District heating - optimal use of primary energy

Sales volumes in the district heating segment grew year-on-year by 318 million kWh (+ 6%) to 5 255 million kWh in the 2009/10 financial year. Sales increased by Euro 13 million (+ 4%) to Euro 307 million. Here, higher sales with private and business customers due to weather-related volume growth more than offset the loss of sales resulting from the price cuts introduced in 2009.

Adjusted EBIT in the district heating segment improved by Euro 12 million (+ 33%) to Euro 48 million. This increase was mainly attributable to positive margin factors at the Kiel subgroup. Weather-related volume growth also led to improved earnings contributions from the Mannheim and Czech subgroups. Not only that, the Czech subgroup also benefited from positive first-time consolidation items.