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Germany to tighten grip on energy properties with SEFE gas grid offer

German nationalised energy company SEFE will take complete ownership of gas transmission network WIGA by purchasing out joint venture partner Wintershall Dea in the most recent sign of Berlin tightening its grip on energy infrastructure.

The deal, through which SEFE will acquire the 50.2% stake it does not already own in WIGA, is being funded by the company, it stated, after Germany asked Brussels to raise an acquisition ban enforced as part of the group's bailout in 2022.

The transaction still needs to be authorized by the EU Commission, SEFE stated.

The parties have actually agreed not to disclose the purchase rate for the stake in WIGA, which operates 4,150 km (2,578 miles) of gas grids that link Europe's leading economy to five neighbouring states.

Wintershall Dea has stated that WIGA's net controlled property base - an appraisal procedure for energy grids - had to do with 3 billion euros ($ 3.3 billion).

SEFE being the sole investor of WIGA would make sure that ( gas pipeline operator) GASCADE can transform the existing high-performance infrastructure to hydrogen in the future, SEFE Chief Executive Egbert Laege stated in a statement.

Transport infrastructure is a pivotal part of the future hydrogen worth chain.

WIGA is a holding business for onshore pipelines Opal, Eugal and NEL, which are linked to the previous arrival points of Russian gas through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline - defunct because an surge in 2022 - at Lubmin on the German Baltic Sea.

The scheduled deal, which is expected to close by summertime, comes as Germany increases its control over energy properties to secure national security after Russia's intrusion of Ukraine.

Like bigger rival Uniper, SEFE, previously Gazprom Germania, was rescued by Berlin during the continent's 2022 energy crisis through a 6.3 billion euro capital injection to ensure security of supply.

It later on bought a stake in EnBW's high-voltage power grid TransnetBW and is currently in speak with get the German division of Dutch grid company TenneT < .

(source: Reuters)