popular articles

Berlin abandons TenneT takeover for budgetary reasons

The German government has decided not to acquire the German subsidiary of TenneT, the Dutch electricity grid operator, due to budgetary constraints. This reversal complicates Germany's energy transition.
Financement transition énergétique Allemagne

Please share:

Germany’s energy transition relies on a robust infrastructure to transport electricity from wind turbines in the north to consumers in the south. TenneT, a key player in this field, is valued at around €20 billion. The takeover of TenneT Germany by the German state-owned bank KfW was envisaged as a way of strengthening this essential infrastructure. However, the negotiations ended in failure due to budgetary constraints. This decision is a significant setback for Berlin, which was counting on this acquisition to consolidate its energy projects.

Financial and political repercussions

The decision of the German Federal Constitutional Court in November 2023 created a deficit of 60 billion euros, exacerbating the budget crisis. Finance Minister Christian Lindner has stepped up austerity measures to comply with the constitutional rule limiting debt. These measures led to the abandonment of the buyout project. Robert Habeck, Minister for Economic Affairs, expressed his disappointment at the failure of the negotiations. Berlin is now considering a minority stake in TenneT via a consortium, as an alternative to a full takeover.

Financing prospects for TenneT

For TenneT Holding, this situation imposes new financial constraints. The Group must now turn to the public or private capital markets to finance its activities in Germany. The Dutch government, the main shareholder, recently granted a €25 billion loan to support the group in 2024 and 2025. This support is crucial to maintain TenneT’s operations, but the need for long-term financing remains pressing. Strengthening the electricity infrastructure is essential for Germany’s energy transition and security of supply.

Conclusion and future prospects

Berlin’s abandonment of the TenneT takeover marks a major blow for Germany’s energy transition. However, alternative options, such as a minority shareholding, offer a glimmer of hope. Cooperation between the Dutch and German governments will be crucial to finding viable financing solutions and ensuring the success of the transition to renewable energies.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

A report from the Public Policy Forum calls for accelerating over 500 energy, critical minerals and infrastructure projects to generate CAD1 100bn in Canadian GDP growth.
Quebec opens public consultation on draft regulations to revise gas standards and frame the integration of hydrogen, with feedback expected by 27 June.
Quebec opens public consultation on draft regulations to revise gas standards and frame the integration of hydrogen, with feedback expected by 27 June.
The Danish government is assessing the possibility of authorising new nuclear technologies, marking a major regulatory shift in energy policy after four decades of prohibition.
The Danish government is assessing the possibility of authorising new nuclear technologies, marking a major regulatory shift in energy policy after four decades of prohibition.
The Spanish government confirmed no signs of cyberattack were identified after the 28 April blackout that affected much of the Iberian Peninsula.
The Spanish government confirmed no signs of cyberattack were identified after the 28 April blackout that affected much of the Iberian Peninsula.
South African authorities are advocating for an approach that integrates economic development and environmental protection, highlighting global imbalances in climate responsibility.
The European Commission is considering changing environmental laws to accelerate the granting of permits for renewable energy projects across the European Union.
The European Commission is considering changing environmental laws to accelerate the granting of permits for renewable energy projects across the European Union.
Spain’s competition authority has launched its own investigation into the April 28 power outage, joining ongoing inquiries into an incident that disrupted 60% of the country's electricity consumption.
Spain’s competition authority has launched its own investigation into the April 28 power outage, joining ongoing inquiries into an incident that disrupted 60% of the country's electricity consumption.
German regulator BNetzA has launched a consultation on a major grid tariff reform that could require electricity producers to pay access fees, thus altering the current funding structure.
German regulator BNetzA has launched a consultation on a major grid tariff reform that could require electricity producers to pay access fees, thus altering the current funding structure.
The U.S. Department of Energy will purchase three litres of helium-3 from Interlune by 2029, marking the first public contract involving a natural resource extracted from the lunar surface.
Iran will limit daily power cuts to two hours for households starting May 10, aiming to ease pressure on the national electricity grid as temperatures climb.
Iran will limit daily power cuts to two hours for households starting May 10, aiming to ease pressure on the national electricity grid as temperatures climb.
The French government has entrusted Bernard Fontana with the leadership of EDF, relying on his industrial background to manage the end of the Arenh and revive the nuclear programme.
The French government has entrusted Bernard Fontana with the leadership of EDF, relying on his industrial background to manage the end of the Arenh and revive the nuclear programme.
Germany’s new Economy Minister, Katherina Reiche, plans 20 gigawatts of gas-fired plants to address the limits of renewable energy.
Germany’s new Economy Minister, Katherina Reiche, plans 20 gigawatts of gas-fired plants to address the limits of renewable energy.
The Spanish Prime Minister has asked for more time to determine the causes of an unprecedented outage on April 28 that cut 15 gigawatts of electricity from the peninsula’s grid.
Prime Minister François Bayrou confirmed that France’s 2025–2035 energy roadmap remains under discussion and will only be finalised after parliamentary debates starting on 16 June.
Prime Minister François Bayrou confirmed that France’s 2025–2035 energy roadmap remains under discussion and will only be finalised after parliamentary debates starting on 16 June.
The re-election of the Albanese government reassures energy stakeholders calling for regulatory adjustments to accelerate projects and secure long-term investment.
The re-election of the Albanese government reassures energy stakeholders calling for regulatory adjustments to accelerate projects and secure long-term investment.
SOGARA is launching a two-phase modernisation programme to increase the country's energy autonomy by 2030, with financing primarily from external sources.
SOGARA is launching a two-phase modernisation programme to increase the country's energy autonomy by 2030, with financing primarily from external sources.
Suriname has launched a pre-distribution programme of its future oil revenues, offering a $750 bonus to more than 570,000 citizens well before the start of offshore production scheduled for 2028.
One week after the massive blackout, Spain and Portugal continue their investigations with no technical conclusion, while Madrid calls on France to accelerate cross-border interconnection projects.
One week after the massive blackout, Spain and Portugal continue their investigations with no technical conclusion, while Madrid calls on France to accelerate cross-border interconnection projects.
Australia’s opposition leader unveils a seven-reactor plan, challenging current energy policy days before federal elections and reviving a decades-old debate.
Australia’s opposition leader unveils a seven-reactor plan, challenging current energy policy days before federal elections and reviving a decades-old debate.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission proposes reducing certain renewable generation targets due to a slower-than-expected rise in electricity demand.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission proposes reducing certain renewable generation targets due to a slower-than-expected rise in electricity demand.
Two days after a blackout that disrupted 60% of national demand, the growing share of renewables in Spain’s grid faces strong political and industrial criticism.
The NGO Reclaim Finance ranked BPCE last among twenty major European banks for its lack of commitment to the transition towards carbon neutrality, according to a study published on Tuesday.
The NGO Reclaim Finance ranked BPCE last among twenty major European banks for its lack of commitment to the transition towards carbon neutrality, according to a study published on Tuesday.
François Bayrou plans to postpone the publication of the French energy decree until the end of the summer after parliamentary review, under pressure from the Rassemblement National and part of the right.
François Bayrou plans to postpone the publication of the French energy decree until the end of the summer after parliamentary review, under pressure from the Rassemblement National and part of the right.
The European Investment Bank signs a loan of over €525mn with PGE to develop solar projects and modernise a power plant in Poland.
The European Investment Bank signs a loan of over €525mn with PGE to develop solar projects and modernise a power plant in Poland.

Advertising