Iqony Fernwärme Boosts Climate-Friendly Heating with Uniper Wärme Acquisition

Iqony Fernwärme Boosts Climate-Friendly Heating with Uniper Wärme Acquisition

(IN BRIEF) Iqony Fernwärme GmbH (Steag Iqony Group) has agreed to acquire Uniper Wärme GmbH from Uniper Kraftwerke GmbH, in compliance with EU state aid conditions tied to Uniper’s 2022 stabilization package. Uniper Wärme, founded in 1964, serves over 14,400 customers in the Ruhr area via a 750 km district heating network and utilizes CHP waste heat, mine gas, industrial waste heat, electric boilers, and decentralized CHP units. Steag Iqony will integrate these assets to bolster its position as a major climate-friendly heat supplier and accelerate regional decarbonization. Both Uniper and Steag Iqony emphasize continuity for Uniper Wärme’s 130 employees. The deal awaits final regulatory approval before closing.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 5-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Iqony Fernwärme GmbH, part of the Steag Iqony Group, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Uniper Wärme GmbH from Uniper Kraftwerke GmbH, a subsidiary of Uniper SE. This strategic purchase strengthens Steag Iqony’s standing as one of Germany’s leading providers of eco-friendly district heating. For Uniper, divesting its heating business fulfills one of the EU-mandated structural remedies tied to its 2022 state aid stabilization package.

For more than fifty years, residents of the Ruhr region have depended on Uniper Wärme’s modern, low-carbon heating solutions. Established in 1964, the company currently delivers heat to over 14,400 customers via a 750-kilometer network, leveraging waste heat from combined heat and power (CHP) plants. Its portfolio also includes heat sourced from mine gas, industrial-process waste heat, electric boilers, and small decentralized CHP systems.

On December 20, 2022, the European Commission approved Uniper’s stabilization measures under EU state aid rules, stipulating several divestitures—among them, the sale of its German district heating operations. “EU requirements necessitate the sale of Uniper Wärme. We are pleased to have found a buyer in the Steag Iqony Group that will continue on the path we have taken and be a reliable employer for our around 130 colleagues,” said Nikola Feldmann, Managing Director of Uniper Wärme. Christian Hillmann, co-managing director, added, “In recent years, we have not only reliably supplied our customers with heat, but we have already taken significant steps in transforming our heating business toward climate neutrality.”

Dr. Andreas Reichel, CEO and Labor Director of the Steag Iqony Group, remarked, “Today marks a milestone for the heating transition in Germany’s largest metropolitan area. By integrating Uniper’s district heating network, we can efficiently link grids across the Ruhr region and accelerate decarbonization. As a locally rooted and responsible company, we’re committed to providing Uniper Wärme’s roughly 130 employees with stability and familiar prospects grounded in our entrepreneurial expertise.”

The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals; closing is expected once all clearances are obtained.

About the Steag Iqony Group

The Steag Iqony Group with headquarters in Essen combines two key aspects of the energy transition under one roof. Steag Power ensures security of supply with its power plants and the development of modern energy hubs. Iqony develops and operates plants and solutions for a sustainable, climate-friendly energy future. A total of around 5,500 employees worldwide are working to achieve these goals. With over 85 years of experience, the Steag Iqony Group contributes in-depth know-how and technological expertise to the transformation of the energy supply in Germany and throughout Europe.

About Uniper

Düsseldorf-based Uniper is a European energy company with global reach and operations in more than 40 countries. With around 7,500 employees, the company plays a central role in ensuring a secure energy supply in Europe – particularly in its core markets of Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the Netherlands. With 14 gigawatts of flexible power generation capacity, Uniper is the backbone of reliable electricity production. As a leading gas trader and one of Northwestern Europe’s most important LNG importers, Uniper strengthens supply security with a broad procurement portfolio. Through investments in renewable energy, hydrogen, and other low-carbon energy carriers, Uniper is also driving the transformation of the energy system.

In its home market, Germany, Uniper supplies around 1,000 municipalities and industrial companies with energy and services. In addition, Uniper is Germany’s largest operator of gas storage facilities and hydropower plants.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Uniper SE Management and other information currently available to Uniper. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. Uniper SE does not intend, and does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update these forward-looking statements or to modify them to conform with future events or developments.

Media Contacts:

Steag Iqony Group
Henning Heinemann
Press Spokesperson
T +49 (0) 201 801 4277
henning.heinemann@iqony.energy

Uniper SE
Oliver Roeder
Spokesperson
T +49 (0) 151 126 584 65
oliver.roeder@uniper.energy

SOURCE: Uniper