The federal government prepares a possible entry into gas traders

Berlin, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf According to financial circles, the federal government is preparing a possible entry into the gas trader Uniper, which has fallen into crisis due to high energy prices. It is being discussed that the federal government could subscribe to a package of new shares of up to 25 percent at a nominal value of EUR 1.70 per share certificate in a capital increase. That would correspond to a good 150 million euros.

In addition, according to circles, a silent participation by the federal government is under discussion, an equity instrument without voting rights. This could have a volume of between three and five billion euros.

However, how the state rescue will be structured in concrete terms also depends on the extent to which energy traders such as Uniper are allowed to pass on the higher purchase prices for gas to consumers in the future without taking existing supply contracts into account. Uniper declined to comment on the details of the talks.