Energy group RWE does not want to take gas surcharge
Created: 2022-08-11Updated: 2022-08-11 2:03 PM
From the beginning of October, a surcharge should relieve gas importers who have to buy replacement gas from Russia at high prices.
© Bernd Thissen/dpa
Since Russia no longer fully meets its gas delivery obligations, the energy group RWE has had to buy gas elsewhere.
However, the people of Essen want to forego reimbursement of the additional costs caused by the gas surcharge.
Essen - The energy group RWE does not want to claim the planned gas levy to save systemically important gas importers.
“RWE is a financially strong and robust company.
We are therefore considering refraining from claiming our losses from the gas replacement procurement for this surcharge for the time being," said RWE CEO Markus Krebber on Thursday when the half-year figures were presented in Essen.
"We would then (...) carry them ourselves."
RWE did not provide any information about the expected level of losses.
The amount will depend on how much gas still comes from Russia.
"It's about a relevant amount," said Krebber.
The CEO describes it as the "right solution" that the gas surcharge should be borne by the gas customers.
"Of course, that gives an incentive to continue saving gas due to the rising gas prices."
The surcharge should take effect from the beginning of October and benefit gas importers like Uniper, who have to buy replacement gas volumes from Russia at high prices.
The amount of the levy is to be announced on Monday, August 15th.
Around 20 percent more electricity from renewable energies
The energy giant did good business in the first half of the year with electricity generation from renewable energies and natural gas as well as in energy trading.
The capacity expansion and better wind conditions meant that around 20 percent more electricity could be generated from renewable energies than in the previous year.
Overall, however, electricity generation fell slightly.
However, the group was still able to increase its results significantly - not least thanks to the high energy prices.
Adjusted net income climbed 80 percent year-on-year to just under 1.6 billion euros.
Sales increased by around 92 percent to 16.2 billion euros.
The company confirmed its July forecast.
Accordingly, the adjusted net profit for the full year should be between 2.1 and 2.6 billion euros.
Five billion euros to expand the green portfolio
Krebber announced that RWE will invest more than five billion euros in the expansion of the green portfolio this year.
This is around 30 percent more than originally planned.
Investments are made in wind power and solar systems as well as storage and in the development of the hydrogen economy.
"It is important for us that we as a company do what we can do, and that is invest in the energy transition." RWE has no plans to increase the dividend.
The profits would lead to higher investments.
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In addition to energy trading, RWE's core business includes power generation from alternative energies and natural gas.
The Essen-based company no longer counts coal and nuclear energy as part of its core business.
RWE still operates a nuclear power plant in Emsland.
At the end of June, RWE employed around 18,200 full-time equivalents worldwide.
dpa