EnBW and EWE apply for extension of the antitrust investigation period
Karlsruhe. EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG and EWE AG have asked the Bundeskartellamt (Federal Cartel Office - FCO) to extend until 15 June 2009 the antitrust investigation period for the planned acquisition by EnBW of a 26 percent share in Oldenburg-based EWE AG. In the opinion of both companies, the extension is needed in order to give more time for the preparation and assessment of possible undertakings in the context of the planned investment.
In December 2008, the FCO granted an initial extension of the antitrust investigation period until 9 March 2009. An in-depth investigation and its associated extension is not unusual given the complexity of the planned transaction, which is the largest in its sector since 2004.
EnBW is confident that all relevant issues can be resolved with the FCO by 15 June 2009, and that the partnership agreed between EnBW and EWE can start then.