BKW is acquiring a 33% share (around 240 MW capacity) in a coal-fired power plant to be operated by Electrabel in Northern Germany. Electrabel is currently planning to build coal-fired power plants in three locations. BKW's interest is in the Wilhelmshaven plant, which will have a high efficiency level of 46% and be one of the world's most technologically advanced facilities. The aim of BKW is to further strengthen its production capacities in Germany and support its sales activities there through its own power generating facilities. The interest in the partner plant calls for an investment by BKW of around EUR 430 million. The joint venture requires the approval of the responsible competition authority. The Wilhelmshaven plant is scheduled to go on stream in 2012. The Belgian Electrabel Group operates on the German market via Berlin-based Electrabel Deutschland AG (Electrabel) in the fields of power generation and sales, trading and grid operation, natural gas, heat production and energy services. Electrabel serves industrial customers, public utilities, municipal plants and regional suppliers. In South West and Central Germany Electrabel collaborates with the Saarbrücken and Gera municipal plants to deliver electricity, gas and heating to more than 250,000 households. In 2006 Electrabel generated sales of EUR 673 million. The company has 223 employees.