Dr. Henning Scherf to mediate between EWE and independent representatives

Different opinions are to be brought into the debate

Oldenburg, Germany, 20 August 2010. Over the coming weeks, Dr. Henning Scherf – the former mayor of Bremen – is to assist EWE and independent representatives to seek a customer-friendly solution in the wake of the ruling by the German Federal Supreme Court. "I'm happy to take on this role and I know that in many respects this is a very complex matter. I am nevertheless confident that we will achieve a good result for all concerned," commented Scherf. In the days ahead, he plans to approach a number of individuals and ask them to contribute their ideas to the discussion. "It's important that a wide range of opinions is brought into the debate," continued Scherf. EWE’s shareholders – local councils and EnBW AG – will be involved in the process due to the significance of the issue in question.

Last week, the Supervisory Board of EWE ENERGIE AG voted in favour of a quick decision-making process as regards EWE's reaction to the ruling by the German Federal Supreme Court on certain clauses contained in the terms and conditions of special-rate natural gas contracts. The Board recommended that a customer-friendly solution be presented in the coming weeks. This proposal should then apply to all EWE's special-rate customers, i.e. customers with Erdgas classic, business, online or BioErdgas10 contracts, irrespective of whether they have complained or rejected the clause or not.