FORTUM CORPORATION STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 2 MARCH 2020 AT 12.05 EET
Release category: Other information disclosed according to the rules of the Exchange
In November 2019, the Russian Government Commission for Monitoring Foreign Investments approved Fortum’s acquisition of Uniper SE shares agreed with funds managed by Elliott Management Corporation and its affiliates (“Elliott”) and Knight Vinke Energy Advisors Limited and its affiliates (“Knight Vinke”). Fortum has now received a decision from the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS), which formalises the Government Commission’s decision.
In accordance with the Government Commission’s decision, Fortum has also signed an addendum to the agreement with FAS dated 4 June 2018 concerning Fortum’s obligations related to its shareholding in Uniper SE. Fortum is now free to close the acquisition of shares in Uniper SE under the Russian Foreign Investment Law provided that it does not exercise control in Unipro PJSC until certain changes to the Russian Strategic Investment Law, currently in the legislative process, have entered into force. Unipro PJSC is Uniper SE’s Russian subsidiary.
Fortum still needs a customary merger control clearance in Russia, which is expected in the coming weeks. The required merger clearance decision from the United States was given in December 2019.
“We are very pleased to have received the formalised decision from the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service to be able to close the acquisition of the additional 20%-stake in Uniper. This is an important step towards the creation of a leader in the European energy transition that provides attractive opportunities for both companies. As previously stated, with closing we will seek to drive closer strategic alignment of the two companies including through further Supervisory Board representation,” says Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO of Fortum.
“The Board welcomes today’s decision by the Russian authority and the clarity it brings regarding the future ownership of Uniper. While Pekka Lundmark will be leaving Fortum later this year, our strategy and approach with regard to our acquisition of Uniper remains entirely unchanged,” says Matti Lievonen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fortum.
On 8 October 2019, Fortum announced that it had agreed to acquire all the Uniper SE shares held by Elliott and Knight Vinke, a total in excess of 20.5%, taking Fortum’s ownership in Uniper to over 70.5%. The transactions will be closed in two tranches. The first tranche of the transactions, constituting at least 19.6% of Uniper SE shares, is expected to be closed shortly after the Russian merger clearance decision has come through. The second tranche, a maximum of 3.8% of shares, is due to be closed within two months after the first closing.
Fortum Corporation
Ingela Ulfves, Vice President, Investor Relations and Financial Communications
Further information:
Investors and analysts
Ingela Ulfves, VP, IR and Financial Communications tel. +358 40 515 1531
Rauno Tiihonen, Manager, Investor Relations, tel. +358 10 453 6150
Media
Pauliina Vuosio, VP, Executive Communications, tel. +358 50 453 2383
Distribution:
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www.fortum.com