Lahti Energia has agreed to sell its natural gas business to Auris Kaasunjakelu and Suomen Kaasuenergia. Distribution and sales operations transfer at the beginning of October.
The transaction supports both companies’ long-term objectives and fits their strategies well. Lahti Energia will continue using natural gas in production.
“Natural gas has been an excellent fuel for the Lahti area and will remain so. It has also been a profitable business for Lahti Energia. Selling the network supports our strategic choice, allowing the capital released to be used for new businesses,” explains Lahti Energia CEO Eero Seesvaara.
“The acquisition and associated supply agreement are an important sign of trust: we consider Lahti Energia one of Finland’s most modern and forward-looking energy companies. Our long-term cooperation makes us both stronger in meeting the challenges of Finland’s natural gas market opening in 2020,” says Suomen Kaasuenergia CEO Mika Paloranta.
The sale has no immediate effect on Lahti Energia’s natural gas customers. The new operator will be responsible for deliveries and related obligations under existing agreements.
Lahti Energia will continue customer service and billing until the end of the year. Billing will then transfer automatically to the new owner without action by customers. Contact changes will be announced later. Disruption contacts, including the district heating and gas emergency number 0800 397 244, remain unchanged until 31 March 2019. The transaction does not affect Lahti Energia’s staff. Released staff capacity will be used to provide new heating services.
Further information
Lahti Energia Oy:
Eero Seesvaara, CEO, tel. 050 552 8401
www.lahtienergia.fi
Suomen Kaasuenergia Oy and Auris Kaasunjakelu Oy:
Mika Paloranta, CEO, tel. 050 45 24 138
Lahti Energia is a diversified energy group founded in 1907, investing in eco-efficiency and new technologies. Products include electricity, district heating and cooling, natural gas and other energy production and use services. It is an industrial energy services partner, supplying comprehensive energy services to several large industrial customers. In 2017, revenue was €175.6 million and the company employed 206 people.
Suomen Kaasuenergia is a Finnish energy company that sells and supplies clean natural gas and biogas to industry, heating plants, properties, developers, housing companies, restaurants and consumers. It believes in their competitiveness as clean fuels that are superior for many applications. Retail and distribution operations are divided between three companies: Suomen Kaasuenergia handles gas sales, Auris Kaasunjakelu gas distribution and Auris Energiaratkaisut heating solutions for industry and properties. They operate in 13 locations in southern Finland and together are Finland’s largest gas retailer and distributor. Their combined revenue in 2017 was approximately €35 million.