Swedish power utility Vattenfall is inviting potential bidders to express their interest in its lignite operations in Germany, whose sale is expected to continue into 2016. Vattenfall's lignite assets are mainly located in the states of Brandenburg and Saxony (Lusatia region) and correspond to the Boxberg, Jänschwalde, Schwarze Pumpe power plants, to Lippendorf block R power unit and to lignite mining activities (Jänschwalde, Nochten, Reichwalde, Welzow-Süd and Cottbus Nord). Ten hydropower plants located in the regions adjacent to the lignite assets are also offered for sale but only in conjunction with the German lignite assets (they will not be sold separately).
Vattenfall is pursuing its strategy to reduce its CO2 emissions and to focus on a more renewable-based activity portfolio. It will continue other business operations in Germany, such as district heating, electricity distribution, sales, trading and wind.