German utilities will be anxiously watching Berlin on Friday when a government-appointed commission looks at ways to safeguard the billions of euros they have set aside to pay for the country’s nuclear exit. Germany’s “big four” utilities – E.ON, RWE, EnBW and Vattenfall – have earmarked nearly 40 billion euros (30 billion pounds) in provisions to pay for the dismantling and waste storage of their nuclear plants, the last of which will be closed in 2022. But concerns over their financial health have fuelled fears that the power firms may be unable to turn the provisions — mainly cash, assets and shares — into liquidity, eventually leaving taxpayers to foot all or part of the bill. The commission, consisting of 19 politicians, lawyers, academics and businessmen, is scheduled to meet on Friday, Feb. 12, and aims to present recommendations by the end of the month.
Reuters 11th Feb 2016 read more »