Leipzig, October 31, 2007 – The Mayor of Leipzig has recommended the bid submitted by Gaz de France as a strategic partner, within the framework of the call-for-tender process concerning the sale of a 49.9% stake in the Leipzig Stadtwerke (SWL). This transaction, worth a total of €520 million, will be submitted to the approval of the Leipzig city council, which should vote on this matter before the end of the year.

Download the PDF (43 Ko) >>  

The Leipzig Stadtwerke is a public utility company responsible for the distribution and sale of electricity, natural gas and heat, in addition to related services in the city of Leipzig (Germany). It employs more than 2,400 people and generated sales of €1.7 billion in 2006. Last year, it sold approximately 2.7 billion kWh of electricity, 1.8 billion kWh of natural gas, and 1.4 billion kWh of heat to more than 320,000 customers in Leipzig. SWL is also involved in the production of electricity from natural gas and biomass. The SWL Group is also pursuing a strategy aimed at developing its activities in Germany and in Poland, where it operates, in particular, the heating network in Gdansk.

A major player in the European energy market, Gaz de France wants to help facilitate the development of the Leipzig Stadtwerke. One of the front-ranking suppliers of natural gas in Europe, Gaz de France undertakes to provide SWL with additional supplies of natural gas liable to reach 3.5 billion kWh per year, with a view to supporting its future growth.

Jean-François Cirelli, Chairman and CEO of Gaz de France, said : “It is both a great honour and a great responsibility for Gaz de France to have been recommended as a candidate to accompany the development of the Leipzig Stadtwerke and to serve both its customers and the city of Leipzig”.

Group profile:

The Gaz de France Group is a major player in the European energy market. Ranked first in the distribution of natural gas in Europe, Gaz de France employs more than 50,000 people and, in 2006, generated sales of €28 billion. The Group boasts a portfolio of approximately 14 million customers, some 11 million of whom are based in France. Listed on the Paris Bourse, Gaz de France forms part of the CAC40 and the Dow Jones Stoxx 600 indexes600.

Gaz de France has been present in Germany since 1976 through Megal, a company responsible for managing, in association with Ruhrgas, a gas pipeline designed for the transmission of natural gas. Gaz de France is now present at every stage in the gas industry in Germany, from exploration and production to distribution. In particular, it owns a 31.6% stake in Gasag, a company serving more than 700,000 customers in the Länder of Berlin and Brandenburg.

Press Contact:
Sabine Wacquez
Tel.: 33-1 47 54 24 43
E-mail: sabine.wacquez@gazdefrance.com