RWE acquires E.ON's renewable, nuclear assets

- RWE receives European Commission's approval for the acquisition of E.ON's assets on late Tuesday

The European Commission (EC) has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition by RWE of E.ON's renewable and nuclear electricity generation assets, the Commission announced late Tuesday.

The Commission concluded that the transaction would raise no competition concerns in the European Economic Area.

'RWE and E.ON are both energy companies based in Germany and are active across the whole electricity supply chain, from generation and wholesale to distribution and retail of electricity,' the Commission said.

It noted the two companies are engaged in a complex asset swap.

'Following this asset swap, RWE will be primarily active in upstream electricity generation and wholesale markets, whereas E.ON will focus on the distribution and retail of electricity and gas,' the EC explained.

As part of the asset swap, RWE would acquire the majority of E.ON's renewable and nuclear generation assets and a 16.67 percent minority interest in E.ON as part payment for the assets it is selling to E.ON in the context of the asset swap.

The Commission concluded that E.ON's acquisition of RWE's distribution and retail business is still being assessed separately by the Commission and is still under review.

By Ebru Sengul

Anadolu Agency

energy@aa.com.tr