Essen-based Iqony Fernwärme GmbH, which is part of the Steag Iqony Group, has concluded an agreement with Uniper Kraftwerke GmbH, which belongs to Düsseldorf-based Uniper SE, to purchase Uniper Wärme GmbH. This was announced by the partners on 4 August.
According to the Steag Iqony Group, the aim is to strengthen its position ‘as one of the largest providers of climate-friendly heat in Germany’. For Uniper, the sale is part of the conditions that the company must fulfil under EU state aid law.
„Today is a good day for the heating transition in Germany's largest metropolitan region. As Steag Iqony Group, we are delighted to have been awarded the contract to take over Uniper's district heating business. As one of the largest providers of climate-friendly district heating, we will be able to efficiently consolidate networks in the Ruhr region and thus drive decarbonisation forward. This is a heat transition made in the Ruhr region“, explains Dr. Andreas Reichel, CEO and Labour Director of the Steag Iqony Group. „The Steag Iqony Group is a locally rooted and responsible company. We are also fulfilling this responsibility with the takeover of Uniper Wärme. We are pleased to be able to give the 130 or so employees of Uniper Wärme a clear and familiar perspective with our entrepreneurial experience“, said Reichel.
15 years of Uniper heating solutions for the Ruhr region
The origins of Uniper Wärme GmbH, which has been offering environmentally friendly heating solutions in the Ruhr region for over 15 years, date back to 1964. The company supplies over 14,400 customers with heat via its 750 km district heating network and describes itself as an ‘expert in the efficient utilisation of heat generated in combined heat and power (CHP) plants’.
In addition, a number of other environmentally friendly alternatives are utilised for heat generation. These include heat from mine gas, waste heat from industrial processes and heat generated in electric boilers and small decentralised CHP plants.
Uniper must comply with EU conditions
On 20 December 2022, the EU Commission approved the stabilisation package for Uniper under state aid law. As part of the approval, the EU Commission defined a series of structural remedies that Uniper must implement.
„The EU conditions require the sale of Uniper Wärme. We are pleased to have found a buyer in the Steag Iqony Group that will continue on the path we have taken and be a reliable employer for our 130 or so colleagues", said Uniper Wärme Managing Director Nikola Feldmann.
Following the signing, the official authorisations will be obtained. As soon as these have been obtained, the transaction will be finalised (the so-called closing).
