German EEX, grid firms issue more data from Oct 30

* Merged data to bring information on an even keel

* Voluntary wind and solar output included for first time

By Vera Eckert

FRANKFURT, Oct 28 (Reuters) - German energy exchange EEX and the grid transmission arms of four leading utilities are to release wider and more unified production data from Oct. 30 to raise transparency in the market, the bourse said on Wednesday.

The move expands on voluntary data sets available from EEX since 2007 and merges these with new mandatory reports which grid operators must send to regulators so as to equalise information available to producers, consumers and traders.

"We want to strengthen public trust and that of market participants in the price setting," said Daniel Wragge, the head of political communication at the Leipzig-based exchange.

"We aim to boost market development and integration," he told reporters at a presentation in Frankfurt.

EnBW Transportnetze (EBKG.DE), Vattenfall Europe Transmission [VATN.UL], called transpower, which was formerly E.ON's (EONGn.DE) transport grid, and Amprion, formerly RWE's (RWEG.DE) grid arm, have teamed up with consumers to issue data real time to ensure fairer trading conditions for all involved.

In contrast to the already available data, separate websites of E.ON, RWE, and Vattenfall will be merged into the new system, and on top of thermal capacity and hydropower data already available, there will be data on wind and solar power.

The market will be allowed a two-month transition period when both platforms will stay in place, EEX said.

Wragge said Austrian data would initially not be part of the total but in theory the country, other nations and energy products might be joined up later.

Knowing about grid loads, production and usage gives traders a grip on supply and demand in a competitive market.

The initiative will go some way towards quelling recurring allegations that big integrated power players have advantages in the 5,000 megawatts (MW) a year European wholesale power market.

In a parallel process to free up price-relevant information, EU governments and bodies aim to force big producers to seperate output, transport and sales of energy.

EEX separately said on Wednesday customers of Eurex, a Deutsche Boerse DB1Gn-DE subsidiary, will be able to trade and clear EEX power derivatives from Nov. 25 onwards, as both exchanges aim to attract more international participation.

www.transparency.eex.com (Reporting by Vera Eckert; editing by James Jukwey)