On March 26^th the foundation stone of E.ON’s new eco-friendly, combined-cycle power plant has been laid in Gönyű, Győr-Moson-Sopron County by Gordon Bajnai, Minister for National Development and Economy, Bernhard Fischer, Member of the Board of Directors of E.ON Energie AG, Konrad Kreuzer, Chairman of the Board of E.ON Hungária Zrt. and Gábor Major, Mayor of Gönyű.

Preparatory earthworks for the new Gönyű power plant began in January 2009 when all necessary licences had been secured. The capacity of the power plant will be gross 433 MW. It will be one of the most technologically advanced, environmental friendly and energy efficient plants in Hungary. Thanks to its cutting-edge technology, it will supply more than 600,000 households with reliable and ecologically sound electricity. Operation of the power plant is expected to begin in 2011. The investment creates 30 new permanent jobs, while up to 500 new jobs are generated during the construction process. The electricity produced in Gönyű will be transferred to the national power grid, making it available throughout Hungary.

“That this project will go forward at a time of global crisis is a sign of investors’ confidence in Hungary. The power plant will not only create new jobs; it will also reduce the country’s energy dependence in an environmentally friendly way,” National Development and Economy Minister Gordon Bajnai said.

The location of the new plant will also play an important role in the country's energy security, as there is currently no significant generation unit for non-stop operation available in the North-west of Hungary. Electricity produced in Gönyű will guarantee the power supply of the rapidly growing economy of Győr and the surrounding region throughout the year. It will also support potential new economic developments and opportunities.

„Gönyű has always been a special project for me and my company since it is our first major generation investment in this part of Europe” Bernard Fischer, Member of the Board of Directors of E.ON Energie AG, said.

Since Hungary has several outdated power plants placing a considerable burden on the environment, there is a growing demand for efficient and environmentally sound generation capacities. The planned new power plant with a net efficiency of more than 58%, achieved by combined-cycle gas and steam turbine operation, will help Hungary to meet the environmental requirements of the European Union in terms of future CO2 emission targets.

Throughout the construction process and as part of its good corporate citizen engagement and focus on environmental protection, E.ON will pay special attention to the preservation of the local environment by cooperating with local authorities and relevant stakeholders to minimize the ecological impact and renew the natural environment of the plant.