The new E.ON: Smart grid and customer solutions

The E.ON Group is one of Europe's largest operators of energy networks and energy infrastructure, providing innovative customer solutions to around 47 million customers. As such, we are firmly committed to driving Europe's energy transition and to sustainable development, climate protection and the future of our planet.

These are not just words: we act, not just promise. We lead, not just follow. We rely on the strength of the community, not on individual interests, without an overarching goal.

Who is E.ON

People are the most important, they define the company, numbers, data and facts come second. After all, every company is made up of employees who do their best every day. On this page, we present faces and numbers to show the big picture and help illustrate the contribution E.ON makes.

1920s – 1950s Where we started

The Golden Twenties ended with the Great Depression. After the end of World War II, Europe began to reorganize and the Federal Republic of Germany was established.

• 1923 On March 7, our predecessor company VIAG (Vereinigte Industrieunternehmungen AG) was founded. The group's (still state-owned) business scope included electricity, aluminum and nitrogen.

• 1926 The Ruhr coal mines united to form the Ruhrgas AG, which sold coke oven gas nationwide.

• 1927 The electricity supplier PreussenElektra was founded, initially with a Prussian state holding.

• 1927 RWE and PreussenElektra exchange shares and secure their respective sites with 50 demarcation agreements. This territorial division will affect the industrial landscape of Germany until the end of the century.

• 1929 The Free State of Prussia establishes VEBA, the abbreviation for Vereinigte Elektrizitäts- und Bergwerks Aktiengesellschaft. PreussenElektra is also included in VEBA.

• 1933-1945 During the Nazi period, especially during World War II, the predecessor companies of E.ON could not avoid being involved in injustices due to their role in the economy. These companies also used forced laborers to varying degrees. Therefore, the predecessor companies of E.ON participated in the financing of the German Enterprise Foundation Fund "Memorial, Responsibility and Future" for compensating forced laborers, thus expressing their awareness of their joint responsibility. This dark chapter in the company's history is also explored in neutral scientific research.

• 1939 VIAG acquires 50% of Bayernwerk AG.

• 1958 The Competition Act comes into force, allowing energy suppliers to define their distribution areas through demarcation and concession agreements.

1960s Growth period

European Free Trade Association is established, the economy is booming, but it is also a turbulent decade with the construction of the Berlin Wall, the German "Generation of 68" student movement, and the Prague Spring.

• 1965 VEBA is partially privatized and subsequently managed as a company.
• 1966 VEBA's first Annual General Meeting is held in Dortmund in May, with 2,500 shareholders in attendance.
• 1967 In April, Germany's first commercial nuclear power plant, Unit A in Gundremingen, Bavaria, begins operation, with PreussenElektra holding a 25% stake.

1970s Energy industry in crisis

The Yom Kippur War between Egypt, Syria and Israel leads to energy crises and economic problems in Europe, but also to the first calls for sustainability. Environmental protection is on the agenda and the first World Climate Conference is held in Geneva. By mid- to late-century, right-wing nationalist dictatorships in Greece, Spain and Portugal are abolished.

• 1972 PreussenElektra's nuclear power plants in Stade and Würgassen begin supplying electricity commercially.

• 1973 VEBA acquires nearly 50% of the shares in Gelsenkirchener Bergwerks AG.

• 1973 Events such as the "oil price crisis", the Energy Security Act and car-free Sundays shift German thinking towards more renewable energy.

• 1977 PreussenElektra begins operating the Isar 1 nuclear power plant.

1980s Towards a new era

Politically and technologically, all signs point to change. Opposition to nuclear power grows, information and computer technology develops rapidly. The end of the 2000s sees the fall of communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe.

• 1987 The remaining 25% of VEBA is privatized.

• 1987 In August, the "Westküste" wind farm in the German North Sea is commissioned. It is a model for future wind farms.

• 1988 VIAG is also fully privatized.

1990s A period of constant change

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the world enters a period of restructuring. Germany's development is influenced by reunification. The Kyoto Protocol sets binding targets for greenhouse gas reductions for the first time under international law. Social and economic development is increasingly influenced by digitalization.

• 1991 Plaut's study estimates that VEBA's stock market value is DM 14 billion less than the combined valuations of its individual companies. The results of the study trigger internal discussions on the future viability of VEBA's structure, as well as efficiency plans for the corporate subgroups.
• 1991 PreussenElektra begins the internationalization of its power business.
• 1993 VEBA enters the telecommunications business with VEBACOM.
• 1995 VIAG also enters the telecommunications sector by establishing a company together with British Telecom.
• 1995 After reunification, Germany's electricity supply is reorganized and partly merged into larger units.
• 1996 VEBA joins forces with RWE and Cable&Wireless to build telecommunications infrastructure. All activities come under the Otelo brand.
• 1997 On October 8, VEBA is listed in New York.
• 1998 Ruhrgas AG acquires a stake in Gazprom, the world's largest natural gas producer.
• 1999 PreussenElektra subsidiaries MEVAG, HEVAG, OSE and EMO merge to form E.DIS Energie Nord AG. In the same year, PreussenElektra forms the new regional utility Avacon.
• 1999 VEBA and VIAG announce their merger.
• 1999 As a first step towards exiting the telecommunications sector, VEBA sells Otelo to Mannesmann.

2000s A new E.ON

Globalization is advancing. China emerges as a leading industrial power. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 have a profound impact on foreign policy. The Renewable Energy Act is passed and the Internet goes mobile.

• 2000 At the end of March, E.ON officially debuts. In June, the European Commission approves the merger of VEBA and VIAG and E.ON is officially registered on the commercial register. In July, PreussenElektra and Bayernwerk merge to form E.ON Energie AG. E.ON now owns a closed high-voltage power grid.
• 2000 E.ON refocusing program launched. By 2005, we achieve sales of more than EUR 55 billion and invest more than EUR 40 billion in acquisitions.
• 2002 The Bundesrat decides on an orderly phase-out of nuclear power in Germany. This also marks the beginning of a new era for E.ON.
• 2002 E.ON acquires Powergen (USA) for EUR 15.3 billion. Due to strict requirements of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, we are obliged to divest all non-energy businesses, including shares in Stinnes or VAW.
• 2003 After two years of negotiations, we acquire Ruhrgas. In the same year, Wulf Bernotat becomes the new head of E.ON.
• 2003 E.ON launches a new strategy "On Top", our goal is to become the world's leading integrated power and gas company.
• 2005 International growth: E.ON now employs more people abroad than in Germany. In the same year, the contract for the construction of Nordstream 1 is signed.
• 2005 Under the name "One E.ON", we develop a common vision and culture for the E.ON Group. All E.ON subsidiaries are renamed E.ON.
• 2005 We sign the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
• 2006 The "europe on" corporate program creates an organizational setup suitable for the European internal energy market.
• 2007 E.ON ON Climates & Renewables is founded to focus on renewable energy activities. Acquisition of project companies in the Spanish and North American markets and investments totaling EUR 10 billion in wind and solar parks. At the same time, Germany announces its withdrawal from subsidized hard coal mining.
• 2009 E.ON sells its ultra-high voltage grid for EUR 1.1 billion. In April 2009, the EU adopts the third energy package for electricity and gas, further liberalizing the internal market. This laid the foundation for the implementation of an internal energy market.

2010s High focus on energy transition

In the Paris Climate Agreement, 195 countries agree to transform the global economy in a climate-friendly way. The Fukushima nuclear power plant is hit by an earthquake. The EU Green Deal commits the EU to zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. With the development of apps, social networks and streaming services, digitalization is now also an important part of social life.

• 2010 Regine Stachelhaus becomes the first female member of the E.ON Board of Directors and Johannes Teyssen becomes Chairman of the E.ON Board of Directors.

• 2010 E.ON again divests shares worth billions of euros, including those in Gazprom, Central Networks UK and Midwest USA.

• 2010 The new strategy of the E.ON Group is announced in November. With the motto "Cleaner, better energy", the Group strives for greater development outside Europe and a stronger focus on reducing CO2 emissions.

• 2011 PreussenElektra begins the planned gradual closure and dismantling of its nuclear power plants: Isar 1 and Unterweser are closed in accordance with a scheduled moratorium.

• 2012 E.ON is transformed into a stock corporation (SE) in accordance with European law. A leaner structure and an international outlook ensure our efficiency in the future.

• 2014 In November, we announced that we will no longer use fossil resources for energy production in the future. At the end of the year, the conventional energy division will be transferred to the newly formed Uniper. From now on, E.ON will focus on renewable energies, energy grids and customer solutions.

• 2016 We move from Düsseldorf to Essen. From now on, the group headquarters will be located in Brussels Square.

• 2018 In January, we accepted the takeover offer from the Finnish energy group Fortum: E.ON completely divested Uniper.

• 2018 In March this year, we announced the reorganization of the energy businesses of RWE and E.ON, which included the acquisition of the grid and sales business of RWE's listed subsidiary innogy.

• 2019 The European Commission approves the agreement between RWE and E.ON.

2020s We are shaping the future of sustainable energy

The previously unknown coronavirus is raging around the world, causing a global shutdown of public life and economies. Electric vehicles are on the rise. Society, industry and the economy are ready to undergo a profound transformation to achieve CO2 neutrality. The energy transition brings new challenges to the energy industry, but also huge opportunities.

• 2020 innogy's grid and sales business is fully integrated into the E.ON Group.

• 2021 Generation change: Leonhard Birnbaum becomes CEO of E.ON SE. In July, the fifth energy package "Fit for 55" is published, which aims to align the EU's energy goals with the EU's new climate policy goals for 2030 and 2050. In addition, E.ON launches a €27 billion investment plan (2022-26) and the new strategy "Making quality energy accessible to everyone".

• In November 2022, a new subsidiary, E.ON One, was established to integrate digital energy solutions and products.