At the end of March 2002 Sulzer Hexis closed distribution contracts with three more utilities in Germany for 114 systems, of which 56 were ordered by E.ON Energie AG, Munich; 42 by Thyssengas GmbH, Duisburg; and 16 by VNG – Verbundnetz Gas AG, Leipzig. This brings the number of orders received for pre-series "HXS 1000 Premiere" fuel cell systems to 370 so far. The target of installing 400 Sulzer Hexis fuel cell systems over 2001–03 via utilities and local enterprises in Germany, Austria and Switzerland is thus already within grasp. Cooperation with these important partners will however continue in 2004 and beyond.
Since the distribution partner utilities are contractually both owners and operators of these Sulzer Hexis fuel cell systems during the pre-series phase from 2001 to 2003, the end users carry no investment or operating risks. System installation, operation and maintenance is subcontracted to local installers. In 2001 Sulzer Hexis already closed distribution contracts for 255 fuel cell systems in total with the German utilities EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, Oldenburger EWE AG, and EWR Elektrizitätswerk Rheinhessen AG Worms. Furthermore, a co-operation project (for 1 system) exists with an Austrian consortium comprising Energie AG Oberösterreich and Oberösterreichischen Ferngas AG. This makes up the current total of 370 pre-series systems sold.
Sales of a mass product are planned as of 2004/2005. |