BERLIN, Sept 19 (Askume) – Germany’s finance ministry said on Thursday the main option for re-privatising Uniper (UN0k.DE) was to sell shares in the energy company through the stock market, adding that the government was studying all options for reducing its stake.
“The timing and format of the potential transaction has not been finalised,” the ministry said in a statement.
“We have concluded that a sale via the capital market is Germany’s main option for re-privatising Uniper. In addition, Germany will also consider off-market sale options, subject to legality.”
Uniper said it welcomed the department’s announcement, particularly with regard to the potential sale of its shares in the open market.
A company spokesperson said: “We are ready for this and will work closely with the German government to make all necessary preparations.”
In August, Uniper raised reserves , putting it on track to repay about $3.8 billion in state aid, raising hopes for a reprivatization as early as next year.
The German government invested 13.5 billion euros in Uniper in 2022 to save Germany’s largest importer of Russian natural gas from bankruptcy.
Berlin has since been Uniper’s majority shareholder, with a stake of over 99%, but has reached an agreement with the European Commission to reduce its stake to a maximum of 25% plus one share by 2028.
