The German energy giant has applied for a review of the Federal Cartel Office’s decision, which was announced on March 15, 2007. At the time, the office said that it believed the proposed takeover would allow RWE to build up market-dominating positions in the country’s power and gas markets.
RWE has dubbed the decision unjustified and incomprehensible. In its defense, the company stated that, with its share of just under 10% of the German gas market, it does not hold a dominant position and that, with regard to the existing market conditions in Germany, a takeover of Saar Ferngas would not change this.
RWE also said that it would not expect competitive conditions in the regional markets concerned to be negatively affected by the move, and thus has accused the cartel office of weakening the development of competition in the region.
