Since 1970, vgbe/VGB has been collecting data on the availability and utilisation of thermal power plants using standardised definitions and calculation methods. The aim is to evaluate, compare, and optimise the operation of power plants and the plants themselves. This technical and economic assessment of power plants has become increasingly important since the liberalisation of the energy markets. Starting in 1988, data on unavailability incidents have also been collected in order to identify and assess direct causes (systems and main components).

This report is published annually. It analyses the unavailability of components of thermal power plants all over Europe in order to compare the quality of power plants and to assess plants´ behavior in daily operation. 

The vgbe Power Plant Statistics Performance Indicators (KISSY, https://www.vgbe.energy/en/databases/) is the tool to deal efficiently with these Questions. According to the suggestions of the vgbe Technical Committee “Performance Indicators” (TCPI) the database system KISSY is modified and updated to enable technical benchmark reports to be displayed on the screen. The European energy suppliers which provide data are able to analyse the data online. Currently, KISSY supports German, English, French, Italian, Dutch, and Portuguese. In addition to the existing parameters, the new online analysis tool will also contain parameters defined by the TCPI in the future. Commercial background information (e.g. price data from the electricity stock exchange) is also to be included in the KISSY system.

In addition to the power plant availability parameters, the performance of key Systems and equipment affecting the unavailability of power plants are also important. An unavailability analysis is also done annually in order to identify such systems and equipment and to monitor or retrofit these parts in order to improve power plant performance. The systems and equipment are specified according to the power plant identification system (KKS – Kraftwerk-Kennzeichensystem / Identification System for Power Stations).

The unavailability incidents are coded in accordance to the vgbe event characteristics key (EMS, VGBE-S-002-03-2024-10-EN: Technical and Commercial Key Indicators for Power Plants - incl. EMS Event Characteristic Key System, free of charge, https://pulse.vgbe.energy/public/)). Approximately 7,200 unavailability incidents were recorded in the year 2024, i.e. during the period under review, 2015 to 2024, a total of about 95,000 unavailability incidents was evaluated.

VGBE-TW-103Ae (2025): Analysis of Unavailability of Power Plants 2015 – 2024, Edition 2025 (KISSY database evaluation). 122 p., Fig. and Tab., ISBN 978-3-96284-410-3 (2025, this report is published annually since 2005)

This vgbe-report is available in German and English.
Dieser vgbe-Standard liegt in Deutscher und Englischer Sprache vor.

Reference to series
VGBE-TW-103A (2025) Analyse der Nichtverfügbarkeit von Kraftwerken 2015 – 2024, ISBN 978-3-96284-409-7
VGBE-TW-103Ae (2025) Analysis of Unavailability of Power Plants 2015 – 2024, ISBN 978-3-96284-410-3
VGBE-TW-103V (2025) Verfügbarkeit von Kraftwerken 2015 – 2024, ISBN 978-3-96284-411-0
VGBE-TW-103Ve (2025) Availability of Power Plants 2015 – 2024, ISBN 978-3-96284-412-7

Previous editions of the reports series (VGB/VGBE-TW 103Ae and VGB/VGBE-TW 103Ve) are available on request, e-mail: sales-media@vgbe.energy