellschaft (Verbund AG), Wolfgang Anzengruber said in an interview with Dow Jones Newswires that the company is planning to sell non-core assets to create extra financial leeway in a tougher 2010 business climate. The company is considering raising up to 150 million in 2010 from asset sale, and more money down the line. "We have some minority shares in other companies that would do for divestments, and a couple of wind projects we did in the past but havent concentrated on developing," Anzengruber said. Verbunds non-core minority stake holdings consist mainly of interests in Austrian regional energy producers and distributors, acquired partly for historical and political reasons. The holdings include 35% stakes in the provincial government-controlled power companies in Styria and Carinthia, a 10% stake in Burgenlands power company and 5.8% of Upper Austrias. "I think in some portions we can do it," he said. The wind power assets likely to be sold are a number of yet undeveloped wind power projects based in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, where Verbund has canceled all projects but one in order to cut capital expenditure and adjust to less profitable times ahead.

sterreichische Elektrizittswirtschafts-Aktiengesellschaft announced that it would invest 200 million ($271 million) in building a hydropower plant station in Albania. The 50 MWh plant will be built in Ashta, some 140 kilometers (84 miles) north from the capital Tirana, and will be completed in 2012. The plant in Ashta would produce 242 millions kilowatts per year, providing energy for some 100,000 Albanian families.

sterreichische Elektrizittswirtschafts-Aktiengesellschaft reported earnings results for the year 2009. The company reported sales of 3,744.7 million compared to 3,483.1 million, a declined 7.0 %. The companys operating result fell by 8.5 % to 1,042.3 million from 1,138.6 million and group result was down 6.2 % to 644.4 million from 686.6 million in 2009. The operating cash flow increased from 934.2 million to 968.0 million. The company proposes to the annual general meeting an increase in the dividend from 1.05 per share to 1.25 per share - 1.00 per share in regular dividends and 0.25 per share in special dividends.