The European Energy Exchange AG says it reached profitability in 2005, a year ahead of schedule.

The carbon and energy trading exchange saw a 3.37 million-euro profit, up from a 2.99 million-euro loss in 2004. “Our business success is the result of hard work,” said the chairman of the management board of EEX, Dr. Hans-Bernd Menzel.

Revenue for the year were 23.47 million euros, up 47% from the previous year. Trading revenue from the derivatives market, contributed more than 65% of the sales revenues during the year. Trading revenue from the Spot Market increased by more than 50% to 5.35 million euros this year.

The exchange now has 132 trading participants from 16 countries, up from 123 participants at the start of the year.

In the coming year, it will launch spot trading in power for Switzerland and start trading in coal futures as well as clearing of coal contracts concluded off the exchange. And the launch of trading in gas could even take place in the course of the current year, it says.