Germany’s Economic Minister Committed to TenneT Takeover

Germany’s vice chancellor economic minister Robert Habeck remains committed to takeover Dutch TSO TenneT, he said, cited by Rheinische Post.

• "I still think it makes sense for the state to ensure that such important infrastructure remains in good hands," Habeck said.
• Habeck added that the talks with the Dutch government are not over yet.
• The Germany economy ministry, led by Robert Habeck from the Greens, approved the acquisition last November and discontent that the issue is being dragged out, the sources said.
• Germany has been negotiating since late 2022 on the purchase of the domestic business of Tennet. The government already holds minority stakes in TSOs 50Hertz and TransnetBW and plans to merge the grids and modernize them.
• Outstanding issues include the push from Germany’s finance minister Christian Lidner, liberal Free Democrats, to include private investors in the issue and reduce the state’s stake to 25% as soon as possible, according to a senior government official.
• Tennet this month said it is exploring alternative structural solutions, including a sale to private investors or an IPO.