AES

AES has interests in 123 power projects around the world.

AES and Corporate Social Responsibility
In June 2009, SOMO (the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations) published a research report that investigated, among other things, AES’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies and practices. The report concluded that “[AES] seems to be less motivated by CSR concerns or issues than by the hard business imperative of profit”.

AES in Argentina
AES has received criticism for its lack of investment in infrastructure, which has endangered public health and safety in Argentina. AES seems to have been reluctant to invest in the distribution networks, as such investments would not be economically viable in the company’s assessment. Argentina’s electricity regulator has fined AES for this lack of investment and even forced the company to invest in new electricity poles. AES has now pledged to invest in electricity sub-stations and the distribution network, but only after reaching an agreement with the Argentine government following the latter’s initiation of legal proceedings against the company. (For further information see AES in Argentina).

Compensation
In May 2007, Forbes listed AES CEO Paul Hanrahan as receiving $10.3 million in total compensation for the previous fiscal year, with a four-year total compensation of $16.85 million. He ranked 9th on the list of CEOs in the Utilities industry, and 170th out of all CEOs in the United States.

Power portfolio
Out of its total 13,122 MW of U.S. electric generating capacity (1.23% of the U.S. total), AES gets 52.2% from natural gas, 41.2% from coal, 3.3% from oil, 2.6% from wind, and 0.6% from wood. AES has power plants in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wyoming - as well as in 28 countries around the world.

AES abandons proposed Oklahoma plant
On February 17, 2009, AES announced that it had withdrawn its air permit application for a new 650MW unit at its Shady Point facility. Company spokesman Lindy Kiger explained the decision to cancel the project as "part of our broader strategy to re-evaluate our growth plans."

Existing coal-fired power plants
AES had 29 coal-fired generating stations in 2005, with 5,515 MW of capacity. Here is a list of AES's coal power plants with capacity over 100 MW:

In 2005, these coal-fired power plants emitted 36.4 million tons of CO2 (0.6% of all U.S. CO2 emissions) and at least 102,000 tons of SO2 (0.7% of all U.S. SO2 emissions).

Foreign coal power plants
AES also has interests in the following coal power plants outside the U.S.:
 * the 520 megawatt Kilroot Power Station in Carrickfergus. AES has a 100% interest in the project;
 * the 51 megawatt Aixi Power Station in China which was built in 1998. AES has a 71% interest in the project;
 * the 250 megawatt Jiaozuo Power Station in China which was built in 1997. AES has a 70% interest in the project;
 * the 250 megawatt Wuhu Power Station in China which was built in 1996. AES has a 25% interest in the project;
 * the 2,100 megawatt Yangcheng Power Station in China which was built in 2001. AES has a 25% interest in the project;
 * the 420 megawatt OPGC Power Station in India which was built in 1998. AES has a 49% interest in the project;
 * the 50 megawatt Bohemia Power Station in the Czech Republic which was built in 2001. AES has a 100% interest in the project;
 * the 96 megawatt Borsod Power Station in Hungary which was built in 1996. AES has a 100% interest in the project;
 * the 116 megawatt Tiszapalkonya Power Station in Hungary which was built in 1996. AES has a 100% interest in the project;
 * the 301 megawatt Sogrinsk CHP Power Station in Kazakhstan which was built in 1997. AES has a 100% interest in the project;
 * the 1,354 megawatt Ust - Kamenogorsk CHP Power Station in Kazakhstan which was built in 1997. AES has a 100% interest in the project;
 * the 270 megawatt Ust - Kamenogorsk Heat Nets Power Station in Kazakhstan which was built in 1997. AES has a 100% interest in the project;
 * the 675 megawatt San Nicolás Power Station in Argentina which was built in 1993. AES has a 96% interest in the project;
 * the 807 megawatt Gener - Centrogener Power Station in Chile which was built in 2000. AES has a 91% interest in the project;
 * the 304 megawatt Gener - Guacolda Power Station in Chile which was built in 2000. AES has a 46% interest in the project;
 * the 277 megawatt Gener - Norgener Power Station in Chile which was built in 2000. AES has a 91% interest in the project;
 * the 433 megawatt Itabo Power Station in Dominican Republic which was built in 2000. AES has a 48% interest in the project.

Coal Gasification
In 2007, AES worked with Dow Chemical Co., Citi Sustainable Development Investments, and Suncor Energy, Inc. to put together a $100 million investment for GreatPoint Energy, a coal gasification company based in Cambridge, MA. The investment was used to create a pilot gasification plant called the Mayflower Clean Energy Center, located at Dominion's Brayton Point station in Somerset, Massachusetts. This was the largest "green tech" investment of 2007, and "one of the industry's biggest venture capital rounds ever."

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Paul Hanrahan

UK coal related articles

 * Advanced Power Technology Forum
 * British Coal Utilisation Research Association
 * Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
 * UK Coal
 * Coal Authority (UK)
 * Department of Trade and Industry (UK)
 * Scottish Coal
 * British Geological Survey
 * European Union Large Combustion Plant Directive
 * United Kingdom and coal
 * Very low sulphur coal