Germany to boost energy security through SEFE gas grid acquisition

Berlin, Germany – In a move to strengthen its role in securing energy supply in Europe's top economy, Berlin-based SEFE Securing Energy for Europe is set to become the sole owner of the German gas transmission network WIGA.

SEFE, which already holds a 49.98% stake in WIGA, will buy the remaining 50.02% stake held by joint venture partner Wintershall Dea AG, both companies said in separate statements on Tuesday.

To make the acquisition possible, “the German Federal Government had notified an amendment of the original approval decisions for the recapitalization of SEFE with a view to the applicable acquisition ban,” Wintershall Dea said in the statement.

With state aid approval secured on last Tuesday, SEFE now awaits European Commission clearance for the WIGA acquisition, targeting completion by the summer of this year.

WIGA owns the gas network operators GASCADE and NEL, which together operate networks in Germany with a combined length of around 4,150km and a direct connection to five European countries.

With its hydrogen strategy, the WIGA group aims to play a leading role in the German and European energy transition and the development of the German core hydrogen network.

Commenting on the transaction, SEFE’S CEO, Egbert Laege, said, “SEFE being the sole shareholder of WIGA would ensure that GASCADE can convert the existing highperformance infrastructure to hydrogen in the future.”

“In this way, we can help drive forward the green energy transformation. Transportation infrastructure is a pivotal part of the future hydrogen value chain,” Laege said.