On 14 October 2009, the European Commission officially confirmed that the Commission’s sector inquiry investigation against RWE relating to its electricity business has now been closed. The investigation concerning RWE’s gas business had already been closed in March 2009.

This supports RWE’s position that it operates according to market rules, and in particular that the company neither withholds power generating capacity nor manipulates wholesale electricity prices. This has also been confirmed by an external certified audit.

Juergen Grossmann, CEO of RWE AG, said: “We are very pleased that in response to investigations relating to power plant operation, the wholesale market, balancing energy and grid and retail operations, we were able to prove that RWE acts in line with market regulations. Over the past few years, the energy industry has time and time again been subject to general suspicion. That is why this information from the European Commission is very important. I would like to express a plea for a more objective anti-trust and energy policy discussion in the future, which takes into account more facts and fewer generalised accusations.”