Bundeskartellamt prohibits EAM Energie from acquiring a stake in Stadtwerke Eschwege
23.09.2003
The Bundeskartellamt has prohibited EAM Energie AG, Kassel, which belongs to the E.ON group, from acquiring a 30 per cent share in the municipal utility Stadtwerke Eschwege GmbH.
The Bundeskartellamt has prohibited EAM Energie AG, Kassel, which belongs to the E.ON group, from acquiring a 30 per cent share in the municipal utility Stadtwerke Eschwege GmbH.
The examination of the project has shown that the planned participation is likely to lead to a strengthening of the dominant positions held by the E.ON group both in the electricity and gas sales markets.
This decision is the first in a series of E.ON projects to acquire stakes in municipal utilities. The Bundeskartellamt will have to make a decision in each individual case.
The President of the Bundeskartellamt, Dr Ulf Böge, stated: “The Bundeskartellamt has to take care that the markets remain open so that competition will still be possible in the future. A more intense, long-term securing of sales markets by E.ON participations in municipal utilities could result in further market foreclosure effects and thus in a restraint of competition.”
The examination of the project has shown that the planned participation is likely to lead to a strengthening of the dominant positions held by the E.ON group both in the electricity and gas sales markets.
This decision is the first in a series of E.ON projects to acquire stakes in municipal utilities. The Bundeskartellamt will have to make a decision in each individual case.
The President of the Bundeskartellamt, Dr Ulf Böge, stated: “The Bundeskartellamt has to take care that the markets remain open so that competition will still be possible in the future. A more intense, long-term securing of sales markets by E.ON participations in municipal utilities could result in further market foreclosure effects and thus in a restraint of competition.”