"This is a great step towards becoming a European leader in renewable energy," stated CEO Bård Mikkelsen at the contract signing ceremony in Stockholm. 

Many months of hard work have produced the 600-page E.ON-Statkraft agreement that was confirmed with the signing of the CEOs Dr. Wulf Bernotat and Bård Mikkelsen in Stockholm Thursday 24 July.

 
A GREAT STEP. "This is a great step towards becoming a European leader in renewable energy," stated CEO Bård Mikkelsen at the contract signing ceremony in Stockholm. CEO of E.ON AG, Dr. Wulf Bernotat, to the left.

Strengthens the competition
E.ON's CEO, Dr. Wulf Bernotat, emphasized that this would strengthen the competition in both the Nordic and the German energy markets.
"The present agreement creates a solid platform for growth and investments in the Nordic countries, and we also gain a significant shareholder in Statkraft," said Bernotat, using the opportunity to welcome Statkraft.

Leading player in renewable energy
"Today, we take a giant step towards realising our vision of becoming a leading European player within renewable energy," said Statkraft CEO Bård Mikkelsen.
This will make Statkraft the fourth largest energy producer in Sweden. "Sweden is a key part of the Nordic market and our growth ambitions," Mikkelsen emphasized.
"The five district heating plants acquired in Sweden have a good strategic fit with our environmental friendly vision, and create a basis for further growth in this segment," Mikkelsen stated. He referred to Statkraft's 25 years of experience with district heating in the subsidiary Trondheim Energi Fjernvarme.

Doubles its size in Germany
"We will have one fifth of the flexible gas power capacity in Germany, we more than double our production capacity, which is important for our energy trading, and we raise our profile and gain a better position for further growth as a leading player in environmentally friendly and renewable energy in Europe," said Mikkelsen.
"With the acquisition of the Rheidol hydropower plant, we have also won a foothold in the UK," Mikkelsen stated.

High level and strong will
"We are already a leading player in hydropower, hydrology and market handling of flexible energy production, and we aim to develop leading competence in more areas, such as wind power, solar energy and other new markets," said Mikkelsen.
The realisation of these goals depends on our employees, as was the case for what we have achieved so far," Mikkelsen emphasized.
"We will gain about 220 new employees as a result of this agreement. We are sure that they will make a significant contribution to our high levels of professionalism and competence, as well as to our strong will to achieve results," said Mikkelsen.