EWE and Ardian begin partnership

Oldenburg / Paris / Düsseldorf. EWE and EWE-Verband today completed the transfer of 26 per cent of shares in EWE AG with infrastructure investor Ardian. The partners had announced their planned cooperation on 6 December 2019 and revealed their plans to accelerate EWE’s growth together in the strategic areas of renewable energies, telecommunications, networks, energy services and mobility following completion of the transaction. The German Federal Cartel Office had approved the transfer of shares at the end of December 2019. This means that the following companies have a stake in EWE AG as of now: EWE-Verband with 74 per cent (59 per cent Weser-Ems-Energiebeteiligungen GmbH, 15 per cent Energieverband Elbe-Weser Beteiligungsholding GmbH) and Ardian with 26 per cent.

Stefan Dohler, CEO of EWE AG, is looking forward to the partnership: “Our goal is to continue developing EWE into an innovative service provider over the coming years. We want to impress our customers and set positive standards based on a position of regional strength and using integrated products and services. Infrastructure is a key aspect here, and we want to further strengthen and expand our role in the northwest. EWE as an engine for the networks of the future and climate-friendly technologies – that is our vision and how we see ourselves as a company. With Ardian, we have found the right partner for this journey.”

Michael Reuther, who is responsible for the investment in EWE as part of Ardian’s German infrastructure team: “Our strategic growth partnership with EWE will benefit customers, employees and the region through targeted investments in cutting-edge infrastructure and top-quality products. EWE is at the forefront to bring about the energy revolution. We are looking forward to supporting the company in building on its position as sustainable supplier with regional roots, access to growth capital and innovative technologies. Our initiative will include a special growth platform in Germany dedicated to EWE in order to identify and realize organic and inorganic growth potential.” Along with the Ardian team, Dr Andreas Radmacher, with his long-standing expertise in the energy sector, and telecommunications and M&A expert Arndt Rautenberg will support EWE in its future development. Dr Radmacher has furthermore been appointed to the Supervisory Board of EWE AG with effect from 1 March 2020.

Ardian is one of the world’s leading independent investment companies and manages assets with a value of approximately USD 96 billion for its investors in Europe, South and North America and Asia – more than EUR 10 billion of which is from 90 German institutional investors such as pension funds and insurance companies. In its current Ardian Infrastructure Fund V, the largest group of investors comes from Germany – they represent more than 20 per cent of the fund volume totalling EUR 6.1 billion and are now investing in EWE’s growth. In addition, the Lower Saxony based insurance group Talanx will accompany Ardian and EWE as a co-investor.