Statkraft's strategic resources

Over several years, we have emphasised development the Group's strategic resources which can give us a strong competitive position. These resources are related to:

• unique production assets in the Nordic region

• market understanding and analysis expertise

• solid experience from production, maintenance planning and optimisation of our flexible power plants and trading with energy

Our strategic resources form the basis for both further developing existing activities and for our growth strategy. The production plants have a high degree of flexibility and high reservoir capacity. The majority of the power plants produce renewable energy.

Statkraft has built strong expertise within market analysis, production optimising of flexible power plants and energy trading. We have broad experience and solid expertise as regards operating power plants, maintenance and market operations, andhigh level of expertisefor physical and financial energy trading within all parts of the business. In order to assume a key role in the European market, we must continue to develop expertise, systems and models within the fields of energy management and fundamental analyses of the European energy system.

The development of Europe's climate and energy policy makes Statkraft's advantages in environmentally friendly and flexible power production increasingly relevant. This applies to the further development of an integrated European energy market, the European CO2 quota trading system and the goal of achieving 20 per cent renewable energy consumption by 2020. More wind power and other non-flexible power production increases the need for flexible production capacity. Outside of Europe, population growth, long-term wealth development and climate challenges will drive demand for more pure energy.