Energy Newsletter

RWE increases its stake in transmission system operator Amprion from 20% to 55% and invests €3.6 billion. This is a strategic signal: RWE is returning to the grid business, while other TSOs (TenneT, 50Hertz, TransnetBW) are already under state participation. The takeover concentrates control over critical energy infrastructure in fewer hands.

E.ON's Westnetz generates returns of 45%, while regulation stipulates 3-7%—the difference is paid by electricity customers. This points to massive regulatory gaps and profit mechanisms that burden consumers and industry, endangering competitiveness.

Germany pays €0.39/kWh in EU comparison despite record renewable share (57-59%) and requires additional industrial electricity price subsidies. The contradiction shows: grid costs, taxes, and regulation drive prices, not the energy mix—competitiveness remains endangered.

EnBW is expanding gas supply via long-term LNG contracts with the USA (0.82 Mt/a). This signals dependence on transcontinental supply chains instead of European diversification—strategic risk amid geopolitical upheaval (Strait of Hormuz blockade, Russian sanctions).

After the gas crisis, regulators are preparing for electricity supply bottlenecks. In parallel, X-accounts report high price spikes (€615/MWh during dark doldrums), missing wind capacity, and grid operator data errors—system stability on the edge.