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E.ON AG

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FY2012 Annual Report · E.ON AG
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2012 Annual Report

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E.ON Group Financial Highlights

€ in millions 
Electricity sales1 (billion kWh)
Gas sales1 (billion kWh)

Sales 
EBITDA2
EBIT2

Net income/Net loss

Net income/Net loss attributable to shareholders of E.ON SE
Underlying net income2

Investments

Cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations

Economic net debt (at year-end)
Debt factor4

Equity

Total assets

ROACE (%)

Pretax cost of capital (%)

After-tax cost of capital (%)

Value added

Employees (at year-end)
Earnings per share6, 7 (€) 
Equity per share6, 7 (€)
Dividend per share8 (€)

Dividend payout
Market capitalization7 (€ in billions)

1Includes trading sales volume. 
2Adjusted for extraordinary effects (see Glossary).
3Change in absolute terms.
4Ratio of economic net debt and EBITDA.
5Change in percentage points.
6Attributable to shareholders of E.ON SE.
7Based on shares outstanding. 
8For the respective financial year; the 2012 figure is management’s proposed dividend.

2012

740.4

1,162.1

132,093

10,786

7,027

2,641

2,217

4,187

6,997

8,808

2011

733.7

1,107.5

112,954

9,293

5,438

-1,861

-2,219

2,501

6,524

6,610

-35,879

-36,385

3.3

38,819

140,426

11.1

7.7

5.6

2,156

72,083

1.16

18.34

1.10

2,097

26.9

3.9

39,613

152,872

8.4

8.3

6.1

90

78,889

-1.16

18.76

1.00

1,905

31.8

+/- %

+1

+5

+17

+16

+29

–

–

+67

+7

+33
+5063
-0.63

-2

-8
+2.75
-0.65
-0.55

–

-9

–

-2

+10

+10

-15

  Financial Calendar

May 3, 2013  2013 Annual Shareholders Meeting
May 6, 2013  Dividend Payout
May 8, 2013 
August 13, 2013 
November 13, 2013 

Interim Report: January – March 2013
Interim Report: January – June 2013
Interim Report: January – September 2013

March 12, 2014  Release of the 2013 Annual Report
April 30, 2014  2014 Annual Shareholders Meeting

May 2, 2014  Dividend Payout
May 13, 2014 
August 13, 2014 
November 12, 2014 

Interim Report: January – March 2014
Interim Report: January – June 2014
Interim Report: January – September 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contents

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

2  CEO Letter

4 

 Report of the Supervisory Board

10 

 E.ON Stock

  Management System

Technology and Innovation

Business Model
Strategy and Objectives

 Business Report
  Macroeconomic and Industry Environment

 Combined Group Management Report
 Corporate Profile

Business Performance
Earnings Situation
Financial Situation
Asset Situation 
E.ON SE’s Earnings, Financial, and Asset Situation
Financial and Non-financial Performance Indicators
- ROACE and Valued Added
- Corporate Sustainability
- Employees

12 
12 
12 
14 
18 
19 
22 
22 
29 
37 
45 
49 
50 
51 
51 
53 
54 
58 
58  Forecast Report
62  Risk Report
71  Opportunity Report
72 
74  Disclosures Regarding Takeovers
77  Corporate Governance Report 
77 
83 
93  Declaration of the Board of Management

Corporate Governance Declaration
Compensation Report

Internal Control System for the Accounting Process

 Subsequent Events Report

94 
94 
96 
97 
98 
100 
102 
104 

 Consolidated Financial Statements
Independent  Auditor’s Report
 Consolidated Statements of Income
 Consolidated Statements of Recognized Income and Expenses
 Consolidated Balance Sheets
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 Statement of Changes in Equity
 Notes

  208 
208 
210 

 Supervisory Board and Board of Management
 Members of the Supervisory Board
 Members of the Board of Management

  211 
211 
212 
213 
217 

 Tables and Explanations
 Explanatory Report of the Board of Management
 Summary of Financial Highlights
 Glossary of Financial Terms
 Financial Calendar

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2

CEO Letter

E.ON finished the 2012 financial year with solid results. Our EBITDA rose by 16 percent year on year to €10.8 billion, which is 
just inside the upper half of our forecast range. Our underlying net income, which is the figure we use to calculate our dividend 
payout, was €4.2 billion, which was also in the middle of our forecast range. This means that our underlying income per share 
was about €2.20. In May we’ll therefore recommend to the Annual Shareholders Meeting that E.ON pay out, as planned, a dividend 
of €1.10 per share. This would make us one of the top dividend performers in Germany’s DAX in 2013.

These solid results are gratifying. But they can’t hide the fact that our industry is undergoing a radical transformation. That’s 
why we conducted a detailed review of how, where, and to what extent these radical changes are impacting our businesses 
and what action we’ll take in response. As part of this process, we analyzed each of our businesses very carefully and assessed 
their opportunities and risks. Our analysis showed that in the medium term our business environment in Europe will remain 
difficult. The demand for power and gas declined significantly in nearly all our core markets in 2012. The EU Emissions Trading 
Scheme is ineffectual because there’s essentially no demand anymore for carbon allowances. At the same time, Europe’s energy 
system is being flooded with ever-greater quantities of renewable-source electricity, which is reducing the value of conventional 
generation assets, particularly our technologically advanced, climate-friendly gas-fired power plants.

But we also see that the new businesses that we’ve established and significantly expanded over the past five years—Russia, 
renewables, and E&P—are already performing very well and are making substantial contributions to our earnings. They don’t yet 
fully offset the difficult situation in our power generation business and in some of our regional markets. But they do represent 
a tangible countertrend. That’s why last year we laid the foundation for additional sources of future earnings by entering the 
Brazilian and Turkish markets and by expanding our distributed-energy and renewables businesses in our core European markets. 

Nevertheless, the magnitude of our current challenges makes it necessary for us to be even more decisive so that we can 
 continue the strategic transformation of our company in the face of lower earnings expectations. Above all this will require 
strict financial discipline. We need to adjust to the fact that our current business portfolio will generate less money for new 
investments. As a result, we’ll need to deploy our investment capital very selectively. That’s why our new medium-term plan 
consists exclusively of targeted investments in particularly attractive, value-enhancing growth businesses that will help 
 propel our company’s transformation. We plan to invest just over €6 billion this year. Just under €4 billion of that will go toward 
completing a small number of large-scale power-generation and gas-storage projects that were begun in prior years and 
toward the ongoing expansion of our renewables business and our activities outside Europe. We plan to invest about €1.5 billion 
in our network business and about €700 million to repair and maintain existing assets. In subsequent years we intend to 
 continue systematically consolidating our business, a consequence of which is that we’ll reduce our annual investments by 
nearly €2 billion. We’re abandoning plans to build a number of large-scale conventional generating units.

It will remain equally important for us to continue to achieve cost reductions and efficiency improvements in all of our businesses 
and processes, something we’ve successfully initiated through our E.ON 2.0 program. We’re well on our way toward achieving 
our goal of reducing our controllable costs to €8.3 billion by 2015 at the latest. And by unlocking capital through divestments, 
we’re ensuring that our balance sheet remains solid. By year-end 2012 we had already generated about €14 billion from the 
sale of noncore assets. We’ll surpass our original target of €15 billion by a wide margin and are now aiming for up to €20 billion. 
We’re using this money to reduce our debt but also to invest in our growth businesses of the future. 

It goes without saying that we’ll continue to work hard to ensure the profitability of our traditional core businesses, particularly 
conventional power generation. We expect policymakers to put in place a new market design for the power market, one that 
contains fair rules for maintaining reserve capacity and long-term incentives to encourage the construction of new assets. But 
until this design is in place, we’ll be even more rigorous about reducing costs and enhancing efficiency in our conventional 
generation business. As part of this effort, we’re reviewing whether to shut down assets with an aggregate capacity of 11 GW. 

CEO Letter
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Corporate Governance Report
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

3

At the same time, we’re significantly expanding our distributed-energy business. Building on a variety of activities at our  company, 
we’re giving a broad range of our customers access to micro generating units and smart energy technology. The next step 
will be to conduct centralized energy management of these units. When integrated into the overall power system, distributed 
generating units could play a key role in the transition to a lower-carbon future. And from a business and value perspective, 
one thousand 1 MW mini units are just as interesting to us as one big power station. 

Renewables will remain a big part of our future, and we’ve continued to expand this business. We now have 4.8 GW of capacity, 
which ranks us among the top players in onshore wind in the United States and offshore wind in Europe. We specialize in very 
efficient project development, which has made us a world leader in asset availability and cost reduction. This is one of the 
 reasons why our renewables fleet is already making a significant contribution to our earnings. We’ll continue moving forward on 
this path in the years ahead. We currently have about 2 GW of renewables capacity under construction, most of which is off-
shore wind in Europe and onshore wind in North America. After we complete London Array, we’ll have three projects—including 
Amrumbank West off Germany’s North Sea coast—in our pipeline. We’re already systematically applying our less-capital-more-
value approach to our renewables business. A good example is the planned sale of a stake in three wind farms in the United 
States to a Danish pension fund.

Alongside our wind business in North America, our power generation business in Russia is the most developed of our operations 
outside Europe. E.ON Russia has the most efficient assets in that country’s power market. And these assets are located in regions 
with solid economic growth and rising energy demand. Four state-of-the-art combined-cycle gas turbines with an aggregate 
capacity of 1.6 GW have entered service at Shatura, Yaiva, and Surgut 2 power stations. We invested a total of €1.8 billion in these 
assets. And we have another big new-build project under way: a new 800 MW coal-fired generating unit at Berezovskaya power 
station in Krasnoyarsk territory which will be completed in 2014. Last year we laid the foundation for additional growth in two 
new, fast-growing markets by forming joint ventures in Brazil and Turkey. Both involve existing portfolios that we’re helping to 
develop right from the start. We intend for our joint venture with Turkey’s Sabanci Holding to have a 10-percent share of Turkey’s 
generation market by 2020. And our joint venture with MPX in Brazil is also moving forward to develop generation projects that 
will deliver increasing earnings streams starting in the second half of this decade. Our first jointly developed asset is scheduled 
to enter service this autumn.

Let’s not fool ourselves: our company is operating in a difficult business environment. This is reflected in E.ON’s stock perfor-
mance, which in 2012 was unsatisfactory for all of us. The anticipated earnings shortfalls resulting from market changes and 
dislocations won’t be offset overnight. 

But we shouldn’t overlook the fact that from a strategic and operational perspective we made noteworthy progress in 2012. 
Our goal is still to rank among the best companies in our industry. You can be sure that we’re doing everything we can to put 
our company back on course for success. 

On behalf of my colleagues on the Board of Management, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank for the trust you’ve shown 
us in these difficult times. I’d also like to thank our employees who worked particularly hard for E.ON last year.

Best wishes,

Dr. Johannes Teyssen

4

Report of the Supervisory Board
Combined Group Management Report

Furthermore, there was a regular exchange of information 
between the Chairman of the Supervisory Board and the Chair-
man of Board of Management throughout the entire financial 
year. In fulfillment of his duties, the Chairman of the Supervi-
sory Board also maintained contact with the members of 
the Supervisory Board outside of board meetings. The Super-
visory Board was therefore continually informed about the 
current operating performance of the major Group companies, 
significant business transactions, the development of key 
financial figures, and relevant decisions under consideration.

Corporate Strategy

We carefully scrutinized the main aspects of the E.ON Group’s 
strategic development and related investment and divestment 
projects and discussed these matters thoroughly with the 
Board of Management.

The Board of Management reported on a regular basis and in 
detail about the implementation of the new strategic course 
the E.ON Group set in November 2010, particularly in view of 
Germany and Europe’s altered energy-policy environment 
and the further deterioration of Europe’s economic situation 
resulting from the unresolved sovereign debt crisis and its 
impact on the economy. One of the forums for this was the 
Supervisory Board’s two-day strategy session in August 2012, 
at which our thorough discussions with the Board of Manage-
ment centered on the opportunities and risks of different 
alternatives for each business in light of its respective competi-
tive environment. E.ON’s “cleaner & better energy” strategy 
remains valid. In close consultation with the Supervisory Board, 
the Board of Management is implementing, continually 
refining, and further articulating this strategy. 

The global economic and financial situation remained extremely 
difficult in 2012, and the energy industry underwent further 
far-reaching changes.

In the 2012 financial year the Supervisory Board carefully per-
formed all its duties and obligations under law, the Company’s 
Articles of Association, and its own policies and procedures. 
It thoroughly examined the Company’s situation and discussed 
in depth the consequences of its continually changing energy-
policy and economic environment.

We advised the Board of Management regularly about the Com-
pany’s management and continually monitored the Board of 
Management’s activities, assuring ourselves that the Company’s 
management was legal, purposeful, and orderly. We were 
closely involved in all business transactions of key importance 
to the Company and discussed these transactions thoroughly 
based on the Board of Management’s reports. At the E.ON AG 
Supervisory Board’s three regular meetings and two extraor-
dinary meetings and at the E.ON SE Supervisory Board’s three 
meetings in the 2012 financial year, we addressed in depth all 
issues relevant to the Company. All E.ON AG Supervisory Board 
members attended all meetings with the exception of two 
members who were unable to attend one meeting each. E.ON SE 
Supervisory Board meetings were attended by all members 
who had already been appointed to the Supervisory Board by 
time of the respective meeting with the exception of one 
member who was unable to attend one meeting. The Board 
of Management regularly provided us with timely and com-
prehensive information in both written and oral form. At the 
meetings of the full Supervisory Board and its committees, 
we had sufficient opportunity to actively discuss the Board 
of Management’s reports, motions, and proposed resolutions. 
We voted on such matters when it was required by law, the 
Company’s Articles of Association, or the Supervisory Board’s 
policies and procedures. The Supervisory Board agreed to 
the resolutions proposed by the Board of Management after 
thoroughly examining and discussing them.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

5

In this regard, the Board of Management informed us in par-
ticular about E.ON’s activities to expand its renewables capacity, 
about opportunities in the distributed generation business, 
and about planned activities outside Europe. With regard to 
the third point, the main topics were the creation of a joint 
venture with Brazil’s MPX and the transactions that related to 
E.ON’s entry into the Turkish market, which the Supervisory 
Board approved. We were also informed in a timely manner 
about other growth options.

The Board of Management presented detailed information 
about other measures to optimize E.ON’s portfolio as part of 
the implementation of its corporate strategy. These included 
the sale of E.ON’s gas transmission system operator in Germany 
(Open Grid Europe, or “OGE”) and its stakes in a regional utility 
in Germany (E.ON Thüringer Energie AG), an energy company 
in Slovakia (Slovenský Plynárenský Priemysel a.s., or “SPP”), 
and a nuclear power development project in the United King-
dom (Horizon Nuclear Power). The Board of Management also 
informed us in detail about the sale of E.ON’s 51-percent stake 
in waste-incineration company E.ON Energy from Waste AG 
and the planned sale of 50-percent stakes in three wind farms 
in the United States as well as the sale of other equity inter-
ests. When required, the Supervisory Board approved these 
transactions.

Finally, the Supervisory Board discussed the efforts to secure 
E.ON’s competitiveness in view of the deteriorating economic 
and policy environment. These discussions focused in particular 
on the implementation and the periodic status of E.ON 2.0, 
a restructuring program launched in August 2011. In 2012 this 
program already delivered substantial organizational changes 
and cost reductions relative to 2010, in part through significant 
staff reductions. This will ensure that E.ON achieves lasting 
reductions in its controllable costs, thereby enhancing its per-
formance in an enduring way. The E.ON Group’s medium-term 
objective is for the performance of its operational and admin-
istrative functions to rank in the top quartile of its industry.

E.ON AG’s Transformation into a European Company

We thoroughly discussed E.ON AG’s transformation into a 
European Company (Societas Europaea, or “SE”). The SE offers 
European companies the opportunity to incorporate them-
selves in a form recognized across the EU. At the recommen-
dation of the Board of Management and the Supervisory 
Board, the E.ON Annual Shareholders Meeting approved the 
transformation with more than 99 percent of the votes cast. 
E.ON’s transformation into an SE became official on Novem-
ber 15, 2012, when it was entered into the commercial register 
of the Düsseldorf district court.

E.ON is the fourth SE in the DAX, Germany’s blue-chip stock 
index. By establishing a leaner governance setup, the transfor-
mation aims primarily to make the Supervisory Board’s work 
more efficient and effective. In addition, the new form of incor-
poration and the Supervisory Board’s broad European repre-
sentation underscore E.ON’s decidedly international identity. 
The transformation also reduced the size of the Supervisory 
Board from 20 to 12 members while maintaining equal repre-
sentation of shareholders and employees.

Business Situation and Energy-Policy Environment, 
Medium-Term Plan, and Legal Proceedings  

We discussed in detail the business situation of E.ON Group 
companies in relation to developments in national and inter-
national energy markets, about which the Board of Manage-
ment continually informed us. The full Supervisory Board dis-
cussed E.ON AG/SE’s and E.ON Group’s current asset, financial, 
and earnings situation, workforce developments, and earnings 
opportunities and risks. In our discussions of the E.ON Group’s 
medium-term plan, the Supervisory Board took note of the 
plan for 2013-2015 and, together with the Board of Manage-
ment, discussed how the Company would proceed.

6

Report of the Supervisory Board

We discussed the impact of several factors—Europe’s economic 
performance as it relates to the ongoing sovereign debt crisis 
in Europe, the continuance of a variety of forms of government 
intervention and their lasting impact on the energy business 
across Europe, and the continued tepid global economy—on 
E.ON’s business situation. We also discussed current develop-
ments in markets relevant for E.ON, the development of global 
fuel prices and of power prices, and growing overcapacity 
in the generation business in Germany and other E.ON core 
markets, as well as the further consequences for E.ON’s over-
all business resulting from its significantly altered business 
environment due to the transformation of Germany’s energy 
system. In addition, the Board of Management informed us 
about the current status of negotiations with gas producers 
regarding the terms of long-term gas supply contracts.

Furthermore, the Board of Management informed us about 
the scope of E.ON’s use of derivative financial instruments and 
how the regulation of these instruments will affect E.ON’s 
business. We also discussed E.ON’s ratings situation with the 
Board of Management. In addition, the Board of Management 
informed us regularly about developments in E.ON’s individual 
markets and the resulting need to record impairment charges. 
In this regard, we thoroughly discussed the impact on E.ON’s 
business environment in the context of a further deterioration 
of the long-term development of power prices, the future 
capacity utilization of power plants, and increasingly inter-
ventionist regulatory and fiscal policies.

A key topic of the Supervisory Board’s discussions was also the 
current status of the appeal to Germany’s Constitutional Court 
regarding the amended Atomic Energy Act. This included 
 discussions of the reasons for the legal action taken against 
the laws and ordinances relating to the transformation of 
Germany’s energy system. On a regular basis, we also dealt 
thoroughly with the current status of the legal disputes 
 relating to the construction of a new generating unit in Datteln, 
Germany. The Board of Management made periodic and 
detailed presentations about ongoing antitrust proceedings 
and investigations by the European Union. Furthermore, we 
thoroughly discussed the increasing instances of policy and 
regulatory intervention by governments of European countries 
like Italy, Spain, Sweden, Hungary, and the Netherlands.

Corporate Governance 

In the 2012 financial year we again had intensive discussions 
about the implementation of the recommendations of the 
German Corporate Governance Code (“the Code”). 

The Supervisory Board dealt with recurring matters of Board 
of Management compensation and, as part of its review of 
the Board of Management’s compensation plan, passed a reso-
lution partially altering the plan’s variable components. 
Consequently, together with the Board of Management, on 
March 13, 2012, we issued an updated declaration of com-
pliance in view of the Company’s deviation from the Code’s 
recommendation that there should be no retroactive changes 
to performance targets or benchmark parameters used to 
determine the Board of Management’s compensation. The Com-
pensation Report on pages 83 to 92 contains detailed informa-
tion about the matters of Board of Management compensation 
behind the decision that necessitated the updated declaration.

On December 10, 2012, in the annual declaration of compliance 
issued at the end of the year, we and the Board of Management 
declared that E.ON, with the above-described exception, has 
complied with the recommendations of the Code dated May 15, 
2012. Furthermore, we declared that E.ON complied with the 
recommendations of the Code dated May 26, 2010, from the last 
annual declaration on December 12, 2011, until the updated 
declaration on March 13, 2012, with one exception and since 
then additionally with the above-described exception. The 
other exception is that the compensation scheme for the Super-
visory Board that took effect at the start of the 2011 financial 
year does not contain performance-related compensation. 
The new version of the Code dated May 15, 2012, no longer con-
tains this recommendation; consequently, deviation from the 
new version of the Code does not need to be declared. The 
current version of the declaration of compliance is in the Cor-
porate Governance Report on page 77; updates as well as 
earlier versions are published on the Internet at www.eon.com.

 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

7

The Supervisory Board is aware of no indications of conflicts 
of interest involving members of the Board of Management 
or the Supervisory Board.

The Mediation Committee (pursuant to Section 27, Paragraph 3, 
of Germany’s Codetermination Act) consists of the same mem-
bers as the Executive Committee. It did not meet in 2012. Its 
existence ended with the Company’s transformation into an SE.

At its one meeting the Nomination Committee prepared the 
recommendation for the Annual Shareholders Meeting for 
the election of the shareholder representatives. All members 
of the committee attended this meeting. In recommending 
candidates for election to the Supervisory Board, the Nomina-
tion Committee took into consideration the requirements 
of Germany’ Stock Corporation Act, the Code, the Supervisory 
Board’s policies and procedures, and the targets the Super-
visory Board set for its composition, thereby ensuring that Super-
visory Board members and the Supervisory Board as a whole 
have the knowledge, skills, and professional experience nec-
essary to carry out their duties properly.

The Finance and Investment Committee of E.ON AG held four 
meetings, that of E.ON SE one. Attendance was complete at 
all meetings. The matters addressed by the committee included 
the formation of a joint venture with Brazilian company MPX, 
the sale of OGE, the sale of a stake in E.ON Energy from Waste, 
the sale of stakes in E.ON Thüringer Energie in Germany 
and SPP in Slovakia, and status reports on E.ON’s entry into the 
Turkish market. In particular, the committee also prepared 
resolutions on transactions requiring the Supervisory Board’s 
approval or, for matters on which it had the authority, made 
the decision itself. Furthermore, it discussed in depth with 
the Board of Management the results of two post-completion 
audits of investments in renewables made in 2007.

Furthermore, the Supervisory Board discussed the results of 
its efficiency review. In this context, training and advanced-
training sessions on selected issues were conducted for Super-
visory Board members. The new members who joined the 
Supervisory Board in 2012 received comprehensive information 
to prepare them for their new duties and participated in an 
advanced-training session where they were informed about 
their rights and obligations and about current developments.

Finally, in view of the Company’s transformation into an SE 
and the resulting decrease in the Supervisory Board’s size, 
the Supervisory Board adjusted the targets for its composition 
that had first been set in December 2010 with regard to Item 
5.4.1 of the Code. The targets and the status of their achieve-
ment are described in the Corporate Governance Report on 
pages 80 and 81.

Committee Work 

To fulfill its duties carefully and efficiently, the Supervisory 
Board of E.ON AG/SE created the committees described in 
greater detail below. Information about the committees’ com-
position is in the Corporate Governance Report on pages 81 
and 82. Within the scope permissible by law, the Supervisory 
Board has transferred to the committees the authority to pass 
resolutions on certain matters. Chairpersons report to the full 
Supervisory Board, periodically and without delay, about the 
agenda and results of their respective committee’s meetings.

The Executive Committee of E.ON AG met five times, that of 
E.ON SE once. Attendance was complete at all meetings. In 
particular, this committee prepared the meetings of the full 
Supervisory Board. Among other things, it prepared matters 
relating to Board of Management compensation, thoroughly 
reviewed the Board of Management’s compensation plan, 
and did comprehensive preparatory work for the Supervisory 
Board’s resolutions on this matter. In addition, it thoroughly 
discussed E.ON AG’s transformation into an SE and all related 
issues, including the transformation documents and E.ON 
SE’s Articles of Association as well as the policies and proce-
dures of the Supervisory Board and its committees.

8

Report of the Supervisory Board

The Audit and Risk Committee met four times. Attendance was 
complete at all meetings. With due attention to the Indepen-
dent Auditor’s Report and in discussions with the independent 
auditor, the committee devoted particular attention to the 
2011 Financial Statements of E.ON AG (prepared in accordance 
with the German Commercial Code) and the E.ON Group’s 2011 
Consolidated Financial Statements and 2012 Interim Reports 
of E.ON AG (prepared in accordance with International Finan-
cial Reporting Standards, or “IFRS”). The committee discussed 
the recommendation for selecting an independent auditor for 
the 2012 financial year and assigned the tasks for the audit-
ing services, established the audit priorities, determined the 
independent auditor’s compensation, and verified the auditor’s 
qualifications and independence in line with the Code’s rec-
ommendations. The committee assured itself that the indepen-
dent auditor has no conflicts of interest. Topics of particularly 
detailed discussions included issues relating to accounting, the 
internal control system, and risk management in relation to 
the accounting process. In addition, the committee thoroughly 
discussed the Combined Group Management Report and the 
proposal for appropriating income available for distribution 
and prepared the relevant recommendations for the Supervi-
sory Board and reported to the Supervisory Board. In this 
context, the committee also discussed in detail the progress 
of significant investment projects as well as the results of 
the goodwill impairment tests and the necessary impairment 
charges. Other matters dealt with by the committee included 
the testing and quality control of E.ON’s risk management 
system. The committee focused on the Company’s risk-monitor-
ing organization as well as its risk situation and ability to 
bear risk, in particular counterparty, liquidity, country, market, 
and operational risks. It did this by working with the inde-
pendent auditor and by examining documents that included 
reports from the Company’s risk committee. The committee 
also discussed the work done by internal audit including the 
audit plan in 2012 and the audit priorities for 2013. Further-
more, the committee discussed the compliance report and 
E.ON’s compliance system, as well as other issues related to 
auditing. The Board of Management also reported on ongoing 
proceedings and on legal and regulatory risks for the E.ON 
Group’s business, the investigation of a fraud case at E.ON 
Energy Trading SE, and other current tax and insurance issues.

Examination and Approval of the Financial State-
ments, Approval of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements, Proposal for Appropriating Income 
Available for Distribution 

PricewaterhouseCoopers Aktiengesellschaft, Wirtschafts-
prüfungsgesellschaft, Düsseldorf, the independent auditor 
 chosen by the Annual Shareholders Meeting and appointed 
by the Supervisory Board, audited and submitted an unquali-
fied opinion on the Financial Statements of E.ON SE and the 
Combined Group Management Report for the year ended 
December 31, 2012. The Consolidated Financial Statements 
prepared in accordance with IFRS exempt E.ON SE from the 
requirement to publish Consolidated Financial Statements in 
accordance with the German Commercial Code.

Furthermore, the auditor examined E.ON SE’s risk detection 
system. This examination revealed that the Board of Manage-
ment has taken appropriate measures to meet the require-
ments of risk monitoring and that the risk detection system 
is fulfilling its tasks.

At the Supervisory Board’s meeting on March 12, 2013, we 
thoroughly examined—in the presence of the independent 
auditor and with knowledge of, and reference to, the Inde-
pendent Auditor’s Report and the results of the preliminary 
review by the Audit and Risk Committee—E.ON SE’s Financial 
Statements, Consolidated Financial Statements, Combined 
Group Management Report, and the Board of Management’s 
proposal regarding the appropriation of net income available 
for distribution. The independent auditor was available for 
supplementary questions and answers. We found no reasons, 
including after the conclusion of our examination, for objec-
tions regarding these documents. We therefore noted with 
approval the Independent Auditor’s Report.

We approved the Financial Statements of E.ON SE prepared 
by the Board of Management and the Consolidated Financial 
Statements. The Financial Statements are thus adopted. 
We agree with the Combined Group Management Report and, 
in particular, with its statements concerning E.ON’s future 
development.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

9

We examined the Board of Management’s proposal for appro-
priating income available for distribution, which includes a 
cash dividend of €1.10 per ordinary share, also taking into con-
sideration the Company’s liquidity and its finance and invest-
ment plans. The proposal is in the Company’s interest with 
due consideration for the shareholders’ interests. After exam-
ining and weighing all arguments, we agree with the Board 
of Management’s proposal for appropriating income available 
for distribution.

Personnel Changes on the Board of Management 
and Supervisory Board 

There were no personal changes on the Board of Management 
in the 2012 financial year. As part of E.ON AG’s transformation 
into an SE, the members of the E.ON AG Board of Management 
were appointed as members of the E.ON SE Board of Man-
agement.

E.ON AG’s transformation into an SE did not alter the equal 
representation of shareholder and employee representatives 
on the Supervisory Board. But it did reduce the Supervisory 
Board’s size from 20 to 12 members and led to personnel 
changes. Werner Wenning, Baroness Denise Kingsmill, Prof. Dr. 
Ulrich Lehner, René Obermann, Dr. Karen de Segundo, and 
Dr. Theo Siegert had already been elected as shareholder rep-
resentatives at the 2012 Annual Shareholders Meeting. In 
October 2012 Erhard Ott, Gabriele Gratz, Eugen-Gheorghe Luha, 
Klaus Dieter Raschke, Eberhard Schomburg, and Willem Vis 
were appointed to the Supervisory Board as employee repre-
sentatives. The shareholder representatives on the E.ON SE 
Supervisory Board were elected or appointed to serve only 
until the conclusion of the Annual Shareholders Meeting that 
resolves whether to approve the Board of Management’s 
actions during the 2012 financial year. The employee represen-
tatives were appointed for the Supervisory Board’s next term 
of service as well.

and Mr. Wenning were elected members of the Finance and 
Investment Committee. Dr. Siegert, Mr. Raschke, Mr. Schomburg, 
and Mr. Wenning were elected members of the Audit and Risk 
Committee. Pursuant to the Supervisory Board’s policies and 
procedures, Mr. Wenning and Prof. Dr. Lehner are members 
of the Nomination Committee; Dr. de Segundo was elected as 
the committee’s third member. 

With E.ON AG’s transformation into E.ON SE, the following 
shareholder representatives ended their service on the 
Supervisory Board: Bård Mikkelsen, Ulrich Hocker, Dr. Henning 
Schulte-Noelle, and Dr. Georg Freiherr von Waldenfels. We 
would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their 
service to the Company. Over the course of many years, 
E.ON (and in some cases its predecessor entities, VEBA and VIAG) 
benefited from their wise counsel and business acumen.

On the employee-representative side, Werner Bartoschek, 
Sven Bergelin, Oliver Biniek, Hans Prüfer, Dr. Walter Reitler, and 
Hans Wollitzer ended their service on the Supervisory Board 
with the transformation into E.ON SE. We would like to take 
this opportunity to thank them for their work on the Super-
visory Board and their steadfast dedication.

The Supervisory Board wishes to thank the Board of Manage-
ment, the Works Councils, and all the employees of the E.ON 
Group for their dedication and hard work in the 2012 finan-
cial year.

Düsseldorf
March 12, 2013
The Supervisory Board

Best wishes,

Mr. Wenning, the Chairman of the E.ON AG Supervisory Board, 
was elected Chairman of the E.ON SE Supervisory Board. On 
the recommendation of the shareholder and employee repre-
sentatives, respectively, Prof. Dr. Lehner and Mr. Ott were 
appointed to serve as Deputy Chairmen.

Werner Wenning 
Chairman 

There were the following changes on the committees. Pur-
suant to the Supervisory Board’s policies and procedures, 
Mr. Wenning, Prof. Dr. Lehner, and Mr. Ott are members the 
Executive Committee; Mr. Raschke was elected as the com-
mittee’s fourth member. Mrs. Gratz, Dr. de Segundo, Mr. Vis, 

 
10

E.ON Stock 

E.ON Stock in 2012 

(+5 percent over the same period) and the EURO STOXX 50 
index (+18 percent).

At the end of 2012, E.ON stock (factoring in reinvested divi-
dends) was 11 percent below its year-end closing price for 2011, 
thereby underperforming its peer index, the STOXX Utilities 

E.ON Stock Performance (Factoring in Reinvested Dividends) 

Percentages 

  E.ON    

  EURO STOXX1    

  STOXX Utilities1

120

110

100

90

12/30/11

1/30/12

3/1/12

4/1/12

5/1/12

6/1/12

7/1/12

8/1/12

9/1/12

10/1/12

11/1/12

12/1/12

12/31/12

1Based on the performance index.

Ten-Year Performance of E.ON Stock

Development 2002–2012

Investors who purchased €5,000 worth of E.ON stock at the end 
of 2002 and reinvested their cash dividends (including the 
special dividend in 2006) saw the value of their investment 
increase to €9,446 by the end of 2012, which represents an 
average annual return of 6.6 percent. E.ON stock thus slightly 
underperformed the STOXX Utilities (+6.9 percent) but outper-
formed the EURO STOXX 50 (+4.0 percent).

E.ON

STOXX Utilities

EURO STOXX

Dividend

+/- %

+89

+95

+49

E.ON Stock Key Figures1
€ per share

Earnings attributable to the 
 shareholders of E.ON SE

Earnings from underlying net income

Dividend2

Dividend payout (€ in millions)

Twelve-month high3

Twelve-month low3

Year-end closing price3

Number of shares outstanding 
(in millions)

Market capitalization4 (€ in billions)

E.ON stock trading volume5 
(€ in billions)

2012

1.16

2.20

1.10

2,097

19.52

13.80

14.09

1,906

26.9

39.6

2011

-1.16

1.31

1.00

1,905

25.11

12.88

16.67

1,905

31.8

57.4

1Adjusted for discontinued operations.
2For the respective financial year; the 2012 figure is management’s proposed dividend.
3Xetra. 
4Based on ordinary shares outstanding.
5On all German stock exchanges, including Xetra.

At the 2013 Annual Shareholders Meeting, management will 
propose a cash dividend of €1.10 per share for the 2012 finan-
cial year (prior year: €1). The payout ratio (as a percentage of 
underlying net income) would be 50 percent compared with 
a ratio of 76 percent in the prior year. Based on E.ON stock’s 
year-end 2012 closing price, the dividend yield is 7.8 percent.

Dividend per Share

€ per share 

 Dividend    

 Payout ratio1 (%)

1.50

1.37

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.00

0.50

51

51

59

54

1.00

76

1.10

50

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

1Payout ratio not adjusted for discontinued operations.

 
CEO Letter
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 
Tables and Explanations 

11

Shareholder Structure

Investor Relations

Our most recent analysis shows that we have roughly 75 per-
cent institutional investors and 25 percent retail investors. 
Investors in Germany hold about 37 percent of our stock, those 
outside Germany about 63 percent.

Shareholder Structure by Group1

Retail 
investors  25%

Institutional 

investors  75%

1Percentages based on total investors identified.
Sources: Share register (as of January 31, 2013), 
Thomson Reuters (as of December 31, 2012).

Shareholder Structure by Country/Region1

Rest of world

4%

37%  Germany

Switzerland

7%

France

8%

United Kingdom

12%

Rest of Europe 

14%

USA and Canada

18%

1Percentages based on total investors identified.
Sources: Share register (as of January 31, 2013), 
Thomson Reuters (as of December 31, 2012).

Our investor relations (“IR”) are founded on four principles: 
openness, continuity, credibility, and equal treatment of all 
investors. Each year we work hard to be even better in each 
of these areas. Our mission is to provide prompt, transparent 
information at our periodic conferences, at road shows, at 
eon.com, and when we meet personally with investors.

The 2012 financial year was again characterized by considerable 
structural challenges in our market environment in Europe. 
The year saw yet another dramatic deterioration of long-term 
earnings prospects, particularly in conventional power gener-
ation in Europe. In view of these developments, in November 
2012 we withdrew our 2013 forecast as well as our medium-
term earnings forecast through 2015. During the next two 
months we carefully analyzed each of our businesses, assessed 
their respective opportunities and risks, and used this infor-
mation to design a new medium-term plan. Soon afterwards 
we presented the main results of this review to analysts and 
investors at our Capital Market Day at the end of January 2013.

Our significantly lower forecast for 2013 shows that E.ON is 
not immune to the difficult market environment in Europe. 
However, key components of our strategy remain valid. We 
have set clear priorities for our investments and, relative to 
our last medium-term plan, have significantly reduced our 
total investments. We will systematically deliver the cost reduc-
tions and efficiency improvements we announced last year. 
We will selectively develop particularly attractive and value-
enhancing growth businesses. In particular, we intend to 
seize opportunities in renewables, distributed-energy solutions, 
and our growth platforms outside Europe to create new 
sources of future earnings.

Despite our difficult business environment, we continued to 
seek opportunities for intensive, personal dialog with our 
analysts and investors. Continually communicating with our 
investors and strengthening our relationships with them are 
essential for good IR.

Want to find out more?
www.eon.com/investors
You can contact us at:
investorrelations@eon.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
12 Combined Group Management Report

EBITDA and underlying net income surpass prior-year figures
Operating cash flow up significantly
Management to propose dividend of €1.10 per share
2013 EBITDA expected to be between €9.2 and €9.8 billion

Corporate Profile 

Business Model

E.ON is a major investor-owned energy company. Our setup 
ensures that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined 
across our organization so that we can achieve our objectives 
in the most efficient way possible. Our operations are seg-
mented into global units and regional units. This setup took 
effect on January 1, 2011. 

E.ON SE in Düsseldorf serves as Group Management. It over-
sees and coordinates the operations of the entire Group. 
We see ourselves as a global, specialized provider of energy 
solutions. Five global units are responsible for Generation, 
Renewables, New Build & Technology, Optimization & Trading, 
and Exploration & Production. Eleven regional units manage 
our operating business in Europe. Russia is a special-focus 
country. Support functions like IT, procurement, and business 
processes are organized functionally.

Group Management
Group Management in Düsseldorf oversees the E.ON Group 
as a whole and coordinates its operations. Its tasks include 
charting E.ON’s strategic course, defining its financial policy 
and initiatives, managing business issues that transcend 
individual markets, managing risk, continually optimizing 
the Group’s business portfolio, and conducting stakeholder 
management.

IT, procurement, insurance, consulting, and business processes 
provide valuable support for our core businesses wherever 
we operate. These functions are centrally organized so that 
we pool professional expertise across our organization and 
leverage synergies.

CEO Letter
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 
Tables and Explanations 

13

E.ON International Energy’s mission is to work with local 
partners to develop renewable and conventional generating 
capacity in attractive, fast-growing regions outside Europe. 
In addition, we intend to selectively expand our distributed-
generation business in Europe, which is why we founded a 
new entity called E.ON Connecting Energies in 2012. Its mission 
is to provide our customers with all-in-one distributed-energy 
solutions. Both of these entities are currently part of Group 
Management.

Organizational Changes
In conjunction with our E.ON 2.0 program, we initiated far-
reaching organizational changes in the second half of 2011. We 
continued, and in some cases completed, this process in 2012. 
Among these changes was the combination of the Trading seg-
ment and parts of the Gas segment into a new segment called 
Optimization & Trading. This change took effect on January 1, 
2012. In addition, the Exploration & Production division, which 
was part of the Gas segment until the end of 2011, is now its 
own segment. Prior-year figures were adjusted accordingly.

Global Units
We manage all our operations in Europe’s converging markets 
on a cross-border basis through functionally segmented enti-
ties called global units.

Four of our global units are reporting segments: Generation, 
Renewables, , Optimization & Trading, and Exploration & Pro-
duction. A fifth, New Build & Technology, is reported under 
Group Management.

New Build & Technology brings together our comprehensive 
project-management and engineering expertise to support 
the construction of new power plants and the operation of 
existing plants across E.ON. This unit also coordinates our 
Group-wide research and development projects for the E.ON 
Innovation Centers.

Generation
Our generation fleet is one of the biggest and most efficient 
in Europe. We have major asset positions in Germany, the 
United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, Spain, France, and the Benelux 
countries, giving us one of the broadest geographic footprints 
among European power producers. We also have one of the 
most balanced fuel mixes in our industry.

The Generation global unit consists of all our conventional 
(fossil and nuclear) generation assets in Europe. It manages 
and optimizes these assets across national boundaries.

Renewables
Our Renewables global unit plays a key role in expanding 
renewables capacity in many countries across Europe and the 
world. Renewables are good for the environment and have 
great potential as a business. This is why we are steadily 
increasing renewables’ share of our generation portfolio and 
aim to play a leading role in this growing market. We contin-
ually seek out new solutions and technologies that will make 
the energy supply more environmentally friendly. We there-
fore make significant investments in wind, biomass, solar, and 
marine energy.

Optimization & Trading
As the link between E.ON and the world’s wholesale energy 
markets, our Optimization & Trading global unit buys and sells 
electricity, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, oil, coal, freight, 
biomass, and carbon allowances. It also manages and develops 
assets at several phases of the gas value chain, such as 
 pipelines, long-term supply contracts, and storage facilities.

Exploration & Production
E.ON E&P is a growth business with good prospects for the 
future. It operates in four focus regions: the U.K. and Norwegian 
North Sea, Russia, and North Africa.

Regional Units
Eleven regional units manage our operating business in 
Europe. They are responsible for sales, regional energy networks, 
and distributed generation. They are also close partners of 
the global units operating in their respective region, for which 
they provide a broad range of important functions, such as 
HR management and accounting. In addition, they are the sole 
point of contact for all stakeholders, including policymakers, 
government agencies, trade associations, and the media.

Our regional units in 2012 were Germany, the United Kingdom, 
Sweden, Italy, Spain, France, Benelux, Hungary, Czechia, Slo-
vakia, Romania, and, until the end of June, Bulgaria.

Russia is a special-focus country, where our business centers 
on power generation. This business is not integrated into 
the Generation global unit because of its geographic location 
and because Russia’s power system is not part of Europe’s 
integrated grid.

14

Corporate Profile

Strategy and Objectives

“Cleaner & better energy”—in and outside Europe—is the guiding 
theme of the strategic course we announced in November 2010. 
E.ON will transform itself from a primarily European energy 
utility into a global, specialized provider of energy solutions. 
Our course states a clear commitment on our part and pro-
vides answers not only to current challenges but also to long-
term megatrends in the European and global energy world.

By making “cleaner & better energy” our guiding theme, we are 
not setting targets for E.ON or for policymakers but rather 
stating our commitment to improving energy systems in our 
markets. We purposely chose “clean” and not “green.” And 
we purposely chose the comparative form because this is not 
about defining absolute metrics or uniform targets for all 
parts of the world but rather about continual improvement 
processes. In this sense, our products and services are cleaner 
if they substantially improve energy quality in terms of envi-
ronmental protection and efficiency. Our energy is better 
when our performance and technology deployment are signifi-
cantly better than our competitors’, thereby enabling us 
to design superior products and services for our customers.

Though the market environment in Europe has become 
increasingly difficult for us in recent years, we remain firmly 
convinced that our strategy prepares us well for the future. We 
believe that the European energy system’s trend toward 
renewables will continue. And we believe that in many 
 markets outside Europe the demand for energy will continue to 
increase, fueled by steady population growth and rising living 
standards. In all our markets, however, we will only achieve 
lasting success if we focus on what we do better than others 
and if our superior performance enables us to offer products 
and services at competitive terms.

E.ON’s transformation will not happen overnight but is all the 
more important and urgent in light of the substantial chal-
lenges faced by our business in Europe. Power and gas markets 
remain oversupplied, government regulation and intervention 
continue to increase. The principles of market integration and 
competition are becoming progressively less prominent. In 
addition, our business is affected in a lasting way by Germany’s 
decision to transform its energy system and to accelerate 

the phaseout of nuclear energy as well as by the euro zone 
and Europe’s relapse into recession. It is also affected by 
technological developments, such as the significant decrease 
in the manufacturing costs of equipment for renewable-source 
power generation.

Our strategy focuses on achieving clear competitive advantages 
and offering efficient, environmentally friendly energy solu-
tions in and outside Europe. The transformation of our company 
will benefit our employees, customers, and investors alike.

Strategic Focus Areas
All our activities have a shared objective: we want energy to 
be cleaner and better. We are convinced that affordability, 
security of supply, and climate protection can be mutually com-
patible elements of a successful business strategy, even in 
economically difficult times.

In the years ahead we will adjust E.ON’s business portfolio 
even more stringently in line with our strategy, thereby 
 propelling E.ON’s transformation toward a well-balanced port-
folio and improved profitability. Our main focus will be on 
expanding our operations in renewables, power generation 
outside Europe, and distributed-energy solutions. These are 
the areas in which we see significant market opportunities 
and can capitalize on our capabilities. We will therefore direct 
our new growth investments at these businesses. We will 
sharpen the focus of our position in Europe. To achieve this, we 
will concentrate on existing and new business models in 
which we can leverage our expertise into attractive returns. In 
2010 we announced that we would divest €15 billion worth 
of businesses by the end of 2013 in order to propel E.ON’s trans-
formation and to increase our financial flexibility. By the end 
of 2012 we had already made about  €14 billion of divestments.

Another key focus area will be performance and competitive-
ness, which are decisive success factors in an increasingly 
demanding market environment. We are committed to making 
our organizational setup and processes significantly more 
efficient in order to achieve lasting cost savings. In parallel, 
we intend to further enhance our operating performance 
and sharpen our innovative edge in order to react more swiftly 
to market changes.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

15

How do we intend to achieve all this? The four key compo-
nents of our strategy provide answers:

Investments
Less capital,
more value

Performance
Effi ciency &
Capabilities

Europe
Restructuring 
& New business 
models

Outside
Europe
Profi table 
growth

cleaner & better energy

Europe
Europe is and will remain our home market. The transformation 
of Europe’s energy system continues to offer us attractive 
growth opportunities in renewables and distributed energy. 
Nevertheless, many of our businesses in Europe face increas-
ing instances of policy and regulatory intervention. This applies 
in particular to our conventional generation business, whose 
business model had been based on a liberalized EU-wide 
internal market for energy.  In view of the increasingly difficult 
market environment, we will continue to systematically assess 
the profitability of our businesses in Europe, to optimize them, 
and to sharpen their focus. With these factors in mind, we 
have set the following course for these businesses:

A key focus of our growth in Europe is renewables, primarily 
onshore and offshore wind but also solar and biomass. At the 
end of 2012 we had almost 2.1 GW (prior year: just under 2 GW) 
of installed capacity in these technologies in Europe. In the 
years ahead E.ON will continue to rapidly expand its renewable 
capacity on an industrial scale. In doing so, we strive to further 
reduce the specific costs of renewables relative to conventional 
technologies, helping to make renewables increasingly com-
petitive. Focusing exclusively on the best locations and partners 
will ensure that our projects yield attractive returns.

Alongside renewables, competitive conventional generation 
assets will remain an important part of E.ON’s business 
in Europe. In principle, operationally flexible conventional 

generating capacity ideally supplements the steadily increasing 
proportion of renewables in the energy mix and ensures a 
reliable power supply even on cloudy, windless days. However, 
the conventional power generation business in Europe cur-
rently faces substantial margin pressure owing to the massive, 
publicly supported expansion of renewables, overcapacity 
resulting from the economic crisis, and low wholesale prices. 
In this environment the profitability of even the most techno-
logically advanced gas-fired power plants is questionable, at 
least in the near term. In addition, the growing dominance of 
national energy-policy agendas is making it increasingly diffi-
cult to conduct cross-border dispatch planning and marketing 
of conventional power generation assets in a manner con-
sistent with an EU-wide internal energy market. In the years 
ahead E.ON will therefore focus on optimizing its existing 
conventional generation portfolio to enhance its competitive-
ness. This includes the decommissioning of some power plants. 
At the same time, we will advocate, on a national and Euro-
pean level, the creation of a regulatory framework that ensures 
that power plants remain economic to operate—and that the 
power supply remains reliable—well into the future.

Owing to the gradual phaseout of nuclear energy in Germany 
by 2022, we expect to achieve our emissions target—to halve 
our European generation portfolio’s specific carbon emissions 
from a 1990 baseline—in 2025. This development is consistent 
with the EU’s ambitious targets, published at the end of 2011 
in the European Energy Roadmap 2050, which also call for a 
50-percent cut in specific carbon emissions in the power sec-
tor by 2025.

We merged our gas-supply, gas-storage, and LNG operations 
with our energy trading business. This will enable us to better 
realize existing synergy potential and to ensure maximum 
value creation through the integrated optimization and mar-
keting of E.ON’s assets and contracts. The successful adjust-
ment of our long-term gas supply contracts to reflect new 
market realities remains a strategic priority. The agreement 
we reached with Gazprom in 2012 means that we have suc-
cessfully renegotiated all our oil-indexed, long-term gas con-
tracts, thereby achieving an important milestone in restoring 
their profitability. 

In gas and oil production, we intend to focus on organic growth 
in the North Sea and on continual performance improvements.

 
16

Corporate Profile

We intend to enhance the competitiveness of our sales business 
by making our organizational setup and processes even more 
efficient and by offering innovative power, gas, and heat prod-
ucts. We aim to selectively expand our distributed-energy 
business and have accordingly made it a strategic development 
focus. Our regional units and a new entity we created in 
 mid-2012, E.ON Connecting Energies, are moving forward to 
develop this business, which is one of the fastest-growing 
segments in the energy industry. E.ON Connecting Energies 
focuses on providing our customers with comprehensive dis-
tributed energy solutions. The package includes on-site power 
generation, energy-management services, heating and cooling, 
energy efficiency, and the optimal integration of customers’ 
on-site energy systems into the wholesale energy market.

Attractive distribution network businesses contribute signifi-
cantly to the balance of our overall portfolio and play a critical 
role in the transformation of Europe’s energy system toward 
a greater reliance on renewables. We will focus selectively on 
network businesses that deliver a consistently high financial 
and operating performance. We will develop these businesses 
in a way that is consistent with the requirements of the new 
energy world.

Outside Europe
European countries are concentrating on the ambitious goal of 
transforming their energy systems, whereas other parts of 
the world are experiencing strong demand growth and there-
fore need to add a huge amount of technologically advanced 
generating capacity. We have outstanding expertise in planning, 
building, and operating conventional and renewable generating 
facilities. We intend to increasingly profit from this expertise 
outside Europe as well. To do this, we are not only developing 
our existing businesses in Russia and North America but also 
expanding into other attractive, fast-growing regions.

Our operations in North America focus on renewables, partic-
ularly the development and operation of large onshore wind 
farms. We will continue to develop our current position, which 
consists of more than 2.5 GW (prior year: 2.2 GW) of installed 
capacity, in accordance with the policy and regulatory frame-
work, which will continue to subsidize wind and solar energy. 

Our strategic focus in Russia is on the successful completion 
of our conventional power new-build program. We have already 
commissioned four state-of-the-art gas-fired generating units 
and will complete the construction of a 0.8 GW coal-fired unit 
by 2014. Our entire new-build program offers attractive returns 

and is making an important contribution to the modernization 
of power generation in Russia. We are also exploring whether 
to offer distributed-generation solutions to large customers.

We reached important milestones in executing our strategy 
to expand into new regions. In April 2012 MPX, the energy 
subsidiary of Brazil’s EBX Group, and E.ON signed the contracts 
to form a strategic partnership in the Brazilian energy market. 
We and our partner each hold 50 percent of the joint venture, 
which they intend to become Brazil’s largest privately owned 
energy company. The joint venture plans to develop conven-
tional and renewable generation projects with a total capacity 
of around 20 GW.

In late 2012 E.ON reached an agreement with the Sabanci 
Group, one of Turkey’s largest financial and industrial conglom-
erates, to form an energy partnership for the fast-growing 
Turkish market. The agreement involved E.ON acquiring a 50-per-
cent stake in Enerjisa, a Turkish energy company, from Austria’s 
Verbund. Sabanci owns the other 50-percent stake in Enerjisa. 
Enerjisa’s current generation portfolio consists of approxi-
mately 1.7 GW of installed gas, hydro, and wind capacity, with 
2 GW under construction and 1.5 GW in development. It also 
has a power distribution and sales business in the Ankara 
region that serves about 3.5 million customers. We and our 
partner aim to have about 8 GW of installed capacity by 2020, 
which would give us at least a 10-percent share of Turkey’s 
power market.

Performance
Top performance is indispensable to remain successful in an 
increasingly competitive and demanding environment. Only 
if E.ON can demonstrate—based on its capabilities—superior 
performance will it create real added value and thus offer 
truly better energy to its customers. Our aim is for all of our 
businesses to be in the top quartile of our industry. We want 
to be measured by our ability to deliver top performance and 
to actively and consistently embrace a performance culture.

To enhance our performance, in August 2011 we launched the 
E.ON 2.0 program. Its objective is to reduce E.ON’s controllable 
costs from roughly €11 billion in 2011 to €9.5 billion (adjusted 

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

17

for divestments, this figure is now €8.3 billion) by 2015 at the 
latest in order to give us greater flexibility for investments. It 
also aims to simplify E.ON’s organizational setup in order to 
speed up our decision-making. The third objective is to reduce 
our administrative apparatus to the absolute minimum in 
order to put our operating business at the center of what we 
do. E.ON 2.0 is making swift progress and already achieved 
lasting cost savings in 2012.

E.ON 2.0 addresses four key areas: changes to our organiza-
tional setup, leaner administrative functions, improvements 
in procurement, and operational excellence. The specific savings 
potential for each of these areas was identified in 2011. In a 
process that involved employee representatives and our line 
organizations, in 2012 this saving potential was articulated in 
greater detail in more than 50 projects and several thousand 
individual measures. Nearly all of these measures have been 
handed over to our line organizations for implementation; all 
will be completely implemented by the end of 2014 at the latest.

On the organizational side, E.ON 2.0 aims to create a lean, 
transparent organizational setup with flat hierarchies. This 
will involve significantly reducing the number of legal entities 
in the E.ON Group that have complex hierarchical structures. 
Important steps—such as the streamlining of Group Manage-
ment, the reorganization of the Germany regional unit 
(including the closure of the Brienner Straße office building 
in Munich), the combination of E.ON Energy Trading and 
E.ON Ruhrgas, and organizational improvements in our gener-
ation business—are in preparation or having already been 
taken. We also took a decisive step forward in separating man-
agement functions from administrative support functions. 
Our management functions were substantially optimized by 
being bundled at the Group Management level. 

On the administrative side, the program aims to streamline 
and consolidate IT and a number of other support functions. 
We want to be one of the most highly ranked companies in 
our industry in terms of efficiency. To help us get there, we 
defined targets based on the benchmarking of several corpo-
rate functions (finance, HR, procurement, and shared services) 
we had conducted in the summer of 2011. We will combine 
certain functions (such as legal affairs, taxes, and certain HR 
functions) in Centers of Competence, which will make busi-
ness and decision-making processes leaner and faster. Another 
goal of E.ON 2.0 is to combine into separate entities those 

support functions that offer considerable potential for stan-
dardization and thus for synergy effects. The launch of a 
Business Service Center in Cluj, Romania, represents an impor-
tant milestone in this effort. 

On the procurement side, the program aims to increase the 
efficiency and effectiveness of E.ON’s entire procurement 
organization. E.ON 2.0 will help create functionally and oper-
ationally overarching procurement teams that can systemati-
cally leverage scale and synergy effects. Achieving procurement 
advantages through price negotiations, specification adjust-
ments, and demand reduction is an important part of our effort 
to meet our cost-reduction targets.

On the operational side, E.ON 2.0 aims to make E.ON more 
competitive relative to its peers in the long run. This applies 
primarily to our global generation operations and our local 
sales and infrastructure operations. The initiatives will also 
include the standardization of processes as well as changes 
to our corporate structure that will enable us to achieve a 
top-quartile position in all our businesses. 

In parallel to E.ON 2.0, E.ON will develop a performance culture 
that focuses on implementing decisions swiftly, standardizing 
processes and activities, delineating responsibilities clearly, 
and, more generally, always paying attention to what will create 
value for the Group. E.ON’s senior managers and employee 
representatives in and outside Germany are closely involved 
with E.ON 2.0 and actively support and expedite the implemen-
tation of the changes that are ahead.

Investments
Although our business environment has become even more 
difficult, we see clear growth opportunities in energy markets, 
particularly in renewables, distributed energy, and conven-
tional power generation outside Europe. But we also need to 
consider that in the years ahead E.ON will continue to face 
significant business challenges resulting from public policy 
decisions and a significantly altered environment in Euro-
pean markets.

If we want to optimally seize market opportunities, we need 
to find new ways to achieve growth with less capital. We 
need to grow by deploying our expertise and less by deploying 
ever-increasing amounts of capital.

18

Corporate Profile

We will take a variety of approaches to getting more value 
growth from less capital. For example, in renewables we will no 
longer necessarily be both operator and sole owner of wind 
farms. Instead, for projects where we find interested partners 
to be co-owners, we intend to concentrate on making our 
money through wind-farm design, planning, construction, and 
operation. The planned sale of a stake in three wind farms 
in the United States in 2012 was an important step in imple-
menting this strategy.

Our less-capital-more-value approach will apply even more in 
new markets, where capital is available. What we will bring 
to the table is our expertise in building and operating various 
generation technologies as well as our understanding of 
global wholesale markets. Consequently, in our new markets 
outside Europe we work with financially strong partners who 
have good local connections and who are interested in our 
know-how. The idea behind this new strategy is for us to focus 
more on activities and process steps in which we are a world 
leader and in which the potential for value creation is high.

We have high expectations for our planned investments for 
the period 2013-2015. In times of limited capital, it is essential 
to seize the most profitable opportunities in the market. We 
are therefore applying even stricter investment discipline and 
expect new growth projects, such as our planned offshore 
wind farms in Europe, to deliver a return significantly above 
their cost of capital. 

Management System

Our corporate strategy is aimed at delivering sustainable 
growth in shareholder value. We have put in place a Group-wide 
planning and controlling system to assist us in planning and 
managing E.ON as a whole and our individual businesses with 
an eye to increasing their value. This system ensures that our 
financial resources are allocated efficiently.

Our key figure for purposes of internal management control 
and as an indicator of our business units’ long-term earnings 
power is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and 
amortization (“EBITDA”), which we adjust to exclude certain 
extraordinary items. These items include net book gains, 
restructuring expenditures, impairment charges, and non-
operating earnings (which include, among other items, the 
marking to market of derivatives). Consequently, EBITDA is 
unaffected by investment and depreciation cycles and also 
provides an indication of our cash-effective earnings (see 
the commentary on pages 43 and 44 of the Combined Group 
Management Report as well as in Note 33 of the Consolidated 
Financial Statements).

A key objective of our finance strategy is for E.ON to have an 
efficient capital structure. We monitor our capital structure 
by means of our debt factor, which is equal to our economic net 
debt divided by EBITDA (for more information, see the section 
entitled Finance Strategy on page 45). We actively manage our 
capital structure. If our debt factor is significantly above our 
target, it would be necessary for us to maintain strict investment 
discipline. We might also take additional countermeasures.

Alongside EBITDA, which is our main financial indicator for 
purposes of internal management control, this Combined 
Group Management Report includes other financial and non-
financial performance indicators to highlight aspects of our 
business performance. However, they are not the focus of the 
ongoing management of our businesses.

For example, return on average capital employed (“ROACE”) 
and value added serve as indicators to the value performance 
of our operating business (for more information, see the 
 section entitled ROACE and Value Added on pages 51 and 52). 
ROACE is a pretax total return on capital and measures the 
sustainable return on invested capital generated by operating 
a business. ROACE is equal to our EBIT divided by average 
capital employed. Value added measures the return that exceeds 
the cost of capital employed. It is equal to ROACE minus cost 
of capital multiplied by average capital employed.

Technology and Innovation 

The ability to recognize new developments and innovations 
early and to systematically improve existing assets, operations, 
and products is essential for the future viability of every com-
pany. At E.ON, the Technology and Innovation (“T&I”) depart-
ment at Group Management is responsible for addressing 
these challenges. Fourteen E.ON Innovation Centers (“EICs”), 

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
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Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
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19

Sample Projects from 2012
Energy Storage
In 2012 we began work on a power-to-gas (“P2G”) pilot unit 
sited at a wind farm in Falkenhagen, Germany. The unit, which 
will begin operating in mid-2013, will use the farm’s surplus 
output (that is, the output that cannot be fed into the local 
network for capacity reasons) to power electrolysis equipment 
that will produce hydrogen. Hydrogen can be safely piped 
into the natural gas pipeline system as long as its percentage 
of the gas in the system does not exceed a certain threshold. 
The huge storage capacity of existing gas infrastructure is what 
makes P2G technology so attractive.

On Pellworm, a small island in the North Sea, we continued a 
project in which we are using a combination of different 
energy-storage technologies to provide the island’s inhabitants 
with a reliable, cost-effective, and market-based supply of 
renewable energy. The project, which incorporates smart-grid 
and smart-home technologies, points the way to the energy 
systems of tomorrow.

Smart Homes
In Germany and the United Kingdom we launched our first 
smart-home products, which enable customers to monitor and 
actively manage their electricity usage. We also continued 
developing distributed-energy solutions that help customers 
optimize their output and consumption. One project is explor-
ing ways to use surplus output from solar panels to power heat 
pumps to produce space heating. Solutions like this one could 
be very attractive in the future as consumers begin to consume 
more of the electricity they produce.  

which are embedded in our existing businesses and steered 
by the T&I department, coordinate activities in their respective 
technology area across our entire company: 
• 

Conventional generation (four EICs): improve our exist-
ing generation fleet and optimize future investments
Renewables generation (two EICs): increase the cost-
effectiveness of existing wind and hydro assets and 
study new renewables technologies
Infrastructure and distribution (three EICs): develop 
energy-storage and energy-distribution solutions for an 
increasingly decentralized and volatile generation system
Retail and end-customer applications (three EICs): 
develop new business models for distributed generation 
and mobility
Energy intelligence and energy systems (two EICs): study 
potentially fundamental changes to energy systems and 
the role of data in the new energy world.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Strategic Co-Investments
Many interesting ideas in the energy business, particularly in 
distributed generation, are being developed by small, highly 
innovative companies. The T&I department’s collaboration with 
startups and venture-capital firms gives E.ON access to these 
new technologies and business models. To ratchet up these 
activities and benefit directly from value creation of such com-
panies, in 2012 E.ON decided it would begin making strategic 
co-investments in new companies that have innovative business 
models or products so that they can contribute to our busi-
ness. These are not merely financial investments but rather 
strategic engagements whose aim is to help us be a pace-
setter in distributed, renewable, and other transformative 
energy solutions. Starting in 2013, each year we plan to invest 
in several companies (somewhere between one and nine) that 
fit with our strategic ambitions.

We have already made our first investment. We bought a stake 
in Bloom Energy, which was founded in 2001 and is based in 
Sunnyvale, California (bloomenergy.com). Bloom Energy man-
ufacturers fuel cells that rank among the most efficient of 
their type in the world.

20

Corporate Profile

We tested smart equipment for transformer stations that 
enables the stations to maintain voltage stability despite con-
tinual fluctuations in renewables feed-in.

Hydro
In 2012 we began evaluating our hydro fleet according to the 
International Hydropower Association’s Hydropower Sustain-
ability Assessment Protocol (“HSAP”), a standardized, inter-
nationally accepted catalog of criteria for measuring the sus-
tainability of hydro assets. In 2012 Walchensee, an E.ON 
hydroelectric station in Bavaria, was one of the first in the world 
to be evaluated under HSAP and achieved excellent marks.

In countries like Germany the potential for big hydroelectric 
stations is largely exhausted. But there are still opportunities 
for ones that require relatively small head heights. In 2012 
we completed the planning for such a project in Germany and 
submitted an application for regulatory approval.

CCGT
To enhance the performance and reduce the cost base of our 
CCGT portfolio, in 2012 we began a project to study advanced 
condition monitoring (“ACM”). ACM is a sophisticated form of 
asset monitoring and will help us achieve higher standards 
for asset safety, reliability, performance, and profitability. The 
analysis of large quantities of metering data facilitates the 
early detection of deviations from normal operating parame-
ters, which could indicate an impending decline in performance 
or component failure. This makes it possible to plan main-
tenance work more efficiently, which increases asset availability 
and reduces downtime and repair costs.

CCS
In October 2012 a carbon-capture pilot unit—the first of its kind 
in Europe—began three years of operational testing at our 
hard-coal-fired power station in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. The 
purpose of the tests, which we are conducting in collaboration 
with an outside partner, is to optimize the capture process in 
the context of real-world power-station operations. The unit 
has already completed a 100-hour operational acceptance test.

Steam Power Plants
The focus here is on increasing the operational flexibility 
and availability of existing assets in response to the rising 
percentage of intermittent renewable power in the energy 

Retail
We moved forward actively developing solutions for distrib-
uted generation and for energy efficiency in both power and 
gas. In Italy we successfully completed the testing of an inte-
grated solar-thermal unit that will be cheaper to install than 
products currently on the market. In the United Kingdom we 
participated in a project in which a new type of fuel cell was 
installed at a university. The project’s purpose is to monitor 
the fuel cell and test its performance over an extended oper-
ating period.

Renewables
In Italy we built a pilot facility incorporating high-concentra-
tion photovoltaic modules. The project will give us valuable 
insights into, and operational experience with, this promising 
technology.

At Scroby Sands, an E.ON wind farm off the east coast of 
England, we successfully tested a new system for accessing 
offshore wind turbines. Its purpose is to enhance safety for 
our maintenance crews and also to improve asset availability 
and profitability.

Co-firing biomass in coal-fired power stations reduces coal con-
sumption and thus net carbon emissions. We launched projects 
to test biomass pellets and uses for biomass bottom ash.

E-Mobility
In 2012 we conducted numerous projects involving a variety of 
charging systems and expanded our e-mobility offerings. For 
example, vehicle-fleet managers can visit a website or use a 
smartphone application to check the status of their charging 
infrastructure. This tool enables users to conduct detailed 
analysis and evaluation of all charging processes. In the future 
it will facilitate active load management, which means that 
electric vehicles (“EVs”) can be charged at times of the day when 
a particularly large percentage of the electricity in the grid 
comes from renewable sources.

In a joint research project with Volkswagen we demonstrated 
for the first time in Germany that it is already technically 
 feasible to feed electricity from an EV’s battery back into the 
grid. Projects like this one provide us with important insights 
into EVs’ potential as energy-storage devices in tomorrow’s 
energy world.

Distribution, Smart Grids
High-voltage systems typically transport only about 50 to 
70 percent of their capacity. Active control of generation assets 
through a process known as emergency control automation 
(“ECA”) makes it possible for systems to operate at up to 100 per-
cent of their capacity. 

 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

21

system. Among the projects we pursued in 2012 was one to 
study cracks in power-plant boilers. Cracks can result in 
unplanned outages that last days, weeks, and even months, 
potentially leading to millions of euros in repair costs and 
lost revenues.

conduct joint research projects in energy systems and 
technology. The initiative receives funding from the Ger-
man federal states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. 
Between 2009 and 2012 more than 50 KW21 projects were 
conducted by a total of 23 research teams.

Gas
It is anticipated that in the future more biomethane and 
hydrogen (derived from electrolysis) will be piped into the gas 
pipeline system. This will result in greater variation in gas 
quality. We conducted successful tests of a new, simulation-
based procedure for monitoring gas quality. Thanks to its 
proven accuracy, the procedure earned regulatory approval in 
Germany in August 2012. The procedure will make it easier to 
produce pipeline-quality biomethane and will mean that fewer 
quality sensors will be needed in the gas pipeline system.

• 

• 

Energy Systems 
Understanding future energy trends requires a holistic view of 
energy systems. To help us obtain this view, we conduct proj-
ects that analyze the interdependence of technologies, changes 
in the energy system, and energy trading. In addition, in 2012 
we launched a project called the Virtual Power Station.

University Support
As one of the world’s largest investor-owned power and gas 
companies, we feel it is our responsibility to actively promote 
energy research. Our contacts with universities offer students 
an opportunity to get to know our company and the focal 
points of our research. E.ON supports more than 15 universities 
in Europe. Below are some of the highlights of 2012:

•  We continued our involvement in KW21, which stands 

for Kraftwerk (the German word for power plant) of the 
21st century. KW21 is a public-private initiative that 
brings together equipment manufacturers, power-plant 
operators, and universities in Munich and Stuttgart to 

Technology and Innovation, Software

€ in millions

R&D

Technology

Intangible R&D assets

Software

Other

Demonstration projects
University support

Total

2012 marked the fifth anniversary of E.ON’s partnership 
with Chalmers University in Göteborg, Sweden, which 
focuses on three areas: nuclear power, energy-systems 
analysis, and renewables.

In September 2012 the E.ON Energy Research Center at 
RWTH Aachen University was among the winners of 
Research Campus, an initiative sponsored by the German 
Federal Ministry of Education and Research to support 
public-private partnerships dedicated to innovation. The 
objective of this particular Research Campus, entitled 
Electricity Grids of the Future, is to help make the trans-
mission and distribution of electricity more efficient and 
flexible.

Facts about T&I, Including Research and Develop-
ment (“R&D”)
In 2012 we again increased our T&I activities, despite our diffi-
cult business environment. Our R&D expenditures on technol-
ogy totaled about €108 million in 2012 (prior year: €81 million). 
Intangible R&D assets relating to software development 
totaled €35 million (€42 million). Two hundred ninety employees 
were directly involved in R&D projects at E.ON in 2012. In 
addition to our investments to optimize and refine technolo-
gies, we also actively promote basic research. In 2012 we 
 provided €8 million of support to fund and sponsor energy 
research at universities and institutes (€8 million). Our total 
T&I expenditures (which include support for university research, 
technology R&D, demonstration projects, and software devel-
opment) amounted to €179 million (€149 million).

Technology 
and Innovation

Software

Total

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

1081

– 

28
8

144

811

– 

18
8

107

– 

35

– 
 –

35

– 

42

– 
 –

42

1081

35

28
8

179

811

42

18
8

149

1R&D expenses pursuant to IAS 38 (€56 million; see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) plus other projects that are part of our R&D effort.

22

Business Report

Macroeconomic and Industry Environment 

Macroeconomic Environment
In 2012 the global economy lost more momentum and, five 
years after the outbreak of the financial crisis, entered an even 
weaker phase. Relative to 2011, global gross domestic product 
(“GDP”) and global trade grew in real terms by 2.8 percent and 
2.7 percent, respectively; however, both figures are significantly 
below the corresponding average annual growth rates for the 
period since 2000. The OECD attributes this weak performance 
to the euro crisis’s adverse effect on global economic activity, 
particularly the erosion of confidence among consumers and 
investors but also, more generally, the aftereffects of the 
global financial crisis.

The U.S. economy’s slow recovery continued in 2012, although 
it lacked the momentum of previous recoveries. Private con-
sumption was spurred by both higher employment and a decline 
in savings. Private investment did not maintain its growth 
rate of 2011, although private construction investment recov-
ered, ending a six-year decline. Exports grew faster than 
imports, but this hardly made a dent in the U.S. trade deficit.

According to the OECD, the euro zone remained in a reces-
sion in 2012. Increased efforts to shrink budget deficits damp-
ened overall economic demand. Neither private consumption 
demand nor private investment activity provided growth impe-
tus. Only the slight increase in net exports had a stabilizing 
effect. There was a notable divergence in the economic perfor-
mance of Northern and Southern Europe. Whereas GDP declined 
in Southern European countries, it stabilized in countries like 
France and Ireland.

Although Germany’s growth rate was among the highest in 
the euro zone, it was well below the long-term average. 
A decline in private investment activity was more than offset 
by an increase in private consumption. The slight increase 
in domestic demand was supplemented by a slight increase in 
net exports.

The United Kingdom again experienced a slight recession. 
Stable growth in private consumption was not sufficient to 
make up for declines in private and public investment and in 
net exports.

Sweden was unable to maintain its robust growth of recent 
years. Growth in domestic demand and net exports slowed.

Eastern European EU member states were not immune to the 
negative trend. Some, like Hungary and the Czech Republic, 
entered recessions.

Turkey was also unable to buck the OECD’s overall recessionary 
trend. Its 2012 growth rate was half the prior year’s. However, 
weak domestic demand for consumer and investment goods 
was more than offset by increases in public consumption 
expenditures and in net exports.

The BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries’ economic per-
formance again varied considerably in 2012. Whereas oil price 
developments again helped stabilize Russia’s economy, Brazil’s 
benefited from impetus from monetary and fiscal policy.

2012 GDP Growth in Real Terms

Annual change in percent

Germany

France

0.9

0.2

Italy

-2.2

Spain

-1.3

Euro zone

-0.4

Sweden

United 
Kingdom

OECD

USA

Russian 
Federation

-0.1

1.2

1.4

2.2

3.4

-3.0

-2.0

-1.0

0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

Source: OECD, 2012.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
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Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

23

Energy Policy and Regulatory Environment
International
The 18th United Nations climate change conference took 
place in Doha, Qatar, from November 26 to December 8, 2012. 
Although it made no perceptible progress toward a new 
international climate treaty, it avoided abject failure. The Doha 
resolutions confirmed those made in Durban in 2011 and the 
timeline agreed on in Bali in 2007. This is roughly what Doha 
had been expected to accomplish. The conference took place 
in an environment of rising global energy consumption, which 
the International Energy Agency describes in World Energy 
Outlook 2012.

Brazil
A new rule for power generation and transmission concessions 
was announced in September 2012. It gives companies whose 
concessions expire in 2013-2017 the option of extending them 
early for 30 years. Brazil’s energy regulator expects the rule 
to reduce end-customer tariffs by about 20 percent in 2013. 
There will also be adjustments to distribution tariffs in 2013; the 
purpose of the adjustments is to pass efficiency gains through 
to end-consumers. Auctions for new generating capacity were 
held in December 2012 amid weak demand growth and a 
lack of regulatory clarity on a number of issues. With spot power 
prices currently at very high levels and the possibility of 
weather-driven declines in hydro output causing supply short-
ages, observers anticipate new energy-policy initiatives 
aimed at improving the structure of Brazil’s energy market.

Europe
At the center of Europe’s energy-policy debate in 2012 was the 
EU Emissions Trading Scheme (“ETS”). Persistently low carbon 
prices are not spurring investment in climate-friendly technol-
ogies and are therefore undermining one of the ETS’s objec-
tives. The European Commission unveiled to market participants 
a number of proposals for intervening in the market to reduce 
the number of carbon allowances in circulation.

The EU energy efficiency directive was adopted in late 2012. 
Member states must transpose it into national law by mid-2014. 
In response to the directive’s adoption, carbon prices fell, since 
it was clear to market participants that ambitious energy-effi-
ciency policies will lead to lower greenhouse-gas emissions.

A number of power and gas framework directives and network 
codes were developed with the aim of completing the internal 
energy market by 2014.

No conclusion was reached on financial market regulation 
(MiFID and MiFIR) in 2012. The European Market Infrastructure 
Regulation (“EMIR”), which took effect in August 2012, regulates 
over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives trading. EMIR can become 
applicable once the regulatory and technical standards are in 
place, probably around mid-March 2013. EMIR introduces sub-
stantial reporting obligations and requires non-financial firms 
to centrally clear unhedged OTC derivative positions above 
a certain threshold. After a three-year transition period, EMIR 
will allow, to a limited degree, bank guarantees to be used as 
collateral.

The Regulation on Energy Market Integrity and Transparency 
(“REMIT”) took effect in late 2011. REMIT establishes new 
reporting and disclosure requirements for market transaction 
data and other information. It also contains rules to prohibit 
insider trading and market manipulation. Detailed rules for data 
collection have not yet been set.

Central Eastern Europe
With the economic situation remaining difficult, there was 
further political and regulatory intervention in energy mar-
kets in the form of additional taxes, price moratoriums for 
end-customer tariffs, and reductions in support schemes for 
renewables.

France
France’s capacity market is taking more precise shape. Starting 
in 2016/2017, utilities will be required to ensure that they have 
sufficient capacity certificates to meet their peakload obliga-
tions. As part of this process, all power plants in France will 
be certified by their network operator and all will participate 
in the capacity market, which will be technology-neutral. 
Existing and new capacity will receive the same compensation, 
which will be set by a market-based mechanism, not by regu-
lated tariffs. Consumers with flexible load can also participate 
in the capacity market, which gives it a demand-side component.

24

Business Report

Spain
Spain intends to introduce a tax on power generation in order 
to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, the losses in its genera-
tion pool. Tax revenues would be used to compensate gener-
ators for their pool losses. Once a viable solution for pool 
losses is in place, other reforms of Spain’s energy market are 
anticipated in 2013.

Sweden
Sweden and other member states must transpose the EU water 
framework directive into national law by 2015, which could lead 
to production restrictions at Sweden’s hydroelectric stations.

Turkey
In 2001 Turkey began liberalizing and privatizing its energy 
market, largely in line with the EU paradigm. It systematically 
continued this process in 2012.

Although EUAS, Turkey’s state-owned power generator, con-
tinues to have a dominant position in the generation market, 
its market share is declining steadily owing to the commis-
sioning of new, privately owned capacity and to the initiation 
of a program to privatize 17 GW of state-owned capacity, a 
significant portion of which will likely change hands in 2013 
and 2014. As this broad privatization program moves forward, 
it is anticipated that the state will, for a certain period, enter 
into public-private partnerships to support the development 
of nuclear capacity and lignite-fired capacity, for the latter of 
which Turkey could source fuel domestically.

The finishing touches are currently being put on Turkey’s new 
energy market law, whose provisions include the rapid creation 
of a marketplace, based on free-market principles, for trading 
electricity products.

Germany
The energy-policy debate in Germany in 2012 focused primarily 
on the implementation of the energy strategy the government 
calls the Energiewende: the transformation of the country’s 
energy system. Topics included the costs of renewables sub-
sidies, the progress of network expansion, and a final storage 
facility for nuclear waste. The government aims to enhance 
supply security through more regulatory intervention. Examples 
include the Load-Shedding Ordinance (which establishes 
guaranteed payments to large consumers for making their flex-
ible load available on the market) and the newly amended 
Energy Law (which is known by its German abbreviation, “EnWG,” 
and which establishes strict rules for the closure of generat-
ing units). The amended EnWG also contains new rules for the 
network connection of offshore wind farms and for liability.

Italy
As in France and the United Kingdom, it is becoming more 
apparent how the capacity market in Italy will work. The 
capacity mechanism will apply to existing and new generating 
capacity. The first auction is expected to be held in mid-2013, 
with the first payments to be made in 2017. Italy established a 
new method for apportioning the costs of balancing energy 
to renewables operators. It also introduced a new PV subsidy 
scheme after PV subsidies surpassed the €6 billion threshold 
in July 2012.

Netherlands
The coalition agreement of the newly elected Dutch govern-
ment contains a provision to recognize the co-firing of biomass 
in coal-fired power stations as renewable energy production 
and to subsidize this practice. Further details are expected to 
be drawn up by the summer of 2013. A coal tax took effect on 
January 1, 2013. Co-firing biomass could reduce this tax’s adverse 
financial impact on power generators.

Russia
Switching energy suppliers was simplified in 2012, since the 
approval of a government agency is no longer required. Russia 
also made slight adjustments to the rules for calculating pay-
ments for generating capacity. A strategy group working on 
behalf of the Russian government is currently designing pro-
posals for new market rules, which are expected to take effect 
in the summer of 2013.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

25

In 2012 Germany again had a broad energy mix, with declines 
in nuclear output met by increases in renewables output. Owing 
to Germany’s decision to accelerate the phaseout of nuclear 
energy, nuclear’s share of the energy mix fell by about 8 percent 
to 36.9 MTCE. Renewables’ share rose by almost 8 percent to 
53.8 MTCE. Consumption of coal increased. In the case of lig-
nite, this was due to special effects relating to plant modern-
izations; in the case of hard coal, to market factors that 
improved its competitiveness vis-à-vis natural gas as a fuel for 
power generation. As a result, lignite consumption rose by 
about 5 percent to 56 MTCE, hard coal consumption by about 
3 percent to 57 MTCE. Gas consumption was roughly stable 
year on year, rising just 1 percent to 96.7 MTCE.

The increase in Germany’s energy consumption and greater 
use of fossil fuels led to an increase, in absolute terms, in its 
carbon emissions. Adjusted for temperature effects, however, 
emissions declined slightly.

Primary Energy Consumption in 
Germany by Energy Source

Percentages

Petroleum

Natural gas

Hard coal

Lignite

Nuclear

Renewables

Other (including net power imports/exports)

Total

Source: AGEB.

2012

2011

33.3 

21.0   

12.4 

12.2  

8.0 

11.7    

1.4   

33.9    

20.9    

12.1    

11.6    

8.8    

10.9    

1.8    

100.0

100.0

The establishment of an ENTSO-E connection improved Turkey’s 
interconnection with the Central European power market. 
A day-ahead market began operating in 2011. In 2012 the way 
was paved for an intraday market, and the first financial trades 
on the basis of EFET contracts were conducted.

Turkey expects to complete the privatization of the last 4 of 21 
power distributors by the end of 2013. Some traders not backed 
by generation assets have already begun to compete for 
unattached customers, and others are preparing to do so.

United Kingdom
The U.K. government is currently reforming the country’s 
wholesale power market with the aim of improving the invest-
ment climate for low-carbon technologies and ensuring 
 supply security. The introduction of feed-in tariffs is intended 
to provide greater certainty of revenues for new nuclear 
capacity, new renewables capacity, and carbon capture and 
storage (“CCS”). The introduction of a capacity market is 
intended to ensure supply security by promoting investment 
in flexible generating capacity that has short ramp-up and 
ramp-down times. An emission performance standard is 
designed to prevent the construction of new coal-fired capac-
ity that lacks CCS. It is anticipated that legislation to imple-
ment these reforms will be drafted in 2013 and fully enacted 
by the end of 2014.

USA
It remains unclear whether the United States will enact legis-
lation that takes a long-term approach to climate protection. 
On the other hand, federal policies to support renewables have 
made the United States a global leader in wind power. These 
policies include production tax credits, which were extended 
for another year to support wind farms whose construction 
begins in 2013. Investment tax credits for solar energy are in 
place through 2016. In addition, many states have established 
programs that set mandatory targets for renewables in their 
power markets, which has resulted in trading in green-power 
certificates at a regional level.

Energy Industry
According to preliminary figures from AGEB, an energy indus-
try working group, Germany consumed only slightly more 
energy in 2012 than in 2011. Cool weather in several months 
of the first half of the year along with leap year were the 
main reasons for the increase. Countervailing factors included 
the economic slowdown and improvements in energy effi-
ciency. Germany consumed 461.1 million metric tons of hard 
coal equivalent (“MTCE”) in 2012 (prior year: 457.6 MTCE).

26

Business Report

England, Scotland, and Wales consumed about 309 billion kWh 
of electricity in 2012 (prior year: 307 billion kWh). Gas con-
sumption (excluding power stations) increased from 544 bil-
lion kWh to 582 billion kWh. Low temperatures in the final 
three quarters more than offset the impact of slightly higher 
temperatures in the first quarter, ongoing energy-efficiency 
measures, customers’ response to economic developments, and 
higher prices.

Northern Europe’s electricity consumption rose by 6 billion kWh 
to 385 billion kWh because of slightly lower average tempera-
tures. Net electricity exports to surrounding countries totaled 
about 14 billion kWh compared with net imports of about 
5 billion kWh in the prior year.

Hungary’s electricity consumption of 34 billion kWh was slightly 
below the prior-year level. Driven by weather factors and 
energy-saving measures, Hungary’s gas consumption fell by 
3 percent to 10.9 billion cubic meters.

Italy consumed 325.3 billion kWh of electricity, a decline of 
3 percent (prior year: 334.6 billion kWh). Gas consumption 
declined by 4 percent to 787.3 billion kWh (822.3 billion kWh) 
because a difficult market environment led to a reduction in 
deliveries to gas-fired power stations.

Peninsular electricity consumption in Spain was 252 billion kWh, 
1 percent below the prior-year figure (consumption fell by 
2 percent if adjusted for differences in temperature and the 
number of working days). Retail gas consumption of 263 bil-
lion kWh was at the prior-year level.

France’s electricity consumption rose by 2 percent to 
489.5 billion kWh (consumption declined by 0.6 percent if 
adjusted for differences in temperature and the number of 
working days). Total generation of 541.4 billion kWh was just 
below the prior-year level.

The Russian Federation generated 1,054 billion kWh of elec-
tricity, 1.3 percent more than in the prior year. It generated 
1,032 billion kWh in its integrated power system (which does 
not include isolated systems), which represents a year-on-year 
increase of 2.3 percent. Power consumption in Russia rose by 
1.7 percent to 1,038 billion kWh.

Energy Prices
Five main factors drove electricity and natural gas markets in 
Europe and the electricity market in Russia in 2012: 
• 

international commodity prices (especially oil, gas, coal, 
and carbon-allowance prices) 

•  macroeconomic and political developments
•  weather 
• 
• 

the availability of hydroelectricity in Scandinavia
the increase in renewables capacity.

In the first quarter, energy markets were influenced mainly 
by an extended period of cold weather in Europe and unrest 
in the Middle East; during the rest of the year, by a tepid 
global economy and the ongoing crisis in the euro zone. These 
factors resulted in a tentative mood in energy markets.

Wholesale Electricity Price  Movements 
in E.ON’s Core Markets

 U.K. baseload1 
 Spain1 
 Russia (Europe)2 
 Italy baseload2

 Nord Pool baseload1
 EEX baseload1
 Russia (Siberia)2

€/MWh 

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

1/1/11 4/1/11 7/1/11 10/1/11 1/1/12 4/1/12 7/1/12 10/1/12

1For next-year delivery.
2Spot delivery (30-day average).

This trend was clearly reflected in the price of Brent crude oil 
for next-month delivery. After spiking in the first quarter and 
tumbling in the second, Brent rebounded in the third, as 
 concerns about a decrease in global demand were replaced 
by concerns about increased disruptions of production and 
exports. After rising in September, Brent then declined some-
what in the fourth quarter, finishing the year roughly at its 
starting point.

 
 
 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

27

As measured by the API#2 index, European coal prices for 
next-year delivery fell by 20 percent in 2012. Although prices 
temporarily recovered somewhat owing to a strike in Columbia, 
they fell back to their previous level when Columbian exports 
resumed. A significant increase in U.S. coal exports, which were 
up by almost 50 percent relative to 2011, remained a key reason 
for low coal prices. In the United States, shale gas increasingly 
crowded out domestic coal, particularly in power generation. 
And with Chinese prices dropping in recent months, arbitrage 
opportunities for exports from Atlantic to Pacific markets 
became much scarcer. Due to an ongoing oversupply of ships, 
freight rates, which were already low, fell another 26 percent 
during the year.

Despite weak demand, greater economic uncertainty, and 
declining oil prices, Europe’s gas prices for next-year delivery 
rose only slightly during 2012. The reasons included cold 
weather in February, supply disruptions in the United Kingdom 
in the first quarter, and a dramatic decline in LNG imports 
resulting from continued extremely high LNG demand in East 
Asia. One of the most important fundamental developments 
of 2012 was the collapse of demand for gas as a fuel for power 
generation, particularly in the United Kingdom, Germany, and 
Italy. This was brought on by increased renewables feed-in and 
by gas-fired capacity’s competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis 
coal-fired capacity in 2012.

Prices for EU carbon allowances (“EUAs”) under the European 
Emissions Trading Scheme fell to a record low in 2012 owing 
to the ongoing oversupply of EUAs and the growing impression 
that the European Union will not set more ambitious emissions 
targets. Low prices spurred a policy debate during which a 
process, known as back-loading, was developed to reduce the 
number of EUAs in circulation. It quickly became apparent, 
however, that implementing this process would be significantly 
more difficult than anticipated. Consequently, it sent no real 
positive signal, and EUAs finished the year at a very low level.

Carbon Allowance Price Movements 
in Europe

€/metric ton 

 Phase-two allowances

20

15

10

5

1/1/11 4/1/11 7/1/11 10/1/11 1/1/12 4/1/12 7/1/12 10/1/12

Prices in Germany for baseload power for next-year delivery 
declined further in the fourth quarter. Hourly prices were 
 consistently negative, particularly during the Christmas holi-
days, due to a combination of low demand, very mild tem-
peratures, and high wind-power feed-in. Prices ended the year 
significantly below where they started it. New coal-fired 
 generating capacity entering service in 2013 and the ongoing 
addition of new solar and wind capacity were the main rea-
sons for Germany’s relatively low level of forward power 
prices. Furthermore, 2012 saw an increased divergence between 
the cost of coal generation and gas generation in Germany. 
The clean spark spread (the difference between the price at 
which natural gas and carbon allowances are procured and 
the price at which power is sold), which was under extreme 
pressure from increased renewables output and the relatively 
low cost of coal generation compared with gas generation, 
finished the year negative in value.

Clean Dark and Spark Spreads in 
Germany

€/MWh 

 Clean spark spread (front year)
 Clean dark spread (front year)

15

10

5

0

-5

1/1/11 4/1/11 7/1/11 10/1/11 1/1/12 4/1/12 7/1/12 10/1/12

U.K. power prices changed little from quarter to quarter. The 
typical seasonal increase during the cold months was very 
moderate thanks to mild temperatures and a good supply situ-
ation, which resulted from the recent commissioning of new 
generating capacity and substantial power imports from the 
Continent.

 
28

Business Report

Record high reservoir levels had a significant impact on the 
Nordic power market in 2012. With abundant rain and a late 
snowmelt leading to further significant reservoir inflows, 
spot power prices during the summer in Norway and Sweden 
were the lowest in 20 years. Spot prices did not stabilize until 
the end of the year in response to low precipitation and tem-
peratures. This had little effect, however, on prices for next-
year delivery, which finished the year only slightly below their 
level at the start of the year.

In 2012 Italy’s power prices for next-year delivery reflected 
its dependence on gas-fired generating capacity and thus the 
prices under oil-indexed gas procurement contracts. Power 
prices, which started the year at a high level, generally tracked 
oil prices but were also influenced by Italy’s weak economy 
and by high solar feed-in, particularly with regard to the rela-
tionship between baseload and peakload prices. Coupled 
with a further decline in demand, the outcome of the renego-
tiation of oil-indexed gas procurement contracts had a very 
noticeable impact on Italy’s power prices in the fourth quarter, 
which fell dramatically, finishing the year about 25 percent 
below where they started it.

The price of power for next-year delivery in Spain was relatively 
constant during 2012. A slight decline in the first half of the 
year was counteracted by higher fuel prices in the third quar-
ter. The Spanish government’s decision to introduce a new 
tax on power generation caused a brief period of price spikes. 

Prices in the European zone of Russia’s power market remained 
largely stable, in part because of the Russian government’s 
decision to postpone the planned increase in gas tariffs from 
January to July, when gas demand is lower. Planned and 
unplanned maintenance outages at a number of nuclear power 
stations also put upward pressure on prices. The gas-tariff 
issue had a negligible effect on power prices in the Siberian 
zone, which rose significantly, reaching historic highs in 
November. Continued below-average reservoir inflow and 
lower hydro output were the main factors.

Crude Oil and Natural Gas Price Movements in E.ON‘s Core Markets

Average 
monthly prices

 Brent crude oil front month $/bbl 
 NBP gas front month €/MWh 

 German gas import price €/MWh 
 TTF gas front month €/MWh 

 AP#2 coal index front month $/metric ton
 NCG gas front month (EEX) €/MWh

€/
MWh

40

30

20

10

$/bbl
$/t

 120

 100

  80

  60

1/1/11

4/1/11

7/1/11

10/1/11

1/1/12

4/1/12

7/1/12

10/1/12

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

29

The Germany regional unit’s attributable generating capacity 
declined by about 4 percent, from 1,876 MW to 1,802 MW, 
mainly because of the disposal of a hydroelectric station. 
 Distributed generating units accounted for about half of Ger-
many’s attributable generating capacity; biogas and biomass 
units are reported under natural gas and other, respectively.

Other EU Countries’ attributable generating capacity declined 
to 1,863 MW (prior year: 1,910 MW) owing to the sale of a CHP 
unit in the United Kingdom.

Russia’s attributable generation capacity rose because we 
increased our ownership interest.

Business Performance 

Attributable Generating Capacity (Ownership 
Perspective)
From an ownership perspective (that is, the percentage of 
E.ON’s ownership stake in an asset), the E.ON Group’s attrib-
utable generating capacity increased by 1 percent, from 
67,215 MW at year-end 2011 to 67,732 MW at year-end 2012. 
Below are the segment figures from an ownership perspective.

Attributable generating capacity at the Generation global unit 
declined by about 450 MW to 46,388 MW, primarily because 
of the decommissioning and shutdown, respectively, of two 
coal-fired generating units (Staudinger 3 and Veltheim 2) in 
Germany and the decommissioning of a hard-coal-fired unit 
in Spain.

Renewables’ attributable generating capacity increased by 
about 620 MW, predominantly because of new wind farms in 
the United States.

Attributable Generating Capacity (Ownership Perspective)

Generation

Renewables

Germany

Other EU Countries

Russia

E.ON Group

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

December 31
MW

Nuclear

Lignite

Hard coal

Natural gas

Oil

Hydro

Wind

Other

2012

5,403

852

5,661

3,637

1,003

–

–

24

2011

5,403

852

6,016

3,637

1,003

–

–

24

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,553

1,553

196

–

198

–

–

–

–

721

112

612

–

357

–

–

–

736

106

678

–

356

Germany

16,580

16,935

1,749

1,751

1,802

1,876

Nuclear

Lignite

Hard coal

Natural gas

Oil

Hydro

Wind

Other

2,782

2,774

–

10,649

13,239

3,138

–

10,765

13,225

3,138

–

–

–

–

–

–

Outside Germany

29,808

29,902

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3,022

4,430

161

7,613

3,022

3,836

132

6,990

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

79

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

79

–

1,276

1,206

–

–

1,494

1,541

7,041

6,645

–

43

1

–

43

1

246

1,863

246

1,910

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2012

5,403

852

5,661

4,358

1,115

2,165

196

381

2011

5,403

852

6,016

4,373

1,109

2,231

198

380

20,131

20,562

2,782

1,355

10,649

21,774

3,138

3,065

4,431

407

2,774

1,285

10,765

21,411

3,138

3,065

3,837

378

8,317

7,851

47,601

46,653

E.ON Group

46,388

46,837

9,362

8,741

1,802

1,876

1,863

1,910

8,317

7,851

67,732

67,215

30

Business Report

Fully Consolidated Generating Capacity
The E.ON Group’s fully consolidated generating capacity of 
70,111 MW was roughly at the prior-year level (70,061 MW). 
Below are the segment figures from a fully consolidated 
perspective.

Generation’s generating capacity declined by 1 percent to 
47,715 MW (prior year: 48,213 MW), primarily because of the 
decommissioning and shutdown, respectively, of two coal-fired 
generating units (Staudinger 3 and Veltheim 2) in Germany.

Renewables’ generating capacity increased by about 600 MW, 
predominantly because of new wind farms in the United States.

Fully Consolidated Generating Capacity

The Germany regional unit’s generating capacity of 1,549 MW 
was almost unchanged from the prior year.

Other EU Countries’ generating capacity declined to 1,869 MW 
(prior year: 1,919 MW) owing to the sale of a CHP unit in the 
United Kingdom.

Russia’s generation capacity of 9,932 MW was almost unchanged 
from the prior year.

Generation

Renewables

Germany

Other EU Countries

Russia

E.ON Group

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

December 31
MW

Nuclear

Lignite

Hard coal

Natural gas

Oil

Hydro

Wind

Other

2012

5,746

1,252

5,600

4,210

1,003

–

–

–

2011

5,746

1,252

5,986

4,205

1,003

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,619

1,619

226

–

226

–

–

–

–

508

120

547

–

374

–

–

–

502

114

547

–

380

Germany

17,811

18,192

1,845

1,845

1,549

1,543

Nuclear

Lignite

Hard coal

Natural gas

Oil

Hydro

Wind

Other

2,511

2,511

–

10,649

13,305

3,439

–

10,766

13,305

3,439

–

–

–

–

–

–

Outside Germany

29,904

30,021

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,832

4,269

100

7,201

2,832

3,669

96

6,597

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

69

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

69

–

1,524

1,528

–

–

1,478

1,528

8,408

8,416

–

55

1

–

55

1

266

1,869

266

1,919

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2012

5,746

1,252

5,600

4,718

1,123

2,166

226

374

2011

5,746

1,252

5,986

4,707

1,117

2,166

226

380

21,205

21,580

2,511

1,593

10,649

23,191

3,439

2,887

4,270

366

2,511

1,597

10,766

23,249

3,439

2,887

3,670

362

9,932

9,944

48,906

48,481

E.ON Group

47,715

48,213

9,046

8,442

1,549

1,543

1,869

1,919

9,932

9,944

70,111

70,061

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

31

Power Procurement
The E.ON Group’s owned generation increased by 6.7 billion kWh, 
or 1 percent, year on year. Power procured increased by 14.1 bil-
lion kWh, or 3 percent.

Generation’s owned generation was 10.1 billion kWh below the 
prior-year level. The decline resulted in particular from the 
reduced dispatch of coal-fired and gas-fired assets in Germany 
owing to the market situation in 2012, a decline in availability 
at Oskarshamn nuclear power plant (“NPP”) in Sweden, and 
lower demand in Italy. The effect of the shutdown of certain 
NPPs in Germany pursuant to the amendment of the Atomic 
Energy Act was almost offset by an increase in availability 
at our other NPPs. Significantly improved market conditions for 
coal-fired assets in the United Kingdom and France constituted 
the main positive factor.

Renewables’ owned generation of 26.2 billion kWh surpassed 
the prior-year figure of 24 billion kWh. Owned generation at 
the Hydro reporting unit rose by 0.7 billion kWh to 14.5 billion 
kWh owing to generally good stream flow in Germany and 

high reservoir levels at the start of 2012 and consistently high 
reservoir inflow in Sweden. Owned generation at the Wind/
Solar/Other reporting unit rose by 15 percent to 11.7 billion kWh 
(prior year: 10.2 billion kWh). Wind farms accounted for 96 per-
cent of its owned generation, with biomass and micro-hydro 
facilities accounting for the rest.

The decline in owned generation at the Germany regional unit 
is primarily attributable to the leasing of Plattling and Grenzach-
Wyhlen power plants effective the second half of 2011. Renew-
ables accounted for 50 percent of this unit’s owned generation.

Other EU Countries’ owned generation declined by 1.1 bil-
lion kWh to 6.2 billion kWh.

The Russia unit generated about 93 percent of its total needs of 
64.2 billion kWh at its own power stations. It procured 4.6 billion 
kWh from outside sources.

Power Procurement

Generation

Renewables

Optimization & 
Trading1

Germany

Other EU 
Countries

Billion kWh

2012

2011

Owned generation 160.7

170.8

Purchases

28.1

30.3

Jointly owned 
power plants
Optimization & 
Trading/outside 
sources

Total

Station use, 
line loss, etc.

Power sales

11.8

9.9

16.3

20.4

188.8

201.1

-2.2

-2.3

186.6

198.8

2012

26.2

6.8

2.2

4.6

33.0

-0.8

32.2

2011

24.0

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

–

–

5.9

6.6

6.2

7.3

6.2

565.2

566.9

181.1

180.4

148.9

159.8

Russia

Consolidation

E.ON Group

2012

64.2

4.6

2011

62.5

2012

2011

–

–

4.3

-437.4

-464.7

2012

263.2

497.3

2011

271.2

483.2

1.9

–

–

0.3

0.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

14.3

12.0

4.3

30.2

565.2

565.2

566.9

566.9

180.8

187.0

180.2

187.0

148.9

155.1

159.8

167.1

-0.5

29.7

–

–

-5.6

-5.7

-9.2

-10.2

565.2

566.9

181.4

181.3

145.9

156.9

4.6

68.8

-2.3

66.5

4.3

-437.4

-464.7

66.8

-437.4

-464.7

483.0

760.5

471.2

754.4

-2.0

–

–

-20.1

-20.7

64.8

-437.4

-464.7

740.4

733.7

1Effective January 1, 2012, we changed our IT-based method for collecting trading-volume data; prior-year figures were adjusted accordingly.

 
32

Business Report

Owned Generation by Energy Source

Generation

Renewables

Germany

Other EU Countries

Russia

E.ON Group

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

Billion kWh

Nuclear

Lignite

Hard coal

Natural gas, oil

Hydro

Wind

Other

Germany

Nuclear

Lignite

Hard coal

Natural gas, oil

Hydro

Wind

Other

2012

44.9

5.1

25.4

7.1

–

–

–

2011

45.4

4.8

28.2

9.4

–

–

–

82.5

87.8

12.5

–

42.8

22.9

–

–

–

15.5

–

33.8

33.7

–

–

–

Outside Germany

78.2

83.0

Total

160.7

170.8

Percentages

Nuclear

Lignite

Hard coal

Natural gas, oil

Hydro

Wind

Other

Germany

Nuclear

Lignite

Hard coal

Natural gas, oil

Hydro

Wind

Other

28

3

16

4

–

–

–

51

8

–

27

14

–

–

–

27

3

16

5

–

–

–

51

9

–

20

20

–

–

–

Outside Germany

Total

49

100

49

100

–

–

–

–

4.3

0.4

–

4.7

–

–

–

–

10.3

10.8

0.4

21.5

26.2

–

–

–

–

16

2

–

18

–

–

–

–

39

41

2

82

–

–

–

–

3.3

0.4

–

3.7

–

–

–

–

10.6

9.4

0.3

20.3

24.0

–

–

–

–

14

2

–

16

–

–

–

–

44

39

1

84

–

–

–

1.1

2.5

–

2.3

5.9

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2.0

2.3

–

2.3

6.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

5.9

6.6

–

–

–

19

42

–

39

–

–

–

30

35

–

35

100

100

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

100

100

100

100

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.4

0.1

4.9

0.1

–

0.7

6.2

6.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

6

2

79

2

–

11

100

100

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.3

–

6.0

0.1

–

0.9

7.3

7.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4

–

82

1

–

13

100

100

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

10.7

–

53.5

–

–

–

64.2

64.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

17

–

83

–

–

–

100

100

2012

44.9

5.1

25.4

8.2

6.8

0.4

2.3

2011

45.4

4.8

28.2

11.4

5.6

0.4

2.3

93.1

98.1

12.5

11.1

42.9

81.3

10.4

10.8

1.1

15.5

11.4

33.8

91.1

10.7

9.4

1.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

11.1

–

51.4

–

–

–

62.5

170.1

173.1

62.5

263.2

271.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

18

–

82

–

–

–

100

100

17

2

10

3

3

–

1

36

5

4

16

31

4

4

–

64

17

2

10

4

2

–

1

36

6

4

13

34

4

3

–

64

100

100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

33

Gas Procurement, Trading Volume, and Gas Production
The Optimization & Trading unit procured about 1,309.8 bil-
lion kWh of natural gas from producers in and outside Germany 
in 2012. About half of this amount was procured under long-
term contracts, the remainder at trading hubs. The biggest 
suppliers were Russia, Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands.

To execute its procurement and sales mission for the E.ON 
Group, Optimization & Trading traded the following financial 
and physical quantities with non-Group entities:

Trading Volume

Power (billion kWh)1

Gas (billion kWh)

Carbon allowances (million metric tons)

Oil (million metric tons)

Coal (million metric tons)

2012

1,402

2,456

721

261

225

2011

1,832

2,480

598

92

269

1 Effective January 1, 2012, we changed our IT-based method for collecting 
 trading-volume data; prior-year figures were adjusted accordingly.

The table above shows our entire trading volume from 2012, 
including volume for delivery in future periods.

Exploration & Production’s gas production in the North Sea 
declined to 615 million cubic meters. Oil and condensates 
production of 1.5 million barrels was also down, declining by 
58 percent from the prior-year figure. The main factors were 
temporary production stoppages due to technical issues at 
Njord, Elgin/Franklin, and Rita fields and natural production 
declines at older fields. Together, these factors caused total 
upstream production of gas, liquids, and condensates to fall by 
52 percent to 5.3 million barrels of oil equivalent. In addition to 
its North Sea production, Exploration & Production had 6.3 bil-
lion cubic meters of output from Siberia’s Yuzhno Russkoye 
gas field, which is accounted for using the equity method. This 
figure was somewhat lower than the prior-year figure.

Upstream Production

Oil/condensates (million barrels)

Gas (million standard cubic meters)

Total (million barrels of oil equivalent)

2012

2011

+/- %

1.5

615

5.3

3.6

1,175

11.0

-58

-48

-52

 
 
34

Business Report

Power Sales 
The E.ON Group’s 2012 consolidated power sales were 6.7 bil-
lion kWh, or 1 percent, above the prior-year level.

with incentive mechanisms for renewables, grew its power 
sales by 1.4 billion kWh, or 12 percent, chiefly because of an 
increase in installed generating capacity.

The 12.2 billion kWh decline in Generation’s power sales is 
mainly attributable to lower demand in Italy, the reduced dis-
patch of coal-fired and gas-fired assets in Germany owing to 
the market situation in 2012, and a reduction in our Swedish 
power stations’ deliveries to sales partners and our Optimi-
zation & Trading unit. The effect of the shutdown of certain 
NPPs in Germany pursuant to the amendment of the Atomic 
Energy Act was almost offset by an increase in availability at 
our other NPPs.

Power sales at the Germany regional unit were at the prior-
year level.

Other EU Countries sold 11 billion kWh less power. An aggregate 
decline of 11 billion kWh in France, Italy, the United Kingdom, 
the Netherlands, and Sweden more than offset an aggregate 
gain of 3.8 billion kWh in Romania, Spain, Czechia, and Hungary. 
The disposal of the Bulgaria regional unit in late June 2012 was 
responsible for 3.8 billion kWh of the decline in sales volume.

Renewables sold 2.5 billion kWh more power than in the prior 
year. Power sales at Hydro were up by 1.1 billion kWh, primarily 
because of an increase in owned generation and, consequently, 
in deliveries to Optimization & Trading in Germany and Sweden. 
Wind/Solar/Other, which sells its output exclusively in markets 

The Russia unit sold 66.5 billion kWh of electricity on the 
wholesale market, a 3-percent increase from the prior-year 
figure. The main factor was the addition of new generating 
capacity that entered service in the second half of 2011 at 
Surgut 2 and Yaiva power stations.

Power Sales

Generation

Renewables

Optimization & 
Trading1

Germany

Other EU 
Countries

Russia

Consolidation

E.ON Group

Billion kWh

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

Residential and 
SME

I&C

–

3.7

–

3.9

Sales partners

24.5

26.7

Customer 
segments

28.2

30.6

0.2

–

4.7

4.9

–

–

4.7

4.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

23.9

34.1

91.7

25.0

37.2

82.9

55.9

72.2

0.7

61.2

76.5

1.7

149.7

145.1

128.8

139.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 

-0.6

-5.0

–

-0.2

-4.9

80.0

109.4

116.6

86.2

117.4

111.1

-5.6

-5.1

306.0

314.7

Wholesale market/
Optimization & 
Trading

Total

158.4

186.6

168.2

198.8

27.3

32.2

25.0

29.7

565.2

565.2

566.9

566.9

31.7

36.2

17.1

17.5

181.4

181.3

145.9

156.9

66.5

66.5

64.8

64.8

-431.8

-459.6

-437.4

-464.7

434.4

740.4

419.0

733.7

1Effective January 1, 2012, we changed our IT-based method for collecting trading-volume data; prior-year figures were adjusted accordingly. 

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

35

Gas Sales
Consolidated gas sales increased by 54.6 billion kWh, or 
5 percent, year on year.

On balance, Optimization & Trading’s gas sales were at the 
prior-year level. Gas sales to industrial and commercial (“I&C”) 
customers and sales partners declined. The change in these 
two groups’ respective share of total gas sales results from the 
reclassification of some customers. Gas sales to the Germany 
regional unit increased to about 438 billion kWh. Gas sales 
outside Germany declined by about 20.4 billion kWh owing to 
a reduction in E.ON Földgáz Trade’s deliveries.

The Germany regional unit recorded an increase in gas sales 
volume, mainly because of the acquisition of new sales-part-
ner customers and an increase in sales volume to existing 
customers.

On balance, Other EU Countries sold 12 billion kWh more gas 
than in the prior year. Gas sales rose by a total of 16.1 billion kWh 
in several countries, in particular in the United Kingdom (owing 
to lower temperatures in the final three quarters of the year), 
in Romania and Czechia (owing to the acquisition of new I&C 
and wholesale customers), and in Spain (owing to higher I&C 
sales volume). Gas sales declined by 1.4 billion kWh in France 
(owing to the expiration of contracts), by 1.1 billion kWh in 
Sweden (owing to a reduction in deliveries to gas-fired power 
stations), and by 1.3 billion kWh in the Netherlands (owing to 
lower deliveries to Optimization & Trading).

Gas Sales

Billion kWh

Residential and SME

I&C

Sales partners

Customer segments

Germany

Other countries

Wholesale market/
Optimization & Trading

Total

Optimization & 
Trading1

Germany

Other EU Countries

Consolidation

E.ON Group

2012

–

7.6

60.0

67.6

438.1

90.6

2011

–

9.1

77.6

86.7

394.4

111.0

2012

26.0

132.8

302.0

460.8

–

–

2011

25.4

132.9

263.4

421.7

–

–

2012

100.0

49.8

0.1

149.9

–

–

2011

97.7

44.9

0.8

143.4

–

–

703.2

706.6

1,299.5

1,298.7

46.1

506.9

43.6

465.3

19.9

169.8

14.4

157.8

2012

– 

-5.7

-58.7

-64.4

-438.1

-31.2

-280.4

-814.1

2011

–

-11.4

-94.8

-106.2

-394.4

-38.3

-275.6

-814.5

2012

126.0

184.5

303.4

613.9

–

59.4

2011

123.1

175.5

247.0

545.6

–

72.7

488.8

489.2

1,162.1

1,107.5

1Effective January 1, 2012, we changed our IT-based method for collecting trading-volume data; prior-year figures were adjusted accordingly.

36

Business Report

Business Performance in 2012
In an environment of deteriorating macroeconomic impetus, 
lower demand for power and gas in nearly all of our markets, 
and steadily declining energy prices (particularly power prices), 
the E.ON Group’s earnings figures for 2012 were solid but 
cannot hide the fact that our industry is undergoing a radical 
transformation.

After reaching a settlement with Gazprom on long-term gas 
supply contracts, in July 2012 we raised the E.ON Group’s full-
year earnings forecast. Our results at year-end were in line 
with this adjusted forecast. Our sales rose from €113 billion in 
2011 to €132.1 billion in 2012. We recorded EBITDA of roughly 
€10.8 billion, 16 percent more than the prior-year figure of 
€9.3 billion. The increase reflects two main factors:
• 

the adverse effect of Germany’s amended Atomic Energy 
Act recorded in 2011  
the successful renegotiation of our gas procurement 
contracts with producers; this meant that in 2012 we 
also offset losses recorded in previous years.

• 

As a result, EBITDA was actually in the upper half of our fore-
cast range of €10.4 to €11 billion.

Our underlying net income rose from €2.5 billion in 2011 to 
about €4.2 billion in 2012. This increase is more than the 
EBITDA increase mainly because of lower amortization charges 
and lower interest expenses. Underlying net income was also 
well inside our forecast range of €4.1 to €4.5 billion.

Our investments of roughly €7 billion in 2012 were also in 
line with those foreseen in our medium-term plan.

In addition, we came closer to our target debt factor of less 
than 3. Relative to year-end 2011, at year-end 2012 we had 
reduced our economic net debt by €0.5 billion to €35.9 billion 
and our debt factor to 3.3.

Furthermore, the E.ON Group continues to have a solid asset 
and capital structure.

Acquisitions, Disposals, and Discontinued Operations 
in 2012
We executed the following significant transactions in 2012. 
Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contains 
detailed information about them.

Disposal Groups and Assets Held for Sale
In line with our less-capital-more-value strategy, in October 
2012 we concluded agreements to sell 50-percent stakes in 
three wind farms in North America.

As part of our strategy to sell €15 billion of assets by the end 
of 2013, in 2012 we classified as disposal groups, classified as 
assets held for sale, or sold:
• 
• 

a 43-percent stake in E.ON Thüringer Energie 
a stake in Slovenský  Plynárenský  Priemysel a.s., an 
energy company in Slovakia
a stake in E.ON Energy from Waste 
a stake in hydroelectric stations in Bavaria as part of an 
asset swap with Austria’s Verbund for power generating 
capacity and projects and power distribution assets in 
Turkey
a stake in Horizon Nuclear Power in the United Kingdom
a minority stake in JMP in Czechia 
a stake in Open Grid Europe, a gas transmission company
our wholly owned subsidiary E.ON Bulgaria
a 40-percent stake in HEAG Südhessische Energie AG
a 15.09-percent stake in Interconnector (UK) Ltd. in the 
United Kingdom
several components of the network connection of London 
Array wind farm in the United Kingdom.

• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 

As part of E.ON 2.0, our program to reduce costs and enhance 
efficiency, we closed E.ON Energie AG’s Brienner Straße office 
building in Munich and subsequently sold the property.

Disposals resulted in cash-effective items totaling €4,418 mil-
lion in 2012 (prior year: €5,987 million).

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

37

Earnings Situation

Transfer Price System
Deliveries from our generation units to Optimization & Trading 
are settled according to a market-based transfer price system. 
Generally, our internal transfer prices are derived from the 
forward prices that are current in the marketplace one to three 
years prior to delivery. The resulting transfer prices for power 
deliveries in 2012 were lower than the prices for deliveries 
in 2011.

Sales
Our 2012 sales of €132.1 billion surpassed the prior-year figure 
by €19.1 billion. Our Optimization & Trading and Germany seg-
ments recorded particularly significant sales increases. Overall, 
the share of external sales was higher. By contrast, Generation’s 
sales declined significantly.

Nuclear’s sales declined by €577 million, or 12 percent, owing to 
lower internal transfer prices on deliveries to Optimization & 
Trading in Germany and Sweden. Lower sales volume in Sweden 
was another negative factor.

Fossil’s sales were €1,091 million, or 11 percent, lower. The 
decline resulted primarily from lower capacity utilization at our 
coal-fired and gas-fired assets in Germany, a significant 
weather-driven decline in sales volume in Italy and Sweden, 
and lower internal transfer prices. Sales were slightly higher 
in the United Kingdom due to the commissioning of a new gas-
fired power plant, improved market conditions for coal-fired 
assets, and currency-translation effects. Higher market prices 
had a positive impact on sales in Spain.

Renewables
Sales at Renewables rose by €39 million. 

Sales

€ in millions

Generation

Renewables 

Optimization & Trading 

Exploration & Production

Germany

Other EU Countries

Russia

Group Management/
Consolidation

Total

2012

13,242

2,478

100,101

1,386

40,298

24,096

1,879

2011

14,979

2,439

84,667

1,518

37,295

23,032

1,615

-51,387

-52,591

132,093

112,954

-12

+2

+18

-9

+8

+5

+16

–

+17

Sales

+/- %

€ in millions

Hydro

Wind/Solar/Other

Renewables

2012

1,322

1,156

2,478

2011

1,453

986

2,439

+/- %

-9

+17

+2

Sales at Hydro declined by 9 percent to €1,322 million, mainly 
because of lower sales volume in Italy and lower transfer 
and spot prices in Sweden. Negative price movements led to 
slightly lower sales in Germany, whereas higher pool prices 
led to slightly higher sales in Spain.

Generation
Generation’s sales declined by €1.7 billion, or 12 percent. 

The predominant reason for the €170 million increase in 
Wind/Solar/Other’s sales was a considerable increase in 
installed generating capacity.

Sales

€ in millions

Nuclear

Fossil

Other/Consolidation

Generation

2012

4,367

8,720

155

2011

4,944

9,811

224

13,242

14,979

+/- %

-12

-11

-31

-12

38

Business Report

Optimization & Trading
Optimization & Trading’s sales rose by €15.4 billion to around 
€100.1 billion.

Germany
Sales at the Germany regional unit increased by €3 billion.

Sales

€ in millions

Proprietary Trading

Optimization

Gas Transport/Shareholdings/
Other

2012

4

2011

111

99,816

84,109

281

447

Optimization & Trading

100,101

84,667

Sales

€ in millions

+/- %

Distribution Networks

Non-regulated/Other

Germany

-96

+19

-37

+18

2012

12,741

27,557

40,298

2011

11,276

26,019

37,295

+/- %

+13

+6

+8

The Optimization reporting unit consists of wholesale gas, 
gas storage, and asset optimization. The increase in its sales 
resulted primarily from an expansion of financial trading 
activity in gas and oil. On the gas side, the optimization of 
long-term gas contracts (“LTGCs”) and E.ON-owned gas-fired 
power plants led to a substantial increase in sales because 
of the shift in our hedging strategy toward more exchange-
based trading. In addition, the hedging of our financial oil 
exposure resulting from oil-indexed LTGCs led to a further 
increase in sales. Sales at the wholesale gas business rose 
owing primarily to higher sales prices and higher sales volume. 
The increase in sales is reflected almost identically in the 
increase in cost of materials, since hedging involves buying 
quantities and reselling them in different time frames. Any 
change in the underlying exposure leads to a further increase. 

Sales at the Gas Transport/Shareholdings/Other reporting unit 
declined significantly owing to the sale of Open Grid Europe 
in late July 2012. This was partially offset by a reduction in 
consolidation effects.

Exploration & Production
Sales at Exploration & Production declined by 9 percent to 
€1,386 million (prior year: €1,518 million) owing to a decline 
in production at our North Sea fields. This effect was par-
tially offset by positive price developments, particularly for 
sales volume from Yuzhno Russkoye gas field in Siberia.

The Distribution Networks reporting unit grew sales by 
€1.5 billion. The increase is mainly attributable to significantly 
higher sales in conjunction with Germany’s Renewable 
Energy Law.

Sales at the Non-regulated/Other reporting unit rose by 
€1.5 billion, chiefly because of the acquisition of new retail 
gas customers.

Other EU Countries
Other EU Countries grew sales by €1.1 billion to €24.1 billion.

Sales

€ in millions

U.K.
(£ in millions)

Sweden
(SEK in millions)

Czechia
(CZK in millions)

Hungary
(HUF in millions)

Remaining regional units

Other EU Countries

2012

9,701
(7,866)

2,822
(24,566)

3,018
(75,889)

2011

8,554
(7,422)

2,922
(26,381)

2,765
(67,991)

1,974
(570,850)

1,948
(544,196)

6,581

24,096

6,843

23,032

+/- %

+13
(+6)

-3
(-7)

+9
(+12) 

+1
(+5)

-4

+5

Sales at the UK regional unit rose by €1.1 billion, primarily 
because of currency-translation effects. Higher retail sales were 
partially offset by the disposal of the regulated business 
(Central Networks) at the end of the first quarter of 2011.

The Sweden regional unit’s sales decreased by €100 million 
despite positive currency-translation effects of about €100 mil-
lion. The main negative factors were lower retail sales which 
resulted from lower spot prices and sales volume relative to 
the prior year. 

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

39

Sales in Czechia rose by €253 million owing primarily to higher 
sales prices in the retail gas business and higher compensa-
tion payments for the preferential dispatch of renewable-source 
electricity in the distribution network. These factors were 
partially mitigated by adverse currency-translation effects.

Sales at the Hungary regional unit increased by €26 million. 
Adverse currency-translation effects of €70 million were more 
than offset by higher network fees, a non-recurring effect in 
the gas business, and higher sales prices in the power and 
heat businesses.

Sales at the remaining regional units fell by €262 million, in 
particular because of the loss of a large customer in the 
Netherlands, a significant volume- and price-driven decline in 
sales in France, the disposal of operations in Bulgaria, and 
lower sales volume in Italy. These declines were partially off-
set by higher power sales volume and positive volume and 
price effects in the gas business in Spain and by higher power 
and gas sales volume combined with higher retail prices in 
Romania.

Russia 
The Russia unit to grow its sales by 16 percent to €1,879 million 
(prior year: €1,615 million). The reason for the increase was 
higher sales volume resulting from the full-year inclusion of 
the new generating capacity and higher market prices for 
next-day deliveries. In local currency, sales were up by 14 per-
cent, from RUB 66,039 million to RUB 75,025 million.

Other Significant Line Items from the Consolidated 
Statements of Income
Own work capitalized of €381 million was 27 percent below 
the prior-year figure (€519 million). The main reason for the 
decline is that significantly fewer engineering services were 
performed in 2012 owing to the completion of a number of 
generation new-build projects in 2011. 

Other operating income declined by 21 percent to €10,845 mil-
lion (prior year: €13,785 million). Lower income from exchange-
rate differences of €4,108 million (€6,027 million) and lower 
income from derivative financial instruments of €3,779 million 
(€4,559 million) constituted the main factors. Among deriva-
tive financial instruments, there were significant effects from 
commodity derivatives in 2012. These principally affected our 
power, natural gas, coal, and oil positions. Gains on the sale of 

securities; property, plant, and equipment (“PP&E”); and 
shareholdings amounted to €643 million (€1,548 million). In 
2012 these gains resulted primarily from the sale of PP&E 
and securities; in 2011 primarily from the sale of additional 
shares of Gazprom stock and our power distribution network 
in the United Kingdom. Miscellaneous other operating 
income consisted primarily of reductions to valuation allow-
ances and provisions as well as compensation payments 
received for damages.

Costs of materials rose by €17,458 million to €115,285 million 
(prior year: €97,827 million), primarily owing to a substantial 
increase in trading volume at Optimization & Trading, since 
optimization involves buying quantities and then reselling them. 
The agreement we reached with Gazprom in the first half of 
2012, which retroactively affected price terms for the period 
since the fourth quarter of 2010, had a positive effect in the 
amount of approximately €1 billion in 2012.

Personnel costs declined by 14 percent to €5,138 million 
(prior year: €5,947 million), mainly because of staff reductions 
in conjunction with E.ON 2.0 and the sale of our Bulgaria 
regional unit and Open Grid Europe.

Depreciation charges of €5,078 million were significantly below 
the prior-year figure of €7,081 million because impairment 
charges on goodwill, PP&E, and immaterial assets were higher 
in 2011 than in 2012. The amendment of Germany’s Atomic 
Energy Act (which called for the early, unplanned shutdown 
of nuclear power stations in Germany) made it necessary 
to record impairment charges on PP&E in 2011. Reversals of 
impairment charges on PP&E in 2012 are recorded in other 
operating income.

Other operating expenses declined by 25 percent to €13,307 mil-
lion (prior year: €17,656 million). This is mainly attributable 
to lower expenditures relating to currency differences of 
€3,857 million (€6,761 million) and lower expenditures relating 
to derivative financial instruments of €4,491 million (€5,685 mil-
lion), especially relating to commodity derivatives.

Income from companies accounted for under the equity method 
declined to €137 million (prior year: €512 million), mainly 
because of impairment charges on shareholdings in the gas 
business. In addition, this item was adversely affected in the 
prior year by impairment charges resulting from the amendment 
of Germany’s Atomic Energy Act which called for the early, 
unplanned shutdown of nuclear power stations in Germany.

 
40

Business Report

Our regulated business consists of operations in which revenues 
are set by law and based on costs plus a reasonable return on 
capital employed. The earnings on these revenues are therefore 
extremely stable and predictable.

Our quasi-regulated and long-term contracted business con-
sists of operations in which earnings have a high degree of 
predictability because key determinants (price and/or volume) 
are largely set by law or by individual contractual arrange-
ments for the medium to long term. Examples of such legal 
or contractual arrangements include incentive mechanisms 
for renewables and long-term power-purchase agreements for 
generating capacity.

Our merchant activities are all those that cannot be subsumed 
under either of the other two categories.

Generation
Generation’s EBITDA increased by €289 million.

Generation

€ in millions

Nuclear

Fossil

Other/Consolidation

EBITDA1

EBIT1

2012

792

1,659

-48

2011

272

1,792

50

2012

536

960

-54

2011

25

1,061

42

Total

2,403

2,114

1,442

1,128

1Adjusted for extraordinary effects.

EBITDA
Our 2012 EBITDA was up by about €1.5 billion year on year. 
The main factors were:
• 
• 

significant improvements in our wholesale gas business 
the adverse one-off impact, recorded in 2011, of the 
amended Atomic Energy Act 
the initial impact of our Group-wide E.ON 2.0 program 
the operation of new gas-fired generating units at Surgut 2 
and Yaiva power stations in Russia.

• 
• 

EBITDA1
€ in millions

Generation

Renewables

Optimization & Trading 

Exploration & Production

Germany

Other EU Countries

Russia

Group Management/
Consolidation

Total

1Adjusted for extraordinary effects.

2012

2,403

1,271

1,421

523

2,819

2,032

729

-412

10,786

2011

2,114

1,459

160

727

2,457

2,259

553

-436

9,293

+/- %

+14

-13

+788

-28

+15

-10

+32

-6

+16

E.ON generates a significant portion of its EBITDA in very stable 
business areas. The overall share of regulated as well as quasi-
regulated and long-term contracted operations amounted to 
46 percent of EBITDA in 2012.

EBITDA1
€ in millions

Regulated business

Quasi-regulated and long-term 
contracted business

Merchant business

Total

1Adjusted for extraordinary effects.

2012

4,004

968

5,814

10,786

2011

3,721

900

4,672

9,293

 %

+8

+8

+24

+16

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

41

Optimization & Trading
Optimization & Trading’s EBITDA surpassed the prior-year 
 figure by €1,261 million.

Optimization & Trading

EBITDA1

EBIT1

€ in millions

Proprietary Trading

Optimization

Gas Transport/Sharehold-
ings/Other

Total

2012

-61

750

732

1,421

2011

44

-735

851

160

2012

-62

551

674

1,163

2011

42

-885

709

-134

1Adjusted for extraordinary effects.

Proprietary Trading’s EBITDA was below the prior-year figure 
because of lower earnings in gas, oil, and the East European 
power portfolio.

EBITDA at Optimization was significantly above the prior-year 
level, primarily because of our gas business, where negotiations 
with all suppliers to adjust purchase prices were successful, 
leading to a substantial earnings improvement relative to the 
prior year. Depending on the producer, some price adjustments 
are attributable to an earlier reporting period, in some cases 
going back as far as the fourth quarter of 2010. Although 
achieved prices in the market were still below internal trans-
fer prices, EBITDA on the optimization of the E.ON Group’s 
generation and production assets  improved significantly rela-
tive to the prior year.

Earnings at Gas Transport/Shareholdings/Other were lower 
owing to the sale of Open Grid Europe in late July 2012. This 
factor and adverse consolidation effects were partially offset 
by higher earnings from equity interests.

Nuclear’s 2012 EBITDA was positively affected primarily by 
the absence of a non-recurring effect recorded in the second 
quarter of 2011 relating to the shutdown of certain nuclear 
power stations in Germany pursuant to the amended Atomic 
Energy Act. Earnings in Germany were adversely affected by 
lower market-based transfer prices for deliveries to Optimi-
zation & Trading, higher expenditures for the nuclear-fuel tax, 
and higher provisions for nuclear-waste management. Lower 
sales volume and transfer prices in Sweden also served to 
reduce earnings.

Fossil’s earnings were €133 million below the prior-year level. 
Lower internal transfer prices relative to the prior year con-
stituted the main negative factor. Other negative factors 
included the conversion of a power plant to biomass and the 
non-recurrence of positive one-off effects recorded in the 
prior year in the United Kingdom along with narrower margins 
at gas-fired assets in Italy. Improved margins in France and 
Spain had a positive impact on earnings.

Renewables
Renewables’ EBITDA declined by €188 million, or 13 percent.

Renewables

€ in millions

Hydro

Wind/Solar/Other

Total

1Adjusted for extraordinary effects.

EBITDA1

EBIT1

2012

2011

2012

2011

709

562

909

550

1,271

1,459

605

272

877

793

295

1,088

EBITDA at Hydro declined by 22 percent to €709 million. The 
main factors were lower sales volume in Italy, positive one-off 
effects in Germany in 2011, lower transfer prices (despite 
higher output and sale volume) in Sweden, and volatile market 
prices in Spain.

Wind/Solar/Other’s EBITDA was slightly (+2 percent) above 
the prior-year figure. A significant increase in installed gener-
ating capacity was partially offset by the non-recurrence of 
positive one-off effects recorded in the first quarter of 2011 
and lower compensation in 2012.

42

Business Report

EBITDA at the UK regional unit was €234 million below the 
prior-year level because of the absence of earnings streams 
from the regulated business (Central Networks), which was 
divested in April 2011, and higher costs to fulfill regulatory 
obligations.

The Sweden regional unit’s EBITDA increased by €42 million. 
This figure includes positive currency-translation effects of 
€26 million. Other positive factors were higher network fees, 
new network connections for wind farms, and the sale of a 
subsidiary. EBITDA was adversely affected by a decline in asset 
availability in the heat business and by higher procurement 
costs (resulting from price spikes in the first quarter) and lower 
sales volume in the retail business.

EBITDA in Czechia was slightly above the prior-year level 
owing to higher earnings from an equity interest and to 
improved energy margins. Currency-translation effects had 
an adverse effect on EBITDA.

The main contributions to the Hungary regional unit’s EBITDA 
came from its distribution network business (€208 million) 
and its retail business (-€32 million). The decline from the prior-
year figure is chiefly attributable to higher personnel costs, 
losses on unrecoverable receivables, and currency-translation 
effects.

EBITDA at the remaining regional units declined by €6 million, 
or 2 percent, mainly because of our France regional unit, which 
recorded a provision for anticipated losses in the gas business 
and experienced regulatory changes and lower sales volume 
in the power business as well as narrower margins in the gas 
business. The disposal of our Bulgaria regional unit in late 
June 2012 and slightly lower earnings in Spain were also neg-
ative factors. These declines were almost fully offset by the 
absence of allowances for overdue receivables recorded in the 
prior year in Italy, by the sale of a shareholding in the Nether-
lands, and by improved margins in the gas business in Romania.

Exploration & Production
EBITDA at Exploration & Production declined by 28 percent to 
€523 million (prior year: €727 million) owing mainly to a decline 
in production at our North Sea fields. This effect was partially 
offset by higher prices on gas from Yuzhno Russkoye gas field 
in Siberia. Exploration & Production’s 2012 EBIT was €293 mil-
lion (€481 million). 

Germany
EBITDA at the Germany regional unit increased by €362 million.

Germany

€ in millions

Distribution Networks

Non-regulated/Other

Total

1Adjusted for extraordinary effects.

EBITDA1

EBIT1

2012

1,792

1,027

2,819

2011

1,535

922

2,457

2012

1,128

723

1,851

2011

885

614

1,499

Distribution Networks grew its earnings by €257 million, in 
particular because of higher power network revenues and 
improvements achieved through cost-cutting measures.

EBITDA at Non-regulated/Other was €105 million above the 
prior-year level, mainly because of effects attributable to earlier 
reporting periods.

Other EU Countries
Other EU Countries’ EBITDA of €2 billion was 10 percent, or 
€227 million, below the prior-year figure. 

Other EU Countries

€ in millions

U.K.
(£ in millions)

Sweden
(SEK in millions)

Czechia
(CZK in millions)

Hungary
(HUF in millions)

Remaining regional units

Total

EBITDA1

EBIT1

2012

289
(234)

714
(6,215)

478
(12,010)

186
(53,869)

365

2,032

2011

523
(454)

672
(6,068)

470
(11,557)

223
(62,378)

371

2,259

2012

170
(137)

466
(4,059)

364
(9,097)

2011

390
(338)

411
(3,710)

359
(8,828)

86
(24,945)

104
(29,037)

259

1,345

227

1,491

1Adjusted for extraordinary effects.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

43

Russia
The Russia unit’s EBITDA rose by €176 million, or 32 percent, to 
€729 million (prior year: €553 million), mainly because of 
higher sales volume resulting from an increase in generating 
capacity in the second half of 2011. EBIT was €546 million 
(€398 million). EBITDA in local currency increased by 29 percent, 
from RUB 22,620 million to RUB 29,118 million. EBIT was 
RUB 21,784 million (RUB 16,256 million).

Net Income/Net Loss
Net income attributable to shareholders of E.ON SE of 
€2,217 million and corresponding earnings per share of €1.16 
were considerably above the respective prior-year figures, 
-€2,219 million and -€1.16.

The improvement in our economic interest expense is mainly 
attributable to the release of provisions recorded in previous 
years.  A positive one-off item relating to a renewables sup-
port fund was recorded in 2011; its non-recurrence in 2012 
was an adverse factor.

Economic Interest Expense 

€ in millions

Interest expense shown in Consolidated 
Statements of Income

Interest income (-)/expense (+) not 
affecting net income

Total

2012

2011

-1,412

-2,094

91

-1,321

318

-1,776

Net book gains were €0.9 billion, or 74 percent, below the 
prior-year level. In 2012 book gains were recorded primarily 
on the sale of our stake in Horizon Nuclear Power in the 
United Kingdom, securities, network segments in Germany, our 
stake in a gas pipeline in the United Kingdom, and a property 
with an office building in Munich. The 2011 figure reflects, in 
particular, the sale of Gazprom stock, our U.K. network business, 
our Swedish gas distribution network, and securities.

Restructuring expenses totaled €0.6 billion in 2012, €0.8 billion 
less than in 2011. Our E.ON 2.0 cost-reduction program was 
responsible for most of these expenditures in 2012; E.ON 2.0 
expenditures, which relate mostly to preretirement agree-
ments and settlements at subsidiaries outside Germany, were 
roughly €0.4 billion lower than in 2011. As in the prior year, 
our remaining restructuring and cost-management expenditures 
resulted mainly from restructuring measures at our regional 
distribution companies in Germany and the withdrawal of 
generating units.

Net Income/Net Loss

€ in millions

EBITDA1

Depreciation and amortization

Impairments (-)/Reversals (+)2

EBIT1

Economic interest expense

Net book gains/losses

Restructuring/cost-management expenses

E.ON 2.0 restructuring expenses

Impairment charges2

Other non-operating earnings

Income/Loss (-) from continuing 
operations before taxes

2012

10,786

-3,544

-215

7,027

-1,321

322

-230

-388

-1,688

-408

2011

9,293

-3,689

-166

5,438

-1,776

1,221

-586

-801

-3,004

-3,403

3,314

-2,911

Income taxes

Income/Loss (-) from continuing operations

Income/Loss (-) from discontinued 
operations, net

Net income/Net loss (-)

Attributable to shareholders of E.ON SE
Attributable to non-controlling interests

-710

2,604

37

2,641
2,217
424

1,036

-1,875

14

-1,861
-2,219
358

1Adjusted for extraordinary effects (see Glossary).
2Impairments differ from the amounts reported in accordance with IFRS due to 
impairments on companies accounted for under the equity method and impair-
ments on other financial assets, and also due to impairments recognized in non-
operating earnings.

44

Business Report

Underlying Net Income
Net income reflects not only our operating performance but 
also special effects such as the marking to market of deriva-
tives. Underlying net income is an earnings figure after inter-
est income, income taxes, and minority interests that has 
been adjusted to exclude certain special effects. In addition 
to the marking to market of derivatives, the adjustments 
include book gains and book losses on disposals, restructuring 
expenses, other non-operating income and expenses (after 
taxes and non-controlling interests) of a special or rare nature. 
Underlying net income also excludes income/loss from dis-
continued operations and from the cumulative effect of changes 
in IFRS principles (after taxes and interests without a con-
trolling influence), as well as special tax effects.

Underlying Net Income

€ in millions

2012

2011

+/- %

Net income/Net loss attributable 
to shareholders of E.ON SE

Net book gains

Restructuring and cost-manage-
ment expenses

Impairments (-)/Reversals (+)

Other non-operating earnings

Taxes and non-controlling inter-
ests on non-operating earnings

Special tax effects

Income/Loss from discontinued 
operations, net

Total

2,217

-322

618

1,688

408

-110

-275

-37

4,187

-2,219

-1,221

1,387

3,004

3,403

-1,708

-131

-14

2,501

–

–

–

– 

–

–

–

–

+67

In 2012 our global and regional units were adversely affected 
by a generally deteriorated business environment and by 
 regulatory intervention. We therefore had to record impairment 
charges totaling €1.7 billion, in particular at Generation, Opti-
mization & Trading, and Other EU Countries. Of these charges, 
€0.3 billion were on goodwill; €1.7 billion were on property, 
plant, and equipment, intangible assets, and share investments. 
These were partially offset by the reversal of impairment 
charges in the amount of €0.3 billion, mainly at Generation. 

Other non-operating earnings of -€0.4 billion (prior year: 
-€3.4 billion) include the marking to market of derivatives. We 
use derivatives to shield our operating business from price 
fluctuations. Marking to market resulted in negative effects 
at both year-end 2012 (-€0.5 billion) and year-end 2011 (-€1.8 bil-
lion). In 2012 non-operating earnings were also adversely 
affected by a number of smaller items. Non-operating earnings 
were positively affected in 2012 by the reduction of the fine 
that the European Commission had levied against E.ON for 
an alleged market-sharing agreement with GdF Suez. Negative 
effects in 2011 also resulted from the reclassification of cur-
rency-translation effects in equity in the wake of the simplifi-
cation of E.ON’s organizational setup, from impairment charges 
related to the amendment of Germany’s Atomic Energy Act, 
from early redemption fees in connection with our debt reduc-
tion, and from writedowns on production licenses at Explora-
tion & Production.

The €1.7 billion increase in our tax expense compared with 2011 
is mainly attributable to the significant increase in our earnings. 
Our effective tax rate was 21 percent, whereas it was 36 per-
cent (relative to our negative earnings) in 2011. Changes in tax 
rates reduced our tax expense by a total of €0.3 billion in 2012.

Income/Loss from discontinued operations, net, consists of 
the earnings from contractual obligations of operations that 
have already been sold. Pursuant to IFRS, these earnings are 
reported separately in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

45

Financial Situation

E.ON presents its financial condition using, among other finan-
cial measures, economic net debt and operating cash flow.

Finance Strategy
The central components of E.ON’s finance strategy are capital-
structure management and our dividend policy.

We manage E.ON’s capital structure by using our debt factor 
in order to ensure that E.ON’s access to capital markets is 
commensurate with its current debt level. Debt factor is equal 
to our economic net debt divided by EBITDA; it is therefore 
a dynamic debt metric. Economic net debt includes not only 
our financial liabilities but also our provisions for pensions 
and asset retirement obligations as well as the fair value 
(net) of currency derivatives used for financing transactions 
(excluding transactions relating to our operating business 
and asset management). Our medium-term target debt factor 
is less than 3.

To ensure that we achieve our target debt factor, in Novem-
ber 2010 we announced a program for managing our portfolio 
and capital structure. It included €15 billion of disposals by 
year-end 2013, a target we will surpass by a wide margin. In 
addition, E.ON plans to generate positive free cash flow 
(defined as operating cash flow minus investments and divi-
dends) by 2015. We intend to achieve this by enhancing effi-
ciency (E.ON 2.0), reducing our future investment volume, and 
adjusting our planned dividend (in absolute terms) from the 
2013 financial year onward.

The second key component of our finance strategy is a con-
sistent dividend policy, under which we aim to pay out 50 to 
60 percent of underlying net income. We are therefore pro-
posing a dividend of €1.10 per share for the 2012 financial year. 
We also plan for future payout ratios to be within this target 
payout range. Our dividend policy ensures that our shareholders 
receive an attractive return on their investment and, at the 
same time, provides E.ON with the opportunity to invest in 
its transformation.

Financial Position
Our gross financial liabilities to financial institutions and third 
parties were €25 billion at year-end 2012, having declined by 
€3.5 billion during the year. This mainly reflects the repayment 
of €2.7 billion in bonds, which reduced the amount of bonds 
outstanding. We also had less commercial paper outstanding 
at the end of 2012 than at the end of 2011.

Compared with the figure recorded at December 31, 2011 
(-€36.4 billion), our economic net debt declined by €0.5 billion 
to -€35.9 billion. Our positive operating cash flow and pro-
ceeds from divestments were the main reasons for the decline. 
Economic net debt was adversely affected by an increase 
in provisions for pensions (owing mostly to a decline in the 
discount rate) and for nuclear-waste management (owing 
to compound interest and a decline in the discount rate).

Economic Net Debt

€ in millions

Liquid funds

Non-current securities

Total liquid funds and non-current 
securities

Financial liabilities to banks and third 
parties

Financial liabilities resulting from inter-
ests in associated companies and 
other shareholdings

Total financial liabilities

December 31

2012

6,546

4,746

2011

7,020

4,904

11,292

11,924

-25,014

-28,490

-930

-25,944

-1,424

-29,914

Net financial position

-14,652

-17,990

Fair value (net) of currency derivatives 
used for financing transactions1

Provisions for pensions

Asset-retirement obligations

Less prepayments to Swedish nuclear 
fund

Economic net debt

EBITDA2

Debt factor

145

-4,890

-18,225

1,743

-35,879

10,786

3.3

524

-3,245

-17,269

1,595

-36,385

9,293

3.9

1Does not include transactions relating to our operating business or asset 
management.
2Adjusted for extraordinary effects.

Owing to the increase in EBITDA and the decline in net debt, 
our debt factor at year-end 2012 improved to 3.3 (year-end 
2011: 3.9).

46

Business Report

Funding Policy and Initiatives
Our funding policy is designed to give E.ON access to a variety 
of financing sources at any time. We achieve this objective 
by basing our funding policy on the following principles. First, 
we use a variety of markets and debt instruments to maxi-
mize the diversity of our investor base. Second, we issue bonds 
with terms that give our debt portfolio a balanced maturity 
profile. Third, we combine large-volume benchmark issues with 
smaller issues that take advantage of market opportunities 
as they arise. As a rule, external funding is carried out by our 
Dutch finance subsidiary, E.ON International Finance B.V., under 
guarantee of E.ON SE or by E.ON SE itself, and the funds are 
subsequently on-lent in the Group. Owing to its liquidity situ-
ation, E.ON did not issue bonds in 2012. 

Financial Liabilities

€ in billions

Bonds1
EUR
GBP
USD
CHF
SEK
JPY
Other currencies

Promissory notes

CP

Other liabilities

Total

1Includes private placements.

Dec. 31, 2012 Dec. 31, 2011

20.7
12.0
4.5
2.3
0.9
0.1
0.7
0.2

0.8

0.2

4.2

25.9

23.4
13.3
5.0
2.6
1.3
0.3
0.8
0.1

0.8

0.9

4.8

29.9

With the exception of a U.S.-dollar-denominated bond issued 
in 2008, all of E.ON SE and E.ON International Finance B.V.’s 
currently outstanding bonds were issued under our Debt Issu-
ance Program (“DIP”). The DIP enables us to issue debt to 
investors in public and private placements. In April 2012 it was 
extended, as planned, for one year. The DIP has a total vol-
ume of €35 billion. About €18.4 billion worth of bonds were 
outstanding under the program at year-end 2012.

In addition to our DIP, we have a €10 billion European Com-
mercial Paper (“CP”) program and a $10 billion U.S. CP pro-
gram under which we can issue short-term liabilities. We had 
€180 million in CP outstanding at year-end 2012 (prior year: 
€869 million).

We also have access to a five-year, €6 billion syndicated 
revolving credit facility, which was concluded with 29 banks on 
November 25, 2010. This facility has not been drawn on and 
instead serves as a reliable, ongoing general liquidity reserve 
for the E.ON Group. Participation in the credit facility indicates 
that a bank belongs to E.ON’s core group of banks.

Notes 26, 27, and 31 to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
contain more information about E.ON’s bonds as well as liabili-
ties, contingencies, and other commitments.

Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) long-term rating for E.ON is A-. 
Moody’s long-term rating for E.ON is A3. Both of these ratings 
have a stable outlook. The short-term ratings are A-2 (S&P) and 
P-2 (Moody’s). In July 2012 S&P downgraded its A rating to A- 
with a stable outlook and its short-term rating from A-1 to A-2. 

E.ON SE Ratings

Moody’s

S&P

Long 
term

A3

A-

Short 
term

P-2

A-2

Outlook

Stable

Stable

Providing rating agencies with timely, comprehensive informa-
tion is an important component of our creditor relations. The 
purpose of our creditor relations is to earn and maintain our 
investors’ trust by communicating a clear strategy with the 
highest degree of transparency. To achieve this purpose, we 
regularly hold debt investor updates in major European finan-
cial centers, conference calls for debt analysts and investors, 
and informational meetings for our core group of banks.

 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

47

Maturity Profile of Bonds and Promissory Notes Issued by E.ON SE 
and E.ON International Finance B.V.

€ in billions 

December 31, 2012

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021+

Investments
Our investments totaled €7 billion in 2012, about €0.5 billion 
above the prior-year figure. We invested about €6.4 billion in 
property, plant, and equipment (“PP&E”) and intangible assets 
(prior year: €6.2 billion). Share investments totaled €0.6 billion 
versus €0.3 billion in the prior year.

Our investments outside Germany increased by 14 percent to 
€5,367 million (prior year: €4,709 million).

Investments

€ in millions

Generation

Renewables

Optimization & Trading 

Exploration & Production

Germany

Other EU Countries

Russia

Group Management/
Consolidation

Total

Maintenance investments
Growth and replacement 
investments

2012

1,555

1,791

319

573

1,070

1,063

289

337

6,997
1,210

2011

1,711

1,114

581

645

912

1,210

322

29

6,524
1,257

+/- %

-9

+61

-45

-11

+17

-12

-10

–

+7
-4

5,787

5,267

+10

Generation invested €156 million less than in the prior year. 
Investments in PP&E and intangible assets declined by €52 mil-
lion, from €1,520 million to €1,468 million. The main reason 
for the decline was the completion of new-build projects in 
Slovakia (Malzenice), Germany (Irsching), and Spain (Algeciras). 
By contrast, we invested significantly more in the Netherlands 
(for the construction of a new coal-fired generating unit at 
Maasvlakte power station) and in Sweden and Italy (for main-
tenance). Share investments totaled €87 million (prior year: 
€191 million).

Investments at Renewables were up by €677 million. Hydro’s 
investments of €165 million were double the prior-year figure 
of €83 million. In preparation for the asset swap between 
E.ON SE and Austria’s Verbund AG, a stake in a power plant in 
Germany was acquired along with the related power procure-
ment rights for €90 million. Wind/Solar/Other’s investments 
rose by 58 percent, from €1,031 million to €1,626 million. 
These expenditures went toward the development and con-
struction of wind farms in Europe and the United States.

Optimization & Trading invested €319 million. Of this figure, 
€288 million (prior year: €500 million) was invested in PP&E 
and intangible assets. Most of these investments were in gas 
infrastructure. Share investments of €31 million (€81 million) 
were chiefly attributable to a capital increase at the Nord 
Stream pipeline company.

48

Business Report

Exploration & Production invested €573 million (prior year: 
€645 million) in PP&E and intangible assets. Investments in 
Skarv field amounted to €304 million (€411 million).

The Germany regional unit invested €158 million more than 
in the prior year. Investments in PP&E and intangible assets 
totaled €1,025 million. Of these investments, €843 million 
went toward the network business and €102 million toward 
the heating business. Share investments totaled €45 million.

Investments at Other EU Countries were €147 million below 
the prior-year figure. The UK regional unit invested €141 million 
(prior year: €212 million). The sale of Central Networks was 
the main cause for the decline. The Sweden unit’s investments 
of €397 million were €25 million below the prior-year figure 
(€422 million); investments served to expand distributed gen-
eration and to expand and upgrade the distribution network, 
including adding new connections. Investments totaled 
€172 million (€200 million) in Czechia, €143 million (€147 mil-
lion) in Hungary, and €210 million (€229 million) in the remain-
ing EU countries; the decline in the latter figure chiefly reflects 
the disposal of our Bulgaria regional unit in late June 2012.

The Russia unit invested €289 million (prior year: €322 million), 
of which €195 million went toward its new-build program.

Investments recorded under Group Management/Consolidation 
were considerably higher because we made initial payments 
as part of our joint venture with Brazil’s MPX.

We plan to invest €6.1 billion in 2013. Generation’s investments 
include the construction of unit 3 at Maasvlakte power station 
in the Netherlands. Renewables’ investments include the con-
struction of Humber Gateway offshore wind farm in the United 
Kingdom. Our main investment obligations are disclosed in the 
investment plan contained in the Forecast Report.

Cash Flow
At €8,808 million, our operating cash flow was significantly 
above the prior-year figure of €6,610 million. The main positive 
factor was a substantial reduction in working capital, which 
was attributable in part to one-off effects relating to settle-
ments from the 2011 financial year and higher withdrawals 
from coal and gas inventories in 2012. The non-recurrence of 
the refunding of pension assets in the United Kingdom 
recorded in 2011, lower interest payments, and the partial 
refund of the fine levied by the European Commission on 
E.ON for an alleged market-sharing agreement with GdF Suez 
were also positive factors. Cash flow was adversely affected 
by higher tax payments.

Cash provided by investing activities of continuing operations 
amounted to approximately -€3 billion in 2012 (prior year: 
-€3.1 billion). Although investment expenditures were only 
incrementally above the prior-year level, cash from the sale of 
shareholdings was considerably lower. This mainly reflects the 
significant cash recorded on the sale of Central Networks and 
our remaining Gazprom stock in the prior year. The proceeds 
from the sale of Open Grid Europe constituted the main positive 
factor in 2012; another positive factor was a reduction in cash 
outflows from changes in securities and fixed-term deposits.

Cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations 
amounted to -€6.8 billion (prior year: -€5.8 billion). The change 
relative to the prior year was mainly due to a higher net repay-
ment of financial liabilities in 2012. A lower dividend payout 
was a countervailing factor.

Liquid funds at December 31, 2012, were €6,546 million (prior 
year: €7,020 million). In 2012 E.ON had €449 million of cash 
and cash equivalents subject to a restraint risk (€89 million). 
The current securities with an original maturity greater than 
three months contained €77 million (€98 million) in securities 
held by Versorgungskasse Energie earmarked for fulfilling 
legal insurance obligations (see Notes 18 and 31 to the Con-
solidated Financial Statements).

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

49

Asset Situation 

Non-current assets at year-end 2012 were 6 percent below the 
figure at year-end 2011. Investments in property, plant, and 
equipment (“PP&E”) were more than offset by the derecognition 
of the assets of our gas transmission system operator (Open 
Grid Europe) and by the reclassification of assets held for sale. 
In addition, in the second half of 2012 we recorded impairment 
charges on goodwill, intangible assets, PP&E, and share invest-
ments; these charges were partially offset by the reversal 
of certain impairment charges from earlier reporting periods.

Current assets declined by 13 percent from year-end 2011. 
The main factors were reductions in operating receivables 
and in receivables from derivative financial instruments; 
these factors were partially offset by the reclassification of 
non-current assets held for sale.

Our equity ratio at year-end 2012 increased to 28 percent 
from 26 percent at year-end 2011. We paid out a dividend of 
€1.9 billion to E.ON shareholders in the second quarter of 
2012. Currency-translation effects on assets and liabilities 
amounted to roughly €0.5 billion in 2012.

Consolidated Assets, Liabilities, and Equity

€ in millions

Non-current assets

Current assets

Total assets

Equity

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

Non-current liabilities were 3 percent below the prior year-end 
level. Higher pension obligations (resulting primarily from a 
decline in the discount rate in Germany and the United King-
dom) were partially offset in particular by lower non-current 
financial liabilities. 

Current liabilities declined by 21 percent relative to year-end 
2011, mainly because of a decrease in operating liabilities 
and in liabilities from derivative financial instruments. 

The following key figures underscore that the E.ON Group 
has a solid asset and capital structure:
•  Non-current assets are covered by equity at 40 percent 

(December 31, 2011: 39 percent).

•  Non-current assets are covered by long-term capital at 

108 percent (December 31, 2011: 104 percent).

Additional information about our asset situation (including 
information on the above-mentioned impairment charges) is 
contained in Notes 4 to 26 to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

Dec. 31, 2012

% Dec. 31, 2011

96,563

43,863

140,426

38,819

65,001

36,606

140,426

69

31

100

28

46

26

100

102,221

50,651

152,872

39,613

67,129

46,130

152,872

%

67

33

100

26

44

30

100

50

Business Report

E.ON SE’s Earnings, Financial, and Asset Situation

E.ON SE prepares its Financial Statements in accordance with 
the German Commercial Code (as codified in the Accounting 
Law Reform Act, which took effect on May 29, 2009), the SE 
Ordinance (in conjunction with the German Stock Corporation 
Act), and the German Energy Act.

The negative figure recorded under other expenditures and 
income improved by €1,310 million year on year to -€311 mil-
lion, in particular because in the prior year E.ON recorded an 
expense of €1,400 million relating to a capital injection to 
E.ON Italia S.p.A.

Income Statement of E.ON SE (Summary)

Balance Sheet of E.ON SE (Summary)

€ in millions

Income from equity interests

December 31

Interest income

€ in millions

2012

2011

Other expenditures and income

Intangible assets and property, plant, 
and equipment

Financial assets

Non-current assets

123

38,217

38,340

125

36,385

36,510

Receivables from affiliated companies

15,359

18,457

Other receivables and assets

Liquid funds

Current assets

Total assets

Equity

Provisions

Liabilities to affiliated companies

Other liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

1,047

2,104

6,094

1,523

18,510

26,074

56,850

62,584

14,987

3,564

35,844

2,455

56,850

12,787

6,434

39,466

3,897

62,584

E.ON SE is the parent company of the E.ON Group. As such, its 
earnings, financial, and asset situation is affected by income 
from equity interests. In 2012 income from equity interests 
mainly reflected profit transfers of €1,900 million from E.ON 
Energie AG and €1,477 million from E.ON Beteiligungen 
GmbH. In 2011 the distribution of capital reserves from E.ON 
Finanzanlagen GmbH resulted in €3,660 million in income 
from equity interests.

Income from continuing operations

Extraordinary expenses

Taxes

Net income

Net income transferred to retained 
earnings

Net income available for distribution

2012

4,044

-672

-311

3,061

-35

1,061

4,087

-1,990

2,097

2011

5,081

-1,270

-1,621

2,190

-37

-157

1,996

-91

1,905

After the application of a loss carryforward of €418.8 million, 
income taxes for 2012 consist primarily of taxes on earnings 
from ordinary operating activities. The remainder consists of 
taxes for prior years.

At the Annual Shareholders Meeting on May 3, 2013, manage-
ment will propose that net income available for distribution be 
used to pay a cash dividend of €1.10 per ordinary share. The div-
idend is thus being maintained at a high level. We believe that 
in this way E.ON stock remains attractive for our shareholders.

The complete Financial Statements of E.ON SE, with the unquali-
fied opinion issued by the auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers 
Aktiengesellschaft, Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, Düsseldorf, 
will be announced in the Bundesanzeiger. Copies are available 
on request from E.ON SE and at www.eon.com.

Financial and Non-financial Performance Indicators

ROACE and Value Added
Cost of Capital
The cost of capital is determined by calculating the weighted-
average cost of equity and debt. This average represents the 
market-rate returns expected by stockholders and creditors. 
The cost of equity is the return expected by an investor in 
E.ON stock. The cost of debt equals the long-term financing 
terms that apply in the E.ON Group. The parameters of the 
cost-of-capital determination are reviewed on an annual basis. 
The cost of capital is adjusted if there are significant changes.

Because a number of parameters changed significantly, we 
adjusted our cost of capital in 2012. In particular, the risk-free 
interest rate declined significantly owing to the low return 
on German treasury notes. The assumed debt-to-equity ratio 
for the E.ON Group was unchanged at 50:50. The table at 
right illustrates the derivation of cost of capital before and 
after taxes.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

51

On balance, the changes to the parameters had the effect of 
lowering the E.ON Group’s after-tax cost of capital for 2012 
from 6.1 to 5.6 percent. Our pretax cost of capital declined from 
8.3 to 7.7 percent. There were also changes to some of our 
reporting segments’ minimum ROACE requirements, which 
for 2012 ranged from 6.7 to 14.7 percent (before taxes, calcu-
lated in euros).  

Cost of Capital

Risk-free interest rate

Market premium1

Beta factor2

Cost of equity after taxes

Tax rate

Cost of equity before taxes

Cost of debt before taxes

Tax shield (tax rate: 27%)3

Cost of debt after taxes

Share of equity

Share of debt

Cost of capital after taxes

2012

3.3%

4.5%

1.02

7.9%

27%

10.8%

4.5%

1.2%

3.3%

50.0%

50.0%

5.6%

2011

4.0%

4.5%

1.00

8.5%

27%

11.6%

5.0%

1.3%

3.7%

50.0%

50.0%

6.1%

Cost of capital before taxes

7.7%

8.3%

1 The market premium reflects the higher long-term returns of the stock market 
compared with German treasury notes.
2 The beta factor is used as an indicator of a stock’s relative risk. A beta of more 
than one signals a higher risk than the risk level of the overall market; a beta 
factor of less than one signals a lower risk.
3 The tax shield takes into consideration that the interest on corporate debt 
reduces a company’s tax burden.

 
 
52

Business Report

Analyzing Value Creation by Means of ROACE and 
Value Added 
ROACE is a pretax total return on capital. It measures the 
 sustainable return on invested capital generated by operating 
a business. ROACE is defined as the ratio of EBIT to average 
capital employed.

Average capital employed represents interest-bearing invested 
capital. Capital employed is equal to a segment’s operating 
assets less the amount of non-interest-bearing available cap-
ital. Depreciable assets are recorded at half of their original 
acquisition or production cost. ROACE is therefore not affected 
by an asset’s depreciation period. Goodwill from acquisitions 
is included at acquisition cost, as long as this reflects its fair 
value. Changes to E.ON’s portfolio during the course of the year 
are factored into average capital employed.

Average capital employed does not include the marking to 
market of other share investments. The purpose of excluding 
this item is to provide us with a more consistent picture of 
our ROACE performance. 

Value added measures the return that exceeds the cost of 
capital employed. It is calculated as follows:

Value added = (ROACE – cost of capital) x average capital 
employed

ROACE and Value Added Performance in 2012
The significant increase in our ROACE, from 8.4 to 11.1 percent, 
is primarily attributable to the increase in our EBIT. In addition, 
there was a slight reduction in our average capital employed. 
This resulted from disposals and shutdowns which were not 
entirely offset by ongoing investments. At 11.1 percent, our 
ROACE significantly surpassed our pretax cost of capital, which 
declined relative to the prior year. As a result, value added 
amounted to €2.2 billion.

The table below shows the E.ON Group’s ROACE, value added, 
and their derivation.

E.ON Group ROACE and Value Added

€ in millions

EBIT1

Goodwill, intangible assets, and property, 
plant, and equipment2

+   Shares in affiliated and associated 

companies and other share 
investments

+  Inventories

+   Other non-interest-bearing assets, 
including deferred income and 
deferred tax assets

-  Non-interest-bearing provisions3

-  Adjustments4

Capital employed in continuing 
 operations (at year-end)

Capital employed in continuing 
 operations (annual average)5

ROACE

Cost of capital before taxes

Value added6

2012

7,027

2011

5,438

65,928

67,987

5,678

4,734

-3,656

6,897

2,435

8,233

4,828

-7,746

8,231

1,908

63,352

63,163

63,258

64,438

11.1%

7.7%

2,156

8.4%

8.3%

90

1 Adjusted for extraordinary effects.
2 Depreciable assets are included at half their acquisition or production costs. 
Goodwill represents final figures following the completion of the purchase-price 
allocation (see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
3 Non-interest-bearing provisions mainly include current provisions, such as those 
relating to sales and procurement market obligations. They do not include provi-
sions for pensions or for nuclear-waste management.
4 Capital employed is adjusted to exclude the mark-to-market valuation of other share 
investments, receivables and liabilities from derivatives, and operating liabilities 
for certain purchase obligations to minority shareholdings pursuant to IAS 32.
5 In order to better depict intraperiod fluctuations in average capital employed, 
annual average capital employed is calculated as the arithmetic average of the 
amounts at the beginning of the year and the end of the year.
6 Due to the switch from capital employed to average capital employed, the prior-
year figure reflects cost of capital as of the balance sheet date.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

53

We made more progress in responsible fuel procurement in 
2012. Bettercoal, an initiative launched by E.ON and five other 
European energy utilities to promote the continuous improve-
ment of corporate responsibility in the international coal supply 
chain, was registered as a not-for-profit organization in 2012 
and given an organizational structure. In addition, draft Better-
coal Codes were developed in close consultation with stake-
holders. The codes have been presented to stakeholders for 
review and comment as part of a global online consultation 
process. Bettercoal representatives met directly with mine 
operators and other stakeholders at mine sites in South Africa, 
Russia, and Columbia, seeking to engage them in the improve-
ment process. The first pilot inspections of mines were con-
ducted, and further work was done to develop a mine inspec-
tion manual.

We use many metrics to assess our business’s impact on the 
environment. One of the most relevant is our environmental 
footprint. We have developed a method of measuring it that is 
applicable to entire energy systems and products and to more 
discrete factors, such as individual fuels. This method ensures, 
for example, that we factor in the entire environmental impact 
when we decide whether to invest in a new power station 
and that we find the best solutions for mitigating this impact.

More information about our sustainability strategy and our 
performance is available at www.eon.com, where you will also 
find our new Sustainability Report, which will be released in 
May 2013. It is not part of the Combined Group Management 
Report.

Emissions data for our power and heat generation are seg-
mented by country in accordance with the EU Emissions 
Trading Scheme. This differs from the segmentation for the 
rest of our reporting.

Corporate Sustainability
Our many stakeholders—customers and suppliers, policy-
makers and government agencies, the general public and the 
media, environmental-protection and charitable organizations, 
employees and trade unions, business partners and competi-
tors, and of course our investors—have high expectations for 
us and our industry. E.ON is expected to achieve three energy 
objectives simultaneously: to make sure that the energy we 
supply is 1) secure and reliable, 2) friendly to the environment 
and the earth’s climate, and 3) affordable for both our indus-
trial and residential customers. We are expected to treat our 
employees, customers, and neighbors fairly and decently and 
to demand that our supply chain meets high standards for 
environmental and social performance. We strive to meet these 
expectations because we believe that this will, over the 
long term, have a positive impact on our business performance. 
This is reflected in our strategy—called “cleaner & better 
energy”—which sets the course for transforming our existing 
business and for seizing new business opportunities. Our 
strategy also involves ensuring sound corporate governance 
and embedding environmental and social performance in 
our business processes. In dialog with our stakeholders we have 
defined the main challenges we face and set targets for 
addressing them. Our online Sustainability Report, which we 
prepare in accordance with the guidelines of the Global 
Reporting Initiative, describes these targets, tracks our perfor-
mance, and generally makes our sustainability efforts as 
transparent as possible. Reporting transparently and continu-
ally engaging with our stakeholders enable us to engender 
trust and acceptance and to recognize risks early.

We brought our support for an important project for the future 
of our company to a successful conclusion in 2012. Over the 
last four years Leuchtpol, our Energy for Children initiative’s 
flagship project in Germany, has demonstrated that through 
a playful learning experience young children can understand 
the role energy resources play in their lives and how every-
one can do something to help make the world a better place to 
live. Leuchtpol, which provides teacher training and learning 
materials, is Germany’s first nationwide sustainability learning 
module for preschool children. Between 2008 and 2012 Leuchtpol 
reached more than 4,000 preschools and teachers—and thus 
about 10 percent of preschoolers—in Germany.

 
54

Business Report

Employees
E.ON 2.0 and Restructuring
Preparing and beginning to implement the far-reaching mea-
sures of E.ON 2.0, our Group-wide efficiency-enhancement 
program, formed an important part of our HR work in 2012.

Social responsibility toward our employees is a high priority at 
E.ON. This is why E.ON management and employee represen-
tatives have agreed on a variety of mechanisms and benefits 
for employees affected by E.ON 2.0 staff-reduction measures. 
These mechanisms and benefits reflect country-specific legal 
requirements and standard practice. To serve as examples of 
this effort, the following describes the situation in Germany, 
Sweden, and Romania.

Following extensive and constructive discussions, E.ON and 
trade unions in Germany concluded the E.ON 2.0 Labor Agree-
ment at the start of 2012, thereby laying the foundation 
for suitable and fair support mechanisms for E.ON 2.0 staff-
reduction measures. E.ON and employee representatives 
also reached agreement on a model E.ON 2.0 redundancy plan, 
which serves as the template for local redundancy plans at 
E.ON entities in Germany affected by E.ON 2.0. The agreements 
contain a variety of mechanisms, including voluntary-resig-
nation packages (containing severance pay and preretirement 
components) and the creation of a company at which redun-
dant employees can work and obtain additional qualifications 
during a transition period.

As part of implementing E.ON 2.0 in Sweden, E.ON and trade 
unions reached agreement on packages tailored to various 
employee groups. The packages supplement existing govern-
ment programs and thus provide additional protection for 
employees affected by E.ON 2.0. The main mechanisms are 
severance pay, preretirement arrangements, and job-qualifi-
cation and retraining programs.

Management and trade unions at E.ON România designed a 
voluntary-resignation program with attractive terms to supple-
ment severance payments. They also agreed on a preretirement 
program under which the amount of preretirement income is 
based on length of time remaining until retirement. Romania 
is another example of E.ON’s firm commitment to implement-
ing E.ON 2.0 at a local level in a socially responsible way and 
to treating fairly the employees affected by it.

Carbon Emissions from Power and Heat 
Generation, Received EU Carbon Allowances

2012
Million metric tons

Germany

United Kingdom

Spain

France

Italy

Other EU countries

E.ON Group (Europe only)

Russia1

E.ON Group

CO2 emissions
36.57

21.30

5.83

6.10

6.39

12.77

88.96

36.80

125.76

Received 
carbon 
allowances

35.85

18.60

4.91

7.68

6.81 

9.60 

83.45

–

–

1Russia is not covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

E.ON Group Carbon Intensity1
Metric tons of CO2 per MWh
Germany

United Kingdom

Spain

France

Italy

Other EU countries

E.ON Group (Europe only)2

Russia

E.ON Group3

2012

2011

0.38 

0.68 

0.64 

0.82 

0.48 

0.27 

0.44 

0.56 

0.46 

0.38

0.62

0.55

0.71

0.45

0.26

0.41

0.56

0.43

1 Specific carbon emissions are defined as the amount of CO2 emitted for each 
MWh of electricity generated.
2Includes renewables generation in Europe.
3 Includes renewables generation outside Europe (wind power in the United States). 

E.ON emitted nearly 126 million metric tons of CO2 from power 
and heat generation in 2012, of which 89 million metric tons 
were in Europe. This represents a slight increase relative to the 
prior year despite the fact that we generated less power and 
had a higher percentage of renewables in our mix. There were 
two reasons for the increase. First, coal and carbon prices were 
low, which favored coal-fired generation. Second, the govern-
ment-mandated closure of some of our nuclear power sta-
tions in Germany in 2011, which eliminated a portion of our 
carbon-free generating capacity, impacted our carbon per-
formance for all of 2012. We received 83.5 million metric tons 
of EU carbon allowances for our operations in EU markets. 
This meant we had to buy more than 5 million metric tons of 
allowances in the secondary market. Overall, our carbon 
intensity increased to 0.46 metric tons per MWh owing to the 
above-described market factors. Nevertheless, reducing our 
carbon intensity remains our objective, which we will achieve 
by 2025 by changing our generation mix.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

55

As part of its effort to reorganize support functions, E.ON 
intends to combine HR and accounting functions at Business 
Service Centers at locations in Germany (Berlin, Regensburg, 
and Hemmingen, a suburb of Hanover) and Romania (Cluj). 
To swiftly establish clarity about the future job and employment 
situation at the Business Service Centers, management and 
employee representatives in Germany and Romania concluded 
appropriate and market-conform wage agreements and 
transition arrangements for E.ON employees.

Thanks to a wide range of measures and voluntary programs, 
all staff-reduction targets for 2012 were achieved by the end 
of the year.

Across E.ON, the further implementation of E.ON 2.0 measures 
remains a key focus of HR work in 2013 as well, in particular 
ensuring that E.ON 2.0 targets are met. This will take into con-
sideration the results of information, consulting, and negotia-
tion processes with employee representatives in each E.ON 
country.

European Employee Involvement 
The involvement of our European employees at the Group level 
was given a new platform in 2012. In preparation for E.ON’s 
transformation into a European Company (“SE”), management 
and employee representatives reached an agreement in 
October 2012 on the involvement of employee representatives 
at the European level and on the composition of the employee-
representative side of the E.ON SE Supervisory Board. The 
agreement had been preceded by constructive talks between 
the employee negotiation committee (which consisted of 
employee representatives from 19 European countries) and 
E.ON management.

Under the employee-involvement agreement, employees from 
all European countries in which E.ON operates will be repre-
sented in the E.ON SE Works Council, which is informed and 
consulted about all company issues that transcend national 
borders. The E.ON SE Works Council also appoints the six 
employee-representative members of the E.ON SE Supervisory 
Board, which has twelve members in total.

Developing Talent
Attracting and developing talent continues to be of great 
strategic significance for E.ON. Our “cleaner & better energy” 
strategy presents us with challenges with regard to talent 
development and placement. Our business model is becoming 
more and more integrated, in terms of both geography and 
our value chain. This obviously must be reflected in our HR 
development efforts.

In 2012 we concentrated on a variety of initiatives designed 
to make our talent management more effective and enduring 
and to help us tailor our development effort to the talent 
development needs and business requirements of specific 
business units and functions. One of the most important 
 outcomes of this work was the creation of the Center of Com-
petence for Talent Management & Employer Brand. Combining 
our expertise in this way enables us to deploy our resources bet-
ter, to make our ideas and offerings even more consistent, 
and to share best practices across E.ON. In addition, a Talent 
Scorecard was introduced at all units. Its purpose is to iden-
tify talent gaps and foster the implementation of appropriate 
countermeasures. In 2011 we established a Talent Board and 
launched an Engineering High Potential Program. In 2012 we 
launched similar programs for HR, finance, and procurement. 
As a result, measures are being put in place to ensure that 
each of these functions has the talent it specifically needs.

Diversity 
Gender is a special focus of our diversity management. Our 
ambitious objective for our organization as a whole is to more 
than double the percentage of women in executive positions 
and to raise it to 14 percent in Germany by the end of 2016. 

We support the achievement of this objective through a variety 
of measures. Each unit has specific targets, and progress 
towards these targets is monitored at regular intervals. We have 
also revised our Group-wide guidelines for filling management 
positions. At least one male and one female must be considered 
as potential successors for each vacant management position. 
Many units also have support mechanisms in place, including 
mentoring programs for female managers and next-genera-
tion managers, the provision of daycare, flexible work schedules, 

56

Business Report

and home-office arrangements. Significantly increasing the 
percentage of women in our internal talent pool is a further 
prerequisite for raising, over the long term, their percentage 
in management and top executive positions. 

Many of these measures are having an impact. A year-on-year 
comparison shows that the percentage of female executives 
increased to 13 percent across E.ON and to 10 percent in 
 Germany.

Workforce Figures
At year-end 2012, the E.ON Group had 72,083 employees world-
wide, a decline of 9 percent from year-end 2011. E.ON also 
had 2,252 apprentices and 274 board members and managing 
directors.

Employees1

Generation

Renewables

Optimization & Trading

Exploration & Production

Germany

Other EU Countries

Russia

Group Management/Other2

Total

December 31

2012

10,055

1,810

2,190

183

20,363

28,628

5,038

3,816

72,083

2011

10,578

1,808

3,941

203

21,602

31,909

4,896

3,952

78,889

+/- %

-5 

–

-44

-10

-6 

-10

+3

-3

-9

1Does not include board members, managing directors, or apprentices.
2Includes E.ON IT Group.

Generation’s headcount was lower owing mainly to the 
 expiration of temporary contracts, early retirement arrange-
ments, and staff reductions as part of E.ON 2.0. The transfer 
of employees from Generation to the UK regional unit was 
another factor.

Renewables’ headcount was stable because the hiring of 
staff for offshore projects was almost entirely offset by staff 
reductions as part of E.ON 2.0, particularly in Germany.

The number of employees at Optimization & Trading declined 
significantly owing to the sale of its gas transport business 
along with fluctuation and staff reductions as part of E.ON 2.0. 

The relocation of Exploration & Production’s headquarters led 
to a slight reduction in its staff numbers.

The headcount at the Germany regional unit was lower mainly 
because of staff reductions resulting from E.ON 2.0 efficiency-
enhancement measures and the closure of the Brienner Straße 
office in Munich.

The decline in the number of employees at Other EU Countries 
is chiefly attributable to the disposal of the Bulgaria regional 
unit and a waste-incineration subsidiary in Sweden. Efficiency-
enhancement measures (particularly in the United Kingdom) 
and staff reductions resulting from E.ON 2.0 (particularly in 
Hungary and Romania) constituted another factor.

The headcount at Russia increased mainly because of hiring 
for new-build projects and maintenance work.

Group Management/Other’s headcount declined owing to 
fluctuation and staff reductions as part of E.ON 2.0.

Geographic Profile
At year-end 2012, 40,535 employees, or 56 percent of all staff, 
were working outside Germany, slightly higher than the per-
centage at year-end 2011.

Employees by Region1

Germany

United Kingdom

Romania

Hungary

Russia

Czechia

Sweden

Spain

Other2

Dec. 31, 2012

31,548

11,556

6,324

5,246

5,050

3,451

3,360

1,240

4,308

1Figures do not include board members, managing directors, or apprentices.
2Includes Italy, France, the Netherlands, Poland, and other countries.

 
 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

57

Gender and Age Profile, Part-Time Staff
At the end of 2012, 28.4 percent of our employees were women, 
slightly more than at the end of 2011. The average E.ON Group 
employee was about 42 years old and had worked for us for 
about 14 years. A total of 6,305 E.ON Group employees were 
on a part-time schedule, of whom 4,490, or 71 percent, were 
women. Employee turnover resulting from voluntary termi-
nations averaged around 3.6 percent across the organization, 
about the same as in the prior year.

Health and Safety 
Occupational health and safety have the highest priority at 
E.ON. A key performance indicator (“KPI”) for our safety perfor-
mance is total recordable injury frequency (“TRIF”), which 
measures the number of fatalities, lost-time injuries, restricted-
work injuries, and medical-treatment injuries per million hours 
of work (our TRIF figures also include E.ON companies that are 
not fully consolidated but over which E.ON has operational 
control). In 2012 we further improved the TRIF of E.ON employees 
to 2.6 (prior year: 3.3), and contractor employees to 3.4 (4.9), 
continuing the positive trend of recent years. Our units’ safety 
performance is a component of the annual personal perfor-
mance agreements of the Board of Management members and 
executives responsible for these units.

We use KPIs to monitor and continually improve our safety 
performance. To ensure continuous improvement, our units 
design safety improvement plans based on a management 
review of their performance in the prior year. The results of the 
implementation of these plans are also used as preventive 
performance indicators. Despite all our successes in occupa-
tional safety, it remains our objective to prevent accidents 
or other harmful effects on the health of our employees and 
contractors.

Compensation, Pension Plans, Employee Participation
Attractive compensation and appealing fringe benefits are 
essential to a competitive work environment. Company con-
tributions to employee pension plans represent an important 
component of an employee’s compensation package and 
have long had a prominent place in the E.ON Group. They are 

an important foundation of employees’ future financial security 
and also foster employee retention. E.ON companies supple-
ment their company pension plans with attractive programs 
to help their employees save for the future. Another factor 
in employee retention is enabling them to participate in their 
company’s success. This includes the performance rights 
(with a multi-year term) granted to executives under the E.ON 
Share Performance Plan. Our employee stock purchase pro-
gram remains attractive thanks to a partially tax-free company 
contribution. In 2012, 16,869 employees purchased a total of 
1,279,079 shares of E.ON stock; 49 percent of employees partic-
ipated in the program, a significant decline from the prior-year 
figure (55 percent).

Apprentice Programs
E.ON has always placed great emphasis on apprentice programs. 
In 2012 apprentices again accounted for about 7 percent of 
the E.ON Group’s workforce in Germany. The E.ON Group had 
a total of 2,252 apprentices and work-study students in Ger-
many in 2012. Established in 2003, the E.ON training initiative 
to combat youth unemployment was continued in 2012. Through 
the initiative, we offered more than 900 young people in Ger-
many prospects for the future through vocational training, an 
internship to prepare them for training, and school projects.

Apprentices in Germany

Germany

Generation

Group Management/Other1

Optimization & Trading

Renewables

E.ON Group

1Includes the E.ON IT Group.

Dec. 31, 2012

1,507

491

95

94

65

2,252

 
58

Subsequent Events Report

Subsequent Events

On January 15, 2013, we concluded an agreement with Czech 
energy company Energetický a Průmyslový Holding (“EPH”) 
for the sale of its indirectly held interest in Slovakian energy 
company Slovenský Plynárenský Priemysel a.s. (“SPP”). 

In January 2013 we sold our minority stake in Jihomoravská 
plynárenská (“JMP”) of Czechia.

measures and from the slight acceleration of global economic 
growth. Although Russia will remain highly dependent on oil 
prices, the OECD anticipates that it will implement monetary 
policies to combat inflation.

Nevertheless, with prospects highly dependent on the overall 
confidence of economic actors, the OECD does not rule out a 
further deterioration of the macroeconomic situation. The euro 
crisis will remain the greatest threat to the global economy.

These disposals are already factored into the forecast earnings 
performance contained in our Forecast Report. Note 4 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements provides detailed descrip-
tions of these transactions.

Energy Markets 
We expect power and fuel markets to be generally more 
 volatile in 2013 and 2014 owing to their increasing sensitivity 
to macroeconomic developments and policy decisions.

Forecast Report

Business Environment

Macroeconomic Situation 
Although the OECD sees signs that the global economy will 
stabilize in 2013, prospects remain uncertain. There are signif-
icant risks of a further decline; the avoidance of these risks 
will depend on the speed and decisiveness of policy decisions. 
On balance, for the next two years the OECD expects stable 
growth followed by a slight acceleration.

Economic growth in the United States is expected to remain 
moderate, since the consolidation of government budgets 
will reduce domestic demand. Residential housing construc-
tion, however, will likely cease to be a brake on growth.

The euro zone is expected to remain in a slight recession in 2013 
followed by a weak, consumption-driven recovery. Government 
budget tightening will continue to have a dampening effect.

The OECD expects domestic demand to fuel a marked eco-
nomic recovery in Turkey over the next two years.

The two-year economic outlook for the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, 
India, China) is significantly more positive than it was last 
year. China is expected to continue to enjoy robust domestic 
demand, with further upside potential coming from possible 
changes to its monetary and fiscal policy. Brazil’s investment 
and export activity will benefit from recently initiated reform 

The oil market is currently displaying a classic backwardation 
pattern, with prices for nearby months higher than prices for 
forward months. This trend could continue, since at the moment 
the market is increasingly driven by geopolitical events. An 
improvement in Asia’s economic performance is expected to 
increase oil demand in 2013 and 2014, although this will be 
accompanied by significantly higher production in non-OPEC 
countries, which could actually more than offset the increase 
in demand. This would force OPEC to curtail production to 
prevent oversupply.

Oversupply was the main driver of Europe’s coal market in 2012, 
with the API#2 index declining by about 20 percent during 
the year. Consequently, the price for next-year delivery began 
2013 at a low level. Unlike oil, coal displays a contango pattern, 
with outlying delivery months (such as December) priced sig-
nificantly higher than nearby months (such as January). The 
market expects the oversupply to shrink considerably over the 
course of 2013. The main source of demand is the Asia-Pacific 
region, primarily China. The oversupply of ships is expected to 
keep freight rates at a low level. 

In 2012 wholesale gas prices at Europe’s hubs, both for spot 
products and for forward products for delivery in 2013 and 
2014, were nearly at the prior-year level. Lower demand from 
gas-fired power stations was accompanied by a reduction in 

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
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Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

59

LNG imports which resulted from continued high LNG demand 
in Asia. The global LNG market is expected to remain tight in 
2013 and 2014. A year-on-year increase in deliveries of pipeline 
gas from Norway and Russia resulting from more new trans-
mission and production capacity could lead to lower European 
gas prices going forward. However, price increases due to 
extraordinary events (extreme weather, unanticipated supply 
bottlenecks, political instability in some producer countries) 
cannot be ruled out.

Our power production for 2013 and 2014 is already almost com-
pletely hedged. Our hedging practices will, over time, serve 
to increase the hedge rate of subsequent years. As an example, 
the graph below shows the hedge rate for our European 
 outright portfolio, which essentially consists of our non-fossil 
power production from nuclear and hydro assets.

European Outright Portfolio

Percentages 

 Range of hedged generation

With the significant oversupply of carbon allowances expected 
to continue, carbon prices will likely remain at a low level in 
2013. The only thing that could change this situation is govern-
ment intervention in the market to reduce the supply of 
allowances. The EU is currently discussing proposals to achieve 
a temporary reduction in supply through a process known as 
back-loading. However, the implementation of such proposals 
is already lagging behind the market’s expectations, and it 
appears unlikely that they will be in place before 2014.

2013

2014

2015

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Near-term and medium-term power prices in Germany will be 
determined largely by the price of hard coal, natural gas, and 
carbon allowances and by forecasts on the ratio of supply to 
demand in Germany and neighboring countries. However, 
new capacity, particularly new renewables capacity, could put 
further downward pressure on prices (at the end of 2012, 
Germany had 32.5 GW of installed solar capacity and 31.4 GW 
of installed wind capacity). This pressure could be increased in 
the years ahead by concerns about Europe’s economic out-
look and the concomitant lowering of growth expectations for 
power consumption. At the start of 2013, the EEX baseload 
contract for next-year delivery was already trading well below 
the prior-year level. U.K. power prices for 2013 and 2014 will 
depend increasingly on the development of U.K. gas prices and 
continental European power prices because over the past 
several months a significant amount of Britain’s coal-fired 
capacity has been withdrawn; this capacity will have to be 
replaced by gas-fired capacity and, because of higher taxes to 
support carbon prices, by cheaper power imported from the 
Continent. In the near term, prices on the Nordic power market 
will continue to depend primarily on the weather and there-
fore on water reservoir levels; in the long term, the further 
development of renewables and prices for green certificates 
will be decisive factors. The commissioning of Estlink 2 trans-
mission cable in 2014 is expected to result in a closer coupling 
of Nordic and Estonian power prices.

Employees

The number of employees in the E.ON Group (excluding appren-
tices and board members/managing directors) is expected to 
decline by year-end 2013 due to the implementation of E.ON 2.0.

Anticipated Earnings Situation

Forecast Earnings Performance 
Our forecast for full-year 2013 earnings continues to be sig-
nificantly influenced by the difficult business environment in 
the energy industry.

We currently expect our 2013 EBITDA to be between €9.2 and 
€9.8 billion. This forecast factors in the loss of earnings streams 
through planned asset sales under our divestment program. 
In addition, we expect our midstream gas business to return 
to a normal earnings level. The end of the no-cost allocation 
of carbon allowances and a deteriorated earnings situation at 
Generation resulting mainly from policy intervention are 
other negative factors. The expansion of production at Explo-
ration & Production and the commissioning of new generating 
capacity at Renewables will have a positive impact on earnings. 
We also expect substantial effects from the measures taken 
under our E.ON 2.0 efficiency-enhancement program.

60

Forecast

We expect our 2013 underlying net income to be between 
€2.2 and €2.6 billion. Alongside the above-mentioned EBITDA 
effects, this will result from a higher interest expense and, 
we expect, a higher tax rate. In 2012 both our interest expense 
and tax rate were at a low level owing to non-recurring effects.

Anticipated Dividend Development
As announced in November 2012, going forward we will no 
longer have an absolute dividend target but instead return 
to a target payout ratio, which will again be 50 to 60 percent 
of underlying net income.

Our forecast by segment:

Anticipated Financial Situation

EBITDA1
€ in billions

Generation

Renewables

Optimization & Trading

Exploration & Production

Germany

Other EU Countries

Russia

2013 (forecast)

below prior year

above prior year

below prior year

above prior year

below prior year

at prior year

at prior year

2012

2.403

1.271

1.421

0.523

2.819

2.032

0.729

Group Management/Consolidation

above prior year

-0.412

Total

9.2 to 9.8

10.786

1Adjusted for extraordinary effects.

We expect Generation’s 2013 EBITDA to be below the prior-year 
figure. The end of the no-cost allocation of carbon allowances 
is the main negative factor. 

We anticipate that Renewables’ earnings will be higher in 2013, 
in particular because of increases in installed wind and solar 
capacity.

We expect Optimization & Trading’s EBITDA to be below the 
prior-year figure, owing mainly to the absence of positive 
one-off effects in the midstream gas business recorded in 2012.

We expect Exploration & Production’s 2013 EBITDA to surpass 
the prior-year figure. Increased production at gas fields in the 
North Sea will be the main earnings driver.

We expect the Germany regional unit’s 2013 EBITDA to be below 
the prior-year level, mainly because of planned disposals.

2013 EBIDTA at Other EU Countries is expected to be at the 
prior-year level.

We expect Russia’s 2013 EBITDA to be at the prior-year level 
owing to narrower power margins.

Planned Funding Measures
We expect to have no funding needs in 2013 at the Group level. 
We expect to be able to fund our investment expenditures 
planned for 2013 and the dividend payout by means of oper-
ating cash flow and proceeds from disposals. Any peaks in 
the Group’s funding needs during the course of the year can 
be dealt with by issuing commercial paper.

In managing our capital structure, our medium-term target 
debt factor is less than 3. In addition, E.ON plans to generate 
positive free cash flow (defined as operating cash flow less 
investments and the dividend payout) by 2015.

Planned Investments
Our medium-term plan calls for investments of €6.1 billion in 
2013. This figure also does not yet factor in announced port-
folio measures. About one seventh of our planned investments 
will go toward the maintenance of our existing assets, the 
rest toward expansion or organic growth. The main geographic 
focus of our investments will continue to be Germany, where 
we will make substantial investments to maintain and expand 
our conventional generation portfolio and our power and gas 
infrastructure.

Investments: 2013 Plan

Generation

Renewables

Optimization & Trading

Exploration & Production

Germany

Other EU Countries

Russia

Group Management/Consolidation

Total

€ in billions

Percentages

0.9

1.3

0.1

0.5

0.9

1.0

0.5

0.9

6.1

15

21

2

8

15

16

8

15

100

We plan to invest €0.4 billion in 2013 to expand and to replace 
and maintain Generation’s portfolio of hard-coal, gas, and 
nuclear assets. These plans include fossil new-build projects 
(such as Maasvlakte 3 and Datteln 4).

 
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Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

61

We plan to invest about €1.3 billion in our Renewables segment 
(E.ON Climate & Renewables and our hydroelectric stations) 
in 2013. The main focus will be on offshore wind farms (such as 
Amrumbank West) and onshore farms in Europe and onshore 
farms in the United States.

Optimization & Trading will invest approximately €0.1 billion, 
mainly in gas-storage infrastructure.

Most of Exploration & Production’s investments of €0.5 billion 
will go toward developing gas and oil fields.

Our investments of €0.9 billion at the Germany segment con-
sist in particular of numerous individual investments to 
expand our intermediate- and low-voltage networks, switching 
equipment, and metering and control technology as well 
as other investments to ensure the reliable and uninterrupted 
transmission and distribution of electricity.

About one sixth of our investments are earmarked for the Other 
EU Countries segment and will consist primarily of maintenance 
investments in our regional energy networks in Sweden and 
investments to expand infrastructure in Hungary and Czechia.

We plan to invest about €0.5 billion in our Russia segment in 
2013, mainly to continue ongoing generation new-build projects, 
particularly at Berezovskaya power station.

Investments recorded under Group Management/Consolidation 
consist primarily of investments in our partnerships in Turkey 
and Brazil.

The E.ON Group’s planned investments for 2014 total about 
€5.1 billion. Our Generation and Other EU Countries segments 
will each account for about one fifth of investments. Slightly 
more than one quarter will go toward expanding our opera-
tions in the Renewables. The remainder is earmarked, in 
 particular, for the Germany segment, our power generation 
business in Russia, our business outside Europe, and our 
 distributed-generation business.

General Statement on E.ON’s Future Development

Because of the radical changes in Europe’s energy industry, we 
had to refine our “cleaner & better energy” strategy and adjust 
aspects of it. The unmanaged growth of renewables and the 
resulting collapse of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme are 
making in particular gas-fired power plants in Europe—which 
had already been hit by the recession-driven decline in power 
demand—largely uneconomic to operate. There must be ade-
quate compensation for maintaining generating assets as 
reserve capacity to ensure the reliability of the power supply. 
We will restructure our conventional generation business in 
ways that will swiftly improve our generation fleet’s competi-
tiveness. Along with further cost reductions and efficiency 
improvements, we have already closed power plants in Europe 
and are considering further closures. In addition, we will no 
longer pursue a number of coal-fired new-build projects. Fur-
thermore, during this transformation phase we will focus 
our investments, which on balance will decline going forward, 
even more strictly on our growth businesses. These include, 
in particular, distributed generation (a business we intend to 
expand rapidly), renewables, and markets outside Europe (such 
as Russia, Brazil, and Turkey). We intend to transform E.ON 
even more swiftly and decisively and to rapidly increase growth 
businesses’ share of our earnings.

The German federal government’s policy decisions to trans-
form the country’s energy system will affect E.ON’s earnings 
situation well into the future. Following the reactor disaster 
in Fukushima, the German government rescinded the lifetime 
extensions for nuclear power plants (“NPPs”) in Germany. It 
also amended the Atomic Energy Act to accelerate Germany’s 
phaseout of nuclear energy. Instead of in 2036 at the earliest, 
Germany’s last NPP will now be decommissioned by 2022.

This Combined Group Management Report contains certain forward-looking statements based on E.ON management’s current assumptions and forecasts and other currently available 
information. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material differences between E.ON’s actual future results, financial situation, development 
or performance and the estimates given here. E.ON assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

62

Risk Report

Risk Management System

Risk   Committee

E.ON SE 
Board of Management

E.ON SE Supervisory Board

Audit and Risk Committee

Audit Report

Internal Audit

Quarterly KonTraG Risk 
Reporting

Audits

Planning and Controlling 
Process

Earnings Report/
Medium-Term Planning

Additional Reports on 
E.ON Group Financial 
Management (includ-
ing Liquidity)

Additional Separate 
Reports on E.ON Group 
Commodity and Credit 
Risks

Financial Risks

Market Risks

External/Regulatory Risks

Operational Risks

Strategic Risks

Other Risks

Risk Management, Monitoring, and Reporting

Generation

Renewables

Optimization
& Trading

Exploration 
& Production

Germany

Other 
EU Countries

Russia

Group Manage-
ment/Other

 Our risk management system consists of a number of com-
ponents that are embedded into E.ON’s entire organizational 
structure and processes. As a result, our risk management 
system is an integral part of our business and decision-making 
processes. The key components of our risk management sys-
tem include our Group-wide guidelines and reporting systems; 
our standardized Group-wide strategy, planning, and controlling 
processes; Internal Audit activities; the separate Group-wide 
risk reporting conducted pursuant to the Corporate Sector Con-
trol and Transparency Act (“KonTraG”); and the establishment 
of risk committees. Our risk management system reflects 
industry best practice and is designed to enable management 

to recognize risks early and to take the necessary counter-
measures in a timely manner. We continually review our 
Group-wide planning, controlling, and reporting processes to 
ensure that they remain effective and efficient. As required 
by law, the effectiveness of our risk management system is 
reviewed regularly by Internal Audit. Our risk management 
system encompasses all fully consolidated E.ON Group com-
panies and all companies accounted for using the equity 
method whose book value exceeds €50 million.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

63

We use systematic risk management to monitor and control 
our interest-rate and currency risks and manage these risks 
using derivative and non-derivative financial instruments. 
Here, E.ON SE plays a central role by aggregating risk positions 
through intragroup transactions and hedging these risks in 
the market. Due to its intermediary role, E.ON SE’s risk position 
is largely closed. We use a Group-wide credit risk manage-
ment system to systematically monitor the creditworthiness of 
our business partners on the basis of Group-wide minimum 
standards. We manage our credit-default risk by taking appro-
priate measures, which include obtaining collateral and setting 
limits. The E.ON Group’s Risk Committee is regularly informed 
about all material credit-default risks. A further component of 
our management of financial risks is a conservative investment 
strategy and a broadly diversified portfolio. 

We have comprehensive processes in place to manage poten-
tial risks relating to acquisitions and investments. These pro-
cesses include, in addition to the relevant company guidelines 
and manuals, comprehensive due diligence, legally binding 
contracts, a multi-stage approvals process, and shareholding 
and project controlling. Comprehensive post-acquisition projects 
also contribute to successful integration.

To limit operational risks, we will continue to improve our net-
work management and the optimal dispatch of our generation 
assets. At the same time, we are implementing operational and 
infrastructure improvements that will enhance the reliability 
of our generation assets and distribution networks, even under 
extraordinarily adverse conditions. In addition, we have fac-
tored the operational and financial effects of environmental 
risks into our emergency plan. They are part of a catalog of 
crisis and system-failure scenarios prepared for the Group by 
our incident and crisis management team.

Risk Management and Insurance

E.ON Risk Consulting GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of 
E.ON SE, is responsible for insurance-risk management in the 
E.ON Group. It develops and optimizes solutions for E.ON’s 
operating risks by using insurance and insurance-related instru-
ments and secures the necessary coverage in international 
insurance markets. To this end, E.ON Risk Consulting GmbH is, 
among other things, responsible for management of client 
data and insurance contracts, claims management, the account-
ing of risk covering and claims, and all associated reporting.

Risk Committee

In compliance with the provisions of Section 91, Paragraph 2, 
of the German Stock Corporation Act relating to the estab-
lishment of a risk-monitoring and early warning system, the 
E.ON Group has a Risk Committee. The Risk Committee, which 
consists of representatives of key E.ON SE divisions and depart-
ments, is responsible for ensuring that the risk strategy for 
commodity and credit risks defined by the Board of Manage-
ment is implemented, complied with, and further developed

Further Risk-Limitation Measures

In addition to the above-described components of our risk 
management, we take the following measures to limit risk.

We use a comprehensive sales management system and 
intensive customer management to minimize market risks.

In order to limit our exposure to commodity price risks, we 
conduct systematic risk management. The key elements of our 
risk management are, in addition to binding Group-wide poli-
cies and a Group-wide reporting system, the use of quantitative 
key figures, the limitation of risks, and the strict separation 
of functions between departments. Furthermore, we utilize 
derivative financial instruments that are commonly used in 
the marketplace. These instruments are transacted with finan-
cial institutions, brokers, power exchanges, and third parties 
whose creditworthiness we monitor on an ongoing basis. The 
Optimization & Trading unit aggregates and consistently 
manages the price risks we face on Europe’s liquid commodity 
markets. We also engage in proprietary commodity trading 
in accordance with detailed guidelines and within narrowly 
defined limits.

64

Risk Report

Risks attending the following matters arose during 2012: 
• 

the fragile economic situation in many EU member states 
in conjunction with a further deterioration of the euro crisis
stress tests of nuclear power stations in Europe
the regulatory cost review of E.ON power and gas network 
operators in Germany.

• 
• 

The E.ON Group, and thus E.ON SE, is exposed to the following 
main categories of risk:

Market Risks
Our units operate in an international market environment 
that is characterized by general risks relating to the business 
cycle. In addition, the entry of new suppliers into the market-
place along with more aggressive tactics by existing market 
participants has created a keener competitive environment 
for our electricity business in and outside Germany which could 
reduce our margins. Our Optimization & Trading global unit 
continues to face considerable competitive pressure in its gas 
business. Competition in the gas market and increasing 
 trading volumes at virtual trading points and gas exchanges 
could result in considerable volume risks for natural gas 
 purchased under long-term take-or-pay contracts. In addition, 
price risks result from the fact that gas procurement prices 
are partially indexed to oil prices, whereas sales prices are 
guided by wholesale gas prices. Generally, long-term gas pro-
curement contracts between producers and importers include 
the possibility of adjusting them to reflect continually changing 
market conditions. On this basis, we conduct ongoing, inten-
sive negotiations with our producers. 

The demand for electric power and natural gas is seasonal, 
with our operations generally experiencing higher demand 
during the cold-weather months of October through March 
and lower demand during the warm-weather months of April 
through September. As a result of these seasonal patterns, 
our sales and results of operations are higher in the first and 
fourth quarters and lower in the second and third quarters. 
Sales and results of operations for all of our energy operations 
can be negatively affected by periods of unseasonably warm 
weather during the autumn and winter months. Our units in 

The following are among the comprehensive measures we 
take to address these risks:
• 

systematic employee training, advanced training, and 
qualification programs 
further refinement of our production procedures, pro-
cesses, and technologies 
regular facility and network maintenance and inspection 
company guidelines as well as work and process instruc-
tions 
quality management, control, and assurance 
project, environmental, and deterioration management
crisis-prevention measures and emergency planning.

• 

• 
• 

• 
• 
• 

Should an accident occur despite the measures we take, we 
have a reasonable level of insurance coverage.

We attempt to minimize the operational risks of current and 
future legal proceedings by managing these proceedings 
appropriately and by designing appropriate contracts prior 
to agreements being concluded. 

We engage in intensive and constructive dialog with govern-
ment agencies and policymakers in order to manage the 
risks resulting from the E.ON Group’s political, legal, and reg-
ulatory environment. Furthermore, we strive to identify early 
the legal risks attending our power and gas new-build projects 
and to minimize these risks by conducting appropriate 
 project management.

Our IT systems are maintained and optimized by qualified 
E.ON Group experts, outside experts, and a wide range of 
technological security measures. In addition, the E.ON Group 
has in place a range of technological and organizational 
measures to counter the risk of unauthorized access to data, 
the misuse of data, and data loss.

Risk Situation

In the normal course of business, we are subject to a number 
of risks that are inseparably linked to the operation of our 
businesses. Relative to 2011, amicable settlements or asset 
sales eliminated risks attending the following matters:
• 

the arbitration process we initiated against Gazprom 
relating to long-term gas contracts  
lawsuits pending against E.ON SE and U.S. subsidiaries 
in connection with the disposal of VEBA Electronics
•  Germany’s incentive-based regulation of gas transmission 

• 

system operators.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

65

Scandinavia could be negatively affected by a lack of precipi-
tation, which could lead to a decline in hydroelectric generation. 
We expect seasonal and weather-related fluctuations in sales 
and results of operations to continue.

In addition, E.ON also faces risks from price changes and losses 
on the current and non-current investments it makes to cover 
its non-current obligations, particularly pension and asset-
retirement obligations.

In view of the tense financial situation in many EU member 
states, a worsening of the euro crisis would, on balance, lead 
to an increase in financial risks.

Strategic Risks
Our business strategy involves acquisitions and investments in 
our core business as well as disposals. This strategy depends 
in part on our ability to successfully identify, acquire, and 
integrate companies that enhance, on acceptable terms, our 
energy business. In order to obtain the necessary approvals 
for acquisitions, we may be required to divest other parts of 
our business or to make concessions or undertakings that 
materially affect our business. In addition, there can be no 
assurance that we will be able to achieve the returns we 
expect from any acquisition or investment. For example, we may 
fail to retain key employees; may be unable to successfully 
integrate new businesses with our existing businesses; may 
incorrectly judge expected cost savings, operating profits, 
or future market trends and regulatory changes; or may spend 
more on the acquisition, integration, and operation of new 
businesses than anticipated. Furthermore, investments and 
acquisitions in new geographic areas or lines of business 
require us to become familiar with new sales markets and 
competitors and to address the attending business risks.

In the case of planned disposals, E.ON faces the risk of dis-
posals not taking place or being delayed and the risk that E.ON 
receives lower-than-anticipated disposal proceeds. In such 
projects, it is not possible to determine the likelihood of these 
risks. If planned disposals do not take place or are significantly 
delayed, this would have a negative impact on the planned 
development of our debt factor. In addition, after transactions 
close we could face liability risks resulting from contractual 
obligations.

Commodity Price Risks 
The E.ON Group’s business operations are exposed to com-
modity price risks. We mainly use electricity, gas, coal, carbon-
allowance, and oil price hedging transactions to limit our 
exposure to risks resulting from price fluctuations, to optimize 
systems and load balancing, and to lock in margins.

Financial Risks
The international nature of E.ON’s business operations exposes 
E.ON to risks from currency fluctuation. One form of this risk 
is transaction risk, which occurs when payments are made in 
a currency other than E.ON’s functional currency. Another 
form of risk is translation risk, which occurs when currency 
fluctuations lead to accounting effects when assets/liabilities 
and income/expenses of E.ON companies outside the euro 
zone are translated into euros and entered into our Consolidated 
Financial Statements. Currency-translation risk results mainly 
from transactions denominated in U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, 
Swedish kronor, Russian rubles, Norwegian kroner, and Hun-
garian forints. 

E.ON faces earnings risks from financial liabilities, accounts 
payable, short-term financing with variable interest rates, and 
interest derivatives that are based on variable interest rates.

E.ON’s operating activities and use of derivative financial 
instruments expose E.ON to credit-default risks.

We use derivative financial instruments to hedge commodity, 
credit, liquidity, interest-rate, and currency risks. Notes 30 and 
31 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contain detailed 
information about the use of derivative financial instruments, 
hedging transactions, and related risk management.

Further risks may result from the EU’s European Market Infra-
structure Regulation (“EMIR”) for derivatives traded over the 
counter (“OTC”) and the possible rescission of energy-trading 
companies’ exemption from the Markets in Financial Instru-
ments Directive (“MiFID”). The European Commission is intro-
ducing mandatory central clearing of all OTC trades. This 
will increase the margin requirements for such transactions, 
which leads to increased cash liquidity risk. Non-financial 
firms are exempted from the clearing requirement as long as 
transactions are demonstrably risk-reducing or remain below 
certain monetary thresholds. No formal decision has been made 
on important details of these regulations.

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Risk Report

Operational Risks
Technologically complex production facilities are used in the 
production and distribution of energy. Germany’s Renewable 
Energy Law and the transformation of the country’s energy 
system are resulting in an increase in decentralized feed-in, 
which creates the need for additional expansion of the distri-
bution network. On a regional level, the increase in decen-
tralized feed-in (primarily from renewables) has led to a shift 
in load flows. Our operations in and outside Germany could 
experience unanticipated operational or other problems leading 
to a power failure or shutdown. Operational failures or extended 
production stoppages of facilities or components of facilities 
(including new-build projects) as well as environmental damage 
could negatively impact our earnings and/or affect our cost 
situation. In addition, problems with the development of new 
gas fields could lead to lower-than-expected earnings.

We could also be subject to environmental liabilities associated 
with our power generation operations that could materially 
and adversely affect our business. In addition, new or amended 
environmental laws and regulations may result in material 
increases in our costs.

Climate change has become a central risk factor. For example, 
E.ON’s operations could be adversely affected by the absence 
of precipitation or above-average temperatures that reduce the 
cooling efficiency of our generation assets and may make it 
necessary to shut them down. Extreme weather or long-term 
climatic change could also affect wind power generation. 
Alongside risks to our energy production, there are also risks 
that could lead to the disruption of offsite activities, such as 
transportation, communications, water supply, waste removal, 
and so forth. Increasingly, our investors and customers expect 
us to play an active leadership role in environmental issues like 
climate change and water conservation. Our failure to meet 
these expectations could increase the risk to our business by 
reducing the capital market’s willingness to invest in our 
company and the public’s trust in our brand.

In addition, our operating business potentially faces risks 
resulting from human error and employee turnover.

External Risks
The political, legal, and regulatory environment in which the 
E.ON Group does business is also a source of external risks. 
Changes to this environment can lead to considerable uncer-
tainty with regard to planning.

There are currently certain risks relating to legal proceedings, 
ongoing planning processes and regulatory changes resulting 
from the E.ON Group’s operations. These in particular include 
legal actions and proceedings concerning price increases, 
alleged market-sharing agreements, and anticompetitive prac-
tices. The above-mentioned legal proceedings include legal 
actions to demand repayment of the increase differential in 
conjunction with court rulings that certain contractual price-
adjustment clauses of years past are invalid. Additional risks 
may result from submissions by Germany’s Federal Court of 
Justice to the European Court of Justice to determine whether 
standard price-adjustment clauses in sales contracts with 
residential customers (clauses that are also used by E.ON) and 
whether Germany’s Basic Supply Ordinances (Grundversor-
gungsverordnungen) for Power and Gas comply with European 
law. Furthermore, court actions, governmental investigations 
and proceedings, and other claims could be instituted or 
asserted in the future against E.ON and E.ON Group companies.

On July 8, 2009, the European Commission fined E.ON Ruhrgas 
and E.ON (as joint debtor) €553 million for an alleged market-
sharing agreement with GdF Suez. In September 2009, E.ON 
Ruhrgas and E.ON filed an appeal with the General Court of the 
European Union to have the ruling overturned. Filing an appeal 
did not suspend the fine, which was paid, by the deadline, in 
October 2009. On June 29, 2012, the General Court issued a 
ruling overturning a portion of the European Commission’s 
decision and reduced the fine to €233 million. This ruling is 
now legally binding. We cannot rule out the possibility of sub-
sequent lawsuits.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

67

In September 2011 the European Commission undertook inspec-
tions at the premises of several gas supply companies in Cen-
tral and Eastern Europe, including at E.ON Group companies. 
The Commission investigated potential anticompetitive prac-
tices by Gazprom, possibly in collusion with other companies. 
In September 2012, the Commission initiated a formal antitrust 
proceeding against Gazprom to determine whether the com-
pany abused a dominant market position in breach of Article 
102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

E.ON is building a hard-coal-fired power plant in Datteln, Ger-
many (“Datteln 4”). The plant is designed to have a net electric 
capacity of about 1,055 MW. E.ON has invested about €1.3 billion 
in the project so far. The Münster Superior Administrative 
Court (“SAC”) issued a ruling declaring void the City of Datteln’s 
land-use plan. This ruling was subsequently upheld by the 
Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig. Consequently, a new 
planning process is being conducted to reestablish a reliable 
planning basis for Datteln 4. In view of the ongoing planning 
processes, the SAC’s ruling issued on June 12, 2012 (which 
declares void the preliminary decision), the filing for leave of 
appeal pending before the Federal Administrative Court, other 
lawsuits still pending, and the current policy environment, we 
currently anticipate additional delays relative to Datteln 4’s 
originally planned date of commissioning. E.ON is taking pro-
visional measures to ensure the supply of district heating and 
of traction power until Datteln 4 becomes operational, which 
we continue to assume will happen. In principle, these types 
of risks as well as technology-related risks attend our other 
power and gas new-build projects. 

E.ON Ruhrgas currently obtains about one fourth of its total 
natural gas supply from Russia pursuant to long-term supply 
contracts with Gazprom. E.ON Ruhrgas currently obtains 
 natural gas from five other supply countries, making it one of 
Europe’s most diversified gas supply companies. Certain past 
events in some Eastern European countries have heightened 
concerns in parts of Western and Central Europe about the 
reliability of Russian gas supplies, even though Russia has always 
been a very reliable supplier. Economic or political instability 
or other disruptive events in any transit country through which 
Russian gas must pass before it reaches its final destination 
in Western Europe can have a material adverse effect on the 
supply of such gas, and all such events are completely outside 
E.ON Ruhrgas’s control. The Nord Stream pipeline entered 

service in November 2011, establishing the first direct link 
between Russia’s large gas reserves and Western European gas 
markets. Nord Stream will play an important role in diversifying 
gas procurement and enhancing Europe’s supply security. 

The reactor accident in Fukushima led the political parties in 
Germany’s coalition government to reverse their policy 
regarding nuclear energy. After extending the operating lives 
of nuclear power plants (“NPPs”) in the fall of 2010 in line 
with the stipulations of the coalition agreement, the federal 
government rescinded the extensions in the thirteenth 
amended version of Germany’s Atomic Energy Act (“the Act”) 
and established a number of stricter rules. In addition to 
rescinding the eleventh amendment’s operating-life extension, 
the newly amended Act calls for a gradual phaseout of 
nuclear power by 2022 and for the seven NPPs that entered 
service before year-end 1980 and for Krümmel NPP to be 
 permanently shut down as of the date the Act took effect. This 
affected two NPPs for which E.ON has operational responsibil-
ity: Unterweser and Isar 1. E.ON is implementing the political 
majority’s decision on an earlier phaseout of nuclear energy. 
At the same time, however, E.ON believes that the nuclear 
phaseout, under the current legislation, is irreconcilable with 
our constitutionally protected right to property and right to 
operate a business. In any case, such an intervention is uncon-
stitutional unless compensation is granted for the rights so 
deprived and for the resulting stranded assets. Consequently, 
in mid-November 2011 E.ON filed a constitutional complaint 
against the thirteenth amendment of the Act to Germany’s 
Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe. The nuclear-fuel tax remains 
at its original level after the rescission of operating-life exten-
sions. Even at the time of the agreement on operating-life 
extensions, E.ON believed that the nuclear-fuel tax contravened 
Germany’s constitution and European law. Retaining the tax 
despite the significant reduction in operating lives raises addi-
tional legal issues. E.ON is therefore instituting administrative 
proceedings and taking legal action against the tax. The 
 proceedings regarding Gundremmingen B and C, Grohnde, 
Grafenrheinfeld, Emsland, Brokdorf, and Isar 2 NPPs have 
already begun. Conclusive court rulings will be handed down 
some time in the future.

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Risk Report

The new EU energy efficiency directive took effect in Decem-
ber 2012. Among other provisions, it obliges all energy distrib-
utors and energy retailers to achieve, between 2014 and 2020, 
annual savings of 1.5 percent on the amount of energy they 
sell to their customers. However, member states have the 
option of replacing this provision with alternative measures 
that achieve a comparable effect. The other provisions afford 
member states a similar degree of flexibility. Consequently, how 
the directive is transposed into national law is of particular 
significance and could pose risks for our regional units. The 
directive must be transposed into national law by June 2014. 
However, there is a discernable trend that the EU’s energy-
efficiency efforts will influence energy markets and thus could 
potentially create sales-volume risks for E.ON.

In the context of discussions about Europe’s ability to meet its 
long-term climate-protection targets in 2050, adjustments to 
European emissions-trading legislation are under consideration. 
They include reducing the number of carbon allowances 
available during the next phase (2013–2020) of the EU Emissions 
Trading Scheme. Policymakers hope that reducing the number 
of allowances will lead to higher carbon prices, which would 
create additional incentives for investments in low-carbon 
generating capacity. The risks of potentially higher carbon prices 
for E.ON’s current fossil-fueled generation portfolio in the 
EU can only be assessed when greater clarity exists about the 
measures that will be taken.

In mid-June the European Network of Transmission System 
Operators for Electricity (“ENTSO-E”) finalized draft EU-wide 
network codes that set minimum technical requirements for 
connecting generating facilities to distribution and transmis-
sion systems. The codes could increase requirements for new 

As established in its coalition agreement, in 2010 the German 
federal government lifted the Gorleben moratorium and, 
beginning in October 2010, continued the study of the Gorleben 
site, albeit with a number of subsequently stipulated restric-
tions. In late 2012 the Federal Ministry of the Environment 
announced that the study of Gorleben would be temporarily 
suspended. In 2012 the ministry formed a working group, 
which includes the federal states, to determine how the search 
for a final storage site will proceed. In view of some politicians’ 
statements to the media in late 2012 and early 2013, however, 
it seems uncertain whether the ministry and the opposition 
parties will be able to reach a consensus—and thus enact legis-
lation—in the near future. The ministry announced that fol-
lowing the elections in the German state of Lower Saxony it 
intends to renew the attempt to reach a consensus. The pur-
pose of the initial draft legislation is to “stipulate the individ-
ual procedural steps for searching for and selecting a site 
for the safe storage of heat-generating, radioactive waste.” The 
draft legislation mentions Gorleben as a possible site but 
does not seem to conclusively clarify what Gorleben’s status 
will be in the planned search process for a final storage site. 
After being updated, the initial draft legislation contains a 
passage for amending Section 21b of Germany’s Atomic Energy 
Act such that the costs for “conducting a site-selection process 
pursuant to the Site Selection Act” are considered a necessary 
expense subject to passthrough and thus are to be borne 
by entities with a disposal obligation. According to a correct 
(albeit not undisputed) interpretation of the law, such a 
passthrough of costs is unconstitutional as long as Gorleben 
has not been deemed unsuitable. This also applies to the 
costs of keeping Gorleben open, even though no study of it 
is being conducted.

In early October the European Commission released a com-
munication on stress tests of NPPs in the European Union. First 
and foremost, the tests demonstrated that E.ON NPPs (those 
shut down last year and those still in operation), have wide 
safety margins under all the scenarios that were examined. 
This applies in particular to E.ON NPPs in Germany. These safety 
margins considerably exceed the minimum standards set 
by laws, permits, and regulations. This also applies to events 
such as floods and earthquakes.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

69

and, following the completion of a cost-benefit analysis, for 
existing generating facilities. The Agency for the Cooperation 
of Energy Regulators (“ACER”) generally approved of the net-
work codes developed by ENTSO-E but requested some modi-
fications. These modifications must be made and approved 
before the comitology process can be initiated. The completion 
of this process would make the codes legally binding. The 
European Commission expects the codes to take effect in 2014.

E.ON restructured its six regional distribution companies 
(“RDCs”) in Germany in 2008. As part of this process, system 
operations were reintegrated into the RDCs so that they 
function as the distribution system operator. At the same time, 
generation and retail operations were transferred to subsid-
iaries and the retail subsidiaries placed under central manage-
ment. The regulatory agency (the German Federal Network 
Agency, known by its German acronym, “BNetzA”) views RDCs 
having ownership interests in the retail subsidiaries as a 
 violation of unbundling requirements. Consequently, in late 
2009 the BNetzA instituted formal proceedings against all 
E.ON RDCs that have the new regional structure and against 
E.ON Energie for allegedly violating unbundling requirements. 
The BNetzA is conducting the proceedings against one RDC 
(E.ON Bayern) and E.ON Energie as a test case and, for now, 
is not moving forward with the proceedings against the other 
RDCs. Oral arguments in the test case were held in the 
 BNetzA’s offices on May 19, 2011. On this occasion and several 
times in writing, E.ON Bayern and E.ON Energie have explained 
their legal position in detail. On February 3, 2012, the BNetzA 
issued cease-and-desist orders to E.ON Bayern and E.ON Ener-
gie. Both companies filed appeals against the orders to the 
State Superior Court (Oberlandesgericht, or “OLG”) in Düssel-
dorf. In view of the planned restructuring of the RDCs (in par-
ticular, the disposal of all retail activities), the two companies, 
with the consent of the BNetzA and the Düsseldorf OLG, did 
not submit reasons for their appeals and will await further 
developments. The BNetzA has indicated that it would con-
clusively abandon the proceedings if in the future the RDCs 
no longer have retail subsidiaries.

E.ON’s power and gas network operators in Germany are cur-
rently going through the regulatory cost-assessment process 
for the second period of incentive-based regulation, which 
begins in 2013 (for power network operators) and 2014 (for gas 
network operators). This process is not yet completed for 
either type of operator. It cannot be conclusively determined 
whether revenue caps can be maintained at their current level.

Capacity markets will play an important role for E.ON in a 
number of the electricity markets where it operates. Russia and 
Spain already have capacity markets, and Sweden has a 
reserve capacity market. France and Italy have already decided 
to create capacity markets, and a U.K. government proposal for 
such a market is under discussion. Germany and Belgium 
are also weighing the issue. This could result in market-design 
risks for E.ON, which could face a competitive disadvantage, 
particularly if there is a focus on specific generation technol-
ogies or if some existing assets are not included.

The U.K. government is implementing a number of reforms 
to the country’s wholesale power market with the aim of pro-
viding incentives for investments in low-carbon generation 
and to maintain a reliable supply of electricity. The introduction 
of feed-in tariffs is intended to provide greater certainty of 
revenues for new nuclear capacity, new renewables capacity, 
and power plants equipped with carbon capture and storage 
(“CCS”). The introduction of a capacity market is intended to 
support operationally flexible generating capacity to help 
maintain security of supply. The establishment of emission 
performance standards for new fossil-fueled capacity is 
intended to prevent the construction of new coal-fired gener-
ating units that lack CCS technology. It is anticipated that 
legislation to implement these reforms will be drafted in 2013 
and that the measures will be fully implemented by the end 
of 2014. These reforms could affect E.ON’s generation activities 
in the United Kingdom.

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Risk Report

Germany’s Energy Act, which was amended at the end of 2012, 
contains new regulatory restrictions for several areas including 
power generation (in particular: restrictions on the decom-
missioning, mothballing, or shutdown of generating units and 
rules for the mandatory operation of generating units that 
are deemed essential for maintaining power-system stability). 
Depending on how these restrictions are implemented in 
practice, they could affect the profitability of E.ON’s generation 
assets in Germany.

In view of the current economic and financial crisis in many EU 
member states, policy and regulatory intervention (such 
as additional taxes, price moratoriums, and changes to support 
schemes for renewables) is becoming increasingly apparent. 
Such intervention could pose a risk to E.ON’s operations in 
these countries. In particular, the refinancing situation of many 
European countries could have a direct impact on the E.ON 
Group’s cost of capital, which could create the risk of impair-
ment charges. Examples of such intervention include new 
energy taxes in Spain and so-called Robin Hood taxes in Italy 
and Hungary.

Reputation Risks
Events and discussions regarding nuclear power and energy 
prices affect the reputation of all large energy suppliers. This is 
particularly the case in Germany, where our brand image is less 
positive than in other countries. As a large corporation whose 
stock is part of the DAX 30 blue-chip index, E.ON is especially 
prominent in Germany and is almost always mentioned during 
public discussions of controversial energy-policy issues. 

The foundation for earning credibility and an open ear for 
our viewpoints is built by communicating clearly, seeking out 
opportunities for dialog, and engaging with our key stake-
holders. New stakeholder-management processes we initiated 
in 2011 will help us achieve these aims. Consistent communi-
cations, enhanced dialog, and good relationships with our 
stakeholders are important to us. Today, we actively consider 
environmental, social, and corporate-governance issues. 

These efforts support our interactions with our stakeholders 
(including investors), our business decisions, and our public 
relations. Our objective is to minimize our reputation risks and 
garner public support so that we can continue to operate our 
business successfully.

IT Risks
The operational and strategic management of the E.ON Group 
relies heavily on complex information technology. We out-
sourced our IT infrastructure to an external service provider 
in 2011. Among our IT risks are the unauthorized access to 
data, the misuse of data, and data loss.

Management’s Evaluation of the Risk Situation

At year-end 2012 the risk situation of the E.ON Group’s oper-
ating business had not changed compared with the end of 
the third quarter of 2012. The positive change compared with 
year-end 2011 was due in particular to the outcomes of our 
negotiations regarding gas supply contracts. In the future, policy 
and regulatory intervention, increasing gas-market competi-
tion and its effect on sales volumes and prices along with delays 
in power and gas new-build projects could adversely affect 
our earnings situation. From today’s perspective, however, we 
do not perceive any risks in the future that would threaten the 
existence of the E.ON Group or individual segments.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

71

We combined our European trading operations at the start 
of 2008. This enables us to seize opportunities created by the 
increasing integration of European power and gas markets 
and of commodity markets, which are already global in scope. 
For example, in view of market developments in the United 
Kingdom and Continental Europe, trading at European gas hubs 
can create additional sales and procurement opportunities.

In addition, the ongoing optimization of gas transport and 
storage rights and of the availability and utilization of our 
power and gas facilities (shorter project timelines or shorter 
facility outages) could yield opportunities.

In the years ahead, we will transform our business portfolio in 
line with our “cleaner & better energy” strategy. Our focus will 
be on expanding our operations in renewables, power gener-
ation outside Europe, and distributed-energy solutions. Along-
side our successful businesses in North America (wind power) 
and Russia (large-scale conventional power stations), Brazil and 
Turkey are our next growth markets. In a joint venture with 
Brazil’s MPX, we plan to develop 11 GW of generating capacity. 
Together with our partner in Turkey, the Sabanci Group, we plan 
to develop 8 GW of generating capacity by 2020, which would 
give us at least a 10-percent share of that country’s power 
market. We see substantial market opportunities in all areas as 
well as ways for the venture to benefit from our capabilities.

Opportunity Report

We conduct a bottom-up process at half-yearly intervals (at 
the end of the second and fourth quarters) in which the lead 
companies of our units in and outside Germany as well as 
certain E.ON SE departments follow Group-wide guidelines to 
identify and report opportunities that they deem sufficiently 
concrete and substantial. An opportunity is substantial within 
the meaning of our guidelines if it could have a significantly 
positive effect on the asset, financial, or earnings situation of 
a unit or one of its segments.

Changes in our regulatory environment could create oppor-
tunities. Market developments could also have a positive 
impact on our business. Such factors include wholesale and 
retail price developments and higher customer churn rates.

The EU internal energy market is supposed to be completed 
by 2014 and serve as the first step towards a long-term Euro-
pean energy strategy. Nevertheless, many member states 
pursue their own agenda, aspects of which are not compatible 
with EU policy objectives. An example of this is the different 
approaches member states are taking with regard to capacity 
markets. We believe that European market integration is 
 currently being accompanied by the development of markets 
that have strong national orientation. This could lead to a 
 situation in which E.ON, which operates across Europe, will 
have to look for opportunities in a fragmented regulatory 
environment.

Positive developments in foreign-currency rates and market 
prices for commodities (electricity, natural gas, coal, oil, and 
carbon) can create opportunities for our operating business. 
Periods of exceptionally cold weather—very low average tem-
peratures or exteme daily lows—in the fall and winter months 
can create opportunites for us to meet higher demand for 
electricity and natural gas.

72

Internal Control System for the Accounting Process

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 289, Paragraph 5, 
of the German Commercial Code on the Internal 
Control System for the Accounting Process 

General Principles
We apply Section 315a (1) of the German Commercial Code and 
prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and 
the interpretations of the International Financial Reporting 
Interpretations Committee that were adopted by the European 
Commission for use in the EU as of the end of the fiscal year 
and whose application was mandatory as of the balance-sheet 
date (see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). 
Our global units and certain of our regional units are our IFRS 
reportable segments.

E.ON SE prepares its Financial Statements in accordance with 
the German Commercial Code (as codified in the Accounting 
Law Reform Act, which took effect on May 29, 2009), the SE 
Ordinance (in conjunction with the German Stock Corporation 
Act), and the German Energy Act.

We prepare a Combined Group Management Report which 
applies to both the E.ON Group and E.ON SE.

Accounting Process
The Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in a 
multi-step process using the same SAP software throughout 
the E.ON Group. The financial statements of our units (pre-
pared by the respective lead company and approved by its 
independent auditor) are combined at E.ON SE in the Con-
solidated Financial Statements. E.ON SE is responsible for main-
taining and providing support for the consolidation software, 
for the E.ON-wide standard chart of accounts, and for imple-
menting central consolidation measures. At several E.ON 
entities, shared service centers conduct some processes (like 
human resources management) that have an indirect impact 
on the accounting process. In addition, at the end of 2012 we 
opened a Center of Competence for Consolidation in Germany 
and a Business Service Center in Romania.

All companies included in the Consolidated Financial Statements 
must comply with our uniform Accounting and Reporting 
Guidelines for the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements 
and the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements. These 
guidelines include a description of all general E.ON Group con-
solidation processes as well as the applicable IFRS accounting 

and valuation principles. They also explain accounting princi-
ples (such as those for provisions for nuclear-waste manage-
ment and the treatment of regulatory obligations) typical in 
the E.ON Group. In addition, all such companies must meet the 
deadlines of our balance-sheet closing calendar. 

In conjunction with the closing process, additional qualitative 
and quantitative information is compiled. Furthermore, dedi-
cated quality-control processes are in place for all relevant 
departments to discuss and ensure the completeness of rel-
evant information on a regular basis.

E.ON SE’s Financial Statements are also prepared with SAP 
software. The accounting and preparation processes are divided 
into each steps. Automated or manual controls are integrated 
into each process. Defined procedures ensure that all trans-
actions and the preparation of E.ON SE’s Financial Statements 
are recorded, processed, assigned on an accrual basis, and 
documented in a complete, timely, and accurate manner. Rel-
evant data from E.ON SE’s Financial Statements are, if neces-
sary, adjusted to conform with IFRS and then transferred 
to the consolidation software system using SAP-supported 
transfer technology.

The following explanations about our Internal Control System 
and our general IT controls apply to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements and E.ON SE’s Financial Statements.

Internal Control and Risk Management System 
Internal controls are an integral part of our accounting pro-
cesses. Guidelines, called Internal_Controls@E.ON, define uni-
form financial-reporting documentation requirements and 
procedures for the entire E.ON Group. The guidelines include a 
definition of their scope, documentation, and evaluation stan-
dards, a Catalog of Management Controls, a Generic Risk Cata-
log, a description of the test activities of our Internal Audit 
division, and a description of the final Sign-Off process. We 
believe that compliance with these rules provides sufficient cer-
tainty to prevent error or fraud from resulting in material mis-
representations in the Consolidated Financial Statements, the 
Combined Group Management Report, and the Interim Reports.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

73

COSO Model
Our internal control system is based on the globally recognized 
COSO model (COSO: The Committee of Sponsoring Organi-
zations of the Treadway Commission). The Generic Risk Catalog 
(which encompasses company- and industry-specific aspects) 
defines possible risks for accounting (financial reporting) in the 
functional areas of our operating entities and thus serves as a 
check list and provides guidance for the documentation process.

The Catalog of Management Controls is a key component of 
a functioning internal control system. It encompasses over-
arching controls to address risks in a range of issue areas and 
processes, such as financial reporting, corporate responsibility, 
fraud, the communications process, planning and budgeting, 
investment controlling, and internal audit.

Central Documentation System
The E.ON companies to which the internal control system 
applies use a central documentation system to document key 
controls. The system defines the scope, detailed documen-
tation requirements, requirements for the assessment process, 
and the final evaluation performed by the Sign-Off process.

Scope
Each year, we conduct a multi-stage process using qualitative 
criteria and quantitative materiality metrics to define which 
E.ON companies must document and evaluate their financial-
disclosure processes and controls. Selection is based on pre-
defined line items in the balance sheets, income statements, 
and/or notes of each company’s prior-year financial statements.

Assessment
After companies have documented their processes and con-
trols, they conduct an annual assessment of the design and 
the operational effectiveness of the processes as well as the 
controls embedded in these processes.

Tests Performed by Internal Audit
The management of E.ON companies relies on the assessment 
performed by their staff and on testing of the internal control 
system performed by Internal Audit. These tests are a key part 
of the process. Using a risk-oriented testing plan, Internal Audit 
tests the E.ON Group’s internal control system and identifies 

potential deficiencies (issues). On the basis of its own evalu-
ation and the results of tests performed by Internal Audit, an 
E.ON company’s management carries out the final signing-off.

Following the preliminary evaluation of the processes and 
controls performed by an E.ON company’s own staff and by 
Internal Audit, the global and regional units carry out a sec-
ond evaluation process to ensure quality before a final report 
is made to E.ON SE. This second evaluation is conducted by 
a committee of unit staff or by the unit management itself.

Sign-Off Process
The final step of the internal evaluation process is the sub-
mission of a formal written declaration confirming the sys-
tem’s effectiveness. The declaration process is conducted 
at all levels of the Group before it is conducted by the global 
and regional units and, finally, by E.ON SE. It is therefore a 
formal mechanism that encompasses all levels of the E.ON 
Group’s hierarchy. The Chairman of the E.ON SE Board of 
Management and the Chief Financial Officer make the final 
Sign-Off on the effectiveness of the internal control system 
of E.ON SE’s financial reporting. 

Internal Audit regularly informs the E.ON SE Supervisory 
Board’s Audit and Risk Committee about the internal control 
system for financial reporting and any significant issues areas 
it identifies in the E.ON Group’s underlying control processes.

General IT Controls
The effectiveness of the automated controls in the standard 
accounting software systems and in key additional applications 
depends to a considerable degree on the proper functioning 
of IT systems. Consequently, IT controls are embedded in our 
documentation system. These controls primarily involve 
ensuring the proper functioning of access-control mechanisms 
of systems and applications, of daily IT operations (such as 
emergency intervention), and of the program change process. 
In addition, support for the central consolidation system is 
conducted at E.ON SE in Düsseldorf. Furthermore, an E.ON 
company called E.ON IT and external service providers provide 
comprehensive IT services for the majority of our units.

Articles of Association requires a two-thirds majority of the 
votes cast or, in cases where at least half of the share capital 
is represented, a simple majority of the votes cast unless the 
law explicitly prescribes another type of majority.

The Supervisory Board is authorized to decide by resolution on 
amendments to the Articles of Association that affect only 
their wording (Section 10, Paragraph 7 of the Articles of Asso-
ciation). Furthermore, the Supervisory Board is authorized to 
revise the wording of Section 3 of the Articles of Association 
upon utilization of authorized or conditional capital.

Board of Management’s Power to Issue or Buy Back 
Shares
Pursuant to a resolution of the Shareholders Meeting of May 3, 
2012, the Board of Management is authorized, until May 2, 2017, 
to acquire own shares. The shares acquired and other own 
shares that are in possession of or to be attributed to the Com-
pany pursuant to Sections 71a et seq. of the AktG must alto-
gether at no point account for more than 10 percent of the 
Company’s share capital.

At the Board of Management’s discretion, the acquisition may 
be conducted:
• 
• 

through a stock exchange 
by means of a public offer directed at all shareholders 
or a public solicitation to submit offers 
by means of a public offer or a public solicitation to 
 submit offers for the exchange of liquid shares that 
are admitted to trading on an organized market for 
 Company shares 
by use of derivatives (put or call options or a combination 
of both).

• 

• 

74

Disclosures Regarding Takeovers

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 289, 
Paragraph 4, and Section 315, Paragraph 4, 
of the German  Commercial Code

Composition of Share Capital
The share capital totals €2,001,000,000.00 and consists of 
2,001,000,000 registered shares without nominal value. Each 
share of stock grants the same rights and one vote at a 
Shareholders Meeting.

Restrictions on Voting Rights or the Transfer of 
Shares
Shares acquired by an employee under the Company-sponsored 
employee stock purchase program are subject to a blackout 
period that begins the day ownership of such shares is trans-
ferred to the employee and that ends on December 31 of the 
next calendar year plus one. As a rule, an employee may not 
sell such shares until the blackout period has expired.

Pursuant to Section 71b of the German Stock Corporation Act 
(known by its German abbreviation, “AktG”), the Company’s 
own shares give it no rights, including no voting rights.

Legal Provisions and Rules of the Company’s Articles 
of Association Regarding the Appointment and 
Removal of Board of Management Members and 
Amendments to the Articles of Association
Pursuant to the Company’s Articles of Association, the Board 
of Management consists of at least two members. The Super-
visory Board decides on the number of members as well as 
on their appointment and dismissal.

The Supervisory Board appoints members to the Board of 
Management for a term not exceeding five years; a member 
may be appointed for another term of office or a member’s 
term of office may be extended for an additional term not 
exceeding five years. If more than one person is appointed 
as a member of the Board of Management, the Supervisory 
Board may appoint one of the members as Chairperson of 
the Board of Management. If a Board of Management member 
is absent, in the event of an urgent matter, the court makes 
the necessary appointment upon petition by a concerned 
party. The Supervisory Board may revoke the appointment of 
a member of the Board of Management and the Chairperson 
of the Board of Management for serious cause (for further 
details, see Sections 84 and 85 of the AktG).

Resolutions of the Shareholders Meeting require a majority 
of the valid votes cast unless the law or the Articles of Asso-
ciation explicitly prescribe otherwise. An amendment to the 

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

75

By shareholder resolution adopted at the Annual Shareholders 
Meeting of May 3, 2012, the Board of Management was autho-
rized, subject to the Supervisory Board’s approval, to increase 
until May 2, 2017, the Company’s capital stock by a total of up 
to €460 million (“Authorized Capital pursuant to Sections 202 
et seq. AktG”) through one or more issuances of new regis-
tered no-par-value shares against contributions in cash and/
or in kind (with the option to restrict shareholders’ subscrip-
tion rights); such increase shall not, however, exceed the 
amount and number of shares in which the authorized capital 
pursuant to Section 3 of the Articles of Association of E.ON AG 
still exists at the point in time when the conversion of E.ON AG 
into a European company (“SE”) becomes effective pursuant 
to the conversion plan dated March 6, 2012 (authorized capital 
pursuant to Sections 202 et seq. AktG). Subject to the Super-
visory Board’s approval, the Board of Management is autho-
rized to exclude shareholders’ subscription rights.

At the Annual Shareholders Meeting of May 3, 2012, sharehold-
ers approved a conditional increase of the capital stock (with 
the option to exclude shareholders’ subscription rights) in the 
amount of €175 million, which is authorized until May 2, 2017. 
The conditional capital increase will be implemented only to 
the extent required to fulfill the obligations arising on the 
exercise by holders of option or conversion rights, and those 
arising from compliance with the mandatory conversion of 
bonds with conversion or option rights, profit participation 
rights and income bonds that have been issued or guaranteed 
by E.ON SE or a Group company of E.ON SE as defined by 
 Section 18 AktG, and to the extent that no cash settlement has 
been granted in lieu of conversion and no E.ON SE treasury 
shares or shares of another listed company have been used to 
service the rights. However, this conditional capital increase 
only applies up to the amount and number of shares in which 
the conditional capital pursuant to Section 3 of the Articles 
of Association of E.ON AG has not yet been implemented at 
the point in time when the conversion of E.ON AG into a 
European Company (“SE”) becomes effective in accordance with 
the conversion plan dated March 6, 2012. The conditional 
capital has not been used.

These authorizations may be utilized on one or several occa-
sions, in whole or in partial amounts, in pursuit of one or 
more objectives by the Company and also by affiliated com-
panies or by third parties for the Company’s account or its 
affiliates’ account.

With regard to treasury shares that will be or have been 
acquired based on the above-mentioned authorization and/
or prior authorizations by the Shareholders Meeting, the 
Board of Management is authorized, subject to the Supervisory 
Board’s consent and excluding shareholder subscription 
rights, to use these shares—in addition to a disposal through 
a stock exchange or an offer granting a subscription right to 
all shareholders—as follows:
• 
• 
• 

to be sold and transferred against cash consideration
to be sold and transferred against contribution in kind
to be used in order to satisfy the rights of creditors of 
bonds with conversion or option rights or, respectively, 
conversion obligations issued by the Company or its 
Group companies
to be offered for purchase and transferred to individuals 
who are or were employed by the Company or one of its 
affiliates.

• 

These authorizations may be utilized on one or several occa-
sions, in whole or in partial amounts, separately or collectively 
by the Company and also by Group companies or by third 
parties for the Company’s account or its affiliates’ account.

In addition, the Board of Management is authorized to cancel 
treasury shares, without such cancellation or its implemen-
tation requiring an additional resolution by the Shareholders 
Meeting.

In each case, the Board of Management will inform the 
Shareholders Meeting about the reasons for and the purpose 
of the acquisition of treasury shares, the number of treasury 
shares acquired, the amount of the registered share capital 
attributable to them, the portion of the registered share capi-
tal represented by them, and their equivalent value. 

76

Disclosures Regarding Takeovers

Significant Agreements to Which the Company Is a 
Party That Take Effect on a Change of Control of the 
Company Following a Takeover Bid
The ministerial approval of the German Federal Minister of 
Economics and Technology dated July 5/September 18, 2002, 
on the proposed mergers of E.ON/Gelsenberg and E.ON/
Bergemann contains the following condition: at the direction 
of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, E.ON 
must sell to a third party all shares in Ruhrgas AG held by E.ON 
or its affiliated companies if another company acquires a 
 voting-rights or share-capital majority in E.ON and the acquirer 
gives reasonable cause for concern that the Federal Republic 
of Germany’s energy policy interests will be negatively affected.
The acquirer of Ruhrgas shares requires the prior approval of 
the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology; such prior 
approval may be denied only if the acquirer gives reasonable 
cause for concern that the Federal Republic of Germany’s 
energy policy interests will be negatively affected. This obli-
gation is valid for a period of ten years after the mergers’ 
consummation.

Debt issued since 2007 contains change-of-control clauses 
that give the creditor the right of cancellation. This applies, 
inter alia, to bonds issued by E.ON International Finance B.V. 
and guaranteed by E.ON SE, promissory notes issued by E.ON SE, 

and other instruments such as credit contracts. Granting 
change-of-control rights to creditors is considered good corpo-
rate governance and has become standard market practice. 
Further information about financial liabilities is contained in 
the section of the Combined Group Management Report 
 entitled “Financial Condition” and in Note 26 to the Consoli-
dated Financial Statements.

Settlement Agreements between the Company 
and Board of Management Members or Employees 
in the Case of a Change-of-Control Event
In the event of a premature loss of a Board of Management 
position due to a change-of-control event, the service agree-
ments of Board of Management members entitle them to 
severance and settlement payments (see the detailed presen-
tation in the Compensation Report). 

In the case of a change-of-control event, there is an early 
 settlement of performance rights under the E.ON Share Per-
formance Plan.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

77

Corporate Governance Declaration, made in accor-
dance with Section 289a of the German Commercial 
Code

Declaration of Compliance with the German Corpo-
rate Governance Code, made in accordance with 
Section 161 of the German Stock Corporation Act, by 
the Board of Management and the Supervisory 
Board of E.ON SE 
The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board hereby 
declare that E.ON SE complies with the recommendations 
contained in the German Corporate Governance Code (“the 
Code”), dated May 15, 2012, prepared by the Government 
Commission appointed by the German Minister of Justice and 
published in the official section of the Bundesanzeiger, with 
the exception of the recommendation in Item 4.2.3, Paragraph 3, 
Sentence 3.

The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board further-
more declare that E.ON SE has complied with the recommen-
dations contained in the Code, dated May 26, 2010, prepared 
by the Government Commission appointed by the German 
Minister of Justice and published in the official section of the 
Bundesanzeiger since the last annual declaration on Decem-
ber 12, 2011, until the updating of the declaration on March 13, 
2012, with the exception of the recommendation contained in 
Item 5.4.6, Paragraph 2, Sentence 1 of the Code and since March 
2012 additionally with the exception of the recommendation 
contained in Item 4.2.3, Paragraph 3, Sentence 3 of the Code.

With reference to deviation from the recommendation in 
4.2.3, Paragraph 3, Sentence 3 of the Code: According to 4.2.3, 
Paragraph 3, Sentence 3 of the Code, retroactively changing 
performance targets or benchmark parameters when deter-
mining the compensation of the Board of Management shall 
be excluded. In March 2012, the Company’s Supervisory Board 
decided to reduce the premium on the weighted-average 
annual cost of capital (“WACC”) in the terms and conditions of 
the sixth tranche of the E.ON Share Performance Plan issued 
in 2011. This change was due to the fact that, compared with 
the return expected by the Supervisory Board when it adopted 
its resolution on the performance rights to be awarded in 
March 2011, the E.ON Group’s longer-term return expectation 
had decreased significantly as a result of the nuclear phase-
out decided by the German government as well as other reg-
ulatory interventions and a substantial deterioration of the 
general economic environment. Because of this subsequent, 
unforeseeable development, it has become much more unlikely 
that the performance hurdle for the sixth tranche will be 
reached. The purpose of reducing the performance hurdle is to 
maintain the plan’s incentive effect as originally intended by 
the Supervisory Board.

With reference to deviation from the recommendation in 
Item 5.4.6, Paragraph 2, Sentence 1 of the Code: According to 
Item 5.4.6, Paragraph 2, Sentence 1 of the Code, the members 
of the Supervisory Board shall receive fixed as well as a perfor-
mance-related compensation. The Annual Shareholders Meet-
ing in May 2011 decided to implement a new compensation 
scheme that consists of fixed compensation only and to amend 
the Company’s Articles of Associations accordingly. The new 
scheme first applied to the 2011 financial year. Performance-
related compensation was dispensed with in order to further 
strengthen the Supervisory Board’s independence. Also, the 
new scheme takes account of current developments in discus-
sions about corporate govern-ance. The new version of the 
Code dated May 15, 2012, no longer contains this recommenda-
tion; consequently, deviation from the new version of the Code 
does not need to be declared.

Düsseldorf, December 10, 2012

For the Supervisory Board of E.ON SE:
Werner Wenning
(Chairman of the Supervisory Board of E.ON SE)

For the Board of Management of E.ON SE:
Dr. Johannes Teyssen
(Chairman of the Board of Management of E.ON SE)

The declaration is published on the Company’s webpage at 
www.eon.com and is thus publicly available to shareholders 
at all times.

Relevant Information about Management Practices 
Corporate Governance 
E.ON has been a European Company (Societas Europaea, or 
“SE”) under European laws of incorporation since November 15, 
2012. Being an SE strengthens E.ON’s corporate governance 
and enhances the Supervisory Board’s efficiency and effective-
ness. Limiting the Supervisory Board to twelve members 
while maintaining parity between shareholder and employee 
representatives is an important aspect of this.

E.ON views good corporate governance as a central founda-
tion of responsible and value-oriented management, efficient 
collaboration between the Board of Management and the 
Supervisory Board, transparent disclosures, and appropriate 
risk management.

In 2012 the Board of Management and Supervisory Board 
paid close attention to E.ON’s compliance with the Code’s 
 recommendations and suggestions. They determined that E.ON 
complies with all of the Code’s recommendations (with the 
exceptions described in the declaration above) and with nearly 
all of its suggestions.

78

Corporate Governance Report

Transparent Management 
Transparency is a high priority of E.ON SE’s Board of Manage-
ment and Supervisory Board. Our shareholders, all capital 
market participants, financial analysts, shareholder associations, 
and the media regularly receive up-to-date information about 
the situation of, and any material changes to, the Company. 
We primarily use the Internet to help ensure that all investors 
have equal access to comprehensive and timely information 
about the Company.

Interim Reports 

E.ON SE issues reports about its situation and earnings by the 
following means:
• 
•  Annual Report 
•  Annual press conference 
• 
• 

Press releases 
Telephone conferences held on release of the quarterly 
Interim Reports and the Annual Report 

•  Numerous events for financial analysts in and outside 

Germany. 

A financial calendar lists the dates on which the Company’s 
financial reports are released.

In addition to the Company’s periodic financial reports, the 
Company issues ad hoc statements when events or changes 
occur at E.ON SE that could have a significant impact on the 
price of E.ON stock.

The financial calendar, ad hoc statements, and annual docu-
ment are available on the Internet at www.eon.com.

Directors’ Dealings 
Persons with executive responsibilities, in particular members 
of E.ON SE’s Board of Management and Supervisory Board, 
and persons closely related to them, must disclose their deal-
ings in E.ON stock or in related financial instruments pursuant 
to Section 15a of the German Securities Trading Act. Such deal-
ings that took place in 2012 have been disclosed on the Inter-
net at www.eon.com. As of December 31, 2012, there was no 
ownership interest subject to disclosure pursuant to Item 6.6 
of the Code.

Integrity
Our actions are grounded in integrity and a respect for the 
law. The basis for this is our Code of Conduct, issued by the 
Board of Management, which emphasizes that all employees 
must comply with laws and regulations and with Company 
policies. These relate to dealing with business partners, third 
parties, and government institutions, particularly with regard 
to antitrust law, the granting and accepting of benefits, the 
involvement of intermediaries, and the selection of suppliers 
and service providers. 

Other rules address issues such as the avoidance of conflicts 
of interest (such as the prohibition to compete, secondary 
employment, material financial investments) and handling 
company information, property, and resources. The policies 
and procedures of our Compliance Organization ensure the 
investigation, evaluation, cessation, and punishment of 
reported violations by the appropriate Compliance Officers 
and the E.ON Group’s Chief Compliance Officer. Violations of 
the Code of Conduct can also be reported anonymously (for 
example, by means of a whistleblower report). The Code of 
Conduct is published on www.eon.com.

Description of the Functioning of the Board of 
 Management and Supervisory Board and of the 
Composition and Functioning of Their Committees
Board of Management 
The E.ON Board of Management manages the Company’s 
businesses, with all its members bearing joint responsibility 
for its decisions. It establishes the Company’s objectives, 
sets its fundamental strategic direction, and is responsible 
for corporate policy and Group organization.

The Board of Management consists of six members and has one 
Chairperson. Board of Management members may not be 
older than 65. The Board of Management has in place policies 
and procedures for the business it conducts and, in consul-
tation with the Supervisory Board, has assigned task areas to 
its members.

The Board of Management regularly reports to the Supervisory 
Board on a timely and comprehensive basis on all relevant 
issues of strategy, planning, business development, risk assess-
ment, risk management, and compliance. It also submits the 
Group’s investment, finance, and personnel plan for the com-
ing fiscal year as well as the medium-term plan to the Super-
visory Board for its approval at the last meeting of each finan-
cial year.

The Chairperson of the Board of Management informs, with-
out undue delay, the Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of 
important events that are of fundamental significance in 
assessing the Company’s situation, development, and manage-
ment and of any defects that have arisen in the Company’s 
monitoring systems. Transactions and measures requiring the 
Supervisory Board’s approval are also submitted to the 
Supervisory Board without delay.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

79

Members of the Board of Management are also required to 
promptly report conflicts of interest to the Executive Committee 
of the Supervisory Board and to inform the other members 
of the Board of Management. Members of the Board of Man-
agement may only assume other corporate positions, par-
ticularly appointments to the supervisory boards of non-Group 
companies, with the consent of the Executive Committee 
of the Supervisory Board. There were no conflicts of interest 
involving members of the Board of Management in 2012. 
Any material transactions between the Company and members 
of the Board of Management, their relatives, or entities with 
which they have close personal ties require the consent of the 
Executive Committee of the Supervisory Board. No such trans-
actions took place in 2012.

In addition, the Board of Management has a established a 
number of committees that support it in the fulfillment of its 
tasks. The members of these committees are senior represen-
tatives of various departments of E.ON SE whose experience, 
responsibilities, and expertise make them particularly suited 
for their committee’s tasks.

• 

• 

Supervisory Board
The E.ON SE Supervisory Board has 12 members and, in accor-
dance with the Company’s Articles of Association, is composed 
of an equal number of shareholder and employee representa-
tives. The shareholder representatives are elected by the 
shareholders at the Annual Shareholders Meeting; the Super-
visory Board nominates candidates for this purpose. Pursuant 
to the agreement regarding employees’ involvement in E.ON SE, 
the other six members of the Supervisory Board are appointed 
by the SE Works Council, with the proviso that at least three 
different countries are represented and one member is selected 
by a German trade union. Persons are not eligible as Super-
visory Board members if they: 
• 

are already supervisory board members in ten or more 
commercial companies that are obliged by law to set up 
a supervisory board
are legal representatives of an enterprise controlled by 
the Company 
are legal representatives of another corporation whose 
supervisory board includes a member of the Company’s 
Board of Management   

A Disclosure Committee supports the Board of Management 
on issues relating to financial disclosures and ensures that 
such information is disclosed in a correct and timely fashion.

•  were a member of the Company’s Board of Management 
in the past two years, unless the person concerned is 
nominated by shareholders who hold more than 25 per-
cent of the Company’s voting rights.

A Risk Committee ensures the correct application and imple-
mentation of the legal requirements of Paragraph 91 of the 
German Stock Corporation Act (“AktG”). This committee moni-
tors the E.ON Group’s risk situation and devotes particular 
attention to the early warning system in order to recognize 
developments that could potentially threaten the Group’s 
continued existence. In collaboration with relevant departments 
and subdepartments, the committee ensures and refines the 
implementation of, and compliance with, the reporting policies 
enacted by the Board of Management with regard to com-
modity risks, credit risks, and opportunities and risks pursuant 
to Germany’s Corporate Sector Control and Transparency Act 
(“KonTraG”).

A Market Committee ensures that E.ON, across all its entities 
and in a timely manner, adopts clear and unequivocal policies 
and assigns clear mandates for monitoring market develop-
ments and managing its commodity portfolio (power, gas, coal, 
and so forth). The committee thus manages the portfolio’s 
risk-reward profile in pursuance of the E.ON Group’s financial 
and strategic objectives.

At least one independent member of the Supervisory Board 
must have expertise in preparing or auditing financial 
 statements. The Supervisory Board determined that Werner 
Wenning and Dr. Theo Siegert meet this requirement.

The Supervisory Board oversees the Company’s management 
and advises the Board of Management on an ongoing basis. 
The Board of Management requires the Supervisory Board’s 
prior approval for significant transactions or measures, such 
as the Group’s investment, finance, and personnel plans; the 
acquisition or sale of companies, equity interests, or parts of 
companies whose value exceeds 2.5 percent of stockholders’ 
equity as shown in the most recent Consolidated Balance 
Sheets; financing measures that exceed 5 percent of stock-
holders’ equity as shown in the most recent Consolidated 
Balance Sheets and have not been covered by Supervisory 
Board resolutions regarding finance plan; and the conclusion, 
amendment, or termination of affiliation agreements. The 
Supervisory Board examines the Financial Statements of 
E.ON SE, the Management Report, and the proposal for appro-
priating income available for distribution and, on the basis 

80

Corporate Governance Report

As a general rule, Supervisory Board members should not be 
older than 70 at the time of their election.

The key role of the Supervisory Board is to oversee and advise 
the Board of Management. Consequently, a majority of the 
shareholder representatives on the Supervisory Board should 
have experience as members of the board of management of 
a stock corporation or of a comparable company or association 
in order to discharge their duties in a qualified manner.

In addition, the Supervisory Board as a whole should have 
particular expertise in the energy sector and the E.ON Group’s 
business operations. Such expertise includes knowledge 
about the key markets in which the E.ON Group operates.

If the qualifications of several candidates for the Supervisory 
Board meet, to an equal degree, the general and company-
related requirements, the Supervisory Board intends to consider 
other criteria in its nomination of candidates in order to 
increase the Supervisory Board’s diversity. 

In view of the E.ON Group’s international orientation, the Super-
visory Board should include a sufficient number of members 
who have spent, at a minimum, a significant part of their pro-
fessional career abroad.

On December 13, 2010, the E.ON AG Supervisory Board first set 
targets for its composition. These included the target of con-
tinually increasing the number of women on the Supervisory 
Board, which at that time had two women: one shareholder 
representative and one employee representative. Following 
the election of another female shareholder representative in 
2011 and the Company’s transformation into a Societas Euro-
paea (‘SE’) (which reduced the Supervisory Board to twelve 
members), we have already achieved the target of doubling 
the number of woman members, a target originally set for 
the Supervisory Board’s next regular election in May 2013, 
because at this time 25 percent of the Supervisory Board’s 
members are women. We stand by our original target of 
increasing women’s representation on the Supervisory Board 
to 30 percent as of the regular election in 2018.”

of the Audit and Risk Committee’s preliminary review, the 
Consolidated Financial Statements and the Combined Group 
Management Report. The Supervisory Board provides to the 
Annual Shareholders Meeting a written report on the results 
of this examination.

The Supervisory Board has established policies and procedures 
for itself. It holds four regular meetings in each financial year. 
Its policies and procedures include mechanisms by which, if 
necessary, a meeting of the Supervisory Board or one of its 
committees can be called at any time by a member or by the 
Board of Management. In the event of a tie vote on the Super-
visory Board, the Chairperson has the tie-breaking vote. 

In view of Item 5.4.1 of the Code, in December 2012 the Super-
visory Board defined targets for its composition that go beyond 
the applicable legal requirements. These targets are as follows:

“The Supervisory Board’s composition should ensure that, on 
balance, its members have the necessary expertise, skills, and 
professional experience to discharge their duties properly. 
Each Supervisory Board member should have or acquire the 
minimum expertise and skills needed to be able to under-
stand and assess on his or her own all the business events 
and transactions that generally occur. The Supervisory Board 
should include a sufficient number of independent candidates; 
members are deemed independent if they do not have any 
personal or business relationship with the Company, its Board 
of Management, a shareholder with a controlling interest in 
the Company or with a company affiliated with such a share-
holder, and such a relationship could constitute a material, 
and not merely temporary, conflict of interest. The Supervisory 
Board has a sufficient number of independent members if 
ten of its twelve members are independent. Employee represen-
tatives are, as a rule, deemed independent. The Supervisory 
Board should not include more than two former members of 
the Board of Management, and members of the Supervisory 
Board must not sit on the boards of, or act as consultants for, 
any of the Company’s major competitors.”

Each Supervisory Board member must have sufficient time 
available to perform his or her duties on the boards of various 
E.ON companies. Persons who are members of the board 
of management of a listed company shall therefore only be 
eligible as members of E.ON’s Supervisory Board if they do 
not sit on more than three supervisory boards of listed non-
Group companies or in comparable supervisory bodies of 
 non-Group companies.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

81

task is to prepare the Supervisory Board’s personnel decisions 
and resolutions for setting the respective total compensation 
of individual Board of Management members within the 
meaning of Section 87 of AktG. Furthermore, it is responsible 
for the conclusion, alteration, and termination of the service 
agreements of Board of Management members and for present-
ing the Supervisory Board with a proposal for a resolution on 
the Board of Management’s compensation plan and its periodic 
review. It also deals with corporate-governance matters and 
reports to the Supervisory Board at least once a year on the 
status and effectiveness of, and possible ways of improving, 
the Company’s corporate governance and on new requirements 
and developments in this area.

The Audit and Risk Committee consists of four members who 
should have special knowledge in the field of accounting or 
business administration. In line with Section 100, Paragraph 5 
of AktG and the Code’s mandates, the Chairperson has exten-
sive knowledge and experience in applying accounting prin-
ciples and internal business control processes. In particular, the 
Audit and Risk Committee monitor the Company’s accounting 
and the accounting process; the effectiveness of internal 
control systems, internal risk management, and the internal 
audit system; compliance; and the independent audit. With 
regard to the independent audit, the committee also deals with 
the definition of the audit priorities and the agreement regard-
ing the independent auditor’s fees. The Audit and Risk Com-
mittee also prepares the Supervisory Board’s decision on the 
approval of the Financial Statements of E.ON SE and the Con-
solidated Financial Statements. It also examines the Company’s 
quarterly Interim Reports and discusses the audit review of 
the Interim Reports with the independent auditor and regularly 
reviews the Company’s risk situation, risk-bearing ability, and 

The targets for the Supervisory Board’s composition set in 
December 2010 were taken into consideration by the Nomina-
tion Committee in its recommendations for the election, held 
at the 2012 Annual Shareholders Meeting, of the six shareholder 
representatives to serve on Supervisory Board after E.ON AG’s 
transformation into an SE. The proposed candidates—Werner 
Wenning, Baroness Denise Kingsmill, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Lehner, 
René Obermann, Dr. Karen de Segundo, and Dr. Theo Siegert—
were appointed as part of transformation. The reformulated 
targets of December 2012 will be taken into consideration for 
the recommendations for the next regular election of share-
holder representatives in May 2013. In its current composition 
the Supervisory Board already meets the targets it set for a 
sufficient number of independent members, company-specific 
qualification requirements, and diversity.

In addition, under the Supervisory Board’s policies and proce-
dures, Supervisory Board members are required to disclose 
to the Supervisory Board any conflicts of interest, particularly 
if a conflict arises from their advising, or holding a corporate 
office with, one of E.ON’s customers, suppliers, creditors, or 
other third parties. The Supervisory Board is required to report 
any conflicts of interest to the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
and to describe how the conflicts have been dealt with. Any 
material conflict of interest of a non-temporary nature should 
result in the termination of a member’s appointment to the 
Supervisory Board. There were no conflicts of interest involving 
members of the Supervisory Board in 2012. Any consulting or 
other service agreements between the Company and a Super-
visory Board member require the Supervisory Board’s consent. 
No such agreements existed in 2012.

The Supervisory Board has established the following commit-
tees and defined policies and procedures for them:

The Executive Committee consists of four members: the Super-
visory Board Chairperson, his or her two Deputies, and a further 
employee representative. It prepares the meetings of the 
Supervisory Board and advises the Board of Management on 
matters of general policy relating to the Company’s strategic 
development. In urgent cases (in other words, if waiting for the 
Supervisory Board’s prior approval would materially prejudice 
the Company), the Executive Committee acts on the full Super-
visory Board’s behalf. In addition, a key Executive Committee 

82

Corporate Governance Report

risk management. The effectiveness of the internal control 
mechanisms for the accounting process used at E.ON SE and 
the management units is tested on a regular basis by our 
Internal Audit division; the Audit and Risk Committee regularly 
monitors the work done by the Internal Audit division and 
the definition of audit priorities. In addition, the Audit and Risk 
Committee prepares the proposal on the selection of the 
Company’s independent auditor for the Annual Shareholders 
Meeting. In order to ensure the auditor’s independence, the 
Audit and Risk Committee secures a statement from the pro-
posed auditors detailing any facts that could lead to the 
audit firm being excluded for independence reasons or other-
wise conflicted.

As part of its audit responsibilities, the independent auditor 
agrees to: 

• 

• 

• 

promptly inform the Chairperson of the Audit and Risk 
Committee should any such facts arise during the course 
of the audit unless such facts are promptly resolved in 
satisfactory manner 

promptly inform the Supervisory Board of anything arising 
during the course of the audit that is of relevance to the 
Supervisory Board’s duties 

inform the Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee 
of, or to note in the audit report, any facts that arise during 
the audit that contradict the statements submitted by 
the Board of Management or Supervisory Board in connec-
tion with the Code.

The Finance and Investment Committee consists of six mem-
bers. It advises the Board of Management on all issues of cor-
porate finance and investment planning. It decides on behalf 
of the Supervisory Board on the approval of the acquisition 
and disposition of companies, equity interests, and parts of 
companies whose value exceeds 2.5 percent, but not 5 percent, 
of the equity listed in the Company’s most recent Consolidated 
Balance Sheet. In addition, it decides on behalf of the Super-
visory Board on the approval of financing measures whose 
value exceeds 5 percent, but not 10 percent, of the equity listed 

in the Company’s most recent Consolidated Balance Sheet if 
such measures are not covered by the Supervisory Board’s 
resolutions regarding finance plans. If the value of any such 
transactions or measures exceeds 5 percent and 10 percent, 
respectively, of the equity listed in the most recent Consolidated 
Balance Sheet, the Finance and Investment Committee pre-
pares the Supervisory Board’s decision.

The Nomination Committee consists of three shareholder-
representative members. Its Chairperson is the Chairperson 
of the Supervisory Board. Its task is to recommend to the 
Supervisory Board, taking into consideration the Supervisory 
Board’s targets for its composition, suitable candidates for 
election to the Supervisory Board by the Annual Shareholders 
Meeting. 

All committees meet at regular intervals and when specific 
circumstances require it under their policies and procedures. 
The Report of the Supervisory Board (on pages 4 to 9) con-
tains information about the activities of the Supervisory Board 
and its committees in the financial year under review. Pages 
208 and 209 show the composition of the Supervisory Board 
and its committees

Shareholders and Annual Shareholders Meeting
E.ON SE shareholders exercise their rights and vote their 
shares at the Annual Shareholders Meeting. The Company’s 
financial calendar, which is published in the Annual Report, 
in the quarterly Interim Reports, and on the Internet at 
www.eon.com, regularly informs shareholders about impor-
tant Company dates.

At the Annual Shareholders Meeting, shareholders may vote 
their shares themselves, through a proxy of their choice, 
or through a Company proxy who is required to follow the 
shareholder’s voting instructions. 

As stipulated by German law, the Annual Shareholders Meet-
ing votes to select the Company’s independent auditor.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

83

Compensation Report pursuant to Section 289, 
Paragraph 2, Item 5 and Section 315, Paragraph 2, 
Item 4 of the German Commercial Code

This compensation report describes the compensation plan 
and the individual compensation for E.ON SE’s Supervisory 
Board and Board of Management. It applies the regulations 
of the German Commercial Code and the German Stock Corpo-
ration Act (known by its German abbreviation, “AktG”) as 
amended to reflect the Act on the Appropriateness of Manage-
ment Board Compensation (known by its German acronym, 
“VorstAG”) as well as the principles of the German Corporate 
Governance Code (“the Code”).

Compensation Plan for Members of the Supervisory 
Board 
The compensation of Supervisory Board members is deter-
mined by the Annual Shareholders Meeting and governed by 
E.ON SE’s Articles of Association. In accordance with German 
law, the compensation plan takes into consideration Super-
visory Board members’ responsibilities and scope of duties.

Since 2011, Supervisory Board members receive fixed compen-
sation only. This form of compensation enhances the Super-
visory Board’s independence, which is necessary for it to fulfill 
its supervisory function. In addition, there are a number of 
duties that Supervisory Board members must perform irrespec-
tive of the Company’s financial performance. The new plan 
ensures an appropriate level of compensation even when the 
Company faces difficult times, since in such times the Super-
visory Board’s work is often particularly demanding.

That the Supervisory Board receives fixed compensation only 
was a deviation from the Code that was in effect at the begin-
ning of 2012. The Code was revised effective May 15, 2012. The 
revised Code no longer contains the recommendation that 
supervisory boards receive performance-based compensation.

The details of the compensation plan are as follows: In addi-
tion to being reimbursed for their expenses including the 
value-added tax due on their compensation, Supervisory Board 
members receive fixed compensation of €140,000 for each 
financial year. The Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee 
receives an additional €180,000; the members of the Audit 
and Risk Committee, an additional €110,000. Other committee 
chairmen receive an additional €140,000; committee members, 
an additional €70,000. There is no additional compensation for 
members of the Nomination Committee or of any committees 
formed on an ad hoc basis. Members serving on more than one 
committee receive the highest applicable committee com-
pensation only. In contradistinction to the compensation just 
described, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board receives fixed 
compensation of €440,000; the Deputy Chairman, €320,000. 
The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory 
Board receive no additional compensation for their committee 
duties. In addition, Supervisory Board members are paid an 
attendance fee of €1,000 per day for meetings of the Super-
visory Board or its committees. Compensation is paid on a pro 
rata basis after the completion of each quarter.

Individuals who were members of the Supervisory Board or 
any of its committees for less than an entire financial year 
receive pro rata compensation.

Finally, the Company has taken out D&O insurance for the 
benefit of Supervisory Board members to cover the statutory 
liability related to their Supervisory Board duties. In accordance 
with the Code’s recommendations, this insurance includes a 
deductible in the case of a damage claim being granted. The 
deductible is 10 percent of a damage claim but with a maximum 
cumulative annual cap of 150 percent of a member’s annual 
fixed compensation. 

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Corporate Governance Report

Compensation of the Members of the Supervisory 
Board 
The total compensation of the members of the Supervisory 
Board amounted to €4.6 million (prior year: €4.8 million). 
As in the prior year, no loans were outstanding or granted to 
Supervisory Board members in the 2012 financial year. The 
members of the Supervisory Board are listed on pages 208 
and 209.

Supervisory Board Compensation

Supervisory Board 
Compensation

Compensation for 
committee duties

in €

Werner Wenning 

Ulrich Hartmann (until May 5, 2011)

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Lehner

Erhard Ott 

Werner Bartoschek (until November 15, 2012)

2012

440,000

–

170,000

320,000

128,333

2011

340,000

183,333

140,000

320,000

140,000

2012

–

–

2011

23,333

–

58,333

70,000

–

–

100,833

110,000

32,625

38,000

Supervisory Board 
compensation from 
affiliated companies

20121

2011

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total

2012

440,000

–

228,333

320,000

261,791

2011

363,333

183,333

210,000

320,000

288,000

Sven Bergelin (until November 15, 2012)

 128,333

 140,000 

 – 

 – 

 52,310 

 61,220 

 180,643 

 201,220 

Oliver Biniek (since September 30, 2011; 
until November 15, 2012)

Gabriele Gratz

Wolf-Rüdiger Hinrichsen 
(until September 30, 2011)

 128,333

 46,667 

 64,167 

 140,000

 140,000 

 70,000

– 

 105,000 

Ulrich Hocker (until November 15, 2012)

 128,333

 140,000

Baroness Denise Kingsmill CBE (since May 5, 2011)

 140,000

 93,333

Eugen-Gheorghe Luha (since November 15, 2012)

 23,333

 –

Bård Mikkelsen (until November 15, 2012)

 128,333

 140,000

René Obermann (since May 5, 2011)

 140,000 

 93,333 

 17,500 

 70,000 

 52,500 

 – 

 –

–

 – 

 –

– 

 – 

– 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Hans Prüfer (until November 15, 2012)

 128,333

 140,000 

 64,167 

 70,000 

Klaus Dieter Raschke

 140,000

 140,000 

 110,000 

 110,000 

Dr. Walter Reitler (until November 15, 2012)

 128,333

 140,000 

Hubertus Schmoldt (until November 15, 2012)

 128,333

 140,000 

 – 

 – 

Eberhard Schomburg (since November 15, 2012)

 23,333

 – 

 18,333 

–

 – 

–

Dr. Henning Schulte-Noelle 
(until November 15, 2012)

Dr. Karen de Segundo

Dr. Theo Siegert

 128,333

 140,000 

 140,000

 140,000 

 64,167 

 11,667 

 70,000 

– 

 140,000

 140,000 

 180,000 

 180,000 

Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Simson (until May 5, 2011)

– 

 58,333 

 – 

Willem Vis (since November 15, 2012)

 23,333

– 

 11,667 

Dr. Georg Frhr. von Waldenfels 
(until November 15, 2012)

 128,333 

 140,000 

– 

 –

–

 – 

 3,869 

 4,550 

 196,369 

 68,717

 54,500 

 56,000 

 264,500 

 266,000 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 46,300

 31,625

–

 6,775

–

–

–

–

–

–

 – 

– 

 –

–

 –

 – 

 –

 – 

 157,500 

 128,333 

 140,000 

 140,000 

 93,333 

 23,333 

 – 

 128,333 

 140,000 

 140,000 

 93,333 

 192,500 

210,000 

 46,870 

 296,300 

 296,870 

 37,500 

 159,958 

 177,500 

– 

–

 – 

 –

– 

 –

–

 128,333 

 140,000 

 48,441 

 – 

 192,500 

 210,000 

 151,667 

 140,000 

 320,000 

 320,000 

–

 58,333 

 35,000 

 – 

 – 

 128,333 

 140,000 

Hans Wollitzer (until November 15, 2012)

 128,333 

 140,000 

 64,167 

 70,000

 49,925 

 58,900 

 242,425 

 268,900 

Subtotal

3,251,662  3,339,999 

 817,501 

 843,333 

 277,929 

 303,040  4,347,092  4,486,372

Attendance fees and meeting-related 
reimbursements

Total

 246,598  

 287,378

4,593,690  4,773,750

An expense-based approach was used for Supervisory Board compensation and attendance fees shown for 2011 and 2012. The E.ON SE portion of Supervisory Board compensation 
and attendance fees for the period November 15 to December 31, 2012, is included; however, it is subject to the Annual Shareholders Meeting’s approval of the compensation 
scheme and, consequently, cannot be paid out before May 3, 2013.
1Figures for Supervisory Board members who ended their service in 2012 were calculated on a pro rata basis.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

85

The first step in calculating the total annual bonus is to deter-
mine to what degree the operating-earnings target has been 
attained. The second step is for the Supervisory Board, at its 
discretion, to determine the degree to which the individual-
performance portion of the annual bonus has been attained. 
The third step is for both target-attainment portions to be 
weighted (70 percent operating-earnings target, 30 percent for 
the individual-performance target) and added together. Finally, 
this subtotal is multiplied by a value-added factor.

The metric used for the operating-earnings target is EBITDA. 
The EBITDA target for a particular financial year is the plan 
figure approved by the Supervisory Board. If E.ON’s actual 
EBITDA is equal to the EBITDA target, this constitutes 100-per-
cent attainment. If it is 30 percentage points or more below 
the target, this constitutes zero-percent achievement. If it is 
30 percentage points or more above the target, this consti-
tutes 200-percent attainment. Linear interpolation is used to 
translate intermediate EBITDA figures into percentages.

The metric used for the value-added target is ROACE. The 
ROACE target is the prior-year weighted-average cost of capi-
tal (“WACC”) plus a premium, stipulated by the Supervisory 
Board, to increase leverage. The premium for the 2012 financial 
year was 1.25 percentage points. If E.ON’s actual ROACE is 
equal to the ROACE target, this constitutes 100-percent attain-
ment. If it is 1.25 percentage points or more lower, this con-
stitutes 50-percent attainment. If it is 1.25 percentage points 
or more higher, this constitutes 150-percent attainment. Linear 
interpolation is used to translate intermediate ROACE figures 
into percentages.

Extraordinary events and changes in E.ON’s portfolio (acquisi-
tions and disposals of significant assets or government inter-
ventions such as forced shutdowns of nuclear power stations) 
are not factored into the determination of target attainment.

Compensation Plan for Members of the Board of 
Management 
In accordance with the principles of the version of the Code 
dated May 15, 2012, which incorporates VorstAG’s provisions 
and in some cases defines them in greater detail, the Super-
visory Board must approve the Executive Committee’s proposal 
for the Board of Management’s compensation plan and 
reviews the plan regularly.

At its meeting on March 8, 2011, the Supervisory Board passed 
a resolution approving the compensation plan described below.

Components of the Compensation Plan
The compensation of Board of Management members is com-
posed of a fixed annual base salary paid on a monthly basis, 
an annual bonus, and a long-term variable component.

These components account for approximately the following 
percentages of total compensation: 
•  Base salary 
•  Annual target bonus 

30 percent

• 

(with 100-percent target attainment)  
Long-term compensation  
(value at issuance) 

40 percent

30 percent

Beginning with the 2013 financial year, Board of Management 
members’ cash compensation will have an overall cap. This 
means that the sum of base salary, annual bonus, and long-
term variable compensation in one year may not exceed 
200 percent of total target cash compensation, which consists 
of base salary, target bonus, and the target value of virtual 
shares.

Bonus Mechanism
The annual bonus mechanism for the year under review was 
established by a resolution of the Supervisory Board dated 
March 8, 2011, and took effect on January 1, 2011. Section 87 of 
the VorstAG version of the AktG requires that a management 
board’s compensation plan must be geared towards a sus-
tainable business performance. To implement this requirement, 
the Supervisory Board and Board of Management members 
agreed in 2009 that the Board of Management’s annual bonus 
mechanism would adopt a multi-year performance metric 
effective 2010. This modification affected the company perfor-
mance portion of the annual bonus.

The amount of the bonus is determined by the degree to which 
certain performance targets are attained. The target-setting 
mechanism consists of company performance targets, individ-
ual performance targets, and a value-added factor based on 
return on average capital employed (“ROACE”). Board of Man-
agement members who fully attain their performance target 
receive the target bonus agreed to in their contracts.

 
  
86

Corporate Governance Report

The Supervisory Board, at its discretion, determines the degree 
to which Board of Management members have met the tar-
gets of the individual-performance portion of their annual 
bonus. In making this determination, the Supervisory Board 
pays particular attention to the criteria of Section 87 of the 
AktG and to the Code.

The maximum bonus that can be attained is 200 percent of the 
target bonus. The minimum bonus paid is equal to 30 percent 
of the target bonus (except in the case of Mrs. Stachelhaus and 
Mr. Kildahl, who were appointed to the Board of Management 
in 2010).

Thirty percent of the total annual bonus (individual target 
attainment multiplied by the value-added factor) is based on 
target achievement for the prior financial year (a single-year 
performance metric). The remaining 70 percent of the total 
annual bonus (EBITDA target attainment multiplied by the 
value-added factor) is calculated as follows: Half (that is, 35 per-
cent of the total annual bonus) is based on the prior financial 
year. The other half (that is, the other 35 percent of the total 
annual bonus) is a three-year performance metric based on 
EBITDA target attainment and the value-added factor for the 
previous financial year and the two subsequent years. This 
portion of the annual bonus will be calculated and paid out 
based on target attainment for the previous financial year. 
However, this portion of the bonus is preliminary and is sub-
ject to partial repayment if there are negative developments 
in the subsequent years. This portion of the annual bonus is 
definitively set at the end of the two-year period following 
the baseline year. If the three-year average for target attain-
ment is higher than the preliminary calculation for the one-
year period, then Board of Management members receive an 
additional bonus payment (bonus). If it is lower, they are 
required to pay back the resulting difference or have it deducted 
from their next bonus (malus or negative bonus).

Since 2010, more than 60 percent of the Board of Management’s 
variable compensation (which consists of the annual bonus 
and long-term variable compensation) is based on long-term 
performance metrics, thereby ensuring that this variable 
compensation is sustainable. The sustainability requirement 
is also reflected by the fact that the Supervisory Board con-
siders the criteria of Section 87 of the AktG and the Code when 
it determines the individual performance portion of the 
annual bonus.

Change in the Bonus Mechanism Starting in 2013
The Supervisory Board approved a resolution establishing 
a new compensation plan for the Board of Management. The 
new plan is effective starting with the 2013 financial year. 

As under the old plan, the amount of the annual bonus is 
determined by the degree to which certain performance 
 targets are attained. The new plan factors in company and 
individual performance. Unlike the old plan, it does not 
apply a value-added factor.

The first step in calculating a Board of Management member’s 
total bonus is to determine to what degree E.ON has achieved 
its company target. The second step is for the Supervisory 
Board to evaluate the Board of Management member’s individ-
ual performance and, based on this evaluation, to assign it 
an individual performance factor. The third step is for the com-
pany performance to be multiplied by the Board of Manage-
ment member’s individual performance factor.

As under the old plan, the metric used for the company target 
is EBITDA. The EBITDA target for a particular financial year 
is the plan figure approved by the Supervisory Board. If E.ON’s 
actual EBITDA is equal to the EBITDA target, this constitutes 
100-percent target attainment. If it is 30 percentage points or 
more below the target, this constitutes zero-percent attain-
ment. If it is 30 percentage points or more above the target, 
this constitutes 200-percent attainment. Linear interpolation 
is used to translate intermediate EBITDA figures into percent-
ages. The Supervisory Board then evaluates this arithmetically 
derived figure on the basis of certain qualitative criteria and, if 
necessary, adjusts it within a range of +/- 20 percentage points. 
The criteria for this qualitative evaluation are the ratio between 
cost of capital and EBITDA, a comparison with prior-year 
EBITDA, and general market developments. Extraordinary events 
are not factored into the determination of target attainment.

In assigning Board of Management members their individual 
performance factors the Supervisory Board evaluates their 
individual contribution to the attainment of collective targets 
as well as their attainment of their individual targets.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

87

One third of the bonus calculated using the above-described 
mechanism is not paid out at the conclusion of the financial 
year but is instead subject to equity deferral, which means that 
it is translated into virtual shares, which have a four-year 
vesting period, based on E.ON’s stock price. The maximum 
equity deferral is 50 percent of the target bonus.

stipulated by the Supervisory Board. If this hurdle is not 
reached, the value-added factor is zero percent, and there 
is no payout. If the hurdle is reached, the value-added factor 
is 75 percent. If the hurdle is exceeded, a linear function is 
used to calculate the value-added factor, which is limited to 
a 150 percent maximum.

If target attainment for the bonus is less than 100 percent, 
equity deferral can be increased to one third of the target 
bonus. If target attainment for the bonus is less than 33.3 per-
cent, the entire bonus can be deferred as virtual shares. 
Under the old bonus mechanism, part of the bonus was sub-
ject to a three-year performance metric. This metric will be 
entirely replaced by equity deferral for all bonuses earned after 
January 1, 2013.

Long-Term Variable Compensation
The long-term variable compensation that Board of Manage-
ment members receive is stock-based compensation under 
the E.ON Share Performance Plan. The Supervisory Board decides 
each year on the allocation of new tranches, including the 
respective targets and the number of rights granted to individ-
ual members of the Board of Management. To ensure that 
this compensation is sustainable within the meaning of VorstAG, 
all performance rights allocated under the plan since 2010 
have a vesting period of four years.

The dependence of this compensation on E.ON’s stock price 
serves to bring together management’s and shareholders’ 
interests and objectives. This effect is enhanced by the require-
ment that Board of Management members invest in E.ON 
stock themselves. The factoring in of an internal value-added 
factor underscores the plan’s close alignment with the Com-
pany’s interests. Payout under the plan only occurs if mini-
mum internal target parameters, which are set by the Board 
of Management and Supervisory Board prior to allocation, 
are achieved.

Starting with the sixth tranche of performance rights allocated 
in 2011, the value of performance rights is based in part on 
a 60-day average of E.ON’s stock price and in part on the aver-
age ratio of ROACE to WACC plus, per tranche, a premium 

Extraordinary events and changes in E.ON’s portfolio (acqui-
sitions and disposals of significant assets or government 
interventions such as forced shutdowns of nuclear power sta-
tions) are not factored into the determination of the value-
added factor.

The payout rate calculated at the end of a tranche’s term is 
capped at 250 percent of the target value originally set by 
the Supervisory Board.

Beginning with the fifth tranche (issued in 2010), the plan’s 
term was extended to four years; consequently, there was no 
settlement from this tranche in 2012. For prior tranches, the 
payout rate relative to the target value at grant was roughly 
4 percent for the fourth tranche (issued in 2009), roughly 23 per-
cent for the third tranche (issued in 2008) and roughly 94 per-
cent for the second tranche (issued in 2007). This reflects, in 
particular, the absolute and relative changes in the price of 
E.ON stock, with the result that the Board of Management’s 
compensation is affected by changes in E.ON’s market value.

The Supervisory Board also passed a resolution changing the 
Board of Management’s long-term variable compensation, 
replacing the E.ON Share Performance Plan with a new long-
term variable compensation plan, called the Share Matching 
Plan, effective January 1, 2013.

As under the old plan, the Supervisory Board decides each year 
on the allocation of new tranches, including the respective 
targets and the number of rights granted to individual mem-
bers of the Board of Management.

88

Corporate Governance Report

Following the Supervisory Board’s decision to allocate a new 
tranche, Board of Management members initially receive 
restricted virtual share equivalent to the amount of the defer-
ral. The number of virtual shares is calculated on the basis 
of the amount of the deferral and E.ON’s average stock price 
during the first 60 days of the four-year term. Furthermore, 
Board of Management members may receive, on the basis of 
discretionary annual Supervisory Board decisions, a basis 
matching of additional non-vested, restricted virtual shares 
in addition to the virtual shares resulting from deferral. In 
addition, Board of Management members may, depending on 
E.ON’s company performance during the vesting period, receive 
performance matching of up to two additional virtual shares 
per share resulting from basic matching. The arithmetical total 
target value allocated at the start of the vesting period, which 
begins on April 1 of the year in which a tranche is allocated, is 
therefore the sum of the value of the deferral, basis match-
ing, and performance matching (depending on the degree of 
attainment of a predefined company performance target).

For the purpose of performance matching, the company per-
formance metric is E.ON’s average ROACE during the four-year 
vesting period compared with a target ROACE set in advance 
by the Supervisory Board for the entire four-year period at the 
time it allocates a new tranche. Extraordinary events are not 
factored into the determination of the value-added factor. 
Depending on the degree of target attainment for the company 
performance metric, each virtual share resulting from basis 
matching may be matched by between zero and two additional 
virtual shares at the end of the vesting period. If the prede-
termined company performance target is fully attained, Board 
of Management members receive one additional virtual share 
for each virtual share resulting from basis matching. Linear 
interpolation is used to translate intermediate figures.

At the end of the vesting period, the virtual shares held by 
Board of Management members are assigned a cash value 
based on E.ON’s average stock price during the final 60 days 
of the vesting period. To each virtual share is then added the 
equivalent of the aggregate per share dividend paid out to 
E.ON shareholders during the vesting period. This total—cash 
value plus dividends—is then paid out. Payouts are capped at 
200 percent of the arithmetical total target value.

In order to introduce the new plan as swiftly as possible, Board 
of Management members will receive virtual shares in 2013 

by means of an interim solution; allocations under the old 
Share Performance Plan will no longer be granted.

Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contains 
additional details about stock-based compensation.

Contractual Non-Cash Compensation
Under their contracts, Board of Management members receive 
non-cash compensation in the form of a chauffeur-driven 
company car for business and personal use, telecommunications 
equipment for business and personal use, appropriate acci-
dent insurance coverage, and an annual medical examination. 
In addition, Board of Management members have D&O insur-
ance coverage. If an insurance claim is granted, this insurance 
includes a deductible. In accordance with VorstAG, the deduct-
ible is equal to 10 percent of a damage claim but with a max-
imum cumulative annual cap of 150 percent of member’s 
annual fixed compensation.

Settlement Cap for Premature Termination of Board 
of Management Duties
In accordance with the Code, all Board of Management mem-
bers have a settlement cap. Under the cap, payments to a 
Board of Management member for a premature termination 
of Board of Management duties without significant cause 
within the meaning of Section 626 of the German Civil Code 
may not exceed the value of two years’ total compensation 
or the total compensation for the remainder of the member’s 
service agreement, whichever is less.

Change-in-Control Clauses
The Company had change-in-control agreements with all Board 
of Management members in the 2010 financial year. In the 
event of a premature loss of a Board of Management position 
due to a change-in-control event, Board of Management 
members are entitled to severance and settlement payments.

The change-in-control agreements stipulate that a change in 
control exists in three cases: a third party acquires at least 
30 percent of the Company’s voting rights, thus triggering the 
automatic requirement to make an offer for the Company 
pursuant to Germany’s Stock Corporation Takeover Law; the 

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

89

Company, as a dependent entity, concludes a corporate agree-
ment; the Company is merged with another company. A Board 
of Management member is entitled to severance and settle-
ment pay if, within 12 months of the change in control, his or 
her service agreement is terminated by mutual consent, expires, 
or is terminated by the Board member (in the latter case, 
however, only if his or her position on the Board is materially 
affected by the change in control).

In accordance with the Code, the settlement payments for 
Board of Management members would be equal to 150 percent 
of the settlement cap; that is, the capitalized amount of three 
years’ total annual compensation (annual base salary, annual 
target bonus, and other compensation). To reflect discounting 
and setting off of payment for services rendered to other com-
panies or organizations, payments will be reduced by 20 per-
cent. If a Board of Management member is above the age 
of 53, this 20 percent reduction is diminished incrementally.

Pension Entitlements
Mr. Kildahl and Mrs. Stachelhaus, who were not part of the 
E.ON Group when they were appointed to the Board of Man-
agement in 2010, were enrolled in the Contribution Plan E.ON 
Management Board, a contribution-based pension plan whose 
terms (with the exception of the contribution amount) reflect 
those of the pension plan that has been in effect since 2008 
for newly hired employees and senior managers of E.ON com-
panies in Germany. Under the Contribution Plan E.ON Manage-
ment Board, the Company contributes to Board of Manage-
ment members’ pension account. The amount of the annual 
contributions is equal to a predetermined percentage of 
 pensionable income (base salary and annual bonus). The per-
centage for Board of Management members was set after 
consultations with outside compensation experts. The annual 
company contribution is equal to 13 percent of pensionable 
income. The second component of the company contribution 
is a performance-based contribution based on the difference 
between the E.ON Group’s prior-year ROCE and cost of capital. 
The performance-based company contribution is a minimum 
of 1 percent and a maximum of 6 percent of pensionable 
income. The third component is an annual matching contribu-
tion equal to 4 percent of pensionable income. The require-
ment for the matching contribution to be granted is that the 
Board of Management member contributes, at a minimum, 
the same amount by having it withheld from his or her com-
pensation. The company-funded matching contribution is 
suspended if and as long as, for the last three years, the posi-
tive difference between the E.ON Group’s prior-year ROCE 

and cost of capital is less than zero percentage points. The 
contributions made for a Board of Management member 
during a calendar year are capitalized based on a standard 
retirement age of 62 using, for each intervening year, an 
interest rate based on the return of long-term German treasury 
notes. At the time of pension payout, a Board of Management 
member (or his or her survivors) may choose to have the pen-
sion account balance paid out as a lifelong pension, in install-
ments, or in a lump sum. In the case of retirement, the monthly 
pension is set so that its cash value at the time of pension 
payout—at the earliest, however, at the time that a Board of 
Management member or his or her survivors stop receiving 
compensation under his or her service agreement—is equal 
to the pension account balance taking into account a 1-percent 
increase per year.

The following commentary applies to the pension entitle-
ments of Dr. Teyssen, Prof. Dr. Maubach, Dr. Schenck, and 
Dr. Reutersberg: 

Following the end of their service for the Company, these 
Board of Management members are entitled to receive pension 
payments in three cases: departure on and after reaching 
the standard retirement age (60 years); departure due to per-
manent incapacitation; departure due to their service agree-
ment being terminated prematurely or not extended by the 
Company (a so-called third pension situation).

In the first two cases (reaching the standard retirement age, 
permanent incapacitation), pension payments begin when 
a member departs the Board of Management for one of these 
reasons; annual pension payments are equal to between 
50 percent and 75 percent of the member’s last annual base 
salary depending on the length of service on the Board of 
Management.

The third pension case exists if Board of Management mem-
bers had, at the time of their severance, been in a Top Man-
agement position in the E.ON Group for more than five years 
and if the termination or non-extension of their service agree-
ment is not due to their misconduct or rejection of an offer 
of extension that is at least on a par with their existing service 

90

Corporate Governance Report

agreement. Under these circumstances, annual pension pay-
ments also range between 50 percent and 75 percent of the 
last annual base salary and begin when the member reaches 
the age of 60. Members who depart the Board of Manage-
ment in this way receive a reduced pension as a bridge pay-
ment from the date of their departure until they reach the 
age of 60. The amount of the bridge payment is also initially 
between 50 percent and 75 percent of the last annual base 
salary based on the length of service on the Board of Manage-
ment. This amount is then reduced by the ratio between the 
actual and potential length of service in a Top Management 
position in the E.ON Group until the standard retirement age. 
In contrast to this, the service agreements the Company con-
cluded before the 2006 financial year do not include reductions 
to the bridge payment.

his or her death or would have received had he or she entered 
retirement on this date. This payment is terminated if a widow 
or widower remarries. The children or dependents of a Board 
of Management member who have not reached the age of 18 
are entitled, for the duration of their education or professional 
training until they reach a maximum age of 25, to an annual 
payment equal to 20 percent of the pension the Board of Man-
agement member received or would have received on the 
date of his or her death. Surviving children benefits granted 
before 2006 deviate from this model and are equal to 15 per-
cent of a Board of Management member’s pension. If, taken 
together, the survivor’s pensions of the widow or widower 
and children exceed 100 percent of a Board of Management 
member’s pension, the pensions paid to the children are pro-
portionally reduced by the excess amount.

If a recipient of pension payments (or bridge payments) is 
entitled to pension payments or bridge payments stemming 
from earlier employment, 100 percent of these payments 
will be set off against his or her pension or bridge payments 
from the Company. In addition, 50 percent of income from 
other employment will be set off against bridge payments.

Pension payments are adjusted on an annual basis to reflect 
changes in the German consumer price index.

The following table provides an overview of the current pen-
sion obligations to Board of Management members. The table 
also includes the additions to provisions for pensions for 
each member. These additions to provisions for pensions are 
not paid compensation but valuations calculated in accordance 
with IFRS. In addition, the cash value of pension obligations 
is shown in the following table. The cash value is equal to the 
defined benefit obligation based on a 3.4-percent interest 
rate (prior year: 4.75 percent).

Following the death of an active or former Board of Manage-
ment member, a reduced amount of his or her pension is paid 
as a survivor’s pension to the family. Widows and widowers are 
entitled to lifelong payment equal to 60 percent of the pen-
sion a Board of Management member received on the date of 

Pursuant to stipulations of the German Occupational Pensions 
Improvement Act (known by its German acronym, “BetrAVG”), 
Board of Management members’ pension entitlements are 
not vested until they have been in effect for five years. This 
applies to both of the above-described pension plans.

Pensions of the Board of Management Members

Current pension entitlement at December 31

Additions to provisions for pensions

Cash value at 
December 31

As a percentage of 
annual base salary

(€)

(€)

Thereof interest cost 
(€)

(€)

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

75

–

60

70

60

–

75

–

60

70

60

–

930,000

930,000

1,088,086

–

420,000

490,000

540,000

–

–

420,000

338,182

625,835

490,000

1,023,106

540,000

–

686,014

321,211

2011

938,358

296,708

473,220

964,546

533,927

311,832

2012

2011

2012

2011

557,011

481,073

16,410,001

11,726,545

25,371

205,881

370,281

133,390

24,511

10,475

869,254

534,129

150,244

6,538,081

4,334,327

340,549

10,486,945

7,795,387

88,155

10,926

4,734,461

2,808,202

826,042

516,027

Dr. Johannes Teyssen

Jørgen Kildahl1

Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Maubach

Dr. Bernhard Reutersberg

Dr. Marcus Schenck

Regine Stachelhaus1

1Contribution Plan E.ON Management Board.

 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

91

Compensation of the Members of the Board of 
Management 
There was no adjustment of Board of Management compen-
sation in 2012.

The Board of Management’s compensation was subject to a 
market comparison with compensation at companies of simi-
lar size and in similar industries.

The Supervisory Board determined that the Board of Manage-
ment’s compensation is appropriate. In accordance with 
VorstAG’s provisions, the Supervisory Board made this deter-
mination in particular by means of horizontal comparisons. 

The total compensation of the members of the Board of 
Management in the 2012 financial year amounted to 
€21.7 million (prior year: €17.6 million). Individual members 
of the Board of Management were paid the following total 
compensation:

Compensation of the Board of Management

Fixed annual 
compen sation

Bonus

Other compen sation

Value 
of performance 
rights granted1

Total

€

2012

2011

2012

2011

Dr. Johannes Teyssen

1,240,000

1,160,000

2,675,000

2,143,000

2012

26,899

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

27,425

1,770,804

1,212,186

5,712,703

4,542,611

Jørgen Kildahl

Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Maubach

Dr. Bernhard Reutersberg

Dr. Marcus Schenck

Regine Stachelhaus

Total

700,000

700,000

700,000

900,000

700,000

700,000

1,396,000

1,032,000

174,272

700,000

1,356,000

1,016,000

700,000

1,373,000

1,130,000

800,000

1,996,000

1,548,000

700,000

1,404,000

1,016,000

16,988

25,928

21,817

289,939

555,843

247,796

448,843

24,041

787,024

787,024

787,024

538,745

3,057,296

2,518,541

538,745

2,860,012

2,703,588

538,745

2,885,952

2,392,786

23,724

1,049,365

718,333

3,967,182

3,090,057

59,852

787,024

538,745

3,180,963

2,314,597

831,681

5,968,265

4,085,499

21,664,108

17,562,180

4,940,000

4,760,000

10,200,000

7,885,000

12012: performance rights from the seventh tranche, 2011: performance rights from the sixth tranche.

The 2012 bonus disclosed here already reflects the final set-
ting of the portion of the bonus for the 2010 financial year 
that is subject to a three-year performance metric. This rule 
resulted in approximate reductions of €124,000 for Dr. Teyssen, 
€44,000 for Mr. Kildahl, €44,000 for Prof. Dr. Maubach, €27,000 
for Dr. Reutersberg, €84,000 for Dr. Schenck, and €36,000 for 
Mrs. Stachelhaus.

The figures for performance rights granted in 2012 do not indi-
cate actual payments in 2012 but rather indicate estimates, 
based on commercial principles, of the value of the performance 
rights from the seventh tranche granted in 2012. The payout 

of the performance rights from the seventh tranche will be 
calculated at the end of 2015 on the basis of E.ON’s stock 
price and the value-added factor. As a result, the payout figures 
could be higher or lower than the figures shown here.

To indicate how the compensation plan works, the table below 
shows the actual payments made under the E.ON Share Per-
formance Plan rather than estimated figures. As already stated, 
there was no settlement under this plan at year-end 2012. 
Figures for 2011 include amounts paid out from the fourth 
tranche of the plan granted in 2009 (see the 2009 Compensa-
tion Report, page 154).

Effective Compensation of the Board of Management

Fixed annual 
compen sation

Bonus

Other compen sation

€

2012

2011

2012

2011

Dr. Johannes Teyssen

1,240,000

1,160,000

2,675,000

2,143,000

2012

26,899

Jørgen Kildahl

Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Maubach

Dr. Bernhard Reutersberg

Dr. Marcus Schenck

Regine Stachelhaus

Total

700,000

700,000

700,000

900,000

700,000

700,000

1,396,000

1,032,000

174,272

700,000

1,356,000

1,016,000

700,000

1,373,000

1,130,000

800,000

1,996,000

1,548,000

700,000

1,404,000

1,016,000

16,988

25,928

21,817

289,939

555,843

4,940,000

4,760,000

10,200,000

7,885,000

2011

27,425

247,796

448,843

24,041

23,724

59,852

831,681

Payout value 
of performance 
rights1

Total

2012

2011

2012

2011

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

43,494

3,941,899

3,373,919

–

2,270,272

1,979,796

13,453

12,139

32,368

2,072,988

2,178,296

2,098,928

1,866,180

2,917,817

2,404,092

–

2,393,939

1,775,852

101,454

15,695,843

13,578,135

12012: no settlement of performance rights; 2011: performance rights from the fourth tranche.

92

Corporate Governance Report

In 2012 the members of the E.ON SE Board of Management 
were issued the following number of performance rights 
under the seventh tranche: Dr. Teyssen 78,948 (prior year: 
60,188); Mr. Kildahl, Prof. Dr. Maubach, Dr. Reutersberg, and 
Mrs. Stachelhaus 35,088 each (prior year: 26,750 each); Dr. 
Schenck 46,784 (prior year: 35,667).

Board of Management members’ total compensation for 
2012 included stock-based compensation with a fair value of 
€22.43 per performance right from the seventh tranche. For 
purposes of internal communications between the Board of 
Management and the Supervisory Board, the target value is 
used instead of the above-mentioned fair value. The target 
value is equal to the cash payout amount of each performance 
right if at the end of the vesting period E.ON stock maintains 
its price and the value-added factor is 100 percent. In 2012 the 
target value of the rights issued was €1,350,000 for the Chair-
man of the Board of Management, €0.8 million for Dr. Schenck, 
and €0.6 million for all other Board of Management members. 
The target values are unchanged relative to the prior year. 
The German Commercial Code (Section 314, Paragraph 1, Item 
6a, Sentence 9) requires supplemental disclosure, by year, of 
the Company’s expenses for all tranches granted in 2012 and 
in previous years and for tranches existing in 2012. The fol-
lowing expenses in accordance with IFRS 2 were recorded for 
performance rights existing in the 2012 financial year (figures 
are approximate): Dr. Teyssen €0.6 million (prior year: €86,000), 
Mr. Kildahl €0.3 million (prior year: €128,000), Mrs. Stachelhaus 
€0.3 million (prior year: €128,000), Prof. Dr. Maubach €0.3 mil-
lion (prior year: €136,000), Dr. Reutersberg €0.3 million (prior 
year: €136,000), and Dr. Schenck €0.3 million (prior year: €19,000).

Additional information about E.ON AG’s stock-based compen-
sation program can be found in Note 11 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

The remaining other compensation of the members of the 
Board of Management consists primarily of benefits in kind 
from the personal use of company cars and, in some cases, 
temporary coverage of rent payments for a second residence, 
relocation costs, and real-estate agent fees along with the 
income tax levied on this compensation.

As in the prior year, no loans were outstanding or granted to 
members of the Board of Management in the 2012 financial 
year. Page 210 contains additional information about the 
members of the Board of Management.

Payments Made to Former Members of the Board 
of Management  
Total payments made to former Board of Management mem-
bers and to their beneficiaries amounted to €9.7 million in 2012 
(prior year: €9.5 million).

Provisions of €154.3 million (prior year: €137.7 million) have 
been provided for pension obligations to former Board of 
Management members and their beneficiaries.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

93

Declaration of the Board of Management

To the best of our knowledge, we declare that, in accordance 
with appli cable financial reporting principles, the Consolidated 
Financial Statements give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Group, and 
that the Group Management Report, which is combined with 
the management report of E.ON SE, provides a fair review of 
the development and performance of the business and the 
position of the E.ON Group, together with a description of the 
principal opportunities and risks associated with the 
expected development of the Group.

Düsseldorf, February 28, 2013

The Board of Management

Teyssen

Kildahl

Maubach

Reutersberg

Schenck

Stachelhaus

94

Consolidated Financial Statements

the International Standards on Auditing (ISA). Accordingly, we 
are required to comply with ethical requirements and plan 
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether the consolidated financial statements are free from 
material misstatement.

An audit involves performing audit procedures to obtain audit 
evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consoli-
dated financial statements. The selection of audit procedures 
depends on the auditor’s professional judgment. This includes 
the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the 
consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or 
error. In assessing those risks, the auditor considers the inter-
nal control system relevant to the entity’s preparation of con-
solidated financial statements that give a true and fair view. 
The aim of this is to plan and perform audit procedures that 
are appropriate in the given circumstances, but not for the pur-
pose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the 
group’s internal control system. An audit also includes evalu-
ating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and 
the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the Board 
of Managing Directors, as well as evaluating the overall pre-
sentation of the consolidated financial statements. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is suffi-
cient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Independent Auditor’s Report

To E.ON SE, Düsseldorf

Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial 
statements of E.ON SE (formerly E.ON AG), Düsseldorf, and its 
subsidiaries, which comprise the consolidated balance sheet, 
the consolidated statement of income, the consolidated state-
ment of recognized income and expenses, the consolidated 
statement of cash flows, the statement of changes in equity 
and the notes for the business year from January 1, 2012 to 
December 31, 2012.

Board of Managing Directors’ Responsibility for the 
Consolidated Financial Statements
The Board of Managing Directors of E.ON SE, Düsseldorf, is 
responsible for the preparation of these consolidated financial 
statements. This responsibility includes that these consoli-
dated financial statements are prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards, as adopted by 
the EU, and the additional requirements of German commercial 
law pursuant to § (Article) 315a Abs. (paragraph) 1 HGB 
(“Handelsgesetzbuch”: German Commercial Code) and that 
these consolidated financial statements give a true and fair 
view of the net assets, financial position and results of opera-
tions of the Group in accordance with these requirements. 
The Board of Managing Directors is also responsible for the 
internal controls as the Board of Managing Directors deter-
mines are necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated 
financial statements that are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consoli-
dated financial statements based on our audit. We conducted 
our audit in accordance with § 317 HGB and German generally 
accepted standards for the audit of financial statements pro-
mulgated by the Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer (Institute of 
Public Auditors in Germany) (IDW) and additionally observed 

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

95

According to § 322 Abs. 3 Satz 1 HGB we state, that our audit 
of the combined management report has not led to any 
 reservations.

In our opinion based on the findings of our audit of the con-
solidated financial statements and combined management 
report, the combined management report is consistent with 
the consolidated financial statements, as a whole provides 
a suitable view of the Group’s position and suitably presents 
the opportunities and risks of future development.

Düsseldorf, March 1, 2013

PricewaterhouseCoopers
Aktiengesellschaft
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft

Dr. Norbert Schwieters 
Wirtschaftsprüfer 
(German Public Auditor) 

Michael Reuther
Wirtschaftsprüfer
(German Public Auditor)

Audit Opinion
According to § 322 Abs. 3 Satz (sentence) 1 HGB, we state that 
our audit of the consolidated financial statements has not led 
to any reservations.

In our opinion based on the findings of our audit, the consoli-
dated financial statements comply, in all material respects, 
with IFRSs, as adopted by the EU, and the additional require-
ments of German commercial law pursuant to § 315a Abs. 1 
HGB and give a true and fair view of the net assets and finan-
cial position of the Group as at December 31, 2012 as well as 
the results of operations for the business year then ended, in 
accordance with these requirements.

Report on the Group Management Report

We have audited the accompanying group management 
report, which is combined with the management report of the 
company, of E.ON SE (formerly E.ON AG), Düsseldorf, for the 
business year from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. The 
Board of Managing Directors of E.ON SE, Düsseldorf, is respon-
sible for the preparation of the combined management report 
in accordance with the requirements of German commercial 
law applicable pursuant to § 315a Abs. 1 HGB. We conducted 
our audit in accordance with § 317 Abs. 2 HGB and German 
generally accepted standards for the audit of the combined 
management report promulgated by the Institut der Wirt-
schaftsprüfer (Institute of Public Auditors in Germany) (IDW). 
Accordingly, we are required to plan and perform the audit 
of the combined management report to obtain reasonable 
assurance about whether the combined management report 
is consistent with the consolidated financial statements and 
the audit findings, as a whole provides a suitable view of the 
Group’s position and suitably presents the opportunities and 
risks of future development.

96

E.ON SE and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Income

€ in millions

Sales including electricity and energy taxes

Electricity and energy taxes

Sales

Changes in inventories (finished goods and work in progress)

Own work capitalized

Other operating income

Cost of materials

Personnel costs

Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges

Other operating expenses

Income from companies accounted for under the equity method

Income/Loss (-) from continuing operations before financial results and income taxes

Financial results

Income/Loss (-) from equity investments
Income from other securities, interest and similar income
Interest and similar expenses

Income taxes

Income/Loss (-) from continuing operations

Income from discontinued operations, net

Net income/loss (-)

Attributable to shareholders of E.ON SE
Attributable to non-controlling interests

in €

Note

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(11)

(14)

(7)

(9)

(10)

Earnings per share (attributable to shareholders of E.ON SE)—basic and diluted

(13)

from continuing operations

from discontinued operations

from net income/loss (-)

2012

133,997

-1,904

132,093

61

381

10,845

-115,285

-5,138

-5,078

-13,307

137

4,709

-1,395
17
1,191
-2,603

-710

2,604

37

2,641
2,217
424

1.14

0.02

1.16

2011

115,046

-2,092

112,954

-16

519

13,785

-97,827

-5,947

-7,081

-17,656

512

-757

-2,154
-60
716
-2,810

1,036

-1,875

14

-1,861
-2,219
358

-1.17

0.01

-1.16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

97

E.ON SE and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Recognized Income and Expenses

€ in millions

Net income/loss (-)

Cash flow hedges

Unrealized changes
Reclassification adjustments recognized in income

Available-for-sale securities

Unrealized changes
Reclassification adjustments recognized in income

Currency translation adjustments

Unrealized changes
Reclassification adjustments recognized in income

Changes in actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans and similar obligations

Companies accounted for under the equity method

Unrealized changes
Reclassification adjustments recognized in income

Income taxes

Total income and expenses recognized directly in equity

Total recognized income and expenses (total comprehensive income)

Attributable to shareholders of E.ON SE
Attributable to non-controlling interests

2012

2,641

-316
-237
-79

14
100
-86

461
506
-45

-1,875

-14
-14
–

593

-1,137

1,504
1,106
398

2011

-1,861

-143
-427
284

-1,028
-261
-767

344
-232
576

-370

-81
-81
–

376

-902

-2,763
-3,076
313

98

E.ON SE and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets—Assets

€ in millions

Goodwill

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Companies accounted for under the equity method

Other financial assets
Equity investments
Non-current securities

Financial receivables and other financial assets

Operating receivables and other operating assets

Income tax assets

Deferred tax assets

Non-current assets 

Inventories

Financial receivables and other financial assets

Trade receivables and other operating assets

Income tax assets

Liquid funds

Securities and fixed-term deposits
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents

Assets held for sale

Current assets

Total assets

Note

(14)

(14)

(14)

(15)

(15)

(17)

(17)

(10)

(10)

(16)

(17)

(17)

(10)

(18)

(4)

December 31 

2012

13,440

6,869

54,173

4,067

6,358
1,612
4,746

3,692

2,400

123

5,441

2011

14,083

7,372

55,869

6,325

6,812
1,908
4,904

3,619

2,842

147

5,152

96,563

102,221

4,734

2,058

24,354

910

6,546
3,281
449
2,816

5,261

4,828

1,789

31,714

4,680

7,020
3,079
89
3,852

620

43,863

50,651

140,426

152,872

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
E.ON SE and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets—Equity and Liabilities

€ in millions

Capital stock

Additional paid-in capital

Retained earnings

Accumulated other comprehensive income

Treasury shares

Equity attributable to shareholders of E.ON SE

Non-controlling interests (before reclassification)

Reclassification related to put options

Non-controlling interests

Equity

Financial liabilities

Operating liabilities

Income taxes

Provisions for pensions and similar obligations

Miscellaneous provisions

Deferred tax liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities

Trade payables and other operating liabilities

Income taxes

Miscellaneous provisions

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

Current liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

99

Note

(19)

(20)

(21)

(22)

(19)

(23)

(26)

(26)

(10)

(24)

(25)

(10)

(26)

(26)

(10)

(25)

(4)

December 31 

2012

2,001

13,740

22,868

-147

-3,505

34,957

4,410

-548

3,862

2011

2,001

13,747

23,796

-277

-3,530

35,737

4,484

-608

3,876

38,819

39,613

21,937

24,029

5,655

2,053

4,890

23,685

6,781

65,001

4,007

25,938

1,391

4,073

1,197

7,057

3,585

3,245

22,427

6,786

67,129

5,885

30,729

4,425

4,985

106

36,606

46,130

140,426

152,872

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100

E.ON SE and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

€ in millions

Net income/loss (-)

Income/loss (-) from discontinued operations, net

Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangible assets and of property, plant and equipment

Changes in provisions

Changes in deferred taxes

Other non-cash income and expenses

Gain/Loss on disposal of 

Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment
Equity investments
Securities (> 3 months)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities and in income taxes

Inventories and carbon allowances
Trade receivables
Other operating receivables and income tax assets
Trade payables
Other operating liabilities and income taxes

Cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations (operating cash flow)1

Proceeds from disposal of 

Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment
Equity investments

Purchases of investments in

Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment
Equity investments

Proceeds from disposal of securities (> 3 months) and of financial receivables and fixed-term deposits

Purchases of securities (> 3 months) and of financial receivables and fixed-term deposits

Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents

Cash used for investing activities of continuing operations

Payments received/made from changes in capital2

Cash dividends paid to shareholders of E.ON SE

Cash dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Proceeds from financial liabilities

Repayments of financial liabilities

Cash used for financing activities of continuing operations

Net increase/decrease in cash and cash equivalents

Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year3

Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at the end of the year4

2012

2,641

-37

5,078

358

901

-407

-504
-49
-325
-130

778
-158
1,753
8,843
1,538
-11,198

8,808

4,418
464
3,954

-6,997
-6,379
-618

5,593

-5,679

-353

-3,018

-149

-1,905

-197

573

-5,170

-6,848

2011

-1,861

-14

7,081

1,465

-2,040

1,097

-717
-44
-599
-74

1,599
-645
-2,537
-2,393
-72
7,246

6,610

5,987
260
5,727

-6,524
-6,216
-308

5,845

-8,703

344

-3,051

-11

-2,858

-208

3,978

-6,736

-5,835

-1,058

-2,276

26

3,855

2,823

-12

6,143

3,855

1Additional information on operating cash flow is provided in Note 12.
2No material netting has taken place in either of the years presented here.
3Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at the beginning of 2012 include an amount of €3 million at E.ON Bulgaria, which is reported as a disposal group.
4Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at the end of 2012 include a combined total of €7 million at the E.ON Thüringer Energie group and at the E.ON Energy 
from Waste group, both of which are reported as disposal groups.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

101

Supplementary Information on Cash Flows from Operating Activities

€ in millions

Income taxes paid (less refunds)

Interest paid

Interest received

Dividends received

2012

-530

-1,349

497

614

2011

-49

-1,644

444

710

Additional information on the Statements of Cash Flows is provided in Note 29.

102

Statement of Changes in Equity

€ in millions

Capital stock

Additional 
paid-in capital

Balance as of January 1, 2011

2,001

13,747

Changes in accumulated 
other comprehensive income

Retained 
earnings

29,026

Currency 
translation 
adjustments

Available-for-
sale securities

-1,570

1,923

Cash flow 
hedges

57

Change in scope of consolidation

Treasury shares repurchased/sold

Capital increase

Capital decrease

Dividends paid

Share additions

Net additions/disposals from 
reclassification related to 
put options

Total comprehensive income

Net income/loss (-)
Other comprehensive income
Changes in actuarial gains/
losses of defined benefit 
pension plans and similar 
obligations
Changes in accumulated 
other comprehensive income

Balance as of December 31, 2011

Balance as of January 1, 2012

Change in scope of consolidation

Treasury shares repurchased/sold

Capital increase

Capital decrease

Dividends paid

Share additions

Net additions/disposals from 
reclassification related to 
put options

Total comprehensive income

Net income
Other comprehensive income
Changes in actuarial gains/
losses of defined benefit 
pension plans and similar 
obligations
Changes in accumulated 
other comprehensive income

2,001

2,001

13,747

13,747

-7

-2,858

17

-2,389
-2,219
-170

-170

23,796

23,796

-1,905

1

976
2,217
-1,241

-1,241

Balance as of December 31, 2012

2,001

13,740

22,868

453

453

453

-1,117

-1,117

503

503

503

-614

-1,028

-1,028

-1,028

895

895

-85

-85

-85

810

-112

-112

-112

-55

-55

-288

-288

-288

-343

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

103

Equity 
attributable 
to shareholders 
of E.ON SE

Treasury shares

-3,531

41,653

1

1

-2,858

17

-3,076
-2,219
-857

-170

-687

35,737

35,737

18

-1,905

1

1,106
2,217
-1,111

-1,241

130

34,957

-3,530

-3,530

25

-3,505

Non-controlling 
interests (before 
reclassification)

Reclassification 
related to 
put options

Non-controlling 
interests

4,532

-110

43

-41

-198

-55

313
358
-45

-25

-20

4,484

4,484

-66

20

-16

-196

-214

398
424
-26

-118

92

4,410

-600

3,932

-110

43

-41

-198

-55

-8

313
358
-45

-25

-20

3,876

3,876

-66

20

-16

-196

-214

60

398
424
-26

-118

92

3,862

-8

-608

-608

60

-548

Total

45,585

-110

1

43

-41

-3,056

-38

-8

-2,763
-1,861
-902

-195

-707

39,613

39,613

-66

18

20

-16

-2,101

-213

60

1,504
2,641
-1,137

-1,359

222

38,819

 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
104 Notes

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

These Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared 
in accordance with Section 315a (1) of the German Commercial 
Code (“HGB”) and with those International Financial Reporting 
Standards (“IFRS”) and IFRS Interpretations Committee inter-
pretations (“IFRIC”) that were adopted by the European Com-
mission for use in the EU as of the end of the fiscal year, and 
whose application was mandatory as of December 31, 2012.

Principles

The Consolidated Financial Statements of the E.ON Group 
(“E.ON” or the “Group”) are generally prepared based on histor-
ical cost, with the exception of available-for-sale financial 
assets that are recognized at fair value and of financial assets 
and liabilities (including derivative financial instruments) 
that must be recognized in income at fair value.

Scope of Consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements incorporate the finan-
cial statements of E.ON SE and entities controlled by E.ON 
(“subsidiaries”). Control is achieved when the parent company 
has the power to govern the financial and oper ating policies 
of an entity so as to obtain economic benefits from its activi-
ties. In addition, special-purpose entities are con solidated 
when the substance of the relationship indicates that the 
entity is controlled by E.ON.

The results of the subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during 
the year are included in the Consolidated Statement of Income 
from the date of acquisition or until the date of their disposal, 
respectively.

Where necessary, adjustments are made to the subsidiaries’ 
financial statements to bring their accounting policies into 
line with those of the Group. Intercompany receivables, liabil-
ities and results between Group companies are eliminated 
in the consolidation process.

Associated Companies
An associate is an entity over which E.ON has significant 
influence but which is neither a subsidiary nor an interest in a 
joint venture. Significant influence is achieved when E.ON 
has the power to participate in the financial and operating 
policy decisions of the investee but does not control or jointly 
control these decisions. Significant influence is generally 
 presumed if E.ON directly or indirectly holds at least 20 percent, 
but not more than 50 percent, of an entity’s voting rights.

Interests in associated companies are accounted for under 
the equity method. In addition, majority-owned companies in 
which E.ON does not exercise control due to restrictions 
 concerning the control of assets or management are also 
generally accounted for under the equity method.

Interests in associated companies accounted for under the 
equity method are reported on the balance sheet at cost, 
adjusted for changes in the Group’s share of the net assets 
after the date of acquisition, as well as any impairment 
charges. Losses that might potentially exceed the Group’s inter-
est in an associated company when attributable long-term 
loans are taken into consideration are not recognized. Any 
goodwill resulting from the acquisition of an associated 
company is included in the carrying amount of the investment.

Unrealized gains and losses arising from transactions with 
associated companies accounted for under the equity method 
are eliminated within the consolidation process on a pro-rata 
basis if and insofar as these are material.

Companies accounted for under the equity method are tested 
for impairment by comparing the carrying amount with its 
recoverable amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the recov-
erable amount, the carrying amount is adjusted for this 
 difference. If the reasons for previously recognized impairment 
losses no longer exist, such impairment losses are reversed 
accordingly.

The financial statements of equity interests accounted for 
under the equity method are generally prepared using account-
ing that is uniform within the Group.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

105

Joint Ventures
Joint ventures are also accounted for under the equity method. 
Unrealized gains and losses arising from transactions with 
joint-venture companies are eliminated within the consolidation 
process on a pro-rata basis if and insofar as these are material.

Business Combinations
Business combinations are accounted for by applying the 
purchase method, whereby the purchase price is offset against 
the proportional share in the acquired company’s net assets. 
In doing so, the values at the acquisition date that corresponds 
to the date at which control of the acquired company was 
attained are used as a basis. The acquiree’s identifiable assets, 
liabilities and contingent liabilities are generally recognized 
at their fair values irrespective of the extent attributable to 
non-controlling interests. The fair values of individual assets 
are determined using published exchange or market prices at 
the time of acquisition in the case of marketable securities, 
for example, and in the case of land, buildings and major tech-
nical equipment, generally using independent expert reports 
that have been prepared by third parties. If exchange or mar-
ket prices are unavailable for consideration, fair values are 
determined using the most reliable information available that 
is based on market prices for comparable assets or on suit-
able valuation techniques. In such cases, E.ON determines fair 
value using the discounted cash flow method by discounting 
estimated future cash flows by a weighted-average cost of 
capital. Estimated cash flows are consistent with the internal 
mid-term planning data for the next three years, followed by 
two additional years of cash flow projections, which are extrapo-
lated until the end of an asset’s useful life using a growth rate 
based on industry and internal projections. The discount rate 
reflects the specific risks inherent in the acquired activities.

Non-controlling interests can be measured either at cost 
(partial goodwill method) or at fair value (full goodwill 
method). The choice of method can be made on a case-by-
case basis. The partial goodwill method is generally used 
within the E. ON Group.

Transactions with holders of non-controlling interests are 
treated in the same way as transactions with investors. Should 
the acquisition of additional shares in a subsidiary result in 
a difference between the cost of purchasing the shares and 
the  carrying amounts of the non-controlling interests acquired, 
that difference must be fully recognized in equity.

Gains and losses from disposals of shares to holders of non-
controlling interests are also recognized in equity, provided 
that such  disposals do not result in a loss of control.

Intangible assets must be recognized separately from goodwill 
if they are clearly separable or if their recognition arises from 
a contractual or other legal right. Provisions for restructuring 
measures may not be recorded in a purchase price allocation. 
If the purchase price paid exceeds the proportional share in the 
net assets at the time of acquisition, the positive difference 
is recognized as goodwill. No goodwill is recognized for positive 
differences attributable to non-controlling interests. A nega-
tive difference is immediately recognized in income.

Foreign Currency Translation
The Company’s transactions denominated in foreign currency 
are translated at the current exchange rate at the date of 
the transaction. Monetary foreign currency items are adjusted 
to the current exchange rate at each balance sheet date; any 
gains and losses resulting from fluctuations in the relevant 
currencies, and the effects upon realization, are recognized 
in income and reported as other operating income and other 
operating expenses, respectively. Gains and losses from the 
translation of non-derivative financial instruments used in 
hedges of net investments in foreign operations are recognized 
in equity as a component of other comprehensive income. The 
ineffective portion of the hedging instrument is immediately 
recognized in income.

106 Notes

The functional currency as well as the reporting currency of 
E.ON SE is the euro. The assets and liabilities of the Company’s 
foreign subsidiaries with a functional currency other than 
the euro are translated using the exchange rates applicable 
on the balance sheet date, while items of the statements 
of income are translated using annual average exchange rates. 
Material transactions of foreign subsidiaries occurring  during 
the fiscal year are translated in the financial statements using 
the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Differences 
arising from the translation of assets and liabilities compared 
with the corresponding translation of the prior year, as well 
as exchange rate differences between the income statement 
and the balance sheet, are reported separately in equity as 
a component of other comprehensive income.

Recognition of Income
a) Revenues
The Company generally recognizes revenue upon delivery 
of goods to customers or purchasers, or upon completion of 
services rendered. Delivery is deemed complete when the 
risks and rewards associated with ownership have been trans-
ferred to the buyer as contractually agreed, compensation 
has been contractually established and collection of the result-
ing receivable is probable. Revenues from the sale of goods 
and services are measured at the fair value of the consideration 
received or receivable. They reflect the value of the volume 
supplied, including an estimated value of the volume supplied 
to customers between the date of the last invoice and the end 
of the period.

Foreign currency translation effects that are attributable to 
the cost of monetary financial instruments classified as avail-
able for sale are recognized in income. In the case of fair-
value adjustments of monetary financial instruments and for 
non-monetary financial instruments classified as available 
for sale, the foreign currency translation effects are recognized 
in equity as a component of other comprehensive income.

Foreign-exchange transactions out of the Russian Federation 
may be restricted in certain cases. The Brazilian real is not 
freely convertible.

The following table depicts the movements in exchange rates 
for the periods indicated for major currencies of countries 
outside the European Monetary Union:

Currencies

British pound

Brazilian real

Norwegian krone

Russian ruble

Swedish krona

Hungarian forint

U.S. dollar

€1, rate at 
year-end

€1, annual 
average rate

2012

2011

2012

2011

0.82

2.70

7.35

40.33

8.58

0.84

2.42

7.75

41.77

8.91

0.81

2.51

7.48

39.93

8.70

0.87

2.33

7.79

40.88

9.03

292.30

314.58

289.25

279.37

1.32

1.29

1.28

1.39

ISO 
Code

GBP

BRL

NOK

RUB

SEK

HUF

USD

Revenues are presented net of sales taxes, returns, rebates 
and discounts, and after elimination of intragroup sales.

Revenues are generated primarily from the sale of electricity 
and gas to industrial and commercial customers, to retail 
customers and to wholesale markets. Also shown in this line 
item are revenues earned from the distribution of electricity 
and gas, from deliveries of steam, heat and water, as well as 
from proprietary trading.

b) Interest Income
Interest income is recognized pro rata using the effective 
interest method.

c) Dividend Income
Dividend income is recognized when the right to receive the 
distribution payment arises.

Electricity and Energy Taxes
The electricity tax is levied on electricity delivered to retail 
customers and is calculated on the basis of a fixed tax rate 
per kilowatt-hour (“kWh”). This rate varies between different 
classes of customers. Electricity and energy taxes paid are 
deducted from sales revenues on the face of the income state-
ment if those taxes are levied upon delivery of energy to the 
retail customer.

 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

107

amount of a cash-generating unit on the basis of the fair value 
(less costs to sell) using generally accepted valuation proce-
dures. This is based on the medium-term planning data of the 
respective cash-generating unit. Valuation is performed using 
the discounted cash flow method, and accuracy is verified 
through the use of appropriate multiples, to the extent avail-
able. In addition, market transactions or valuations prepared 
by third parties for comparable assets are used to the extent 
available. If needed, a calculation of value in use is also per-
formed. Unlike fair value, the value in use is calculated from 
the viewpoint of management. In accordance with IAS 36, 
“Impairment of Assets” (“IAS 36”), it is further ensured that 
restructuring expenses, as well as initial and subsequent capital 
investments (where those have not yet commenced), in par-
ticular, are not included in the valuation.

If the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount, the 
goodwill allocated to that cash-generating unit is adjusted in 
the amount of this difference.

If the impairment thus identified exceeds the goodwill allo-
cated to the affected cash-generating unit, the remaining 
assets of the unit must be written down in proportion to their 
carrying amounts. Individual assets may be written down 
only if their respective carrying amounts do not fall below the 
highest of the following values as a result:
• 
• 
• 

Fair value less costs to sell
Value in use, or
Zero.

Any additional impairment loss that would otherwise have 
been allocated to the asset concerned must instead be allo-
cated pro rata to the remaining assets of the unit.

Accounting for Sales of Shares of Subsidiaries or 
Associated Companies
If a subsidiary or associated company sells shares to a third 
party, leading to a reduction in E.ON’s ownership interest in the 
relevant company (“dilution”), and consequently to a loss of 
control, joint control or significant influence, gains and losses 
from these dilutive transactions are included in the income 
statement under other operating income or expenses.

Earnings per Share
Basic (undiluted) earnings per share is computed by dividing 
the consolidated net income attributable to the shareholders 
of the parent company by the weighted-average number of 
ordinary shares outstanding during the relevant period. At E.ON, 
the computation of diluted earnings per share is identical to 
that of basic earnings per share because E.ON SE has issued 
no potentially dilutive ordinary shares.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill
According to IFRS 3, “Business Combinations” (“IFRS 3”), good-
will is not amortized, but rather tested for impairment at 
the cash-generating unit level on at least an annual basis. 
Impairment tests must also be performed between these 
annual tests if events or changes in circumstances indicate 
that the carrying amount of the respective cash-generating 
unit might not be recoverable.

Newly created goodwill is allocated to those cash-generating 
units expected to benefit from the respective business combi-
nation. The cash-generating units to which goodwill is allo-
cated are generally equivalent to the operating segments, since 
goodwill is controlled only at that level. With some exceptions, 
goodwill impairment testing is performed in euro, while the 
underlying goodwill is always carried in the functional currency.

In a goodwill impairment test, the recoverable amount of a 
cash-generating unit is compared with its carrying amount, 
including goodwill. The recoverable amount is the higher of 
the cash-generating unit’s fair value less costs to sell and its 
value in use. In a first step, E.ON determines the recoverable 

108 Notes

E.ON has elected to perform the annual testing of goodwill 
for impairment at the cash-generating unit level in the fourth 
quarter of each fiscal year.

Impairment charges on the goodwill of a cash-generating unit 
and reported in the income statement under “Depreciation, 
amortization and impairment charges” may not be reversed 
in subsequent reporting  periods.

Intangible Assets
IAS 38, “Intangible Assets” (“IAS 38”), requires that intangible 
assets be amortized over their expected  useful lives unless 
their lives are considered to be indefinite. Factors such as typ-
ical product life cycles and legal or similar limits on use are 
taken into account in the classification.

Acquired intangible assets subject to amortization are classi-
fied as marketing-related, customer-related, contract-based, 
and technology-based. Internally generated intangible assets 
subject to amortization are related to software. Intangible 
assets subject to amortization are measured at cost and use-
ful lives. The useful lives of marketing-related, customer-
related and contract-based intangible assets generally range 
between 5 and 25 years. Technology-based intangible assets 
are generally amortized over a useful life of between 3 and 
5 years. This category includes software in particular. Con-
tract-based intangible assets are amortized in accordance 
with the provisions specified in the contracts. Useful lives 
and amortization methods are subject to annual verification. 
Intangible assets subject to amortization are tested for 
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that such assets may be impaired.

Intangible assets not subject to amortization are measured 
at cost and tested for impairment annually or more frequently 
if events or changes in circumstances indicate that such 
assets may be impaired. Moreover, such assets are reviewed 
annually to determine whether an assessment of indefinite 
useful life remains applicable.

In accordance with IAS 36, the carrying amount of an intangible 
asset, whether subject to amortization or not, is tested for 
impairment by comparing the carrying value with the asset’s 
recoverable amount, which is the higher of its value in use and 
its fair value less costs to sell. Should the carrying amount 
exceed the corresponding recoverable amount, an impairment 
charge equal to the difference between the carrying amount 
and the recoverable amount is recognized and reported in 
income under “Depreciation, amortization and impairment 
charges.”

If the reasons for previously recognized impairment losses no 
longer exist, such impairment losses are reversed. A reversal 
shall not cause the carrying amount of an intangible asset 
subject to amortization to exceed the amount that would 
have been determined, net of amortization, had no impairment 
loss been recognized during the period.

If a recoverable amount cannot be determined for an individual 
intangible asset, the recoverable amount for the smallest 
identifiable group of assets (cash-generating unit) that the 
intangible asset may be assigned to is determined. See Note 14 
for additional information about goodwill and intangible assets.

Research and Development Costs
Under IFRS, research and development costs must be allocated 
to a research phase and a development phase. While expen-
diture on research is expensed as incurred, recognized devel-
opment costs must be capitalized as an intangible asset if 
all of the general criteria for recognition specified in IAS 38, 
as well as certain other specific prerequisites, have been ful-
filled. In the 2012 and 2011 fiscal years, these criteria were not 
fulfilled, except in the case of internally generated software.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

109

Property, plant and equipment are tested for impairment 
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an 
asset may be impaired. In such a case, property, plant and 
equipment are tested for impairment according to the prin-
ciples prescribed for intangible assets in IAS 36. If an impair-
ment loss is determined, the remaining useful life of the asset 
might also be subject to adjustment, where applicable. If the 
reasons for previously recognized impairment losses no longer 
exist, such impairment losses are reversed and recognized in 
income. Such reversal shall not cause the carrying amount to 
exceed the amount that would have resulted had no impair-
ment taken place during the preceding periods.

Investment subsidies do not reduce the acquisition and 
 production costs of the respective assets; they are instead 
reported on the balance sheet as deferred income.

Subsequent costs arising, for example, from additional or 
replacement capital expenditure are only recognized as part 
of the acquisition or production cost of the asset, or else—if 
relevant—recognized as a separate asset if it is probable that 
the Group will receive a future economic benefit and the cost 
can be determined reliably.

Repair and maintenance costs that do not constitute significant 
replacement capital expenditure are expensed as incurred.

Emission Rights
Under IFRS, emission rights held under national and interna-
tional emission-rights systems for the settlement of obligations 
are reported as intangible assets. Because emission rights 
are not depleted as part of the production process, they are 
reported as intangible assets not subject to amortization. 
Emission rights are capitalized at cost when issued for the 
respective reporting period as (partial) fulfillment of the 
notice of allocation from the responsible national authorities, 
or upon acquisition.

A provision is recognized for emissions produced. The provision 
is measured at the carrying amount of the emission rights 
held or, in the case of a shortfall, at the current fair value of the 
emission rights needed. The expenses incurred for the recog-
nition of the provision are reported under cost of materials.

As part of operating activities, emission rights are also held 
for proprietary trading purposes. Emission rights held for 
 proprietary trading are reported under other operating assets 
and measured at the lower of cost or fair value.

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are initially measured at acqui-
sition or production cost, including decommissioning or res-
toration cost that must be capitalized, and are depreciated 
over the expected useful lives of the components,  generally 
using the straight-line method, unless a different method of 
depreciation is deemed more suitable in certain exceptional 
cases. The useful lives of the major components of property, 
plant and equipment are presented below:

Useful Lives of Property, Plant and 
Equipment

Buildings

Technical equipment, plant and machinery

Other equipment, fixtures, furniture and 
office equipment

10 to 50 years

10 to 65 years

3 to 25 years

 
 
110 Notes

Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources
The exploration and field development expenditures are 
accounted for using the so-called “successful efforts method.” 
In accordance with IFRS 6, “Exploration for and Evaluation of 
Mineral Resources” (“IFRS 6”), expenditures for exploratory 
drilling for which the outcome is not yet certain are initially 
capitalized as an intangible asset.

Upon discovery of oil and/or gas reserves and field develop-
ment approval, the relevant expenditures are reclassified as 
property, plant and equipment. Such property, plant and 
equipment is then depreciated in accordance with production 
 volumes. For uneconomical drilling, the previously capitalized 
expenditures are immediately expensed. Other capitalized 
expenditures are also written off once it is determined that 
no viable reserves could be found. Other expenses for geo-
logical and geophysical work (seismology) and licensing fees 
are immediately expensed.

Borrowing Costs
Borrowing costs that arise in connection with the acquisition, 
construction or production of a qualifying asset from the 
time of acquisition or from the beginning of construction or 
production until its entry into service are capitalized and 
 subsequently amortized alongside the related asset. In the case 
of a specific financing arrangement, the respective borrowing 
costs incurred for that particular arrangement during the period 
are used. For non-specific financing arrangements, a financing 
rate uniform within the Group of 5.0 percent was applied for 
2012 (2011: 5.0 percent). Other borrowing costs are expensed.

Government Grants
Government investment subsidies do not reduce the acquisi-
tion and production costs of the respective assets; they are 
instead reported on the balance sheet as deferred income. 
They are recognized in income on a straight-line basis over 
the associated asset’s expected useful life.

Government grants are recognized at fair value if it is highly 
probable that the grant will be issued and if the Group satis-
fies the necessary conditions for receipt of the grant.

Government grants for costs are posted as income over the 
period in which the costs to be compensated through the 
respective grants are incurred.

Leasing
Leasing transactions are classified according to the lease 
agreements and to the underlying risks and rewards specified 
therein in line with IAS 17, “Leases” (“IAS 17”). In addition, 
IFRIC 4, “Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a 
Lease” (“IFRIC 4”), further defines the criteria as to whether 
an agreement that conveys a right to use an asset meets the 
definition of a lease. Certain purchase and supply contracts 
in the electricity and gas business as well as certain rights of 
use may be classified as leases if the criteria are met. E.ON 
is party to some agreements in which it is the lessor and to 
others in which it is the lessee.

Leasing transactions in which E.ON is the lessee are classified 
either as finance leases or operating leases. If the Company 
bears substantially all of the risks and rewards incident to own-
ership of the leased property, the lease is classified as a finance 
lease. Accordingly, the Company recognizes on its balance 
sheet the asset and the associated liability in equal amounts.

Recognition takes place at the beginning of the lease term 
at the lower of the fair value of the leased property or the 
present value of the minimum lease payments.

The leased property is depreciated over its useful economic 
life or, if it is shorter, the term of the lease. The liability is sub-
sequently measured using the effective interest method.

All other transactions in which E.ON is the lessee are classified 
as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases 
are generally expensed over the term of the lease.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

111

cost for a period of more than twelve months, this constitutes 
objective evidence of impairment. For debt instruments, objec-
tive evidence of impairment is generally deemed present if 
ratings have deteriorated from investment-grade to non-invest-
ment-grade. Reversals of impairment losses relating to equity 
instruments are recognized exclusively in equity, while reversals 
relating to debt instruments are recognized entirely in income.

Loans and receivables (including trade receivables) are non-
derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments 
that are not traded in an active market. Loans and receivables 
are reported on the balance sheet under “Receivables and 
other assets.” They are subsequently measured at amortized 
cost. Valuation allowances are provided for identifiable indi-
vidual risks.

Non-derivative financial liabilities (including trade payables) 
within the scope of IAS 39 are measured at amortized cost, 
using the effective interest method. Initial measurement takes 
place at fair value, with transaction costs included in the mea-
surement. In subsequent  periods, the amortization and accre-
tion of any premium or discount is included in financial results.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging 
Transactions
Derivative financial instruments and separated embedded 
derivatives are measured at fair value as of the trade date at 
initial recognition and in subsequent periods. IAS 39 requires 
that they be categorized as held for trading as long as they are 
not a component of a hedge accounting relationship. Gains 
and losses from changes in fair value are immediately recog-
nized in net income.

Leasing transactions in which E.ON is the lessor and substan-
tially all the risks and rewards incident to ownership of the 
leased property are transferred to the lessee are classified as 
finance leases. In this type of lease, E.ON records the present 
value of the minimum lease payments as a receivable. Payments 
by the lessee are apportioned between a reduction of the 
lease receivable and interest income. The income from such 
arrangements is recognized over the term of the lease using 
the effective interest method.

All other transactions in which E.ON is the lessor are treated 
as operating leases. E.ON retains the leased property on its 
balance sheet as an asset, and the lease payments are gener-
ally recorded on a straight-line basis as income over the term 
of the lease.

Financial Instruments
Non-Derivative Financial Instruments
Non-derivative financial instruments are recognized at fair 
value, including transaction costs, on the settlement date when 
acquired. Unconsolidated equity investments and securities 
are measured in accordance with IAS 39, “Financial Instruments: 
Recognition and Measurement” (“IAS 39”). The valuation tech-
niques used are classified according to the fair value hierarchy. 
E.ON categorizes financial assets as held for trading, available 
for sale, or as loans and receivables. Management determines 
the categorization of the financial assets at initial recognition.

Securities categorized as available for sale are carried at fair 
value on a continuing basis, with any resulting unrealized 
gains and losses, net of related deferred taxes, reported as a 
component of equity (other comprehensive income) until 
realized. Realized gains and losses are determined by analyzing 
each transaction individually. If there is objective evidence 
of impairment, any losses previously recognized in other com-
prehensive income are instead recognized in financial results. 
When estimating a possible impairment loss, E.ON takes into 
consideration all available information, such as market con-
ditions and the length and extent of the impairment. If the 
value on the balance sheet date of the equity instruments 
classified as available for sale and of similar long-term invest-
ments is more than 20 percent below their cost, or if the 
value has, on average, been more than 10 percent below its 

112 Notes

Instruments commonly used are foreign currency forwards 
and swaps, as well as interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps 
and interest rate options. In commodities, the instruments 
used include physically and financially settled forwards and 
options related to electricity, gas, coal, oil and emission rights. 
As part of conducting operations in commodities, derivatives 
are also acquired for proprietary trading purposes.

IAS 39 sets requirements for the designation and documen-
tation of hedging relationships, the hedging strategy, as well 
as ongoing retrospective and prospective measurement of 
effectiveness in order to qualify for hedge accounting. The Com-
pany does not exclude any component of derivative gains 
and losses from the measurement of hedge effectiveness. Hedge 
accounting is considered to be appropriate if the assessment 
of hedge effectiveness indicates that the change in fair value 
of the designated hedging instrument is 80 to 125 percent 
effective at offsetting the change in fair value due to the hedged 
risk of the hedged item or transaction.

For qualifying fair value hedges, the change in the fair value of 
the derivative and the change in the fair value of the hedged 
item that is due to the hedged risk(s) are recognized in income. 
If a derivative instrument qualifies as a cash flow hedge under 
IAS 39, the effective portion of the hedging instrument’s change 
in fair value is recognized in equity (as a component of other 
comprehensive income) and reclassified into income in the 
period or periods during which the cash flows of the transac-
tion being hedged affect income. The hedging result is reclassi-
fied into income imme diately if it becomes probable that the 
hedged underlying transaction will no longer occur. For hedging 
instruments used to establish cash flow hedges, the change 
in fair value of the ineffective portion is recognized immediately 
in the income statement to the extent required. To hedge 
the foreign currency risk arising from the Company’s net invest-
ment in foreign operations, derivative as well as non-derivative 
financial instruments are used. Gains or losses due to changes 
in fair value and from foreign currency trans lation are recog-
nized separately within equity, as a component of other com-
prehensive income, under currency translation adjustments.

Changes in fair value of derivative instruments that must be 
recognized in income are presented as other operating income 
or expenses. Gains and losses from interest-rate derivatives 
are netted for each contract and included in interest income. 

Gains and losses from derivative proprietary trading instru-
ments are shown net as either revenues or cost of materials. 
Certain realized amounts are, if related to the sale of products 
or services, also included in sales or cost of materials.

Unrealized gains and losses resulting from the initial measure-
ment of derivative financial instruments at the inception of 
the contract are not recognized in income. They are instead 
deferred and recognized in income systematically over the 
term of the derivative. An exception to the accrual principle 
applies if unrealized gains and losses from the initial mea-
surement are verified by quoted market prices, observable prices 
of other current market transactions or other observable data 
supporting the valuation technique. In this case the gains and 
losses are recognized in income.

Contracts that are entered into for purposes of receiving or 
delivering non-financial items in accordance with E.ON’s antic-
ipated procurement, sale or use requirements, and held as 
such, qualify as own-use contracts. They are not accounted for as 
derivative financial instruments at fair value in accordance with 
IAS 39, but as open transactions subject to the rules of IAS 37.

IFRS 7, “Financial Instruments: Disclosures” (“IFRS 7”), requires 
comprehensive quantitative and qualitative disclosures 
about the extent of risks arising from financial instruments. 
Additional information on financial instruments is provided 
in Notes 30 and 31.

Inventories
The Company measures inventories at the lower of acquisition 
or production cost and net realizable value. The cost of raw 
materials, finished products and goods purchased for resale is 
determined based on the average cost method. In addition 
to production materials and wages, production costs include 
material and production overheads based on normal capacity. 
The costs of general administration are not capitalized. Inven-
tory risks resulting from excess and obsolescence are provided 
for using appropriate valuation allowances, whereby invento-
ries are written down to net realizable value.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

113

Receivables and Other Assets
Receivables and other assets are initially measured at fair 
value, which generally approximates nominal value. They are 
subsequently measured at amortized cost, using the effective 
interest method. Valuation allowances, included in the reported 
net carrying amount, are provided for identifiable individual 
risks. If the loss of a certain part of the receivables is probable, 
valuation allowances are provided to cover the expected loss.

Liquid Funds
Liquid funds include current available-for-sale securities, checks, 
cash on hand and bank balances. Bank balances and available-
for-sale securities with an original maturity of more than three 
months are recognized under securities and fixed-term 
deposits. Liquid funds with an original maturity of less than 
three months are considered to be cash and cash equivalents, 
unless they are restricted.

Restricted cash with a remaining maturity in excess of 
twelve months is classified as financial receivables and other 
financial assets.

Assets Held for Sale and Liabilities Associated with 
Assets Held for Sale
Individual non-current assets or groups of assets held for 
sale and any directly attributable liabilities (disposal groups) 
are reported in these line items if they can be disposed of 
in their current condition and if there is sufficient probability 
of their disposal actually taking place. For a group of assets 
and associated liabilities to be classified as a disposal group, 
the assets and liabilities in it must be held for sale in a single 
transaction or as part of a comprehensive plan.

Discontinued operations are components of an entity that 
are either held for sale or have already been sold and can be 
clearly distinguished from other corporate operations, both 
operationally and for financial reporting purposes. Additionally, 
the component classified as a discontinued operation must 
represent a major business line or a specific geographic busi-
ness segment of the Group.

Non-current assets that are held for sale either individually 
or collectively as part of a disposal group, or that belong to 
a discontinued operation, are no longer depreciated. They are 
instead accounted for at the lower of the carrying amount 
and the fair value less any remaining costs to sell. If the fair 
value is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss 
is recognized.

The income and losses resulting from the measurement of 
components held for sale at fair value less any remaining 
costs to sell, as well as the gains and losses arising from the 
disposal of discontinued operations, are reported separately 
on the face of the income statement under income/loss from 
discontinued operations, net, as is the income from the ordi-
nary operating activities of these divisions. Prior-year income 
statement figures are adjusted accordingly. The relevant assets 
and liabilities are reported in a separate line on the balance 
sheet. The cash flows of discontinued operations are reported 
separately in the cash flow statement, with prior-year figures 
adjusted accordingly. However, there is no reclassification 
of prior-year balance sheet line items attributable to discon-
tinued operations.

Equity Instruments
IFRS defines equity as the residual interest in the Group’s 
assets after deducting all liabilities. Therefore, equity is the 
net amount of all recognized assets and liabilities.

E.ON has entered into purchase commitments to holders of 
non-controlling interests in subsidiaries. By means of these 
agreements, the non-controlling shareholders have the right 
to require E.ON to purchase their shares on specified condi-
tions. None of the contractual obli gations has led to the trans-
fer of substantially all of the risk and rewards to E.ON at the 
time of entering into the contract. In such a case, IAS 32, 

114 Notes

“Financial Instruments: Presentation” (“IAS 32”), requires that 
a liability be recognized at the present value of the probable 
future exercise price. This amount is reclassified from a sepa-
rate component within non-controlling interests and reported 
separately as a liability. The reclassification occurs irrespective 
of the probability of exercise. The accretion of the liability 
is recognized as interest expense. If a purchase commitment 
expires unexercised, the liability reverts to non-controlling 
interests. Any difference between liabilities and non-controlling 
interests is recognized directly in retained earnings.

Where shareholders of entities own statutory, non-excludable 
rights of termination (as in the case of German partnerships, 
for example), such termination rights require the reclassifica-
tion of non-controlling interests from equity into liabilities 
under IAS 32. The liability is recognized at the present value 
of the expected settlement amount irrespective of the prob-
ability of termination. Changes in the value of the liability are 
reported within other oper ating income. Accretion of the 
 liability and the non-controlling shareholders’ share in net 
income are shown as interest expense.

If an E.ON Group company buys treasury shares of E.ON SE, 
the value of the consideration paid, including directly attrib-
utable additional costs (net after income taxes), is deducted 
from E.ON SE’s equity until the shares are retired, distributed 
or resold. If such treasury shares are subsequently distributed 
or sold, the consideration received, net of any directly attribut-
able additional transaction costs and associated income taxes, 
is added to E.ON SE’s equity.

Share-Based Payment
Share-based payment plans issued in the E.ON Group are 
accounted for in accordance with IFRS 2, “Share-Based Payment” 
(“IFRS 2”). The E.ON Share Performance Plan introduced in 
 fiscal 2006 involves share-based  payment transactions that are 
settled in cash and measured at fair value as of each balance 
sheet date. E.ON determines the fair value of the fifth tranche 
using the Monte Carlo simulation technique. From the sixth 
tranche forward, the 60-day average of the E. ON share price 

as of the balance sheet date is used as the fair value. In addi-
tion, the calculation of the provision for the sixth tranche takes 
into account the financial measures ROACE and WACC. The 
compensation expense is recognized in the income statement 
pro rata over the vesting period.

Provisions for Pensions and Similar Obligations
The valuation of defined benefit obligations in accordance 
with IAS 19, “Employee Benefits” (“IAS 19”), is based on actu-
arial computations using the projected unit credit method, 
with actuarial valuations performed at year-end. The valuation 
encompasses both pension obligations and pension entitle-
ments that are known on the balance sheet date, as well as 
economic trend assumptions made in order to reflect realistic 
expectations.

Actuarial gains and losses that may arise from differences 
between the estimated and actual number of beneficiaries and 
from differences between the estimated and actual under-
lying assumptions are recognized in full in the period in which 
they occur. Such gains and losses are not reported within the 
Consolidated Statements of Income but rather are recognized 
within the Statements of Recognized Income and Expenses 
as part of equity.

The employer service cost representing the additional bene-
fits that employees earned under the benefit plan during the 
fiscal year is reported under personnel costs; interest cost 
and expected return on plan assets are reported under finan-
cial results.

Unrecognized past service cost is recognized immediately to 
the extent that the benefits are already vested or else amor-
tized on a straight-line basis over the average period until the 
benefits become vested.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

115

The amount reported on the balance sheet represents the 
present value of the defined benefit obligations adjusted for 
unrecognized past service cost and reduced by the fair value 
of plan assets. If a net asset position arises from this calcula-
tion, the amount is limited to the as yet unrecognized past 
service cost plus the present value of available refunds and of 
the reduction in future contributions and to the benefit from 
prepayments of minimum funding requirements.

Payments for defined contribution pension plans are expensed 
as incurred and reported under personnel costs. Contributions 
to state pension plans are treated like payments for defined 
contribution pension plans to the extent that the obligations 
under these pension plans generally correspond to those under 
defined contribution pension plans.

Provisions for Asset Retirement Obligations and 
Other Miscellaneous Provisions
In accordance with IAS 37, “Provisions, Contingent Liabilities 
and Contingent Assets” (“IAS 37”), provisions are recognized 
when E.ON has a legal or constructive present obligation 
towards third parties as a result of a past event, it is probable 
that E.ON will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable 
estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. The 
provision is recognized at the expected settlement amount. 
Long-term obligations are reported as liabilities at the present 
value of their expected settlement amounts if the interest 
rate effect (the difference between present value and repay-
ment amount) resulting from discounting is material; future 
cost increases that are foreseeable and likely to occur on the 
balance sheet date must also be included in the measurement. 
Long-term obligations are discounted at the market interest 
rate applicable as of the respective balance sheet date. The 
accretion amounts and the effects of changes in interest rates 
are generally presented as part of financial results. A reim-
bursement related to the provision that is virtually certain to 
be collected is capitalized as a  separate asset. No offsetting 
within provisions is permitted. Advance payments remitted are 
deducted from the provisions.

Obligations arising from the decommissioning or disman-
tling of property, plant and equipment are recognized during 
the period of their occurrence at their discounted settlement 
amounts, provided that the obligation can be reliably estimated. 
The carrying amounts of the respective property, plant and 
equipment are increased by the same amounts. In subsequent 
periods, capitalized asset retirement costs are amortized 
over the expected remaining useful lives of the assets, and the 
provision is accreted to its present value on an annual basis.

Changes in estimates arise in particular from deviations from 
original cost estimates, from changes to the maturity or 
the scope of the relevant obligation, and also as a result of the 
regular adjustment of the discount rate to current market 
interest rates. The adjustment of provisions for the decommis-
sioning and restoration of property, plant and equipment 
for changes to estimates is generally recognized by way of 
a corresponding adjustment to these assets, with no effect on 
income. If the property, plant and equipment to be decom-
missioned have already been fully depreciated, changes to 
estimates are recognized within the income statement.

The estimates for non-contractual nuclear decommissioning 
provisions are based on external studies and are continuously 
updated.

Under Swedish law, E.ON Sverige AB (“E.ON Sverige”) is 
required to pay fees to the Swedish Nuclear Waste Fund. The 
Swedish Radiation Safety Authority proposes the fees for 
the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and nuclear power 
plant decommissioning based on the amount of electricity 
produced at that particular nuclear power plant. The proposed 
fees are then submitted to government offices for approval. 
Upon approval, E.ON Sverige makes the corresponding pay-
ments. In accordance with IFRIC 5, “Rights to Interests Arising 
from Decommissioning, Restoration and Environmental 
Rehabilitation Funds” (“IFRIC 5”), payments into the Swedish 
national fund for nuclear waste management are offset by a 
right of reimbursement of asset retirement obligations, which 
is recognized as an asset under “Other assets.” In accordance 
with customary procedure in Sweden, the provisions are dis-
counted at the real interest rate.

116 Notes

No provisions are established for contingent asset retirement 
obligations where the type, scope, timing and associated 
probabilities can not be determined reliably.

If onerous contracts exist in which the unavoidable costs of 
meeting a contractual obligation exceed the economic benefits 
expected to be received under the contract, provisions are 
established for losses from open transactions. Such provisions 
are recognized at the lower of the excess obligation upon 
performance under the contract and any potential penalties 
or compensation arising in the event of non-performance. 
Obligations under an open contractual relationship are deter-
mined from a customer perspective.

Contingent liabilities are possible obligations toward third 
parties arising from past events that are not wholly within the 
control of the entity, or else present obligations toward third 
parties arising from past events in which an outflow of 
resources embodying economic benefits is not probable or 
where the amount of the obligation cannot be measured 
with sufficient reliability. Contingent liabilities are generally 
not recognized on the balance sheet.

Where necessary, provisions for restructuring costs are recog-
nized at the present value of the future outflows of resources. 
Provisions are recognized once a detailed restructuring plan 
has been decided on by management and publicly announced 
or communicated to the employees or their representatives. 
Only those expenses that are directly attributable to the restruc-
turing measures are used in measuring the amount of the 
provision. Expenses associated with the future operation are 
not taken into consideration.

Income Taxes
Under IAS 12, “Income Taxes” (“IAS 12”), deferred taxes are recog-
nized on temporary differences arising between the carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and their 
tax bases (balance sheet liability method). Deferred tax assets 
and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences that 
will result in taxable or deductible amounts when taxable 
income is calculated for future periods, unless those differences 
are the result of the initial recognition of an asset or liability 
in a transaction other than a business combination that, at the 
time of the transaction, affects  neither accounting nor taxable 

profit/loss. IAS 12 further requires that deferred tax assets be 
recognized for unused tax loss carry forwards and unused tax 
credits. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that 
it is probable that taxable profit will be available against 
which the deductible temporary differences and unused tax 
losses can be utilized. Each of the corporate entities is assessed 
individually with regard to the probability of a positive tax 
result in future years. Any existing history of losses is incorpo-
rated in this assessment. For those tax assets to which these 
assumptions do not apply, the value of the deferred tax assets 
is reduced.

Deferred tax liabilities caused by temporary differences asso-
ciated with investments in affiliated and associated compa-
nies are recognized unless the timing of the reversal of such 
temporary differences can be controlled within the Group 
and it is probable that, owing to this control, the differences 
will in fact not be reversed in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the 
enacted or substantively enacted tax rates expected to be 
applicable for taxable income in the years in which temporary 
differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The 
effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of changes in tax 
rates and tax law is generally recognized in income. Equity 
is adjusted for deferred taxes that had previously been recog-
nized directly in equity.

Deferred taxes for domestic companies are calculated using 
a total tax rate of 30 percent (2011: 30 percent). This tax rate 
includes, in addition to the 15 percent (2011: 15 percent) 
 corporate income tax, the solidarity surcharge of 5.5 percent 
on the corporate tax (2011: 5.5 percent on the corporate tax), 
and the average trade tax rate of 14 percent (2011: 14 percent) 
applicable to the E.ON Group. Foreign subsidiaries use appli-
cable national tax rates.

Note 10 shows the major temporary differences so recorded.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

117

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
In accordance with IAS 7, “Cash Flow Statements” (“IAS 7”), 
the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are classified 
by operating, investing and financing activities. Cash flows 
from discontinued operations are reported separately in 
the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Interest received 
and paid, income taxes paid and refunded, as well as dividends 
received are classified as operating cash flows, whereas divi-
dends paid are classified as financing cash flows. The purchase 
and sale prices respectively paid (received) in acquisitions 
and disposals of companies are reported net of any cash and 
cash equivalents acquired (disposed of) under investing activ-
ities if the respective acquisition or disposal results in a gain 
or loss of control. In the case of acquisitions and disposals that 
do not, respectively, result in a gain or loss of control, the cor-
responding cash flows are reported under financing activities. 
The impact on cash and cash equivalents of valuation changes 
due to exchange rate fluctuations is disclosed separately.

Segment Information
In accordance with the so-called management approach 
required by IFRS 8, “Operating Segments” (“IFRS 8”), the inter-
nal reporting organization used by management for making 
decisions on operating matters is used to identify the Com-
pany’s reportable segments. The internal performance mea-
sure used as the segment result is earnings before interest, 
taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) adjusted to 
exclude certain extraordinary effects (see Note 33).

asset retirement obligations, as well as the net market values 
of currency derivatives from financial trans actions (not includ-
ing transactions relating to E.ON’s operating business and asset 
management). The medium-term target set by E.ON for its 
debt factor is a value of less than 3.

Based on our EBITDA in 2012 of €10,786 million (2011: €9,293 mil-
lion) and economic net debt of €35,879 million as of the bal-
ance sheet date (2011: €36,385 million), the debt  factor is 3.3 
(2011: 3.9).

Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions; 
Critical Judgments in the Application of Accounting 
Policies
The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements 
requires management to make estimates and assumptions 
that may influence the application of accounting principles 
within the Group and affect the measurement and presenta-
tion of reported figures. Estimates are based on past experience 
and on additional knowledge obtained on transactions to 
be reported. Actual amounts may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on 
an ongoing basis. Adjustments to accounting estimates are 
recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the 
change affects only that period, or in the period of the revision 
and subsequent periods if both current and future periods 
are affected.

Structure of the Consolidated Balance Sheets and 
Statements of Income
In accordance with IAS 1, “Presentation of Financial Statements” 
(“IAS 1”), the Consolidated Balance Sheets have been prepared 
using a classified balance sheet structure. Assets that will be 
realized within twelve months of the reporting date, as well 
as liabilities that are due to be settled within one year of the 
reporting date are generally classified as  current.

Estimates are particularly necessary for the measurement of 
the value of property, plant and equipment and of intangible 
assets, especially in connection with purchase price allocations, 
the recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets, 
the accounting treatment of provisions for pensions and mis-
cellaneous provisions, for impairment testing in accordance 
with IAS 36, as well as for the determination of the fair value 
of certain financial instruments.

The Consolidated Statements of Income are classified using 
the nature of expense method, which is also applied for 
internal purposes.

The underlying principles used for estimates in each of the 
relevant topics are outlined in the respective sections.

Capital Structure Management
E.ON uses the debt factor as the measure for the management 
of its capital structure. The debt factor is defined as the ratio 
of economic net debt to our EBITDA. Economic net debt supple-
ments net financial position with provisions for pensions and 

118 Notes

requirements for the accounting of financial liabilities. The 
application of IFRS 9 was to be mandatory for fiscal years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2013. In December 2011, how-
ever, the IASB published an amendment deferring mandatory 
first-time application to fiscal years beginning on or after 
January 1, 2015. Earlier application is permitted. The IASB also 
amended IFRS 7 in the context of such early application: 
depending on the actual date on which an entity initially applied 
IFRS 9, there are different requirements regarding the presen-
tation of a comparative period and the associated disclosures 
in the notes. The standard has not yet been transferred by the 
EU into European law. E.ON is currently evaluating the impact 
on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

IFRS 10, “Consolidated Financial Statements”
In May 2011, the IASB issued the new standard IFRS 10, “Consol-
idated Financial Statements” (“IFRS 10”). This IFRS replaces 
the existing guidance on control and consolidation contained 
in IAS 27, “Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements,” 
and in SIC-12, “Consolidation—Special Purpose Entities” (“SIC-12”). 
IFRS 10 establishes a uniform definition of the term “control,” 
with greater emphasis on the principle of substance over form 
than in the past. The new standard can thus give rise to an 
altered scope of consolidation. The standard has been trans-
ferred by the EU into European law. As a result, IFRS 10 must 
generally be applied retrospectively for fiscal years beginning 
on or after January 1, 2014. Earlier application is permitted as 
long as the standards IFRS 11, “Joint Arrangements” (“IFRS 11”), 
IFRS 12, “Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities” (“IFRS 12”), 
IAS 27, “Separate Financial Statements” (“IAS 27”), and IAS 28, 
“Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures” (“IAS 28”), are 
also being applied at the same time.

(2) New Standards and Interpretations

Standards and Interpretations Applicable in 2012

The International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and the 
IFRS Interpretations Committee (“IFRS IC”, formerly the IFRIC) 
have issued the following standards and interpretations that 
have been transferred by the EU into European law and whose 
application is mandatory in the reporting period from Janu-
ary 1, 2012, through  December 31, 2012:

Amendments to IFRS 7, “Financial Instruments: 
 Disclosures”—Disclosures—Transfers of Financial 
Assets
In October 2010, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 7. The 
new version of the standard seeks to allow users of financial 
statements to improve their understanding of the transfer of 
financial assets in particular transactions (for example, securi-
tizations of debt). The amendments relate in particular to the 
disclosure of potential risks that remain with the entity that 
transferred the assets as a consequence of continuing involve-
ment. The amendments have been transferred by the EU into 
European law and thus they are to be applied for fiscal years 
beginning on or after July 1, 2011. The amendments had no 
material impact on E.ON’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Standards and Interpretations Not Yet Applicable 
in 2012

The IASB and the IFRS IC have issued the following additional 
standards and interpretations. These standards and interpre-
tations are not being applied by E.ON in the 2012 fiscal year 
because adoption by the EU remains outstanding at this time 
for some of them, or because their application is not yet 
mandatory:

IFRS 9, “Financial Instruments”
In November 2009, the IASB issued the new standard IFRS 9, 
“Financial Instruments” (“IFRS 9”). Under IFRS 9, all financial 
instruments currently within the scope of IAS 39 will hence-
forth be subdivided into only two classifications: financial 
instruments measured at amortized cost and financial instru-
ments measured at fair value. In October 2010, the IASB issued 
an extended version of IFRS 9. This version contains additional 

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IFRS 13, “Fair Value Measurement”
In May 2011, the IASB issued the new standard IFRS 13, “Fair 
Value Measurement” (“IFRS 13”). The objective of the standard 
is to define the term “fair value” and to establish guidance 
and disclosure requirements for fair value measurement that 
should be applied across standards. In the standard, fair 
value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an 
asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction 
between independent market participants at the measurement 
date. For non-financial assets, the fair value is determined 
based on the highest and best use of the asset as determined 
by a market participant. IFRS 13 takes effect on January 1, 2013, 
and is applied prospectively, with earlier application permitted. 
The new standard has been transferred by the EU into Euro-
pean law. In general, E.ON expects a reduction in the amounts 
recognized for assets and liabilities measured at fair value. 
This applies especially to derivative financial instruments, for 
which E.ON expects to record expenses resulting from such 
reduction in amounts recognized.

IAS 27, “Separate Financial Statements”
In May 2011, the IASB issued a new version of IAS 27. The new 
version now contains regulations for IFRS separate financial 
statements only (previously consolidated and separate finan-
cial statements). The standard has been transferred by the 
EU into European law. Consequently, application of the new 
standard will be mandatory for fiscal years beginning on or 
after January 1, 2014. Earlier application is permitted as long 
as the standards IFRS 10, IFRS 11, IFRS 12 and IAS 28 are also 
being applied at the same time. The new standard will have 
no impact on E.ON’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

IFRS 11, “Joint Arrangements”
In May 2011, the IASB issued the new standard IFRS 11. It 
replaces IAS 31, “Interests in Joint Ventures” (“IAS 31”), and SIC-13, 
“Jointly Controlled Entities—Non-Monetary Contributions 
by Venturers” (“SIC-13”). The standard will in future distinguish 
between two types of joint arrangements: joint ventures 
and joint operations. The provisions of IFRS 10 form the basis 
for determining joint control. If after assessing the particular 
facts a joint venture is determined to exist, it must be 
accounted for using the equity method. In the case of a joint 
operation, however, the attributable shares of assets and lia-
bilities, and of expenses and income, must be assigned directly 
to the equity holder. The standard has been transferred by 
the EU into European law. Consequently, application of the new 
standard will be mandatory for fiscal years beginning on or 
after January 1, 2014. Earlier application is permitted as long 
as the standards IFRS 10, IFRS 12, IAS 27 and IAS 28 are also 
being applied at the same time.

IFRS 12, “Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities”
IFRS 12 regulates the disclosure requirements for both IFRS 10 
and IFRS 11, and was published by the IASB together with 
these standards on May 12, 2011. The standard requires entities 
to publish information on the nature of their holdings, the 
associated risks and the effects on their net assets, financial 
position and results of operations. This information is required 
for subsidiaries, joint arrangements, associates and unconsoli-
dated structured units (special-purpose entities). Important 
discretionary decisions and assumptions, including any changes 
to them, that were made in determining control according 
to IFRS 10 and for joint arrangements must also be disclosed. 
The new standard has been transferred by the EU into Euro-
pean law and its application will be mandatory for fiscal years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2014, with earlier application 
permitted.

E.ON anticipates that the application of IFRS 10, IFRS 11, and 
IFRS 12 will lead to a marginal reduction of about €10 million 
in earnings and to an increase of approximately €0.3 billion 
in debt.

120 Notes

by the EU into European law. Consequently, they are to be 
applied for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013. 
The standard thus amended has no impact on the E.ON Con-
solidated Financial Statements as they are already prepared 
in accordance with IFRS.

Amendments to IFRS 1, “First-time Adoption of 
International Financial Reporting Standards”— 
Government Loans
In March 2012, the IASB issued further amendments to IFRS 1, 
“First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting 
Standards,” relating to loans received from governments at 
below-market rates of interests. First-time adopters of IFRS 
are now exempted from applying IFRS retrospectively when 
accounting for these loans on transition. The standard thus 
amended is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 
January 1, 2013. Earlier application is permitted. It has not 
yet been transferred by the EU into European law. The amend-
ments to the standard have no impact on the E.ON Consoli-
dated Financial Statements as they are already prepared in 
accordance with IFRS.

Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 11 and IFRS 12—
Consolidated Financial Statements, Joint Arrange-
ments and Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities: 
Transition Guidance
In June 2012, the IASB published “Consolidated Financial State-
ments, Joint Arrangements and Disclosure of Interests in 
Other Entities: Transition Guidance (Amendments to IFRS 10, 
IFRS 11 and IFRS 12).” The amendments clarify the transition 
guidance contained in IFRS 10, and they also provide additional 
relief for the first-time adoption of all three standards. Adjusted 
comparative information need now be provided only for the 
immediately preceding comparative period. For unconsolidated 
structured entities, the requirement to present comparative 

IAS 28, “Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures”
In May 2011, the IASB issued a new version of IAS 28. The new 
version now stipulates that in planned partial disposals of 
interests in associates and joint ventures, the portion to be sold 
must, if it meets the criteria of IFRS 5, “Non-Current Assets 
Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations” (“IFRS 5”), be classi-
fied as a non-current asset held for sale. The remaining invest-
ment shall continue to be accounted for using the equity 
method. If the sale results in the creation of an associate, that 
associate will be accounted for using the equity method. 
Otherwise, the rules of IFRS 9 must be followed. The new IAS 28 
incorporates the provisions of SIC-13 and removes currently 
existing exceptions from the scope of IAS 28. The new version 
of the standard has been transferred by the EU into European 
law. Its application shall thus be mandatory for fiscal years 
beginning on or after  January 1, 2014. Earlier application is per-
mitted as long as the standards IFRS 10, IFRS 11, IFRS 12 and 
IAS 27 are also being applied at the same time. It will not result 
in material changes for E.ON affecting its Consolidated Finan-
cial Statements.

Omnibus Standard to Amend Multiple International 
Financial Reporting Standards
In the context of its Annual Improvements Process, the IASB 
revises existing standards. In May 2012, the IASB published 
a corresponding omnibus standard, the fourth issued under 
this process. It contains changes to IFRS and their associated 
Bases for Conclusions. The revisions affect the standards IFRS 1, 
IAS 1, IAS 16, IAS 32 and IAS 34. Application of the amendments 
is mandatory for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 
2013. Earlier application is permitted. The omnibus standard 
has not yet been transferred by the EU into European law. It 
will result in no material changes for  E.ON affecting its Con-
solidated Financial Statements.

Amendments to IFRS 1, “First-time Adoption of 
International Financial Reporting Standards”—
Severe Hyperinflation and Removal of Fixed Dates
In December 2010, the IASB issued two amendments to IFRS 1. 
The first amendment provides application guidance in cases 
where an entity was unable to comply with IFRS rules because 
its functional currency was subject to hyperinflation. The 
 second amendment replaces the references to the fixed tran-
sition date of “January 1, 2004” with the more general “date 
of transition to IFRS.” The amendments have been transferred 

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Amendments to IAS 19, “Employee Benefits”
In June 2011, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 19, “Employee 
Benefits” (“IAS 19R”). E.ON anticipates that the changes will 
have the following effects on its Consolidated Financial State-
ments: The expected return on plan assets and the interest 
cost of the defined benefit obligations will be replaced by one 
uniform net interest result that is based on the discount rate. 
The net interest result will in future be calculated on the basis 
of the net pension liabilities or assets resulting from the 
existing defined benefit pension plans. Any past service cost 
will henceforth generally be recognized in full, in the period 
in which the underlying plan amendment occurs. Actuarial 
gains and losses have always been fully and immediately rec-
ognized in OCI in the past. The elimination of the option to 
apply the so-called “corridor method,” or to expense actuarial 
gains and losses immediately, therefore has no impact on 
E.ON. Furthermore, additional disclosures will be required on 
matters including the features of the existing pension plans, 
the identi fiable risks to which the entity is exposed and the 
effects of the defined benefit plans on the entity’s future 
cash flows. The amended standard also contains a revision of 
the rules governing termination benefits. The amendments 
to IAS 19 are to be applied for fiscal years beginning on or after 
January 1, 2013. They have been transferred by the EU into 
European law. For 2012, the pension cost would increase by 
about €6 million if IAS 19R were applied. For 2013, E.ON 
expects that the amendment to IAS 19 will result in an increase 
in pension cost of approximately €0.1 billion. The changes 
would additionally result in a reduction of the provisions for 
obligations under semiretirement arrangements, combined 
with an increase of approximately €32 million in the correspond-
ing expenses in 2012.

information for periods before IFRS 12 is first applied is removed 
altogether. The amendments are to be applied for fiscal years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2014, which coincides with the 
effective date of IFRS 10, IFRS 11 and IFRS 12. Earlier applica-
tion is permitted. The amendments have not yet been trans-
ferred by the EU into European law. E.ON anticipates no mate-
rial impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27—
Investment Entities
In October 2012, the IASB published “Investment Entities 
(Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27).” The amendments 
include a definition of an investment entity and remove them 
from the scope of IFRS 10. Instead of consolidating their invest-
ments in subsidiaries, parent investment entities shall now 
be required to recognize and measure them at fair value through 
profit or loss in accordance with IFRS 9 or IAS 39. In this con-
text, new disclosure requirements have also arisen in IFRS 12, 
“Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities,” and IAS 27, “Sepa-
rate Financial Statements.” Application of the amendments is 
mandatory for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 
2014. Earlier application is permitted. The amendments have 
not yet been transferred by the EU into European law. E.ON 
anticipates no material impact on its Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

Amendments to IAS 1, “Presentation of Financial 
Statements”
In June 2011, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1, “Presen-
tation of Financial Statements” (“IAS 1”). The changes stipulate 
that the individual components of other comprehensive 
income (“OCI”) shall in future be separated in the statement 
of comprehensive income according to whether they will be 
recycled into the income statement at a later date or not. The 
amendments are to be applied for fiscal years beginning on 
or after July 1, 2012. They have been transferred by the EU into 
European law. They have no material impact on E.ON’s Con-
solidated Financial Statements.

Amendments to IAS 12, “Income Taxes”—Deferred 
Tax: Recovery of Underlying Assets
In December 2010, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 12, 
“Income Taxes” (“IAS 12”). When measuring temporary tax dif-
ferences in connection with real estate held as investment 
property, there is now a presumption that such temporary 
differences are normally reversed through sale, rather than 
through continued use. The amendments are to be applied for 
fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013. They have 
been transferred by the EU into European law. E.ON does not 
anticipate that the amendments will have any impact on its 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

122 Notes

Amendments to IAS 32, “Financial Instruments: 
 Presentation,” and to IFRS 7, “Financial Instruments: 
Disclosures”
In December 2011, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 32 and 
IFRS 7. Entities shall in future be required to disclose gross and 
net amounts from offsetting, as well as amounts for existing 
rights of set-off that do not meet the accounting criteria for 
offsetting. In addition, inconsistencies in applying the existing 
rules for offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities 
have been eliminated. The amendments mentioned have dif-
ferent first-time application dates. The amendments to IAS 32 
are to be applied for fiscal years beginning on or after  January 1, 
2014. The amendments to IFRS 7 are to be applied for fiscal 
years beginning on or after January 1, 2013. They have been trans-
ferred by the EU into European law. E.ON currently anticipates 
an effect from the switch to gross presentation adding €1.5 bil-
lion to total assets and liabilities on the balance sheet.

IFRIC 20, “Stripping Costs in the Production Phase 
of a Surface Mine”
IFRIC 20, “Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface 
Mine” (“IFRIC 20”), was published in October 2011. IFRIC 20 
specifies the preconditions under which the cost of removing 
waste from a surface mine during its production phase should 
lead to the recognition of an asset. It also provides guidance 
on how that asset should be measured, both initially and in 
subsequent periods. IFRIC 20 is effective for fiscal years begin-
ning on or after January 1, 2013. Earlier application is permitted. 
The interpretation has been transferred by the EU into Euro-
pean law. IFRIC 20 has no impact on E.ON’s Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

(3) Scope of Consolidation

The number of consolidated companies changed as follows:

In 2012, a total of 42 domestic and 55 foreign associated com-
panies were accounted for under the equity method (2011: 
51 domestic and 54 foreign). Significant acquisitions, disposals 
and discontinued operations are discussed in Note 4.

Scope of Consolidation

Consolidated companies 
as of January 1, 2011

Additions

Disposals/Mergers

Consolidated companies 
as of December 31, 2011

Additions

Disposals/Mergers

Consolidated companies 
as of December 31, 2012

Domestic

Foreign

Total

161

3

3

161

6

13

154

334

17

37

314

9

26

297

495

20

40

475

15

39

451

 
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(4) Acquisitions, Disposals and Discontinued 
Operations

Disposal Groups and Assets Held for Sale in 2012

Wind Farm Disposals
Implementing the “Less Capital, More Value” strategy, E.ON 
signed contracts for the sale of a 50-percent stake in each 
of three wind farms in North America in October 2012 for a 
total of €0.5 billion in proceeds. The wind farms, which are 
operated by the Renewables global unit, have been reported 
as disposal groups since the fourth quarter of 2012. The rele-
vant balance sheet line items relate to property, plant and 
equipment (€0.4 billion); there were no significant items on 
the liabilities side.

In the course of the continued implementation of the divest-
ment strategy, the following activities were classified as dis-
posal groups or assets held for sale during 2012:

E.ON Thüringer Energie
At the end of December 2012, E.ON signed a contract for the 
sale of a 43-percent interest in E.ON Thüringer Energie to a 
municipal consortium, Kommunaler Energiezweckverband 
Thüringen (“KET”). The transaction involved a volume of approx-
imately €0.9 billion, which includes the assumption by KET 
of shareholder loans totaling approximately €0.4 billion. The 
transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2013. E.ON’s 
remaining 10-percent stake in E.ON Thüringer Energie is also 
to be sold shortly. The stake is held by the Germany regional 
unit. The major carrying amounts related to property, plant and 
equipment (€1.1 billion) and financial assets (€0.2 billion), 
while provisions and liabilities amounted to €0.2 billion and 
€0.4 billion, respectively.

Slovenský Plynárenský Priemysel (SPP)
In January 2013, E.ON signed a contract with the Czech energy 
company Energetický a Průmyslový Holding, Prague, Czech 
Republic, for the sale of its interest in the Slovakian energy 
company Slovenský Plynárenský Priemysel a.s. (“SPP”), which 
is held indirectly in E.ON’s Optimization & Trading global unit. 

The purchase price for the 24.5-percent indirect holding is 
€1.2 billion, including final purchase price adjustments. The 
ownership interest with a carrying amount of €1.2 billion 
had to be reported as an asset held for sale as of December 31, 
2012, because commercial agreement on the sale had been 
substantially reached by the end of 2012. The attributable good-
will of approximately €0.2 billion was written down to zero 
in 2012. The transaction closed in January 2013.

E.ON Energy from Waste
In December 2012, E.ON signed agreements to form a joint 
venture with EQT Infrastructure II, an infrastructure fund 
belonging to EQT, a Sweden-based private equity group. The 
joint venture, in which EQT Infrastructure II will own 51 per-
cent and E.ON 49 percent, will acquire 100 percent of the equity 
of E.ON Energy from Waste, Helmstedt, Germany. The Energy 
from Waste group is held by the Germany regional unit. With 
a carrying amount of approximately €0.9 billion, the major 
asset item is property, plant and equipment. Additional signifi-
cant balance sheet items include current assets (€0.3 billion), 
provisions (€0.2 billion), liabilities (€0.2 billion) and deferred 
taxes (€0.1 billion).

E.ON Wasserkraft
At the beginning of December 2012, E.ON and Austria’s Ver-
bund AG, Vienna, Austria, signed contracts for a substantial 
asset swap. Under the agreement, E.ON will acquire Verbund’s 
share of Enerjisa Enerji A.Ş., Istanbul, Turkey, giving it stakes 
in Enerjisa’s power generation capacity and projects and in 
its power distribution business in Turkey. In return, E.ON will 
transfer to Verbund its stakes in certain hydroelectric power 
plants in Bavaria. Verbund will become the sole owner of this 
hydro capacity, located predominantly on the Inn River in 
Bavaria, in which it is already a joint owner. Verbund will acquire 
primarily E.ON’s stakes in Österreichisch-Bayerische Wasser-
kraft AG, Donaukraftwerk Jochenstein AG and Grenzkraftwerke 
GmbH, as well as the Nussdorf, Ering-Frauenstein and Egglfing-
Obernberg run-of-river hydroelectric plants on the Inn, along 

124 Notes

with subscription rights in the Zemm-Ziller Hydroelectric Group. 
Altogether, these stakes and power plants represent 351 MW 
of attributable generating capacity. Relevant balance sheet line 
items of the disposal group, which is held in the Renewables 
global unit, are property, plant equipment and financial assets 
(€0.1 billion) and other assets (€0.2 billion). It is intended to 
complete the transaction by the first quarter of 2013.

Horizon
E.ON signed a contract for the sale of its interest in Horizon 
Nuclear Power Limited, Gloucester, U.K., to the Japanese indus-
trial group Hitachi in October 2012. The purchase price for the 
50-percent stake amounted to approximately €0.4 billion. The 
shareholding was held as a joint venture in the U.K. regional 
unit, with a carrying amount of €0.3 billion as of September 30, 
2012. The transaction closed in November 2012.

Equity Investment Held by E.ON Czech (JMP)
E.ON has sold its minority stake in Jihomoravská plynárenská, 
a.s. (“JMP”), Brno, Czech Republic. The purchase price is approx-
imately €0.2 billion. The ownership interest was reported 
within the Czechia regional unit as an asset held for sale as of 
December 31, 2012, with a carrying amount of approximately 
€0.2 billion. The transaction closed in January 2013 with a minor 
book gain on the disposal.

Open Grid Europe
In July 2012, E.ON sold its shares in the gas transmission com-
pany Open Grid Europe GmbH, Essen, Germany, to a consor-
tium of infrastructure investors. The purchase price is approx-
imately €3.2 billion and includes the assumption of pension 
obligations and certain assets. As negotiations had already 
reached an advanced stage by May 2012, the activities have 
been presented as a disposal group as of that date. Held in the 
Optimization & Trading global unit, Open Grid Europe had net 
assets of approximately €3.2 billion as of the disposal date. The 
major balance sheet line items were €3.1 billion in intan gible 
assets and property, plant and equipment, €0.5 billion in finan-
cial assets and €0.7 billion in current assets, as well as €0.6 bil-
lion in deferred tax liabilities and €0.5 billion in other liabilities. 
The sale resulted in a minimal pre-tax gain on disposal.

E.ON Bulgaria
In December 2011, E.ON signed an agreement with the Czech 
company ENERGO-PRO on the disposal of its wholly-owned 
subsidiary E.ON Bulgaria. The purchase price was approximately 
€0.1 billion. The major asset items on the balance sheet were 
property, plant and equipment (€0.2 billion) and current assets 
(€0.1 billion). Provisions and liabilities amounted to €0.1 billion 
in total. The agreement on the purchase price necessitated 
the recognition in December 2011 of impairment charges on 
goodwill and non-current assets totaling about €0.1 billion. 
The transaction closed at the end of June 2012.

HSE
Following the disposal of the Thüga group, a concrete stage 
in negotiations on the disposal of the 40-percent shareholding 
in HEAG Südhessische Energie AG, Darmstadt, Germany, 
accounted for in the Gas global unit, was reached in the third 
quarter of 2010. Accordingly, the ownership interest was 
reclassified as an asset held for sale at the end of August 2010. 
The book value and the purchase price of the ownership 
interest both amount to approximately €0.3 billion. The con-
tract for the sale was signed in February 2012. The transaction 
closed at the end of June 2012.

Interconnector
As part of a series of portfolio optimizations, the 15.09-percent 
shareholding in Interconnector (UK) Ltd., London, United King-
dom, was also sold. In line with the stage of negotiations on 
that date, the ownership interest was presented as an asset 
held for sale as of June 30, 2012. This equity investment, which 
is accounted for in the Optimization & Trading global unit, was 
sold effective September 2012, with a negligible gain realized 
on the disposal.

London Array Wind Farm
The operators of the U.K. wind farm London Array are required 
by regulatory order to cede components of the wind farm’s 
grid link to the U.K. regulator. 30 percent of this wind farm is 
attributable to E.ON, and the stake is held by the Group’s 
Renewables global unit. The carrying amount of the property, 

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plant and equipment to be transferred is €0.1 billion at year-
end 2012. E.ON will receive a comparable sum as compensation 
for this regulatory action. The disposal is expected to take 
place in the second quarter of 2013.

Property at Brienner Straße, Munich
Following the closure of the E.ON Energie AG location in Munich 
implemented in the course of the E.ON 2.0 efficiency-enhance-
ment and cost-cutting program, the property at  Brienner Straße 
was sold in the fourth quarter of 2012 with a negligible gain 
on disposal. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2012, the property 
(€0.1 billion) was reported as an asset held for sale.

plant and equipment, as well as €0.2 billion in liabilities. The 
trans action closed at the beginning of April 2011 with a minor 
book gain on the disposal.

Stadtwerke Duisburg/Stadtwerke Karlsruhe
Following the disposal of the Thüga group, the shareholdings in 
Stadtwerke Karls ruhe GmbH (10 percent), Karlsruhe, Germany, 
and in Stadtwerke Duisburg Aktiengesellschaft (20 percent), 
Duisburg, Germany, both accounted for in the Gas global unit, 
were classified as assets held for sale as of December 31, 2010. 
The sales closed at the beginning of 2011 and in July 2011, 
respectively.

BKW
Also in the context of portfolio streamlining, E.ON decided to 
dispose of its approximately 21-percent shareholding in BKW 
FMB Energie AG (“BKW”), Bern, Switzerland. The first stage of 
the transaction was completed in July 2010, when BKW itself 
and Groupe E SA, Fribourg, Switzerland, acquired a stake of 
approximately 14 percent. The remaining approximately 7 per-
cent of the shares have been reported as a financial asset since 
the fourth quarter of 2011.

Interest in OAO Gazprom
The portfolio streamlining efforts further included the disposal 
in the fourth quarter of 2010 of most of E.ON’s interest in 
OAO Gazprom (“Gazprom”), Moscow, Russian Federation, sold 
to Russia’s state-owned Vnesheconombank (“VEB”), Moscow, 
Russian Federation. The proceeds from this transaction totaled 
approximately €2.6 billion, resulting in a book gain of approx-
imately €2.0 billion. The remaining stake, held in the Gas global 
unit, was classified as held for sale with a carrying amount of 
approximately €0.9 billion as of December 31, 2010. This remain-
der was sold in the first quarter of 2011. The gain on disposal 
amounted to approximately €0.6 billion.

Disposal Groups and Assets Held for Sale in 2011

Central Networks
In line with the divestment strategy, E.ON sold its U.K. power 
distribution network operator to PPL Corporation (“PPL”), 
Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S., effective April 1, 2011. The pur-
chase price for the equity and for the assumption of certain 
liabilities is approximately £4.1 billion (equivalent to €4.6 bil-
lion as of April 1, 2011). In addition, provisions for pensions 
of about £0.1 billion were also transferred. As negotiations had 
already reached an advanced stage by March 1, 2011, the 
activities had been presented as a disposal group as of that 
date. Held in the United Kingdom regional unit, Central Net-
works had net assets before consolidation effects of approximately 
£2.0 billion (equivalent to €2.3 billion as of April 1, 2011). Its 
major balance sheet line items were non-current assets (€5.0 bil-
lion), operating receivables (€0.4 billion), intragroup liabilities 
(€1.2 billion) and financial liabilities to non-Group third parties 
(€0.6 billion), as well as pension and other provisions (€0.7 bil-
lion) and liabilities (€0.6 billion). The disposal gain before 
 foreign exchange translation differences amounts to about 
£0.5 billion. OCI as of April 1, 2011, consisted primarily of for-
eign exchange translation differences totaling -€0.2 billion; the 
resulting gain on disposal thus amounted to €0.4 billion.

E.ON Rete
In mid-December 2010, the contractual agreements to sell all 
of the shares of E.ON Rete S.r.l., Milan, Italy, the company oper-
ating the Italian gas distribution network for the former Italy 
market unit, to a consortium consisting of Italian investment 
fund F2i SGR S.p.A. and AXA Private Equity at a sales price of 
approximately €0.3 billion, were finalized. These activities 
have been presented as a disposal group since December 31, 
2010. The major balance sheet line items were €0.1 billion 
and €0.2 billion, respectively, in intangible assets and property, 

126 Notes

(5) Revenues

Revenues are generally recognized upon delivery of goods to 
purchasers or customers, or upon completion of services ren-
dered. Delivery is considered to have occurred when the risks 
and rewards associated with ownership have been transferred 
to the buyer, compensation has been contractually established 
and collection of the resulting receivable is probable.

Revenues are generated primarily from the sale of electricity and 
gas to industrial and commercial customers, to retail custom-
ers and to wholesale markets. Additional revenue is earned 
from the distribution of gas and electricity, from deliveries of 
steam, heat and water, as well as from proprietary trading.

Revenues from the sale of electricity and gas to industrial and 
commercial customers, to retail customers and to wholesale 
markets are recognized when earned on the basis of a contrac-
tual arrangement with the customer or purchaser; they reflect 

(6) Own Work Capitalized

Own work capitalized amounted to €381 million in 2012 
(2011: €519 million) and resulted primarily from engineering 
services in networks and in connection with new construction 
projects.

the value of the volume supplied, including an estimated value 
of the volume supplied to customers between the date of 
their last meter reading and period-end. Unrealized and realized 
proceeds from proprietary trading activities are recognized 
net in revenues.

At €132 billion, revenues in 2012 were 17 percent higher than in 
the previous year. The increase is primarily the result of higher 
trading volumes at the Optimization & Trading unit.

The classification of revenues by segment is presented in 
Note 33.

(7) Other Operating Income and Expenses

The table below provides details of other operating income 
for the periods indicated:

Other Operating Income

€ in millions

Income from exchange rate differences

Gain on derivative financial instruments

Gain on disposal of equity investments 
and securities

Write-ups of non-current assets

Gain on disposal of property,
plant and equipment

Miscellaneous

Total

2012

4,108

3,779

529

365

114

1,950

2011

6,027

4,559

1,416

24

132

1,627

10,845

13,785

In general, E.ON employs derivatives to hedge commodity 
risks as well as currency and interest risks.

Income from exchange rate differences consisted primarily of 
realized gains from currency derivatives in the amount of 
€2,276 million (2011: €3,042 million) and of effects from foreign 
currency translation on the balance sheet date in the amount 
of €1,173 million (2011: €2,353 million).

Gains and losses on derivative financial instruments relate to 
gains from fair value measurement and to realized gains 
from derivatives under IAS 39, with the exception of income 
effects from interest rate derivatives. In this respect there 
was a significant impact from commodity derivatives in partic-
ular, which in 2012 resulted predominantly from the marking 
to market of electricity, coal and oil-related derivatives. In 2011, 
there were effects resulting especially from gas, oil and emis-
sions-related derivatives.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

127

Losses from exchange rate differences consisted primarily of 
realized losses from currency derivatives in the amount of 
€2,441 million (2011: €3,069 million) and of effects from foreign 
currency translation on the balance sheet date in the amount 
of €229 million (2011: €3,172 million).

Miscellaneous other operating expenses include concession 
payments in the amount of €501 million (2011: €492 million), 
expenses for external audit, non-audit and consulting services 
in the amount of €283 million (2011: €259 million), advertising 
and marketing expenses in the amount of €217 million (2011: 
€216 million), as well as write-downs of trade receivables in 
the amount of €362 million (2011: €346 million). Additionally 
reported in this item are services rendered by third parties, 
IT expenditures and insurance premiums.

Other operating expenses from exploration activities totaled 
€44 million (2011: €36 million).

Cost of Materials

€ in millions

Expenses for raw materials and supplies 
and for purchased goods

Expenses for purchased services

Total

2012

2011

111,703

3,582

115,285

93,765

4,062

97,827

The gain on the disposal of equity investments and securities 
consisted primarily of gains of €149 million on the disposal 
of the stake in Horizon Nuclear Power. In 2011, there were gains 
of €602 million on the disposal of the Gazprom shares and 
€387 million on the sale of the U.K. power distribution network 
(see also Note 4). Additional gains were realized on the sale 
of securities in the amount of €156 million (2011: €147 million).

Miscellaneous other operating income in 2012 consisted 
 primarily of reversals of provisions. This item further includes 
the partial reimbursement of a fine paid to the European 
Commission.

The following table provides details of other operating 
expenses for the periods indicated:

Other Operating Expenses

€ in millions

Loss from exchange rate differences

Loss on derivative financial instruments

Taxes other than income taxes

Loss on disposal of equity investments 
and securities

Miscellaneous

Total

2012

3,857

4,491

385

73

4,501

13,307

2011

6,761

5,685

386

742

4,082

17,656

(8) Cost of Materials

The principal components of expenses for raw materials and 
supplies and for purchased goods are the purchase of gas and 
electricity and of fuels for electricity generation, as well as the 
nuclear segment. Network usage charges are also included in 
this line item. Expenses for purchased services consist pri-
marily of maintenance costs. The cost of materials increased 
by €17 billion to €115 billion (2011: €98 billion). The primary 
cause was the higher trading volumes in 2012 compared with 
the previous year.

128 Notes

(9) Financial Results

The following table provides details of financial results for 
the periods indicated:

Financial Results

€ in millions

Income from companies in which equity 
investments are held

Impairment charges/reversals on other 
financial assets

Income/Loss (-) from equity investments

Income from securities, interest 
and similar income
Available for sale
Loans and receivables
Held for trading
Other interest income

Interest and similar expenses

Amortized cost
Held for trading
Other interest expenses

Net interest income

2012

2011

96

-79

17

1,191
277
211
15
688

-2,603
-1,139
-22
-1,442

-1,412

128

-188

-60

716
332
165
7
212

-2,810
-1,292
-158
-1,360

-2,094

Financial results

-1,395

-2,154

The measurement categories are described in detail in Note 1.

The improvement in financial results is primarily attributable 
to interest income on the reversal of provisions. Also, the impair-
ments recognized on other financial assets have decreased 
by slightly more than half.

(10) Income Taxes

The table at right provides details of income taxes, including 
deferred taxes, for the periods indicated:

Other interest income consists mostly of income from lease 
receivables (finance leases) and income resulting from taxes for 
previous years. Other interest expenses include the accretion 
of provisions for asset retirement obligations in the amount 
of €799 million (2011: €748 million). Also contained in this 
item is the interest cost from provisions for pensions—net of 
the expected return on plan assets—in the amount of €129 mil-
lion (2011: €143 million). In 2011, a total of €34 million in pre-
payment penalties was paid in connection with the early repay-
ment of loans. No loans were repaid early in 2012. The early 
buyback of bonds resulted in a further one-time expense of 
approximately €115 million in 2011. That amount represented 
the difference between the amount paid to repurchase the 
bonds at market prices and their carrying amounts.

In accordance with IAS 32, the accretion of liabilities in con-
nection with put options resulted in an expense of €22 million 
(2011: €60 million).

Interest expense was reduced by capitalized interest on debt 
totaling €308 million (2011: €312 million).

Realized gains and losses from interest rate swaps are shown 
net on the face of the income statement.

Income Taxes

€ in millions

Domestic income taxes

Foreign income taxes

Other income taxes

Current taxes

Domestic

Foreign

Deferred taxes

Total income taxes

2012

-691

458

42

-191

367

534

901

710

2011

432

555

17

1,004

-1,139

-901

-2,040

-1,036

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

129

The increase in tax expense by €1.7 billion compared with 2011 
primarily reflects the strong increase in earnings. The effec-
tive tax rate was 21 percent in 2012, falling from 36 percent in 
2011, which had reflected the negative result. Changes in tax 
rates effectively reduced taxes by a total of -€0.3 billion.

Of the amount reported as current taxes, -€1.0 billion is attrib-
utable to previous years (2011: 0.5 billion).

The deferred tax expense reported for 2012 is the result of 
changes in temporary differences, which totaled €1,544 million 
(2011: -€1,170 million), loss carryforwards of -€663 million 
(2011: -€897 million) and tax credits amounting to €20 million 
(2011: €27 million).

German legislation providing for fiscal measures to accompany 
the introduction of the European Company and amending 
other fiscal provisions (“SE-Steuergesetz” or “SEStEG”), which 
came into effect on December 13, 2006, altered the regula-
tions on corporate tax credits arising from the corporate impu-
tation system (“Anrechnungs verfahren”), which had existed 
until 2001. The change de-links the corporate tax credit from 
distributions of dividends. Instead, after December 31, 2006, 
an unconditional claim for payment of the credit in ten equal 
annual installments from 2008 through 2017 has been estab-
lished. The resulting receivable is included in income tax assets 
and amounted to €133 million in 2012 (2011: €153 million).

Reconciliation to Effective Income Taxes/Tax Rate

Income tax liabilities consist primarily of income taxes for the 
respective current year and for prior-year periods that have 
not yet been definitively examined by the tax authorities.

As of December 31, 2012, €15 million (2011: €47 million) in 
deferred tax liabilities were recognized for the differences 
between net assets and the tax bases of subsidiaries and 
associated companies (the so-called “outside basis differences”). 
Deferred tax liabilities were not recognized for subsidiaries 
and associated companies to the extent that the Company can 
control the reversal effect and that it is therefore probable 
that temporary differences will not be reversed in the fore-
seeable future. Accordingly, deferred tax liabilities were not 
recognized for temporary differences of €1,165 million (2011: 
€1,434 million) at subsidiaries and associated companies, as 
E.ON is able to control the timing of their reversal and the 
temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Changes in tax rates in Sweden, the United Kingdom and a 
number of other countries resulted in tax income of €263 million 
in total. In 2011, changes in foreign tax rates produced deferred 
tax income of €34 million in total.

The differences between the 2012 base income tax rate of 
30 percent (2011: 30 percent) applicable in Germany and the 
effective tax rate are reconciled as follows:

Expected corporate income tax

Credit for dividend distributions

Foreign tax rate differentials

Changes in tax rate/tax law

Tax effects on tax-free income

Tax effects on equity accounting

Other1

Effective income taxes/tax rate

2012

2011

€ in 
millions

994

-12

-174

-263

-264

-38

467

710

€ in 
millions

-873

-37

-163

-34

-8

-144

223

-1,036

%

30.0

-0.4

-5.3

-7.9

-8.0

-1.2

14.2

21.4

%

30.0

1.3

5.6

1.2

0.3

4.9

-7.7

35.6

1In 2012, including €659 million in changes in the value of deferred tax assets; in 2011, including €258 million primarily in tax effects on dividends and disposals.

 
130 Notes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012, and 
December 31, 2011, break down as shown in the following table:

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

€ in millions

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Financial assets

Inventories

Receivables

Provisions

Liabilities

Net operating loss carryforwards

Tax credits

Other

Subtotal

Changes in value

Deferred tax assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Financial assets

Inventories

Receivables

Provisions

Liabilities

Other

Deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax assets/liabilities (-)

December 31

2012

370

861

186

24

731

6,465

2,572

2,389

23

347

2011

319

1,030

205

28

709

5,693

4,307

1,713

27

520

13,968

14,551

-747

13,221

-88

14,463

1,791

5,985

255

154

3,031

1,289

734

1,322

14,561

1,933

6,184

223

157

4,995

781

449

1,375

16,097

-1,340

-1,634

Net deferred taxes break down as follows based on the timing 
of their reversal:

Net Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

€ in millions

Deferred tax assets

Changes in value

Net deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax assets/liabilities (-)

December 31, 2012

December 31, 2011

Current

1,492

-24

1,468

-1,021

447

Non-
current

4,696

-723

3,973

-5,760

-1,787

Current

1,220

-13

1,207

-812

395

Non-
current

4,020

-75

3,945

-5,974

-2,029

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

131

Of the deferred taxes reported, a total of -€899 million was 
charged directly to equity in 2012 (2011: -€304 million). A further 
€43 million in current taxes (2011: €44 million) was also recog-
nized directly in equity.

Income taxes recognized in other comprehensive income for 
the years 2012 and 2011 break down as follows:

Income Taxes on Components of Other Comprehensive Income

€ in millions

Cash flow hedges

Available-for-sale securities

Currency translation adjustments

Changes in actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit 
pension plans and similar obligations

Companies accounted for under the equity method

Total

Before 
income 
taxes

-316

14

461

-1,875

-14

-1,730

2012

Income 
taxes

101

-59

35

516

–

593

After 
income 
taxes

Before 
income 
taxes

-215

-45

496

-1,359

-14

-1,137

-143

-1,028

344

-370

-81

-1,278

2011

Income 
taxes

40

-5

166

175

–

376

After 
income 
taxes

-103

-1,033

510

-195

-81

-902

The tax loss carryforwards as of the dates indicated are as 
follows:

Tax Loss Carryforwards

€ in millions

Domestic tax loss carryforwards

Foreign tax loss carryforwards

Total

December 31

2012

4,886

7,623

12,509

2011

3,811

5,931

9,742

Since January 1, 2004, domestic tax loss carryforwards can 
only be offset against a maximum of 60 percent of taxable 
income, subject to a full offset against the first €1 million. 
This minimum corporate taxation also applies to trade tax 
loss carry forwards. Of the foreign tax loss carryforwards, a 
significant portion relates to previous years. No deferred 
taxes have been recognized on a total of €2,059 million (2011: 
€2,408 million) in tax loss carryforwards that do not expire.

132 Notes

Since the 2003 fiscal year, employees in the United Kingdom 
have the opportunity to purchase E.ON shares through an 
employee stock purchase program and to acquire additional 
bonus shares. The cost of issuing these bonus shares amounted 
to €2.2 million in 2012 (2011: €3.3 million) and is also recorded 
under personnel costs as part of “Wages and salaries.”

In 2012, E.ON distributed a total of 1,279,079 treasury shares 
(0.06 percent of the capital stock of E.ON SE), under the vol-
untary employee stock purchase program in Germany (2011: 
1,210,014 shares, or 0.06 percent of the capital stock of E. ON AG, 
mostly purchased in the market at an average purchase price 
of €17.20 per share).

Information on the changes in the number of treasury shares 
held by E.ON SE can be found in Note 19.

Long-Term Variable Compensation

Members of the Board of Management of E.ON SE and certain 
executives of the E.ON Group receive share-based payment 
as part of their voluntary long-term variable compensation. 
Share-based payment can only be granted if the qualified 
executive owns a certain minimum number of shares of E.ON 
stock, which must be held until maturity or full exercise. The 
purpose of such compensation is to reward their contribution 
to E.ON’s growth and to further the long-term success of the 
Company. This variable compensation component, comprising 
a long-term incentive effect along with a certain element 
of risk, provides for a sensible linking of the interests of share-
holders and management.

The following discussion includes a report on the E.ON Share 
Performance Plan, which was introduced in 2006 and modified 
in 2010 and 2011 for subsequent tranches.

(11) Personnel-Related Information

Personnel Costs

The following table provides details of personnel costs for the 
periods indicated:

Personnel Costs

€ in millions

Wages and salaries

Social security contributions

Pension costs and other employee 
benefits

Pension costs

Total

2012

4,013

645

480
473

5,138

2011

4,882

648

417
410

5,947

Personnel costs fell by €809 million to €5,138 million 
(2011: €5,947 million). The decline was due primarily to the 
workforce reductions implemented in the context of the 
E. ON 2.0 project, and to the sale of the Bulgaria regional unit 
and of Open Grid Europe GmbH.

Share-Based Payment

The expenses for share-based payment in 2012 (the employee 
stock purchase program, the E. ON Stock Appreciation Rights 
plan and the E. ON Share Performance Plan) amounted to 
€22.7 million (2011: €13.7 million).

Employee Stock Purchase Program

In 2012, as in 2011, employees at German E.ON Group companies 
had the opportunity to purchase E.ON shares at preferential 
terms under a voluntary employee stock purchase program. 
Employees receive a matching contribution from the Com-
pany of €410 at present on the shares they purchased by the 
November 15, 2012, cut-off date. Based on the stock package 
being bought, the employee contribution ranged from a min-
imum of €490 to a maximum of €1,990. On that date, the 
relevant market price of E.ON stock was €13.97. Depending on 
the number of shares purchased, the preferential prices paid 
ranged between €7.56 and €11.57 (2011: between €7.11 and 
€13.18). The lock-up period for the shares ends on December 31, 
2014. The expense of €8.0 million (2011: €9.7 million) arising 
from the granting of the preferential prices is recognized as per-
sonnel costs and included in the “Wages and salaries” line item.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

133

E.ON Share Performance Plan Issues through 2010

E.ON Share Performance Plan Issues from 2011

Since 2006, E.ON has been granting virtual shares (“Perfor-
mance Rights”) under the E.ON Share Performance Plan. At 
the end of its term, each Performance Right is entitled to 
a cash payout linked to the final E.ON share price established 
at that time, as well as to the performance during the term 
of the E.ON share price relative to its benchmark, the STOXX 
 Europe 600 Utilities (Net Return) index. The amount paid out 
is equal to the target value at issuance if the E.ON share price 
is maintained at the end of the term and the performance 
of the E.ON share price matches that of the benchmark index. 
If the E.ON share outperforms the index, the amount paid 
out is increased proportionally. If, on the other hand, the E.ON 
share underperforms the index, disproportionate deductions 
are made. In the case of underperformance by 20 percent or 
more, there is no payment. The maximum amount to be paid 
out to each participant per Performance Right is limited to 
three times the target value originally set.

60-day average prices are used to determine the target value at 
issuance, the final price and the relative performance, in order 
to mitigate the effects of incidental, short-lived price move-
ments. The plan contains adjustment mechanisms to eliminate 
the effect of events such as interim corporate actions.

At the end of its term, each Performance Right is entitled to 
a cash payout linked to the final E.ON share price established 
at that time and—under the modified terms of the plan, begin-
ning with the sixth tranche—to the degree to which specific 
cor porate financial measures are achieved over the term. The 
benchmark is the return on capital, expressed as the return 
on average capital employed (“ROACE”) compared with the 
weighted-average cost of capital (“WACC”), averaged over 
the unchanged four-year term of the new tranche. At the same 
time, starting with the sixth tranche, the maximum payout 
was further limited to 2.5 times the target value originally set.

60-day average prices are used to determine both the target 
value at issuance and the final price in order to mitigate the 
effects of incidental, short-lived price movements. The plan 
contains adjustment mechanisms to eliminate the effects of 
interim corporate actions.

The following are the base parameters of the two tranches 
active in 2012 under these plan terms:

E.ON Share Performance Rights

Starting with tranche five, the term was extended to four years 
from the previous three. The following are the base parameters 
of the tranche still active in 2012 under these plan terms:

Date of issuance

Term

Target value at issuance

Maximum amount paid

7th tranche

6th tranche

Jan. 1, 2012

Jan. 1, 2011

4 years

€17.10

€42.75

4 years

€22.43

€56.08

E.ON Share Performance Rights

Date of issuance

Term

Target value at issuance

Maximum amount paid

5th tranche

Jan. 1, 2010

4 years

€27.25

€81.75

The 60-day average of the E.ON share price as of the balance 
sheet date is used to measure the fair value of the rights. The 
provision for the plan as of the balance sheet date is €22.4 mil-
lion (2011: €7.9 million for the sixth tranche). The expense 
for the sixth and seventh tranches in the 2012 fiscal year was 
€14.7 million (2011: €7.9 million for the sixth tranche).

The provision for the plan as of the balance sheet date 
amounted to €0.3 million (2011: €2.4 million). The income from 
the adjustment of the provision for the fifth tranche of the 
E.ON Share Performance Plan amounted to €2.2 million in the 
2012 fiscal year (2011: €6.8 million income).

 
 
134 Notes

Employees

During 2012, E.ON employed an average of 74,811 persons 
(2011: 80,859), not including an average of 2,126 apprentices 
(2011: 2,238).

The breakdown by segment is shown in the table at right:

Employees1

Generation

Renewables

Optimization & Trading

Exploration & Production

Germany

Other EU Countries

Russia

Group Management/Other2

Total

2012

10,287

1,809

3,045

192

20,956

29,649

5,029

3,844

74,811

2011

10,762

1,777

3,953

200

21,625

33,489

4,894

4,159

80,859

1Figures do not include board members, managing directors, or apprentices.
2Includes E.ON IT Group.

(12) Other Information

Fees and Services of the Independent Auditor

Transformation of E.ON AG into E.ON SE

On November 15, 2012, E.ON AG was transformed into a Euro-
pean Company (“SE”). In accordance with the customary dual 
system used in Germany, the Board of Management and 
the Supervisory Board will continue to manage and control the 
Group. The Supervisory Board, which consists of an equal 
number of shareholder and employee representatives, was 
reduced to twelve members.

German Corporate Governance Code

On December 10, 2012, the Board of Management and the 
Supervisory Board of E.ON SE made a declaration of compliance 
pursuant to Section 161 of the German Stock Corporation Act 
(“AktG”). The declaration has been made permanently and 
publicly accessible to stockholders on the Company’s Web site 
(www.eon.com).

During 2012 and 2011, the following fees for services provided 
by the independent auditor of the Consolidated  Financial State-
ments, Pricewaterhouse Coopers (“PwC”) Aktien gesellschaft, 
Wirtschafts prüfungs gesellschaft, (domestic) and by companies 
in the international PwC  network were recorded as expenses:

Independent Auditor Fees

€ in millions

Financial statement audits

Domestic

Other attestation services

Domestic

Tax advisory services

Domestic

Other services
Domestic

Total

Domestic

2012

2011

27
19

25
20

1
1

1
1

54
41

27
18

23
19

1
1

1
1

52
39

The fees for financial statement audits concern the audit of 
the Consolidated Financial Statements and the legally man-
dated financial statements of E.ON SE and its affiliates.

Fees for other attestation services concern in particular the 
review of the interim IFRS financial statements. Further 
included in this item are project-related reviews performed 
in the context of the introduction of IT and internal control 
systems, due- diligence services rendered in connection with 
acquisitions and disposals, and other mandatory and volun-
tary audits.

 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

135

Fees for tax advisory services primarily include advisory on a 
case-by-case basis with regard to the tax treatment of M&A 
transactions, ongoing consulting related to the preparation of 
tax returns and the review of tax assessments, as well as advi-
sory on other tax-related issues, both in Germany and abroad.

Fees for other services consist primarily of technical support 
in IT and other projects.

List of Shareholdings

The list of shareholdings pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB is 
an integral part of these Notes to the Financial Statements 
and is presented on pages 192 through 207.

(13) Earnings per Share

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for 
the periods indicated is shown below:

The computation of diluted earnings per share is identical to 
that of basic earnings per share because E.ON SE has issued 
no potentially dilutive ordinary shares.

Earnings per Share

€ in millions

Income/Loss (-) from continuing operations

Less: Non-controlling interests

Income/Loss (-) from continuing opera-
tions (attributable to shareholders of 
E.ON SE)

2012

2,604

-424

2011

-1,875

-358

2,180

-2,233

Income from discontinued operations, net

37

14

Net income/loss (-) attributable to share-
holders of E.ON SE

2,217

-2,219

in €

Earnings per share (attributable to 
shareholders of E.ON SE)

from continuing operations

from discontinued operations

from net income/loss (-)

1.14

0.02

1.16

-1.17

0.01

-1.16

Weighted-average number of shares out-
standing (in millions)

1,906

1,905

(14) Goodwill, Intangible Assets and 
Property, Plant and Equipment

The changes in goodwill and intangible assets, and in property 
plant and equipment, are presented in the tables on the 
 following pages:

 
 
 
 
136 Notes

Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Property, Plant and Equipment

Acquisition and production costs

Exchange 
rate 
differences

Changes in 
scope of 
consolida-
tion

Additions

Disposals

Transfers

€ in millions

Goodwill

Marketing-related intangible assets

Customer-related intangible assets

Contract-based intangible assets

Technology-based intangible assets

Internally generated intangible assets

Intangible assets subject to amortization

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

Advance payments on intangible assets

Intangible assets

Real estate and leasehold rights

Buildings

Technical equipment, plant and machinery

Other equipment, fixtures, furniture and 
office equipment

Advance payments and construction in progress

January 1, 
  2012

17,223

6

2,233

6,782

855

228

10,104

1,499

91

11,694

3,244

9,007

95,247

1,662

8,839

153

–

25

80

8

3

116

29

–

145

68

137

988

11

206

-568

–

-382

42

-69

-2

-411

-206

-19

-636

-176

-861

-10,405

-142

-150

0

–

–

41

65

35

141

3,409

136

3,686

13

75

2,959

109

3,807

6,963

0

–

-58

-133

-44

-1

-236

-3,246

-1

-3,483

-61

-175

-821

-110

-198

-1,365

Property, plant and equipment

117,999

1,410

-11,734

Changes in Goodwill and in Other Reversals and Impairment Charges by Segment 
from January 1, 2012

€ in millions

Net carrying amount of good-
will as of January 1, 2012

Changes resulting from 
acquisitions and disposals

Impairment charges

Other changes1

Net carrying amount of good-
will as of December 31, 2012

Growth rate2 (%)

Cost of capital2 (%)

Other non-current assets3

Impairment

Reversals

Genera-
tion

Renew-
ables

Optimiza-
tion & 
Trading

Explora-
tion & 
Produc-
tion

4,210

2,061

3,793

–

–

54

-1

–

-4

-410

-203

-1,872

0

–

–

1,857

Germany

Other EU 
Countries

Russia4

1,043

1,492

1,484

–

-53

-23

–

-72

31

–

–

53

4,264

2,056

1,308

1,857

967

1,451

1,537

1.5

6.6

591

286

1.5–2.5

5.8–7.0

136

0

1.5

6.7

124

3

1.5

6.3

42

–

–

–

142

42

–

–

130

37

3.5

14.6

42

–

1Other changes include restructuring, transfers and exchange rate differences, as well as reclassifications to assets held for sale.
2Presented here are growth rates and cost of capital for selected cash-generating units whose respective goodwill is material when compared with the carrying amount of all goodwill.
3Other non-current assets consist of intangible assets and of property, plant and equipment.
4Growth rate and cost of capital before taxes, in local currency.

December 
31, 
 2012

16,808

6

1,819

6,928

872

265

9,890

1,444

88

11,422

3,121

8,139

90,025

1,530

10,444

113,259

E.ON 
Group

14,083

-411

-328

96

13,440

–

–

0

–

1

116

57

2

176

-41

-119

16

33

-44

2,057

–

-2,060

-14

Group 
Manage-
ment/
Consoli-
dation

0

–

–

–

0

–

–

40

–

1,247

368

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

137

Accumulated depreciation

Net carrying 
amounts

January 1, 
  2012

Exchange 
rate 
differences

Changes in 
scope of 
consolida-
tion

Additions

Disposals

Transfers

Impairment

Reversals

December 31, 
 2012

December 31, 
 2012

-3,140

-2

-1,695

-1,699

-651

-160

-4,207

-108

-7

-4,322

-361

-4,801

-55,803

-1,096

-69

-62,130

2

–

-24

-12

-6

-3

-45

-4

–

-49

-3

-58

-456

-7

-1

-525

98

–

249

-49

55

2

257

–

–

257

27

398

5,896

107

7

6,435

0

–

-94

-245

-88

-18

-445

–

–

-445

-11

-216

-2,754

-141

–

-3,122

0

–

58

122

38

–

218

12

–

230

8

156

703

87

103

1,057

0

–

-1

-15

-3

5

-14

28

2

16

-2

3

-151

9

-21

-162

-328

–

–

-123

–

-1

-124

-116

-3

-243

-86

-108

-564

-3

-243

-1,004

0

–

–

–

–

–

0

3

–

3

8

50

307

–

–

365

-3,368

-2

-1,507

-2,021

-655

-175

-4,360

-185

-8

-4,553

-420

-4,576

-52,822

-1,044

-224

-59,086

13,440

4

312

4,907

217

90

5,530

1,259

80

6,869

2,701

3,563

37,203

486

10,220

54,173

Changes in Goodwill and in Other Reversals and Impairment Charges by Segment 
from January 1, 2012—Presentation of Other EU Countries

€ in millions

Net carrying amount of good-
will as of January 1, 2012

Changes resulting from acquisitions 
and disposals

Impairment charges

Other changes1

Net carrying amount of good-
will as of December 31, 2012

Other non-current assets2

Impairment

Reversals

U.K.

897

–

–

21

918

25

–

Sweden

Czechia

Hungary

Other regional 
units

Other EU 
Countries

134

–

–

6

140

3

–

54

–

–

-1

53

–

2

67

–

-72

5

0

94

–

340

1,492

–

–

–

–

-72

31

340

1,451

8

35

130

37

1Other changes include restructuring, transfers and exchange rate differences, as well as reclassifications to assets held for sale.
2Other non-current assets consist of intangible assets and of property, plant and equipment.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
138 Notes

Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Property, Plant and Equipment

Acquisition and production costs

€ in millions

Goodwill

Marketing-related intangible assets

Customer-related intangible assets

Contract-based intangible assets

Technology-based intangible assets

Internally generated intangible assets

Intangible assets subject to amortization

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

Advance payments on intangible assets

Intangible assets

Real estate and leasehold rights

Buildings

Technical equipment, plant and machinery

Other equipment, fixtures, furniture and 
office equipment

Advance payments and construction in progress

Property, plant and equipment

January 1, 
  2011

17,588

52

2,310

7,119

842

260

10,583

1,741

72

12,396

3,274

8,929

99,048

2,185

10,062

123,498

Exchange 
rate 
differences

39

–

20

-57

-4

2

-39

7

–

-32

8

-83

-481

-12

41

-527

Changes in 
scope of 
consolida-
tion

-392

–

-17

1

-15

-48

-79

54

–

-25

-15

-143

-7,089

-358

65

-7,540

0

–

–

59

56

42

157

2,945

137

3,239

9

229

2,923

202

3,353

6,716

0

-46

-79

-33

-74

-10

-242

-3,207

–

-3,449

-68

-392

-3,228

-283

-168

-4,139

Additions

Disposals

Transfers

Changes in Goodwill and in Other Reversals and Impairment Charges by Segment 
from January 1, 2011

v

€ in millions

Net carrying amount of good-
will as of January 1, 2011

Changes resulting from 
acquisitions and disposals

Impairment charges

Other changes1

Net carrying amount of good-
will as of December 31, 2011

Growth rate2 (%)

Cost of capital2 (%)

Other non-current assets3

Impairment

Reversals

Genera-
tion

Renew-
ables

Gas

Trading

Germany

Other EU 
Countries

Russia4

4,153

2,034

3,569

235

1,043

2,036

1,518

-10

–

67

12

–

15

–

–

-11

4,210

2,061

3,558

1.5

6.8

1.5–2.5

6.1–6.3

2,293

–

146

18

1.5

6.8

151

3

–

–

–

235

1.5

6.1

10

–

–

–

–

-382

-160

-2

–

–

-34

1,043

1,492

1,484

–

–

126

–

–

–

467

4

3.5

13.9

21

–

1Other changes include restructuring, transfers and exchange rate differences, as well as reclassifications to assets held for sale.
2Presented here are growth rates and cost of capital for selected cash-generating units whose respective goodwill is material when compared with the carrying amount of all goodwill.
3Other non-current assets consist of intangible assets and of property, plant and equipment.
4Growth rate and cost of capital before taxes, in local currency.

December 
31, 
 2011

17,223

6

2,233

6,782

855

228

10,104

1,499

91

11,694

3,244

9,007

95,247

1,662

8,839

117,999

E.ON 
Group

14,588

-380

-160

35

14,083

–

–

3,214

25

-12

–

-1

-307

50

-18

-276

-41

-118

-435

36

467

4,074

-72

-4,514

-9

Group 
Manage-
ment/
Consoli-
dation

0

–

–

–

0

–

–

–

–

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

139

Accumulated depreciation

Net carrying 
amounts

January 1, 
  2011

Exchange 
rate 
differences

Changes in 
scope of 
consolida-
tion

Additions

Disposals

Transfers

Impairment

Reversals

December 31, 
 2011

December 31, 
 2011

-3,000

-48

-1,589

-1,744

-649

-214

-4,244

-80

-2

-4,326

-340

-4,666

-56,042

-1,556

-24

-62,628

1

–

-20

2

2

–

-16

-2

–

-18

–

26

175

10

-1

210

12

–

16

–

9

47

72

–

–

72

–

61

2,273

247

–

2,581

0

–

-112

-244

-80

-15

-451

–

–

-451

-10

-256

-2,823

-171

-1

-3,261

0

46

78

22

69

6

221

112

–

333

24

326

2,971

271

101

3,693

7

–

–

410

-2

16

424

–

–

424

–

-1

2

107

–

108

-160

–

-68

-145

–

–

-213

-138

-5

-356

-37

-293

-2,380

-4

-144

-2,858

0

–

–

–

–

–

0

–

–

0

2

2

21

–

–

25

-3,140

-2

-1,695

-1,699

-651

-160

-4,207

-108

-7

-4,322

-361

-4,801

-55,803

-1,096

-69

-62,130

14,083

4

538

5,083

204

68

5,897

1,391

84

7,372

2,883

4,206

39,444

566

8,770

55,869

Changes in Goodwill and in Other Reversals and Impairment Charges by Segment 
from January 1, 2011—Presentation of Other EU Countries

€ in millions

Net carrying amount of good-
will as of January 1, 2011

Changes resulting from acquisitions 
and disposals

Impairment charges

Other changes1

Net carrying amount of good-
will as of December 31, 2011

Other non-current assets2

Impairment

Reversals

U.K.

Sweden

Czechia

Hungary

Other regional 
units

Other EU 
Countries

1,250

-362

–

9

897

13

–

145

-11

–

–

134

45

1

65

-9

–

-2

54

–

–

76

–

–

-9

67

173

3

500

–

-160

–

340

236

–

2,036

-382

-160

-2

1,492

467

4

1Other changes include restructuring, transfers and exchange rate differences, as well as reclassifications to assets held for sale.
2Other non-current assets consist of intangible assets and of property, plant and equipment.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
140 Notes

Goodwill

Since the beginning of 2012, the businesses of the former 
Gas and Trading global units are reported collectively within 
the new Optimization & Trading segment. The exploration 
and production business previously held within the Gas global 
unit has become its own segment. Furthermore, a number 
of gas distribution companies previously assigned to the Gas 
global unit are being reported within the Germany regional 
unit since the beginning of the year (see Note 33 for additional 
details). In the context of this corporate structural reorgani-
zation, it became necessary to reallocate goodwill to the indi-
vidual units.

The changes in goodwill within the segments, as well as the 
allocation of impairments and their reversals to each report-
able segment, are presented in the tables on pages 136 and 
137. Because of the reorganization in 2012, the prior-year fig-
ures reflect the segment and cash-generating unit structure 
that applied in 2011.

Impairments
IFRS 3 prohibits the amortization of goodwill. Instead, good-
will is tested for impairment at least annually at the level of 
the cash-generating units. Goodwill must also be tested for 
impairment at the level of individual cash-generating units 
between these annual tests if events or changes in circum-
stances indicate that the recoverable amount of a par ticular 
cash-generating unit might be impaired. Intangible assets 
subject to amortization and property, plant and equipment 
must generally be tested for impairment whenever there are 
particular events or external circumstances indicating the 
possibility of impairment.

To perform the impairment tests, the Company first determines 
the fair values less costs to sell of its cash-generating units. 
In the absence of binding sales transactions or market prices 
for the respective cash-generating units, fair values are calcu-
lated based on discounted cash flow methods.

Valuations are based on the medium-term corporate planning 
authorized by the Board of Management. The  calculations 
for impairment-testing purposes are generally based on the 
three planning years of the medium-term plan plus two addi-
tional detailed planning years. In certain justified exceptional 
cases, a longer detailed planning period of ten years is used 
as the calculation basis, especially when that is required under 
a regulatory framework or specific regulatory provisions. The 
cash flow assumptions extending beyond the detailed planning 
period are determined using segment-specific growth rates 
that are based on historical analysis and prospective fore-
casting. The growth rates used in 2012 generally correspond 
to the inflation rates in each of the countries where the 
cash-generating units operate. In 2012, the inflation rate used 
for the euro area was 1.5  percent (2011: 1.5 percent). For the 
Renewables reporting segment, the growth rate is also adjusted 
for segment- specific forecasts of changes by the respective 
business units (for example, regu latory framework, reinvest-
ment cycles or growth prospects). The interest rates used 
for discounting cash flows are calculated using market data 
for each cash-generating unit, and as of December 31, 2012, 
ranged between 5.0 and 9.9 percent after taxes (2011: 5.4 and 
9.9 percent).

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

141

The principal assumptions underlying the determination by 
management of recoverable amount are the respective fore-
casts for commodity market prices, future electricity and gas 
prices in the wholesale and retail markets, E.ON’s investment 
activity, changes in the regulatory framework, as well as for 
rates of growth and the cost of capital. These assumptions are 
based on market data, where publicly available.

The above discussion applies accordingly to the testing for 
impairment of intangible assets and of property plant and 
equipment, and of groups of these assets. In the Generation 
segment, for example, the tests are based on the respective 
remaining useful life and on other plant-specific valuation 
parameters. If the goodwill of a cash-generating unit is com-
bined with assets or groups of assets for impairment testing, 
the assets must be tested first.

The recoverable amount  primarily used to test a business for 
impairment is the fair value less costs to sell; at the Russia 
focus region, however, the recoverable amount is based on the 
value in use. The value in use for the Russia region is deter-
mined in local currency and according to the regulatory frame-
work over a detailed planning period of eight years. The pre-
tax cost of capital of this cash-generating unit is 14.6 percent 
(after-tax interest rate: 11.7 percent; 2011: 13.9  and 11.1 percent, 
respectively).

In the third quarter of 2012, events including, in particular, the 
further deterioration in the overall market environment and 
regulatory intervention, as well as the periodic updates of 
the cost of capital and of long-term price assumptions, made 
it necessary to test goodwill and other assets for impairment, 
particularly in the Generation, Renewables, Optimization & 
Trading and Other EU Countries segments.

These event-triggered impairment tests were performed on 
the basis of medium-term planning and significant assump-
tions that were still preliminary at the time, and necessitated 
the recognition of impairment charges totaling €1,368 million.

Of this total, €649 million was charged to property, plant 
and equipment, primarily at the Generation global unit 
(€485 million on conventional power plants), at the Optimi-
zation & Trading global unit (€54 million) and regionally in 
Russia, Hungary and the Netherlands (€85 million).

Impairments on intangible assets relate primarily to the 
activities of the Renewables global unit and amounted to 
€163 million.

Another €484 million in impairment charges had to be recog-
nized on interests in companies accounted for under the 
equity method, especially within the Optimization & Trading 
global unit.

In addition, goodwill at the “Other” regional units was impaired 
by a total of €72 million, because the fair value less costs 
to sell at the Hungary regional unit is no longer sufficient to 
cover the corresponding carrying amount.

Because impairments were recognized on a number of items 
of property, plant and equipment in previous years, and 
 particularly on generation assets, the assets involved will be 
particularly sensitive in subsequent years to future changes 
in the principal assumptions used to determine their recover-
able amounts.

142 Notes

Recoverable amounts were therefore determined for virtually 
all generation assets as part of the impairment testing per-
formed in the third quarter of 2012. In specific cases this also 
led to reversals, totaling €276 million, which are mainly attrib-
utable to power plants in Spain, Italy and France, and resulted 
primarily from changes in forecasts for electricity prices and 
fuel costs.

No impairment was determined in the annual goodwill impair-
ment tests performed in the fourth quarter of 2012, as the 
recoverable amounts of all cash-generating units exceeded 
their respective carrying amounts.

The goodwill of all cash-generating units whose goodwill is 
material in relation to the total carrying amount of all good-
will shows a surplus of recoverable amounts over the respec-
tive carrying amounts and, therefore, based on current assess-
ment of the economic situation, only a significant change in 
the material valuation parameters would necessitate the rec-
ognition of goodwill impairment.

In connection with initiated disposals, impairments were also 
recognized in the fourth quarter of 2012 on goodwill in the 
amount of €256 million and on other non-current assets in the 
amount of €260 million (see Note 4 for additional details).

In total, for the 2012 fiscal year, impairments were recognized 
on property, plant and equipment in the amount of €1,004 mil-
lion, on intangible assets in the amount of €243 million, and 
on goodwill in the amount of €328 million. Write-ups of non-
current assets totaled €365 million in 2012.

In the context of the 2011 impairment tests, a total of 
€2,858 million in impairment charges had to be recognized 
on property, plant and equipment. This amount related pri-
marily to generation assets in the Generation global unit and 
broke down into generating capacity in Spain (€822 million) 
and Italy (€768 million), along with a total of €579 million in 
four other countries. In the regional units, impairments had 
to be recognized primarily at the Hungary (€173 million) and 
Netherlands (€163 million) regional units. These charges related 
mostly to locally controlled heat-run power plants. Intangible 
assets were written down in the amount of €356 million, and 
related primarily to the activities of the Renewables global 
unit (€144 million), the Germany regional unit (€45 million) and 
the Gas global unit (€29  million). In particular, the more 
pessimistic assessment in contrast to 2010 of long-term power 
prices, further regulatory intervention and reduced utiliza-
tion of power plants in Spain and Italy were material factors 
influencing the valuation of activities in Spain and Italy. In 
Hungary and in the Slovak Republic, generation volumes and 
margins also failed to meet expectations. In Central Europe, 
particularly in the Benelux countries, early shutdowns of gen-
eration assets because of reduced profitability brought about 
by lower generation volumes and margins, as well as reduced 
revenues from heat-run power plants and the consumer 
heating business, had their impact on current valuations.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

143

As of December 31, 2012, intangible assets from exploration 
activity had carrying amounts of €440 million (2011: €428 mil-
lion). Impairment charges of €38 million (2011: €129 million) 
were recognized on these intangible assets.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Borrowing costs in the amount of €308 million were capitalized 
in 2012 (2011: €312 million) as part of the historical cost of 
property, plant and equipment.

In 2012, the Company recorded depreciation of property, 
plant and equipment in the amount of €3,122 million (2011: 
€3,261 million). Impairment charges, including those relating 
to the issues already mentioned, were recognized on property, 
plant and equipment in the amount of €1,004 million (2011: 
€2,858 million). A total of €365 million in reversals of impair-
ments on property, plant and equipment was recognized in 
2012 (2011: €25 million).

In 2012 there were restrictions on disposals involving primarily 
land and buildings, as well as technical equipment and 
machinery, in the amount of €1,211 million (2011: €876 million).

Certain power plants, gas storage facilities and supply net-
works are utilized under finance leases and capitalized in the 
E.ON Consolidated Financial Statements because the eco-
nomic ownership of the assets leased is attributable to E.ON.

Intangible Assets

In 2012, the Company recorded an amortization expense of 
€445 million (2011: €451 million). Impairment charges on 
intangible assets, including those already mentioned at the 
affected units, amounted to €243 million in 2012 (2011: 
€356 million).

Reversals of impairments on intangible assets totaled 
€3 million in 2012 (2011: €0 million).

Intangible assets include emission rights from different 
 trading systems with a carrying amount of €380 million 
(2011: €309 million).

€56 million in research and development costs as defined by 
IAS 38 were expensed in 2012 (2011: €59 million).

Based on the current amount of intangible assets subject 
to amortization, the estimated amortization expense for each 
of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:

Estimated Aggregated 
Amortization Expense

€ in millions

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Total

367

354

329

296

258

1,604

As acquisitions and disposals occur in the future, actual 
amounts may vary.

 
144 Notes

The property, plant and equipment thus capitalized had the 
following carrying amounts as of December 31, 2012:

E.ON as Lessee—Carrying Amounts of Capitalized Lease Assets

€ in millions

Land

Buildings

Technical equipment, plant and machinery

Other equipment, fixtures, furniture and office equipment

Net carrying amount of capitalized lease assets

Some of the leases contain price-adjustment clauses, as well 
as extension and purchase options. The corresponding pay-
ment obligations under finance leases are due as shown below:

E.ON as Lessee—Payment Obligations under Finance Leases

December 31 

2012

4

15

860

83

962

€ in millions

Due within 1 year

Due in 1 to 5 years

Due in more than 5 years

Total

Minimum lease payments

Covered interest share

Present values

2012

126

383

1,734

2,243

2011

110

327

1,336

1,773

2012

64

250

980

1,294

2011

48

191

756

995

2012

62

133

754

949

2011

4

35

695

92

826

2011

62

136

580

778

The present value of the minimum lease obligations is reported 
under liabilities from leases.

E.ON as Lessor—Operating Leases

€ in millions

2012

2011

Regarding future obligations under operating leases where 
economic ownership is not transferred to E.ON as the lessee, 
see Note 27.

E.ON also functions in the capacity of lessor. Contingent lease 
payments received totaled €25 million (2011: €25 million). 
Future lease installments receivable under operating leases 
are due as shown in the table at right:

Nominal value of outstanding lease 
installments

Due within 1 year

Due in 1 to 5 years

Due in more than 5 years

Total

24

316

382

722

93

238

362

693

See Note 17 for information on receivables from finance leases.

 
 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

145

(15) Companies Accounted for under the Equity 
Method and Other Financial Assets

Shares in Companies Accounted for under the 
Equity Method

The following table shows the structure of the companies 
accounted for under the equity method and the other financial 
assets as of the dates indicated:

The financial information below summarizes the most impor-
tant income statement and balance sheet data for the com-
panies that are accounted for under the equity method.

Companies Accounted for under the 
Equity Method and Other Financial Assets

Earnings Data for Companies Accounted 
for under the Equity Method

€ in millions

Companies accounted for under the 
equity method

Equity investments

Non-current securities

Total

December 31 

€ in millions

2012

2011

Sales

Net income/loss

2012

13,426

766

2011

19,622

2,335

4,067

1,612

4,746

6,325

1,908

4,904

10,425

13,137

Balance Sheet Data for Companies 
Accounted for under the Equity Method

Companies accounted for under the equity method consist 
solely of associates and joint ventures. The balance sheet 
and earnings data of the eight joint ventures are not material 
on aggregate.

The amount shown for non-current securities relates primarily 
to fixed-income securities.

In 2012, impairment charges on companies accounted for under 
the equity method amounted to €662 million (2011: €142 mil-
lion) and impairments on other financial assets amounted to 
€71 million (2011: €108 million). The carrying amount of other 
financial assets with impairment losses was €250 million as 
of the end of the fiscal year (2011: €191 million).

€593 million (2011: €473 million) in non-current securities is 
restricted for the fulfillment of legal insurance obligations 
of VKE (see Note 31).

€ in millions

Non-current assets

Current assets

Provisions

Liabilities

Equity

December 31 

2012

25,817

7,496

5,888

15,697

11,728

2011

28,740

7,606

4,981

16,613

14,752

Investment income generated from companies accounted for 
under the equity method amounted to €510 million in 2012 
(2011: €682 million).

The carrying amounts of companies accounted for under the 
equity method whose shares are marketable totaled €691 mil-
lion in 2012 (2011: €329 million). The fair value of E.ON’s share 
in these companies was €555 million (2011: €274 million).

Additions of investments in companies accounted for under 
the equity method resulted in a total goodwill of €239 million 
in 2012 (2011: €9 million).

Investments in associated companies totaling €847 million 
(2011: €757 million) were restricted because they were pledged 
as collateral for financing as of the balance sheet date.

146 Notes

(16) Inventories

The following table provides a breakdown of inventories as 
of the dates indicated:

Inventories

€ in millions

Raw materials and supplies

Goods purchased for resale

Work in progress and finished products

Total

December 31 

2012

2,156

2,389

189

4,734

2011

2,160

2,488

180

4,828

Raw materials, goods purchased for resale and finished 
 products are generally valued at average cost.

Write-downs totaled €70 million in 2012 (2011: €120 million). 
Reversals of write-downs amounted to €9 million in 2012 
(2011: €11 million). The carrying amount of inventories recog-
nized at net realizable value is €0 million (2011: €65  million).

No inventories have been pledged as collateral.

(17) Receivables and Other Assets

The following table lists receivables and other assets by 
remaining time to maturity as of the dates indicated:

Receivables and Other Assets

€ in millions

Receivables from finance leases

Other financial receivables and financial assets

Financial receivables and other financial assets

Trade receivables

Receivables from derivative financial instruments

Other operating assets

Trade receivables and other operating assets

December 31, 2012

December 31, 2011

Current

64

1,994

2,058

16,104

4,489

3,761

24,354

Non-
current

817

2,875

3,692

–

1,944

456

2,400

Current

78

1,711

1,789

18,065

9,863

3,786

31,714

Non-
current

973

2,646

3,619

–

1,901

941

2,842

6,461

Total

26,412

6,092

33,503

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

147

The individual impaired receivables are due from a large 
number of retail customers from whom it is unlikely that full 
repayment will ever be received. Receivables are monitored 
within the various units.

Valuation allowances for trade receivables have changed as 
shown in the following table:

Valuation Allowances for Trade Receivables

€ in millions

Balance as of January 1

Change in scope of consolidation

Write-downs

Reversals of write-downs

Disposals

Other1

Balance as of December 31

1“Other” includes currency translation adjustments.

2012

-860

19

-362

72

120

130

-881

2011

-840

17

-346

75

216

18

-860

In 2012, there were unguaranteed residual values of €18 million 
(2011: €17 million) due to E.ON as lessor under finance leases. 
Some of the leases contain price-adjustment clauses, as well 
as extension and purchase options. As of December 31, 2012, 
other financial assets include receivables from owners of 
non-controlling interests in jointly owned power plants of 
€73 million (2011: €62 million) and margin account deposits 
for futures trading of €1,213 million (2011: €988 million). In 
addition, based on the provisions of IFRIC 5, other financial 
assets include a claim for a refund from the Swedish Nuclear 
Waste Fund in the amount of €1,743 million (2011: €1,595 mil-
lion) in connection with the decommissioning of nuclear power 
plants and nuclear waste disposal. Since this asset is desig-
nated for a particular purpose, E.ON’s access to it is restricted.

The aging schedule of trade receivables is presented in the 
table below:

Aging Schedule of Trade Receivables

€ in millions

Total trade receivables

Not impaired and not yet due

Not impaired and up to 60 days past-due

Not impaired and 61 to 90 days past-due

Not impaired and 91 to 180 days past-due

Not impaired and 181 to 360 days past-due

Not impaired and over 360 days past-due

Net value of impaired receivables

2012

16,104

14,570

1,004

58

61

41

47

323

2011

18,065

16,393

1,050

114

173

78

52

205

148 Notes

Receivables from finance leases are primarily the result of 
certain electricity delivery contracts that must be treated as 
leases according to IFRIC 4. The nominal and present values of 
the outstanding lease payments have the following due dates:

E.ON as Lessor—Finance Leases

€ in millions

Due within 1 year

Due in 1 to 5 years

Due in more than 5 years

Total

Gross investment in 
finance lease 
arrangements

2012

133

532

855

1,520

2011

147

612

1,060

1,819

Unrealized interest 
income

Present value of minimum 
lease payments

2012

78

247

314

639

2011

69

278

421

768

2012

55

285

541

881

2011

78

334

639

1,051

The present value of the outstanding lease payments is 
reported under receivables from finance leases.

(18) Liquid Funds

The following table provides a breakdown of liquid funds by 
original maturity as of the dates indicated:

Liquid Funds

€ in millions

Securities and fixed-term deposits

Current securities with an 
original maturity greater than 3 months
Fixed-term deposits with an 
original maturity greater than 3 months

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

Total

December 31 

2012

3,281

2011

3,079

2,437

2,734

844

449

2,816

6,546

345

89

3,852

7,020

In 2012, there was €7 million in restricted cash (2011: €1  million) 
with a maturity greater than three months.

Current securities with an original maturity greater than three 
months include €77 million (2011: €98 million) in secu rities held 
by VKE that are restricted for the fulfillment of legal insurance 
obligations (see Note 31).

Cash and cash equivalents include €2,759 million (2011: 
€2,962 million) in checks, cash on hand and balances in 
Bundesbank accounts and at other financial institutions with 
an original maturity of less than three months, to the extent 
that they are not restricted.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

149

(19) Capital Stock

Authorized Capital

The capital stock is subdivided into 2,001,000,000 registered 
shares with no par value (“no-par-value shares”) and amounts 
to €2,001,000,000 (2011: €2,001,000,000). The capital stock of 
the Company was provided by way of conversion of E.ON AG 
into a European Company (“SE”).

Pursuant to a resolution by the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
of May 3, 2012, the Company is authorized to purchase own 
shares until May 2, 2017. The shares purchased, combined with 
other treasury shares in the possession of the Company, or 
attributable to the Company pursuant to Sections 71a et seq. 
AktG, may at no time exceed 10 percent of its capital stock. 
The Board of Management was authorized at the aforemen-
tioned Annual Shareholders Meeting to cancel any shares thus 
acquired without requiring a separate shareholder resolution 
for the cancellation or its implementation. The total number of 
outstanding shares as of December 31, 2012, was 1,906,750,395 
(December 31, 2011: 1,905,470,135). As of December 31, 2012, 
E.ON SE and one of its subsidiaries held a total of 94,249,605 
treasury shares (December 31, 2011: 95,529,865) having a book 
value of €3,505 million (equivalent to 4.71 percent or €94,249,605 
of the capital stock). 1,279,079 treasury shares were used for the 
employee stock purchase program and distributed to employees 
in 2012 (2011: 1,150,000 shares purchased on the market and 
60,014 treasury shares used). See also Note 11 for information 
on the distribution of shares under the employee stock purchase 
program. A further 1,181 treasury shares (2011: 1,278 shares) 
were also distributed.

The Company has further been authorized by the Annual Share-
holders Meeting to buy shares using put or call options, or a 
combination of both. When derivatives in the form of put or 
call options, or a combination of both, are used to acquire 
shares, the option transactions must be conducted at market 
terms with a financial institution or on the market. No shares 
were acquired in 2012 using this purchase model.

By shareholder resolution adopted at the Annual Shareholders 
Meeting of May 3, 2012, the Board of Management was autho-
rized, subject to the Supervisory Board’s approval, to increase 
until May 2, 2017, the Company’s capital stock by a total of up 
to €460 million (“Authorized Capital pursuant to Sections 202 
et seq. AktG”) through one or more issuances of new regis-
tered no-par-value shares against contributions in cash and/or 
in kind (with the option to restrict shareholders’ subscription 
rights); such increase shall not, however, exceed the amount 
and number of shares in which the authorized capital pursu-
ant to Section 3 of the Articles of Association of E.ON AG still 
exists at the point in time when the conversion of E.ON AG 
into a European company (“SE”) becomes effective pursuant to 
the conversion plan dated March 6, 2012 (authorized capital 
pursuant to Sections 202 et seq. AktG). Subject to the Super-
visory Board’s approval, the Board of Management is autho-
rized to exclude shareholders’ subscription rights.

Conditional Capital

At the Annual Shareholders Meeting of May 3, 2012, share-
holders approved a conditional increase of the capital stock 
(with the option to exclude shareholders’ subscription rights) 
in the amount of €175 million, which is authorized until May 2, 
2017. The conditional capital increase will be implemented 
only to the extent required to fulfill the obligations arising on 
the exercise by holders of option or conversion rights, and 
those arising from compliance with the mandatory conversion 
of bonds with conversion or option rights, profit participation 
rights and income bonds that have been issued or guaranteed 
by E.ON SE or a group company of E.ON SE as defined by 
Section 18 AktG, and to the extent that no cash settlement has 
been granted in lieu of conversion and no E.ON SE treasury 
shares or shares of another listed company have been used to 
service the rights. However, this conditional capital increase 
only applies up to the amount and number of shares in which 
the conditional capital pursuant to Section 3 of the Articles 
of Association of E.ON AG has not yet been implemented at 
the point in time when the conversion of E.ON AG into a Euro-
pean company (SE) becomes effective in accordance with the 
conversion plan dated March 6, 2012. The conditional capital 
has not been used.

150 Notes

Voting Rights

The following notices pursuant to Section 21 (1) of the German 
Securities Trading Act (“WpHG”) concerning changes in voting 
rights have been received:

Information on Stockholders of E.ON SE

Stockholder

Government of Norway1

BlackRock Inc. New York, U.S.2

Date of notice

Jan. 9, 2009

Oct. 26, 2012

Threshold 
exceeded

Gained voting 
rights on

Allocation

Percentages

Absolute

Voting rights

5%

Dec. 31, 2008

direct/indirect

5% March 21, 2011

indirect

5.91

5.02

118,276,492

100,378,878

14.17 percent (83,455,839 votes) are attributable to the government of Norway pursuant to Section 22 (1), sentence 1, no. 1, WpHG; 1.74 percent (34,720,645 votes) pursuant 
to Section 22 (1), sentence 1, nos. 1 and 2, WpHG; and 0.005 percent (100,008 votes) pursuant to Section 22 (1), sentence 1, nos. 1, 2 (in conjunction with sentence 2) and 6 
(in conjunction with sentence 2), WpHG.
25.02 percent (100,378,878 votes) are attributable to this company pursuant to Section 22 (1), sentence 1, no. 6, WpHG.

(20) Additional Paid-in Capital

Additional paid-in capital declined by €7 million during 2012, 
to €13,740 million (2011: €13,747 million). The change is due 
entirely to the loss realized on the sale of shares distributed 
to eligible employees of the E.ON Group under the employee 
stock purchase program.

(21) Retained Earnings

The following table breaks down the E.ON Group’s retained 
earnings as of the dates indicated:

v Retained Earnings

€ in millions

Legal reserves

Other retained earnings

Total

December 31 

2012

45

22,823

22,868

2011

45

23,751

23,796

Under German securities law, E.ON SE shareholders may 
receive distributions from the balance sheet profit of E. ON SE 
reported as available for distribution in accordance with the 
German Commercial Code.

As of December 31, 2012, these German-GAAP retained earn-
ings totaled €5,115 million (2011: €3,109 million). Of this 
amount, legal reserves of €45 million (2011: €45 million) are 
restricted pursuant to Section 150 (3) and (4) AktG.

Accordingly, the amount of retained earnings available for 
distribution in principle is €5,070 million (2011: €3,064 million).

A proposal to distribute a cash dividend for 2012 of €1.10 per 
share will be submitted to the Annual Shareholders Meeting. 
A cash dividend of €1.00 per share was paid for 2011. Based 
on E.ON SE’s 2012 year-end closing share price, the dividend 
yield is 7.0 percent. Based on a €1.10 dividend, the total profit 
distribution is €2,097 million.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

151

The decrease in non-controlling interests in 2012 resulted 
 primarily from additional acquisitions in Russia, the expiration 
of a call option in Romania and the sale of the Bulgarian 
activities, as well as further purchases and sales in the Ger-
many regional unit.

The table below illustrates the share of OCI that is attributable 
to non-controlling interests.

(22) Changes in Other Comprehensive Income

The table below illustrates the share of OCI attributable to 
companies accounted for under the equity method:

Share of OCI Attributable to Companies 
Accounted for under the Equity Method

€ in millions

Balance as of December 31 (before taxes)

Taxes

Balance as of December 31 (after taxes)

2012

312

–

312

2011

327

–

327

(23) Non-Controlling Interests

Non-controlling interests by segment as of the dates indicated 
are shown in the following table.

Non-Controlling Interests

€ in millions

Generation

Renewables

Optimization & Trading

Exploration & Production

Germany

Other EU Countries

Russia

Group Management/Consolidation

Total

December 31 

2012

318

5

12

1

2011

303

7

47

–

2,283

2,221

566

678

-1

535

764

-1

3,862

3,876

Share of OCI Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests

€ in millions

Cash flow hedges

Available-for-sale 
securities

Currency translation 
adjustments

Changes in actuarial gains/losses of 
defined benefit pension plans and 
similar obligations

Balance as of January 1, 2011

Changes

Balance as of December 31, 2011

Changes

Balance as of December 31, 2012

2

–

2

-2

–

11

-2

9

25

34

-229

-18

-247

69

-178

14

-25

-11

-118

-129

152 Notes

(24) Provisions for Pensions and Similar 
Obligations

The retirement benefit obligations toward the employees 
of the E.ON Group, which amounted to €16.8 billion, were 
covered by plan assets having a fair value of €11.9 billion as 
of December 31, 2012. This corresponds to a funded status 
of 71 percent.

In addition to the reported plan assets, Versorgungskasse 
Energie (“VKE”) administers another fund holding assets of 
€0.7 billion (2011: €0.6 billion) that do not constitute plan 

Five-Year History of the Funded Status

€ in millions

Defined benefit obligation

Fair value of plan assets

Funded status

Description of the Benefit Obligations

In addition to their entitlements under government retirement 
systems and the income from private retirement planning, 
most E.ON Group employees are also covered by occupational 
retirement plans.

Both defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans 
are in place at E.ON. The majority of the benefit obligations 
reported consists of obligations of E.ON Group companies 
in which the retirement pension is calculated either on the 
 salaries earned during the most recent years of service 
(final-pay arrangements) or on a scale of fixed amounts.

In order to avoid exposure to future risks from occupational 
retirement plans, newly designed pension plans were intro-
duced at the major German and foreign E.ON Group companies 
beginning in 1998. Virtually all new hires at E.ON Group compa-
nies, particularly in Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain, 
are now covered by benefit plans whose future risks can be 

assets under IAS 19 but which nevertheless are almost 
exclusively intended for the coverage of employee retirement 
benefits at E.ON Group companies in Germany (see Note 31).

In recent years, the funded status, measured as the difference 
between the defined benefit obligation and the fair value of 
plan assets, has changed as follows:

December 31 

2012

16,778

-11,881

4,897

2011

14,607

-11,359

3,248

2010

16,514

-13,263

3,251

2009

16,087

-13,205

2,882

2008

14,096

-11,034

3,062

calculated and controlled. In addition, the final-pay arrange-
ments for existing employees at the Group’s German com-
panies were largely converted into a newly designed benefit 
plan beginning in 2004.

The provisions for pensions and similar obligations also include 
minor provisions for obligations from the assumption of 
costs for post-employment health care benefits, which are 
granted primarily at E.ON Group companies in Spain.

In pure defined contribution plans, the Company discharges 
its obligations toward employees when it pays agreed con-
tribution amounts into funds managed by external insurers or 
similar institutions.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

153

Changes in the Benefit Obligations

The following table shows the changes in the present value 
of the defined benefit obligation for the periods indicated:

Changes in the Defined Benefit Obligation

€ in millions

Defined benefit obligation as of January 1

Employer service cost

Interest cost

Changes in scope of consolidation

Past service cost

Actuarial gains (-)/losses

Exchange rate differences

Employee contributions

Pensions paid

Settlements

Curtailments

Other

Defined benefit obligation as of December 31

2012

2011

Total

Domestic

Foreign

Total

Domestic

Foreign

14,607

247

671

-244

131

2,241

107

1

-755

-2

-2

9,455

167

432

-244

111

1,993

–

–

-497

–

–

-224

16,778

-225

11,192

5,152

16,514

9,058

80

239

–

20

248

107

1

-258

-2

-2

1

239

724

-2,647

19

442

66

2

-749

-1

–

-2

157

440

-18

16

291

–

–

-489

–

–

–

7,456

82

284

-2,629

3

151

66

2

-260

-1

–

-2

5,586

14,607

9,455

5,152

Foreign benefit obligations relate almost entirely to the 
 benefit plans at E.ON Group companies in the United Kingdom 
(2012: €4,880 million; 2011: €4,547 million) and in Spain 
(2012: €475 million; 2011: €415  million). The  portion of the entire 
benefit obligation allocated to post-employment health care 
benefits amounted to €19 million (2011: €15 million).

The “Other” line item for 2012 consists primarily of balance sheet 
reclassifications of defined benefit obligations to “Liabilities 
associated with assets held for sale.”

The actuarial assumptions used to measure the defined benefit 
obligations at E.ON’s German and U.K. subsidiaries as of the 
respective balance sheet date are as follows:

Actuarial losses in 2012 are attributable in large part to the 
decrease in the discount rates used within the E.ON Group.

Actuarial Assumptions—Defined Benefit Obligations

Percentages

Discount rate

Salary increase rate

Pension increase rate1

December 31, 2012

December 31, 2011

Germany

3.40

2.50

2.00

U.K.

4.40

3.40

2.70

Germany

4.75

2.50

2.00

U.K.

4.60

3.40

2.80

1The pension increase rate for Germany applies to eligible individuals not subject to a one-percent pension increase rate.

The cost increase rate used as the basis for measuring the 
change in the obligation for post-employment health care 
benefits at the E. ON Group companies in Spain is 4.00 percent 

as of December 31, 2012 (2011: 4.00 percent; 2010: 4.00 percent).
The expected rate of return on plan assets as of December 31, 
2012, is 5.28 percent in Germany and 4.20 percent in the U.K.

154 Notes

The net periodic pension cost is calculated for the E. ON Group 
companies in Germany and in the United Kingdom on the 
basis of the actuarial assumptions that were determined for 
the preceding balance sheet date:

Actuarial Assumptions—Net Pension Cost

Percentages

Discount rate

Salary increase rate

Pension increase rate1

Expected rate of return on plan assets

2012

Germany

4.75

2.50

2.00

4.70

U.K.

4.60

3.40

2.80

4.90

2011

Germany

5.00

2.75

2.00

4.70

U.K.

5.40

4.00

3.30

5.80

1The pension increase rate for Germany applies to eligible individuals not subject to a one-percent pension increase rate.

In addition, there are pension funds in Germany for which 
an expected rate of return on plan assets of 3.85 percent 
(2011: 4.50 percent; 2010: 4.50 percent) is used as a basis for 
the respective subsequent fiscal year.

At the E.ON Group, a uniform increase or decrease of 0.5 per-
centage points in the discount rates would change the present 
value of the defined benefit obligation by -€1,190 million and 
+€1,338 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2012.

To measure the E.ON Group’s occupational pension obligations 
for accounting purposes, the Company has employed the 
 current versions of the biometric tables recognized in each 
respective country for the calculation of pension obligations.

Other company-specific actuarial assumptions, including 
employee fluctuation, have also been included in the 
 computations.

The discount rate assumptions used by E.ON basically reflect 
the  currency-specific rates available at the end of the respective 
fiscal year for high-quality corporate bonds with a duration 
corresponding to the average period to maturity of the respec-
tive obligation. To ensure data quality in the light of the 
extensive rating downgrades of benchmark-status high-quality 
corporate bonds brought about by the financial crisis, addi-
tional high-quality corporate bonds with lower outstanding 
volumes, which are not components of the benchmark indices 
previously used, were considered as of December 31, 2012. To 
improve the comparability of discount rates in Germany and 
the United Kingdom, rounding methods were also harmonized. 
As of the reporting date, these factors combined have increased 
the assumed discount rate by 40 basis points in Germany and 
by 30 basis points in the United Kingdom, which has resulted 
in a corresponding accumulated actuarial gain of €0.9 billion. 
For the 2013 fiscal year, these effects will result in a slight 
decrease of €14 million in the net interest cost.

Description of Plan Assets

Defined benefit pension plans in the Group’s companies, be 
they within or outside of Germany, are mostly funded through 
the accumulation of plan assets in specially created pension 
vehicles that legally are distinct from the Company.

Under the Contractual Trust Arrangement (CTA) established for 
the German subsidiaries, plan assets totaling €6,481 million on 
December 31, 2012, (2011: €6,257 million) are administered by 
E.ON Pension Trust e.V. on a fiduciary basis. The remainder of 
the domestic plan assets in the amount of €288 million (2011: 
€269 million) is held primarily by pension funds in Germany.

The foreign plan assets, which totaled €5,112 million as of 
December 31, 2012 (2011: €4,833 million), are dedicated 
 primarily to the funding of the pension plans at E.ON Group 
companies in the United Kingdom and in Spain. The plan 
assets of the E.ON Group companies in the U.K. are managed 
mostly by independent pension trusts and, as of December 31, 
2012, amounted to €4,702 million (2011: €4,467 million). The 
assets covering E.ON’s Spanish pension plans and totaling 
€366 million (2011: €325 million) consist almost entirely of 
qualifying insurance policies, which constitute plan assets 
under IAS 19.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

155

The changes in the fair value of the plan assets covering the 
benefit obligation for the defined benefit pension plans are 
shown in the following table:

Changes in Plan Assets

€ in millions

Total

Domestic

Foreign

Total

Domestic

Foreign

2012

2011

Fair value of plan assets as of January 1

11,359

Expected return on plan assets

Employer contributions

Employee contributions

Changes in scope of consolidation

Actuarial gains/losses (-)

Exchange rate differences

Pensions paid

Settlements

Other

542

261

1

–

366

105

-726

-1

-26

6,526

302

24

–

–

420

–

-477

–

-26

4,833

240

237

1

–

-54

105

-249

-1

–

13,263

6,698

6,565

581

631

2

-2,540

72

70

-719

-1

–

314

201

–

-6

-212

–

-469

–

–

267

430

2

-2,534

284

70

-250

-1

–

Fair value of plan assets as of December 31

11,881

6,769

5,112

11,359

6,526

4,833

The actual return on plan assets was a gain of €908 million 
in 2012 (2011: €653 million gain).

The “Other” line item for 2012 consists primarily of balance 
sheet reclassifications of plan assets to “Liabilities associated 
with assets held for sale.”

The €0.7 billion (2011: €0.6 billion) in non-current securities 
and liquid funds administered by VKE are not included in the 
determination of the funded status as of December 31, 2012, 
since they do not constitute plan assets under IAS 19. These 
assets, virtually all of which are dedicated to the coverage of 
benefit obligations toward employees of German E.ON Group 
companies, must additionally be taken into consideration for 
a complete evaluation of the funded status of the E. ON Group’s 
defined benefit obligations.

A small portion of the plan assets consists of financial instru-
ments of E.ON (2012: €0.6 billion; 2011: €0.7 billion). Because 
of the contractual structure, however, the share of plan assets 
attributable to E. ON’s own financial instruments does not 
constitute an E.ON-specific risk to the CTA. The plan assets fur-
ther include virtually no owner-occupied real estate or equity or 
additional debt instruments issued by E.ON Group  companies.

The principal investment objective for the plan assets is to 
provide full coverage of benefit obligations at all times for 
the payments due under the corresponding pension plans.

To implement the investment objective, the E.ON Group gen-
erally pursues an investment approach that takes into account 
the structure of the benefit obligations. This long-term invest-
ment strategy seeks to manage the funded status, with the 
result that any changes in the defined benefit obli gation, 
especially those caused by fluctuating inflation and interest 
rates are, to a certain degree, covered by simultaneous corre-
sponding changes in the fair value of plan assets. The invest-
ment strategy may also involve the use of derivatives (for 
example, interest rate swaps and inflation swaps). In order to 
improve the funded status of the E.ON Group as a whole, a 
portion of the plan assets will also be invested in a diversified 
portfolio of asset classes that are expected to provide for long-
term returns in excess of those of fixed-income investments.

The determination of the target portfolio structure for the 
individual plan assets is based on regular asset-liability studies. 
In these studies, the target portfolio structure is reviewed 
under consideration of existing investment principles, the cur-
rent level of financing of existing benefit obligations, the 
condition of the capital markets and the structure of the bene-
fit obligations, and is adjusted as necessary. The expected 
long-term returns for the individual plan assets are derived 
from the portfolio structure targeted and from the expected 
long-term returns for the individual asset classes in the asset-
liability studies.

156 Notes

Plan assets were invested in the asset classes shown in the 
following table as of the dates indicated:

Classification of Plan Assets

Percentages

Equity securities

Debt securities

Real estate

Other

December 31, 2012

December 31, 2011

Total

Domestic

Foreign

Total

Domestic

Foreign

11

63

8

18

15

66

11

8

6

59

5

30

11

64

9

16

13

65

12

10

8

63

6

23

Provisions for Pensions and Similar Obligations

The E.ON Group’s recognized net obligation is derived from 
the difference between the present value of the defined 
bene fit obligation and the fair value of plan assets, adjusted 
for unrecognized past service cost, and is determined as 
shown in the following table:

Derivation of the Provisions for Pensions and Similar Obligations

€ in millions

Defined benefit obligation—fully or partially funded by plan assets

Fair value of plan assets

Defined benefit obligation—unfunded plans

Funded status

Unrecognized past service cost

Net amount recognized
Operating receivables
Provisions for pensions and similar obligations

December 31 

2012

16,204

-11,881

574

4,897

-9

4,888
-2
4,890

2011

14,128

-11,359

479

3,248

-9

3,239
-6
3,245

Contributions and Pension Payments

In 2012, E.ON made employer contributions to plan assets 
totaling €261 million (2011: €631 million) to fund existing 
defined benefit obligations.

For 2013, it is expected that overall employer contributions 
to plan assets will amount to a total of €631 million and 
 primarily involve the funding of new and existing benefit 
obligations, with an amount of €148 million attributable to 
 foreign companies.

Pension payments to cover defined benefit obligations totaled 
€755 million in 2012 (2011: €749 million). Prospective pension 
payments under the defined benefit plans existing as of 
December 31, 2012, for the next ten years are shown in the 
following table:

Prospective Pension Payments

€ in millions

Total

Domestic

Foreign

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018–2022

Total

758

766

782

800

820

4,334

8,260

495

501

509

523

538

2,904

5,470

263

265

273

277

282

1,430

2,790

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

157

Pension Cost

The net periodic pension cost for the defined benefit pension 
plans included in the provisions for pensions and similar 
obligations as well as in operating receivables is shown in the 
table below:

Net Periodic Pension Cost

€ in millions

Employer service cost 

Interest cost 

Expected return on plan assets

Effects of curtailments and/or effects of settlements

Recognized past service cost 

Total

2012

2011

Total

Domestic

Foreign

Total

Domestic

Foreign

247

671

-542

-3

131

504

167

432

-302

–

111

408

80

239

-240

-3

20

96

239

724

-581

–

21

403

157

440

-314

–

16

299

82

284

-267

–

5

104

The increase in the recognized past service cost compared with 
the previous year is mostly attributable to the restructuring 
expenses incurred in the context of the E.ON 2.0 program.

Actuarial gains and losses are accrued and recognized in full. 
They are reported outside of the income statement as part of 
equity in the Statements of Recognized Income and Expenses.

In addition to the total net periodic pension cost, an amount 
of €69 million in fixed contributions to external insurers or 
similar institutions was paid in 2012 (2011: €71 million) for 
pure defined contribution pension plans.

and service components and result in a change in net periodic 
pension cost of +€0.2 million or -€0.1 million (2011: +€0.2 mil-
lion or -€0.1 million), respectively. The  corresponding accumu-
lated post-employment benefit obligation would change by 
+€3.3 million or -€2.6 million (2011: +€2.4 million or -€1.9 mil-
lion), respectively.

The changes in actuarial gains and losses from defined benefit 
obligations and corresponding plan assets recognized in equity 
are shown in the following table:

Contributions to state plans totaled €0.4 billion (2011: 
€0.4 billion).

Accumulated Actuarial Gains and 
Losses Recognized in Equity

€ in millions

2012

2011

The total net periodic pension cost shown includes an amount 
of €0.8 million in 2012 (2011: €0.8 million) for health care 
benefits. A one-percentage-point increase or decrease in the 
assumed health care cost trend rate would affect the interest 

Accumulated actuarial gains (+) 
and losses (-) recognized in equity 
as of January 1

Recognition in equity of current-year 
actuarial gains (+) and losses (-)

Accumulated actuarial gains (+) 
and losses (-) recognized in equity 
as of December 31

-954

-584

-1,875

-370

-2,829

-954

158 Notes

In the years 2008 through 2012, the following experience 
adjustments were made to the present value of all defined 
benefit obligations and to the fair value of plan assets:

Experience Adjustments

Percentages

Experience adjustments to the amount of the benefit obligation

Experience adjustments to the value of plan assets

The experience adjustments reflect the effects on the benefit 
obligations and plan assets at the E.ON Group that result 
from differences between the actual changes in these amounts 
from the assumptions made with respect to these changes 
at the beginning of the fiscal year. In the measurement of the 
benefit obligations, these include in particular increases in 
salaries and pensions, employee fluctuation and biometric data 
such as death and disability.

(25) Miscellaneous Provisions

The following table lists the miscellaneous provisions as of 
the dates indicated:

Miscellaneous Provisions

€ in millions

Non-contractual nuclear waste management obligations

Contractual nuclear waste management obligations

Personnel obligations

Other asset retirement obligations

Supplier-related obligations

Customer-related obligations

Environmental remediation and similar obligations

Other

Total

December 31 

2012

0.30

3.07

2011

0.17

0.72

2010

-0.16

1.66

2009

0.26

0.23

2008

1.61

-9.01

December 31, 2012

December 31, 2011

Current

146

415

816

107

270

539

101

1,679

4,073

Non-
current

9,673

5,880

1,489

2,003

591

244

836

2,969

23,685

Current

220

404

779

367

393

699

42

2,081

4,985

Non-
current

8,972

5,669

1,479

1,637

285

280

924

3,181

22,427

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

159

The changes in the miscellaneous provisions are shown in 
the table below:

Changes in Miscellaneous Provisions

Exchange 
rate 
differ-
ences

Jan. 1, 
2012

Changes 
in 
scope of 
consoli-
dation

Accretion

Additions

Utiliza-
tion

Reclassifi-
cations

Reversals

Changes 
in 
estimates

Dec. 31, 
2012

9,192

6,073

2,258

2,004

678

979

966

5,262

27,412

43

39

3

20

11

6

1

8

131

–

–

-118

-20

-4

-18

-39

-46

-245

455

294

134

50

10

18

6

60

1,027

21

53

818

92

549

226

-62

-443

-721

-26

-218

-178

133

1,365

3,257

-64

-1,109

-2,821

–

-1

11

1

-5

–

–

-24

-18

–

–

-80

-138

-160

-250

-66

-869

170

280

–

127

–

–

–

1

9,819

6,295

2,305

2,110

861

783

937

4,648

-1,563

578

27,758

€ in millions

Non-contractual nuclear 
waste management 
obligations

Contractual nuclear waste 
management obligations

Personnel obligations

Other asset retirement 
obligations

Supplier-related obligations

Customer-related 
obligations

Environmental remediation 
and similar obligations

Other

Total

The accretion expense resulting from the changes in provisions 
is shown in the financial results (see Note 9).

fuel rods and low-level nuclear waste and to the retirement and 
decommissioning of nuclear power plant components that are 
determined on the basis of external studies and cost estimates.

As of December 31, 2012, the interest rates applied for the 
nuclear power segment, calculated on a country-specific basis, 
were 5.0 percent (2011: 5.2 percent) in Germany and 3.0 per-
cent (2011: 3.0 percent) in Sweden. The other provision items 
relate almost entirely to issues in countries of the euro area, 
as well as in the U.K. and Sweden. The interest rates used with 
regard to these issues ranged from 0.02 percent to 3.1 percent, 
depending on maturity (2011: 0.3 percent to 3.7 percent).

Provisions for Non-Contractual Nuclear Waste 
Management Obligations

Of the total of €9.8 billion in provisions based on German and 
Swedish nuclear power legislation, €8.6 billion is attributable 
to the operations in Germany and €1.2 billion is attributable 
to the Swedish operations. The provisions comprise all those 
nuclear obligations relating to the disposal of spent nuclear 

The provisions are classified primarily as non-current provisions 
and measured at their settlement amounts, discounted to 
the balance sheet date.

The asset retirement obligations recognized for non-contrac-
tual nuclear obligations include the anticipated costs of post- 
and service operation of the facility, dismantling costs, and 
the cost of removal and disposal of the nuclear components 
of the nuclear power plant.

Additionally included in the disposal of spent nuclear fuel rods 
are costs for transports to the final storage facility and the 
cost of proper conditioning prior to final storage, including 
the necessary containers.

160 Notes

Changes in estimates increased provisions in 2012 by €170 mil-
lion (2011: €108 million) at the German operations; there were 
no reclassifications to provisions for contractual waste manage-
ment obligations (2011: provisions reduced by €302 million). 
Provisions were utilized in the amount of €62 million (2011: 
€45 million), of which €23 million (2011: €18 million) relates to 
nuclear power plants that are being dismantled or are in 
shutdown mode, on the basis of issues for which retirement 
and decommissioning costs had been capitalized. As in 2011, 
there were no changes in estimates affecting provisions at the 
Swedish operations in 2012, and no provisions were utilized.

The following table lists the provisions by technical specifica-
tion as of the dates indicated:

The decommissioning costs and the cost of disposal of spent 
nuclear fuel rods and low-level nuclear waste also respectively 
include the actual final storage costs. Final storage costs con-
sist mainly of investment and operating costs for the planned 
final storage facilities Gorleben and Konrad based on Germany’s 
ordinance on advance payments for the establishment of 
facilities for the safe custody and final storage of radioactive 
wastes in the country (“Endlager voraus leistungs verordnung”) 
and on data from the German Federal Office for Radiation Pro-
tection (“Bundes amt für Strahlen schutz”). Advance payments 
remitted to the Bundes amt für Strahlen schutz in the amount 
of €946 million (2011: €884 million) have been deducted from 
the provisions. These payments are made each year based on 
the amount spent by the Bundes amt für Strahlen schutz on the 
construction of the final storage facilities Gorleben and Konrad.

The cost estimates used to determine the provision amounts 
are all based on studies performed by external specialists and 
are updated annually. The amendments to the German Nuclear 
Energy Act of August 6, 2011, were taken into account in the 
measurement of the provisions in Germany.

Provisions for Non-Contractual Nuclear Waste Management Obligations

€ in millions

Decommissioning

Disposal of nuclear fuel rods and operational waste

Advance payments

Total

December 31, 2012

December 31, 2011

Germany

Sweden

Germany

Sweden

6,865

2,721

946

8,640

420

759

–

1,179

6,483

2,491

884

8,090

374

728

–

1,102

Concerning the disposal of spent nuclear fuel rods, the obli-
gations recognized in the provisions comprise the contractual 
costs of finalizing reprocessing and the associated return 
of waste with subsequent interim storage at Gorleben and 
Ahaus, as well as costs incurred for interim on-site storage, 
including the necessary interim storage containers, arising 
from the “direct permanent storage” path. The provisions also 
include the contractual costs of decommissioning and the 
conditioning of low-level radioactive waste.

Changes in estimates increased provisions in 2012 by €303 mil-
lion (2011: 353 million) at the German operations; there were 
no reclassifications to provisions for non-contractual waste 
management obligations (2011: provisions increased by 

Provisions for Contractual Nuclear Waste Manage-
ment Obligations

Of the total of €6.3 billion in provisions based on German and 
Swedish nuclear power legislation, €5.3 billion is attributable 
to the operations in Germany and €1.0 billion is attributable 
to the Swedish operations. The provisions comprise all those 
contractual nuclear obligations relating to the disposal of 
spent nuclear fuel rods and low-level nuclear waste and to the 
retirement and decommissioning of nuclear power plant 
components that are measured at amounts firmly specified 
in legally binding civil agreements.

The provisions are classified primarily as non-current provisions 
and measured at their settlement amounts, discounted to the 
balance sheet date.

Advance payments made to other waste management com-
panies in the amount of €68 million (2011: €44 million) have 
been deducted from the provisions attributed to Germany. 
The advance payments relate to the delivery of interim storage 
containers.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

161

€302 million). Provisions were utilized in the amount of 
€369 million (2011: €224 million), of which €261 million (2011: 
€129 million) relates to nuclear power plants that are being 
dismantled or are in shutdown mode, on the basis of issues 
for which retirement and decommissioning costs had been 
capitalized. The Swedish operations recorded only minor effects 
on provisions resulting from changes in estimates (2011: 
 pro visions increased by €40 million). Provisions were utilized 

in the amount of €74 million (2011: €52 million), of which 
€27 million (2011: €20 million) is attributable to the Barsebäck 
nuclear power plant, which is in post-operation. Retirement 
and decommissioning costs had already been capitalized for 
the underlying issues.

The following table lists the provisions by technical specifica-
tion as of the dates indicated:

Provisions for Contractual Nuclear Waste Management Obligations

€ in millions

Decommissioning

Disposal of nuclear fuel rods and operational waste

Advance payments

Total

December 31, 2012

December 31, 2011

Germany

Sweden

Germany

Sweden

3,104

2,260

68

5,296

348

651

–

999

2,995

2,104

44

5,055

342

676

–

1,018

Personnel Obligations

Customer-Related Obligations

Provisions for personnel costs primarily cover provisions for 
early retirement benefits, performance-based compensation 
components, in-kind obligations and other deferred personnel 
costs. Since 2011, this item also includes provisions for restruc-
turing in the context of the E.ON 2.0 program. These relate 
primarily to obligations under early-retirement arrangements 
and severance packages. Personnel costs for termination 
benefits, which resulted primarily from the E.ON 2.0 program, 
amounted to €0.3 billion in 2012.

Provisions for Other Asset Retirement Obligations

The provisions for other asset retirement obligations consist 
of obligations for conventional and renewable-energy power 
plants, including the conventional plant components in the 
nuclear power segment, that are based on legally binding civil 
agreements and public regulations. Also reported here are 
provisions for environmental improvements at opencast min-
ing and gas storage facilities and the dismantling of installed 
infrastructure.

Supplier-Related Obligations

Provisions for supplier-related obligations consist of provisions 
for potential losses on open purchase contracts, among others.

Provisions for customer-related obligations consist primarily 
of potential losses on rebates and on open sales contracts.

Environmental Remediation and Similar 
Obligations

Provisions for environmental remediation refer primarily to 
redevelopment and water protection measures and to the 
rehabilitation of contaminated sites. Also included here are 
provisions for other environmental improvement measures 
and for land reclamation obligations at mining sites.

Other

The other miscellaneous provisions consist primarily of provi-
sions from the electricity and gas business. Further included 
here are provisions for potential obligations arising from tax-
related interest expenses and from taxes other than income 
taxes, as well as for a variety of potential settlement obligations.

162 Notes

(26) Liabilities

The following table provides a breakdown of liabilities:

Liabilities

€ in millions

Financial liabilities

Trade payables

Capital expenditure grants

Construction grants from energy consumers

Liabilities from derivatives

Advance payments

Other operating liabilities

Trade payables and other operating liabilities

December 31, 2012

December 31, 2011

Current

4,007

5,459

454

390

5,567

306

13,762

25,938

Non-
current

21,937

–

48

2,239

1,739

354

1,275

5,655

Total

25,944

5,459

502

2,629

7,306

660

15,037

31,593

Current

5,885

4,871

469

419

9,140

363

15,467

30,729

Non-
current

24,029

–

241

2,438

2,417

371

1,590

7,057

Total

29,914

4,871

710

2,857

11,557

734

17,057

37,786

Total

29,945

27,592

57,537

36,614

31,086

67,700

€35 Billion Debt Issuance Program
E.ON SE and EIF have in place a Debt Issuance Program 
enabling the issuance from time to time of debt instruments 
through public and private placements to investors. The total 
amount available under the program is €35 billion. The program 
was extended in April 2012 for another year as planned.

Financial Liabilities

The following is a description of the E.ON Group’s significant 
credit arrangements and debt issuance programs. Included 
under “Bonds” are the bonds currently outstanding, including 
those issued under the Debt Issuance Program.

Group Management
Covenants
The financing activities of E.ON SE and E.ON International 
Finance B.V. (“EIF”), Rotterdam, The  Netherlands, involve the 
use of covenants consisting primarily of change-of-control 
clauses, negative pledges, pari-passu clauses and cross-default 
clauses, each referring to a restricted set of significant cir-
cumstances. Financial covenants (that is, covenants linked to 
financial ratios) are not employed.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

163

At year-end 2012, the following EIF bonds were outstanding:

Major Bond Issues of E.ON International Finance B.V.1

Volume in the 
respective currency

EUR 565 million2

EUR 1,080 million3

CHF 300 million

GBP 250 million4

EUR 1,426 million5

CHF 525 million6

EUR 786 million7

CHF 225 million

EUR 1,250 million

EUR 1,500 million

EUR 900 million

EUR 2,375 million8

USD 2,000 million9

GBP 850 million10

EUR 1,400 million11

GBP 975 million12

GBP 900 million

USD 1,000 million9

GBP 700 million

Initial term

Repayment

4 years

5 years

5 years

5 years

5 years

5 years

6 years

7 years

7 years

7 years

15 years

10 years

10 years

12 years

12 years

30 years

30 years

30 years

30 years

Mar 2013

May 2013

May 2013

Jan 2014

Jan 2014

Feb 2014

June 2014

Dec 2014

Sep 2015

Jan 2016

May 2017

Oct 2017

Apr 2018

Oct 2019

May 2020

June 2032

Oct 2037

Apr 2038

Jan 2039

Coupon

4.125%

5.125%

3.625%

5.125%

4.875%

3.375%

5.250%

3.250%

5.250%

5.500%

6.375%

5.500%

5.800%

6.000%

5.750%

6.375%

5.875%

6.650%

6.750%

1Listing: All bonds are listed in Luxembourg with the exception of the CHF-denominated bonds, which are listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange, and the two Rule 144A/Regulation S 
USD bonds, which are unlisted.
2After early redemption, the volume of this issue was lowered from originally EUR 750 million to approx. EUR 565 million.
3After early redemption, the volume of this issue was lowered from originally EUR 1,500 million to approx. EUR 1,080 million.
4After early redemption, the volume of this issue was lowered from originally GBP 350 million to approx. GBP 250 million.
5After early redemption, the volume of this issue was lowered from originally EUR 1,750 million to approx. EUR 1,426 million.
6The volume of this issue was raised from originally CHF 400 million to CHF 525 million.
7After early redemption, the volume of this issue was lowered from originally EUR 1,000 million to approx. EUR 786 million.
8The volume of this issue was raised in two steps from originally EUR 1,750 million to EUR 2,375 million.
9Rule 144A/Regulation S bond.
10The volume of this issue was raised from originally GBP 600 million to GBP 850 million.
11The volume of this issue was raised from originally EUR 1,000 million to EUR 1,400 million.
12The volume of this issue was raised from originally GBP 850 million to GBP 975 million.

Additionally outstanding as of December 31, 2012, were private 
placements with a total volume of approximately €1.5 billion 
(2011: €1.6 billion), as well as promissory notes with a total 
volume of approximately €0.8 billion (2011: €0.8 billion).

€10 Billion and $10 Billion Commercial Paper Programs
The euro commercial paper program in the amount of €10 bil-
lion allows E.ON SE and EIF (under the unconditional guaran-
tee of E.ON SE) to issue from time to time commercial paper 
with maturities of up to two years less one day to investors. 

The U.S. commercial paper program in the amount of $10 billion 
allows E.ON SE to issue from time to time commercial paper 
with matur ities of up to 366 days and extendible notes with 
original maturities of up to 397 days (and a subsequent exten-
sion option for the investor) to investors. As of December 31, 
2012, €180 million (2011: €869 million) was outstanding under 
the euro commercial paper program. No commercial paper 
was outstanding under the U.S. commercial paper program, 
as in the previous year.

164 Notes

€6 Billion Syndicated Revolving Credit Facility
Effective November 25, 2010, E.ON has arranged a syndicated 
revolving credit facility of €6 billion over a term of five years. The 
facility has not been drawn on; rather, it serves as the Group’s 
long-term liquidity reserve, one purpose of which is to func-
tion as a backup facility for the commercial paper programs.

The bonds issued by E.ON SE and EIF have the maturities pre-
sented in the table below. Unlike 2011, liabilities denominated 
in foreign currency include the effects of economic hedges, 
and the amounts shown here may therefore vary from the 
amounts presented on the balance sheet.

Bonds Issued by E.ON SE and E.ON International Finance B.V.

€ in millions

December 31, 2012

December 31, 2011

Total

20,724

23,379

Due 
in 2012

–

2,676

Due 
in 2013

2,097

2,097

Due 
in 2014

3,173

3,166

Due 
in 2015

1,250

1,250

Due 
in 2016

1,650

1,650

Due 
between 
2017 and 
2023

7,948

7,965

Due 
after 2023

4,606

4,575

Financial Liabilities by Segment
The following table breaks down the financial liabilities by 
segment:

Financial Liabilities by Segment as of December 31

€ in millions

Bonds

Commercial paper

Bank loans/Liabilities to banks

Liabilities from finance leases

Other financial liabilities

Financial liabilities

Generation

Renewables

Optimization & Trading

2012   

2011   

2012   

2011   

2012   

2011   

–

–

97

44

1,040

1,181

–

–

109

43

1,125

1,277

–

–

41

–

536

577

–

–

6

–

354

360

–

–

–

734

69

803

–

–

6

573

167

746

Among other things, financial liabilities to financial institu-
tions include collateral received, measured at a fair value of 
€373 million (2011: €435 million). This collateral relates to 
amounts pledged by banks to limit the utilization of credit lines 
in connection with the fair value measurement of derivative 
trans actions. The other financial liabilities include promissory 
notes in the amount of €838 million (2011: €839 million) and 
financial guarantees totaling €33 million (2011: €64 million). 
Additionally included in this line item are margin deposits 
received in connection with forward transactions on futures 
exchanges in the amount of €9 million (2011: €51 million), as 
well as collateral received in connection with goods and ser-
vices in the amount of €22 million (2011: €20 million). E.ON 
can use this collateral without restriction.

Trade Payables and Other Operating Liabilities

Trade payables totaled €5,459 million as of December 31, 2012 
(2011: €4,871 million).

Capital expenditure grants of €502 million (2011: €710 million) 
were paid primarily by customers for capital expenditures 
made on their behalf, while the E.ON Group retains owner-
ship of the assets. The grants are non-refundable and are 
recognized in other operating income over the period of the 
depreciable lives of the related assets.

 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

165

Exploration & Production

Germany

Other EU Countries

2012   

2011   

2012   

2011   

2012   

2011   

–

–

–

–

2

2

–

–

–

–

3

3

–

–

175

92

116

383

–

–

263

69

171

503

117

–

165

1

158

441

281

–

359

–

67

707

Group Management/
Consolidation

E.ON Group

2012   

20,517

180

373

78

1,409

22,557

2011   

23,075

869

446

93

1,835

26,318

2012   

20,634

180

851

949

3,330

25,944

2011   

23,356

869

1,189

778

3,722

29,914

Construction grants of €2,629 million (2011: €2,857 million) 
were paid by customers for the cost of new gas and electricity 
connections in accordance with the generally binding terms 
governing such new connections. These grants are customary 
in the industry, generally non-refundable and recognized 
as revenue according to the useful lives of the related assets.

Other operating liabilities consist primarily of accruals in the 
amount of €10,612 million (2011: €12,166 million) and interest 
payable in the amount of €858 million (2011: €991 million). 
Also included in other operating liabilities are carryforwards of 

counterparty obligations to acquire additional shares in already 
consolidated subsidiaries, in the amount of €421 million (2011: 
€473 million), as well as non-controlling interests in fully con-
solidated partnerships with legal structures that give their 
shareholders a statutory right of withdrawal combined with 
a compensation claim, in the amount of €338 million (2011: 
€348  million).

Of the trade payables and other operating liabilities reported, 
exploration activities accounted for €8 million (2011: €11  million).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
166 Notes

(27) Contingencies and Other Financial Obligations

As part of its business activities, E.ON is subject to contingen-
cies and other financial obligations involving a variety of 
underlying  matters. These primarily include guarantees, obli-
gations from litigation and claims (as discussed in more 
detail in Note 28), short- and long-term contractual, legal and 
other obligations and commitments.

Contingencies

The fair value of the E.ON Group’s contingent liabilities arising 
from existing contingencies was €120 million as of Decem-
ber 31, 2012 (2011: €195 million). E.ON currently does not have 
reimbursement rights relating to the contingent liabilities 
disclosed.

E.ON has issued direct and indirect guarantees to third parties, 
which require E.ON to make contingent payments based on 
the occurrence of certain events or changes in an underlying 
instrument that is related to an asset, a liability or an equity 
instrument of the guaranteed party, on behalf of external 
entities. These consist primarily of financial guarantees and 
warranties.

In addition, E.ON has also entered into indemnification agree-
ments. Along with other guarantees, these indemnification 
agreements are incorporated in agreements entered into by 
Group companies concerning the disposal of shareholdings 
and, above all, cover the customary representations and war-
ranties, as well as environmental damage and tax contingen-
cies. In some cases, obligations are covered in the first instance 
by provisions of the disposed companies before E.ON itself is 
required to make any payments. Guarantees issued by compa-
nies that were later sold by E.ON SE (or VEBA AG and VIAG AG 
before their merger) are usually included in the respective 
final sales contracts in the form of indemnities.

Moreover, E.ON has commitments under which it assumes 
joint and several liability arising from its interests in civil-law 
companies (“GbR”), non-corporate commercial partnerships 
and consortia in which it participates.

The guarantees of E.ON also include items related to the oper-
ation of nuclear power plants. With the entry into force of 
the German Nuclear Energy Act (“Atomgesetz” or “AtG”), as 
amended, and of the ordinance regulating the provision for 
coverage under the Atomgesetz (“Atomrecht liche Deckungs-
vorsorge-Verordnung” or “AtDeckV”) of April 27, 2002, as 
amended, German nuclear power plant operators are required 
to provide nuclear accident liability coverage of up to €2.5 bil-
lion per incident.

The coverage requirement is satisfied in part by a standardized 
insurance facility in the amount of €255.6 million. The insti-
tution Nuklear Haftpflicht Gesellschaft bürgerlichen Rechts 
(“Nuklear Haftpflicht GbR”) now only covers costs between 
€0.5 million and €15 million for claims related to officially 
ordered evacuation measures. Group companies have agreed 
to place their subsidiaries operating nuclear power plants 
in a position to maintain a level of liquidity that will enable 
them at all times to meet their obligations as members of 
the Nuklear Haftpflicht GbR, in proportion to their sharehold-
ings in nuclear power plants.

To provide liability coverage for the additional €2,244.4 million 
per incident required by the above-mentioned amendments, 
E.ON Energie AG (“E.ON Energie”) and the other parent compa-
nies of German nuclear power plant operators reached a 
 Solidarity Agreement (“Solidarvereinbarung”) on July 11, July 27, 
August 21, and August 28, 2001, extended by agreement dated 
March 25, April 18, April 28, and June 1, 2011. If an accident 
occurs, the Solidarity Agreement calls for the nuclear power 
plant operator liable for the damages to receive—after the 
operator’s own resources and those of its parent companies 
are exhausted—financing  sufficient for the operator to meet 
its financial obligations. Under the Solidarity Agreement, 
E. ON Energie’s share of the liability coverage on December 31, 
2012, remained unchanged from 2011 at 42.0 percent plus 
an additional 5.0 percent charge for the administrative costs 
of processing damage claims. Sufficient liquidity has been 
provided for within the liquidity plan.

In accordance with Swedish law, the companies of the Swedish 
generation unit and their parent company have issued guar-
antees to governmental authorities. The guarantees were issued 
to cover possible additional costs related to the disposal of 
high-level radioactive waste and to the decommissioning of 
nuclear power plants. These costs could arise if actual costs 

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

167

exceed accumulated funds. In addition, the companies of the 
Swedish generation unit and their parent company are also 
responsible for any costs related to the disposal of low-level 
radioactive waste.

Additional financial obligations arose from rental and tenancy 
agreements and from operating leases. The corresponding 
minimum lease payments are due as broken down in the 
table below:

E.ON as Lessee—Operating Leases

€ in millions

Due within 1 year

Due in 1 to 5 years

Due in more than 5 years

Total

Minimum lease payments

2012

227

605

879

1,711

2011

264

818

1,093

2,175

The expenses reported in the income statement for such con-
tracts amounted to €243 million (2011: €273 million). They 
include contingent rents that were expensed when they arose 
in 2012. Furthermore, a lease-leaseback arrangement for 
power plants has resulted in cash flows, which are financed 
by restricted, offsetting investments totaling approximately 
€0.1 billion (2011: €0.5 billion) that are congruent in terms of 
amounts, maturities and currencies. The arrangement expires 
in 2030.

Additional long-term contractual obligations in place at the 
E.ON Group as of December 31, 2012, relate primarily to the 
purchase of fossil fuels such as natural gas, lignite and hard 
coal. Financial obligations under these purchase contracts 
amounted to approximately €238.5 billion on December 31, 2012 
(€21.2 billion due within one year).

Gas is usually procured on the basis of long-term purchase 
contracts with large international producers of natural gas. 
Such contracts are generally of a “take-or-pay” nature. The 
prices paid for natural gas are normally tied to the prices of 

In Sweden, owners of nuclear facilities are liable for damages 
resulting from accidents occurring in those nuclear facilities 
and for accidents involving any radioactive substances con-
nected to the operation of those facilities. The liability per 
incident as of December 31, 2012, was limited to SEK 3,004 mil-
lion, or €350 million (2011: SEK 3,189 million, or €358 million). 
This amount must be insured according to the Law Concerning 
Nuclear Liability. The necessary insurance for the affected 
nuclear power plants has been purchased. On July 1, 2010, the 
Swedish Parliament passed a law that requires the operator 
of a nuclear power plant in operation to have liability insurance 
or other financial security in an amount equivalent to €1.2 bil-
lion per facility. As of December 31, 2012, the conditions enabling 
this law to take effect were not yet in place.

The Generation global unit operates nuclear power plants 
only in Germany and Sweden. Accordingly, there are no addi-
tional contingencies comparable to those mentioned above.

Other Financial Obligations

In addition to provisions and liabilities carried on the balance 
sheet and to reported contingent liabilities, there also are 
other mostly long-term financial obligations arising mainly 
from contracts entered into with third parties, or on the basis 
of legal requirements.

As of December 31, 2012, purchase commitments for investments 
in intangible assets and in property, plant and equipment 
amounted to €5.6 billion (2011: €8.3 billion). Of these commit-
ments, €2.3 billion are due within one year. This total mainly 
includes financial obligations for as yet outstanding investments 
in connection with new power plant construction pro jects 
and the expansion and modernization of existing generation 
assets, as well as with gas infrastructure projects, particularly 
at the Generation, Renewables, Optimization & Trading, Ger-
many, Russia and Sweden units. On December 31, 2012, the 
obligations for new power plant construction reported under 
these purchase commitments totaled €2.1 billion. They also 
include the obligations relating to the construction of wind 
power plants.

168 Notes

competing energy sources, as dictated by market conditions. 
The conditions of these long-term contracts are reviewed at 
certain specific intervals (usually every three years) as part 
of contract negotiations and may thus change accordingly. In 
the absence of an agreement on a pricing review, a neutral 
board of arbitration makes a final binding decision. Financial 
obligations arising from these contracts are calculated based 
on the same principles that govern internal budgeting. Further-
more, the take-or-pay conditions in the individual contracts 
are also considered in the calculations. The decrease compared 
with December 31, 2011, in contractual obligations for the 
purchase of fossil fuels, and gas procurement in particular, is 
primarily attributable to the results of price renegotiations 
and to a reduction in minimum purchase requirements under 
long-term gas purchase contracts.

As of December 31, 2012, €8.0 billion in contractual obligations 
(€3.3 billion due within one year) are in place for the purchase 
of electricity; these relate in part to purchases from jointly 
operated power plants in the Generation and Renewables 

units. The purchase price of electricity from jointly operated 
power plants is generally based on the supplier’s production 
cost plus a profit margin that is generally calculated on the 
basis of an agreed return on capital.

Other purchase commitments as of December 31, 2012, 
amounted to approximately €2.0 billion (€0.2 billion due within 
one year). In addition to purchase commitments primarily 
for heat and alternative fuels, there are long-term contractual 
obligations in place at the Generation unit for the purchase 
of nuclear fuel elements and of services relating to the interim 
 and final storage of nuclear fuel elements.

Aside from the preceding, further financial obligations in place 
as of December 31, 2012, totaled approximately €3.5 billion 
(€1.3 billion due within one year). Among others, they include 
financial obligations from services to be procured, obligations 
concerning the acquisition of real estate funds held as financial 
assets, as well as corporate actions.

(28) Litigation and Claims

A number of different court actions (including product liability 
claims and allegations of price fixing), governmental investi-
gations and proceedings, and other claims are currently pend-
ing or may be instituted or asserted in the future against com-
panies of the E.ON Group. This in particular includes legal actions 
and proceedings concerning alleged price-fixing agreements 
and anticompetitive practices.

The entire sector is involved in a multitude of court proceed-
ings throughout Germany in the matter of price-adjustment 
clauses in the retail electricity and gas supply business with 
high-volume customers. These proceedings include actions 
for the restitution of amounts collected through price increases 
imposed using price-adjustment clauses determined to be 
invalid. The legal issues involved have largely been addressed 
at the highest judicial level in Germany, in several different 

judgments rendered by the Federal Court of Justice (“Bundes-
gerichtshof”) in 2012. Three references by the Federal Court 
of Justice to the European Court of Justice to establish the 
compatibility with European directives of certain provisions 
of German law for ordinary electricity customers, and of the 
Federal Court of Justice’s case law regarding price-adjustment 
clauses for high-volume customers, have given rise to legal 
uncertainty. Although no companies of the E.ON Group are 
involved in these particular preliminary-ruling proceedings, 
claims for the restitution of amounts collected through price 
increases could still be asserted against Group companies if 
it is found that European law has been violated. The outcome 
of the preliminary-ruling proceedings, as well as the legislative 
and regulatory responses in Germany and those of the German 
courts, remains to be seen.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

169

restrictive provisions. In addition to reversing the operating-
life extensions from the eleventh amendment, the Nuclear 
Energy Act as most recently amended provides for a gradual 
phaseout through 2022, with the seven reactors that entered 
service before year-end 1980 and the Krümmel nuclear power 
plant to be shut down permanently, as provided for by the 
law, as soon as the amendment takes effect. This affected two 
nuclear facilities for which E.ON has operational responsibility: 
Unterweser and Isar 1. E.ON is implementing the political 
majority’s decision on an earlier phaseout of nuclear energy. 
At the same time, however, E.ON contends that the nuclear 
phaseout as currently legislated is irreconcilable with constitu-
tionally-protected property rights and the freedom to choose 
an occupation and operate a business. In any case, E.ON believes 
that such an intervention is unconstitutional unless compen-
sation is granted for the rights thus taken, and for the corre-
sponding stranded assets. Accordingly, in mid-November 2011, 
E.ON filed a constitutional complaint against the thirteenth 
amendment of the Nuclear Energy Act with the Federal Consti-
tutional Court of Germany in Karlsruhe. The nuclear-fuel tax 
remains at its original level after the reversal of the operating-
life extensions. Even at the time of the agreement on operat-
ing-life extensions, E.ON believed that the nuclear-fuel tax 
contravened Germany’s constitution and European law. Retain-
ing the tax despite the significant reduction in operating lives 
raises additional legal questions. E.ON is therefore instituting 
administrative proceedings and taking legal action against 
the tax. The proceedings regarding the nuclear power plants 
Gundremmingen B and C, Grohnde, Grafenrheinfeld, Emsland, 
Brokdorf and Isar 2 have already begun. Conclusive court rul-
ings will not be handed down until some time in the future.

Because litigation and claims are  subject to numerous uncertain-
ties, their outcome cannot be ascertained; however, in the opin-
ion of management, any potential obligations arising from these 
matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial 
condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

On July 8, 2009, the European Commission imposed a fine of 
€553 million on E.ON Ruhrgas and E.ON (as joint debtor) for 
alleged market-sharing activities with GdF Suez. E.ON Ruhrgas 
and E.ON filed an appeal against the Commission’s decision 
with the General Court of the European Union in September 
2009. Filing an appeal did not suspend the fine, which was 
therefore paid when due in October 2009. On June 29, 2012, the 
General Court issued a ruling partially overturning the Com-
mission’s decision, and reduced the fine. The decision has since 
become final and legally binding. Further proceedings in this 
matter cannot be ruled out.

Competition in the gas market and increasing trading volumes 
at virtual trading points and on gas exchanges could result 
in considerable risks for gas quantities purchased under long-
term take-or-pay contracts. In addition, substantial price risks 
result from the fact that gas procurement prices are in part 
linked to the price of oil, whereas sales prices are guided by 
wholesale prices. In general, long-term gas-procurement con-
tracts between producers and importers include the option 
to adjust the terms in line with constantly changing market 
conditions. In this regard, E. ON Ruhrgas continuously conducts 
intensive negotiations with producers. The possibility of further 
legal disputes cannot be excluded.

In September 2011, the European Commission conducted addi-
tional inspections at several gas utilities in Central and Eastern 
Europe, some of which are E. ON Group companies. The Com-
mission is investigating potential anticompetitive practices by 
Gazprom, possibly acting in concert with other companies. The 
Commission makes note that such inspections do not indicate 
the existence of definitive proof of anticompetitive behavior. 
In September 2012, the European Commission initiated formal 
antitrust proceedings against Gazprom on the basis of Article 
102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 
(abuse of a dominant market position).

The reactor accident at Fukushima caused the political parties 
in Germany’s coalition government to reverse their nuclear-
energy policy. Having initially extended the operating lives of 
the country’s nuclear power plants in the fall of 2010 as pro-
vided for in the coalition agreement, the German federal gov-
ernment then rescinded the extensions in the thirteenth 
amended version of the Nuclear Energy Act, and added further 

170 Notes

(29) Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow 
Information

Supplemental Disclosures of
Cash Flow Information

€ in millions

2012

2011

Non-cash investing and financing 
activities

Exchanges in corporate transactions

12

35

Funding of external fund assets for 
pension obligations through transfer of 
fixed-term deposits and securities

147

164

The total consideration received by E.ON in 2012 for the dis-
posal of consolidated equity interests and activities generated 
cash inflows of €3,005 million (2011: €4,597 million). Cash 
and cash equivalents divested in connection with the dispos-
als amounted to €364 million (2011: €25 million). The sale 
of these activities led to reductions of €3,625 million (2011: 
€6,139 million) in assets and €1,159 million (2011: €2,279 million) 
in provisions and liabilities.

The purchase prices paid for subsidiaries totaled €16 million 
in 2011. The previous year’s acquisitions included cash in the 
amount of €4 million. No significant cash acquisitions of con-
solidated equity investments and activities took place in 2012.

At €8,808 million, the E.ON Group’s operating cash flow was 
significantly above the prior-year figure of €6,610 million, up 
33 percent year on year. The main positive factor was a sub-
stantial reduction in working capital compared with the previ-
ous year, which was attributable in part to one-time effects 

(30) Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging 
Transactions

Strategy and Objectives

The Company’s policy generally permits the use of derivatives 
if they are associated with underlying assets or liabilities, 
planned transactions, or legally binding rights or obligations. 
Proprietary trading activities are concentrated on the Optimi-
zation & Trading global unit and are conducted within the 
confines of the risk management guidelines described below 
(see Note 31).

Hedge accounting in accordance with IAS 39 is employed pri-
marily for interest rate derivatives used to hedge long-term 
debts, as well as for currency derivatives used to hedge net 
investments in foreign operations, long-term receivables and 
debts denominated in foreign currency, as well as planned 

relating to settlements from the 2011 fiscal year and to higher 
utilization of coal and gas inventories. The negative cash-flow 
effect of supplemental funding of pension plan assets in the 
United Kingdom in 2011, as well as lower interest payments 
than in the previous year and the partial reimbursement of the 
fine imposed on E.ON by the European Commission for an 
alleged market-sharing agreement with GdF Suez, were also 
positive factors in 2012. The effects were partly offset by higher 
tax payments than in 2011.

Spending on intangible assets, on property, plant and equip-
ment and on equity investments was approximately 7 percent 
higher in 2012 than in the previous year. The amount of cash 
received from the disposal of equity investments was down 
about 31 percent from the previous year. This primarily reflects 
the significant proceeds obtained in 2011 from the disposal 
of Central Networks and from the sale of the remaining Gaz-
prom shares, whereas proceeds from the sale of Open Grid 
Europe constituted the main positive factor in 2012. An off-
setting positive factor was a reduction in cash outflows from 
changes in securities and fixed-term deposits.

Exploration activity resulted in operating cash flow of 
-€57 million (2011: -€5 million) and in cash flow from investing 
activities of -€32 million (2011: -€50 million).

capital investments. In commodities, potentially volatile future 
cash flows resulting primarily from planned purchases and 
sales of electricity within and outside of the Group, as well as 
from anticipated fuel purchases and purchases and sales 
of gas, are hedged.

Fair Value Hedges

Fair value hedges are used to protect against the risk from 
changes in market values. Gains and losses on these hedges 
are generally reported in that line item of the income state-
ment which also includes the respective hedged items.

 
 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

171

Cash Flow Hedges

Cash flow hedges are used to protect against the risk arising 
from variable cash flows. Interest rate swaps, cross-currency 
interest rate swaps and interest rate options are the principal 
instruments used to limit interest rate and currency risks. The 
purpose of these swaps is to maintain the level of payments 
arising from long-term interest-bearing receivables and liabili-
ties and from capital investments denominated in foreign 
currency and euro by using cash flow hedge accounting in the 
functional currency of the respective E.ON company.

In order to reduce future cash flow fluctuations arising from 
electricity transactions effected at variable spot prices, futures 
contracts are concluded and also accounted for using cash 
flow hedge accounting.

As of December 31, 2012, the hedged transactions in place 
included foreign currency cash flow hedges with maturities 
of up to 26 years (2011: up to 27 years) and up to four years 
(2011: up to five years) for interest cash flow hedges. Commodity 
cash flow hedges have maturities of up to two years (2011: 
up to three years).

The amount of ineffectiveness for cash flow hedges recorded 
for the year ended December 31, 2012, produced a loss of 
€1 million (2011: €4 million gain).

Pursuant to the information available as of the balance sheet 
date, the following effects will accompany the reclassifications 
from accumulated other comprehensive income to the income 
statement in subsequent periods:

Timing of Reclassifications from OCI1 to the Income Statement—2012

€ in millions

OCI—Currency cash flow hedges

OCI—Interest cash flow hedges

OCI—Commodity cash flow hedges

1OCI = Other comprehensive income. Figures are pre-tax.

Carrying 
amount

456

9

-12

Expected gains/losses

2013

2014

2015–2017

7

-1

1

–

-5

11

12

-12

–

Timing of Reclassifications from OCI1 to the Income Statement—2011

€ in millions

OCI—Currency cash flow hedges

OCI—Interest cash flow hedges

OCI—Commodity cash flow hedges

1OCI = Other comprehensive income. Figures are pre-tax.

Gains and losses from reclassification are generally reported in 
that line item of the income statement which also includes 
the respective hedged transaction. Gains and losses from the 
ineffective portions of cash flow hedges are classified as 
other operating income or other operating expenses. Interest 
cash flow hedges are reported under “Interest and similar 
expenses.” The fair values of the derivatives used in cash flow 
hedges totaled -€404 million (2011: €134 million).

Carrying 
amount

157

-71

-23

Expected gains/losses

2012

2013

2014–2016

1

1

11

5

–

1

8

9

11

A loss of €237 million (2011: €63 million loss) was posted to 
other comprehensive income in 2012. In the same period, a 
loss of €79 million (2011: €284 million gain) was reclassified 
from OCI to the income statement.

>2017

-475

9

–

>2016

-171

61

–

172 Notes

Net Investment Hedges

The Company uses foreign currency loans, foreign currency 
forwards and foreign currency swaps to protect the value of 
its net investments in its foreign operations denominated 
in foreign currency. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the 
Company recorded an amount of -€106 million (2011: -€63 mil-
lion) in accumulated other comprehensive income due to 
changes in fair value of derivatives and to currency translation 
results of non-derivative hedging instruments. As in 2011, no 
ineffectiveness resulted from net investment hedges in 2012.

Valuation of Derivative Instruments

The fair value of derivative instruments is sensitive to move-
ments in underlying market rates and other relevant vari-
ables. The Company assesses and monitors the fair value of 
deri vative instruments on a periodic basis. Fair values for 
each derivative financial instrument are determined as being 
equal to the price at which one party would assume the 
rights and duties of another party, and calculated using com-
mon market valuation methods with reference to available 
market data as of the balance sheet date.

The following is a summary of the methods and assumptions 
for the valuation of utilized derivative financial instruments 
in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

• 

Currency, electricity, gas, oil and coal forward contracts, 
swaps, and emissions-related derivatives are valued sep-
arately at their forward rates and prices as of the balance 
sheet date. Whenever possible, forward rates and prices 
are based on market quotations, with any applicable for-
ward premiums and discounts taken into consideration.

•  Market prices for interest rate, electricity and gas options 
are valued using standard option pricing models com-
monly used in the market. The fair values of caps, floors 
and collars are determined on the basis of quoted market 
prices or on calculations based on option pricing models.

• 

• 

• 

• 

The fair values of existing instruments to hedge interest 
risk are determined by discounting future cash flows using 
market interest rates over the remaining term of the 
instrument. Discounted cash values are determined for 
interest rate, cross-currency and cross-currency interest 
rate swaps for each individual transaction as of the bal-
ance sheet date. Interest income is recognized in income 
at the date of payment or accrual.

Equity forwards are valued on the basis of the stock prices 
of the underlying equities, taking into consideration any 
timing components.

Exchange-traded futures and option contracts are valued 
individually at daily settlement prices determined on the 
futures markets that are published by their respective 
clearing houses. Paid initial margins are disclosed under 
other assets. Variation margins received or paid during 
the term of such contracts are stated under other liabilities 
or other assets, respectively.

Certain long-term energy contracts are valued with the 
aid of valuation models that use internal data if market 
prices are not available. A hypothetical 10-percent increase 
or decrease in these internal valuation parameters as of 
the balance sheet date would lead to a theo retical 
decrease in market values of €49 million or an increase 
of €100 million, respectively.

At the beginning of 2012, a gain of €122 million from the initial 
measurement of derivatives was deferred. After the realization 
of €160 million in deferred gains, the remainder is a deferred 
loss of €38 million at year-end, which will be recognized in 
income during subsequent periods as the contracts are settled.

The following two tables include both derivatives that qualify 
for IAS 39 hedge accounting treatment and those for which 
it is not used:

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

173

Total Volume of Foreign Currency, Interest Rate and Equity-Based Derivatives

€ in millions

FX forward transactions

Subtotal

Cross-currency swaps

Cross-currency interest rate swaps

Subtotal

Interest rate swaps
Fixed-rate payer
Fixed-rate receiver

Interest rate future

Interest rate options

Subtotal

Other derivatives

Subtotal

Total

December 31, 2012

December 31, 2011

Nominal 
value

24,138.6

24,138.6

12,314.0

211.4

12,525.4

2,309.3
1,265.9

–

2,000.0

5,575.2

9.1

9.1

Fair value

-26.7

-26.7

39.6

72.0

111.6

-411.0
153.4

–

-102.1

-359.7

0.1

0.1

Nominal 
value

25,865.2

25,865.2

15,344.5

211.4

15,555.9

2,318.1
1,284.8

34.5

2,000.0

5,637.4

9.1

9.1

Fair value

366.7

366.7

489.2

99.2

588.4

-359.7
153.9

-0.6

-61.5

-267.9

2.2

2.2

42,248.3

-274.7

47,067.6

689.4

Total Volume of Electricity, Gas, Coal, Oil and Emissions-Related Derivatives

€ in millions

Electricity forwards

Exchange-traded electricity forwards

Electricity swaps

Exchange-traded electricity options

Coal forwards and swaps

Exchange-traded coal forwards

Oil derivatives

Exchange-traded oil derivatives

Emissions-related derivatives

Exchange-traded emissions-related derivatives

Other derivatives

Total

December 31, 2012

December 31, 2011

Nominal 
value

55,939.4

7,168.2

3,465.8

99.3

5,717.1

9,220.0

43,835.8

23,068.9

45.7

2,314.1

31.6

150,905.9

Fair value

39.4

70.0

28.2

16.5

-173.5

-233.6

206.0

-100.8

0.1

-474.3

23.0

-599.0

Nominal 
value

77,818.5

9,700.3

3,333.1

270.4

10,930.3

11,589.6

57,234.9

21,948.2

147.8

6,121.9

59.9

199,154.9

Fair value

-301.4

-5.6

32.7

27.8

-18.5

-63.8

177.7

57.4

0.3

-451.7

63.5

-481.6

 
 
 
 
174 Notes

(31) Additional Disclosures on Financial 
Instruments

The carrying amounts of the financial instruments, their 
grouping into IAS 39 measurement categories, their fair values 
and their measurement sources by class are presented in the 
following table:

Carrying Amounts, Fair Values and Measurement Categories by Class 
within the Scope of IFRS 7 as of December 31, 2012

€ in millions

Equity investments

Financial receivables and other financial assets

Receivables from finance leases
Other financial receivables and financial assets

Trade receivables and other operating assets

Trade receivables
Derivatives with no hedging relationships
Derivatives with hedging relationships
Other operating assets

Securities and fixed-term deposits

Cash and cash equivalents 

Restricted cash

Assets held for sale

Total assets

Financial liabilities

Bonds
Commercial paper
Bank loans/Liabilities to banks
Liabilities from finance leases
Other financial liabilities

Trade payables and other operating liabilities

Trade payables
Derivatives with no hedging relationships
Derivatives with hedging relationships
Put option liabilities under IAS 322
Other operating liabilities

Total liabilities

Total 
carrying 
amounts 
within the 
scope of 
IFRS 7

1,612

5,729
881
4,848

24,192
16,104
5,975
458
1,655

8,027

2,816

449

1,555

Carrying 
amounts

1,612

5,750
881
4,869

26,754
16,104
5,975
458
4,217

8,027

2,816

449

5,261

IAS 39 
measure-
ment 
category1

Determined 
using mar-
ket prices

Derived 
from active 
market 
prices

Fair value

AfS

n/a
LaR

LaR
HfT
n/a
LaR

AfS

AfS

AfS

AfS

1,612

6,010
881
5,129

24,192
16,104
5,975
458
1,655

8,027

2,816

449

1,555

154

–
–
–

1,221
–
1,221
–
–

7,217

2,781

449

–

50,669

44,380

44,661

11,822

25,944
20,634
180
851
949
3,330

31,593
5,459
6,477
829
759
18,069

57,537

25,922
20,634
180
851
949
3,308

25,833
5,459
6,477
829
759
12,309

51,755

AmC
AmC
AmC
n/a
AmC

AmC
HfT
n/a
AmC
AmC

30,869
25,274
180
851
1,322
3,242

25,833
5,459
6,477
829
759
12,309

56,702

–
–
–
–
–
–

2,594
–
2,594
–
–
–

2,594

207

–
–
–

5,008
–
4,550
458
–

810

35

–

1,483

7,543

–
–
–
–
–
–

4,605
–
3,776
829
–
–

4,605

1AfS: Available for sale; LaR: Loans and receivables; HfT: Held for trading; AmC: Amortized cost. The categories are described in detail in Note 1. The values of financial instruments 
measured at fair value (AfS, HfT, n/a) using valuation techniques with unobservable inputs (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy) can be derived from the difference between the fair 
values of the two disclosed fair value hierarchies and the total fair value of the listed categories.
2Liabilities from put options include counterparty obligations and non-controlling interests in fully consolidated partnerships (see Note 26).

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents and of 
trade receivables are considered reasonable estimates of their 
fair values because of their short maturity.

Where the value of a financial instrument can be derived from 
an active market without the need for an adjustment, that 
value is used as the fair value. This applies in particular to 
equities held and to bonds held and issued.

 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

175

Carrying Amounts, Fair Values and Measurement Categories by Class 
within the Scope of IFRS 7 as of December 31, 2011

€ in millions

Equity investments

Financial receivables and other financial assets

Receivables from finance leases
Other financial receivables and financial assets

Trade receivables and other operating assets

Trade receivables
Derivatives with no hedging relationships
Derivatives with hedging relationships
Other operating assets

Securities and fixed-term deposits

Cash and cash equivalents 

Restricted cash

Assets held for sale

Total assets

Financial liabilities

Bonds
Commercial paper
Bank loans/Liabilities to banks
Liabilities from finance leases
Other financial liabilities

Trade payables and other operating liabilities

Trade payables
Derivatives with no hedging relationships
Derivatives with hedging relationships
Put option liabilities under IAS 32
Other operating liabilities

Total liabilities

Total 
carrying 
amounts 
within the 
scope of 
IFRS 7

1,908

5,382
1,051
4,331

31,584
18,065
10,874
890
1,755

7,983

3,852

89

308

Carrying 
amounts

1,908

5,408
1,051
4,357

34,556
18,065
10,874
890
4,727

7,983

3,852

89

620

IAS 39 
measure-
ment 
category1

Determined 
using mar-
ket prices

Derived 
from active 
market 
prices

Fair value

AfS

n/a
LaR

LaR
HfT
n/a
LaR

AfS

AfS

AfS

AfS

1,908

5,667
1,051
4,616

31,584
18,065
10,874
890
1,755

7,983

3,852

89

308

159

–
–
–

2,946

2,946
–
–

6,438

3,747

82

30

188

–
–
–

8,564

7,674
890
–

1,545

105

7

278

54,416

51,106

51,391

13,402

10,687

29,914
23,356
869
1,189
778
3,722

37,786
4,871
10,841
716
821
20,537

67,700

29,854
23,356
869
1,189
778
3,662

31,477
4,871
10,841
716
821
14,228

61,331

AmC
AmC
AmC
n/a
AmC

AmC
HfT
n/a
AmC
AmC

34,736
28,026
869
1,189
979
3,673

31,477
4,871
10,841
716
821
14,228

66,213

–
–
–
–
–
–

3,592
–
3,592
–
–
–

3,592

–
–
–
–
–
–

7,361
–
6,645
716
–
–

7,361

1AfS: Available for sale; LaR: Loans and receivables; HfT: Held for trading; AmC: Amortized cost. The categories are described in detail in Note 1. The values of financial instruments 
measured at fair value (AfS, HfT, n/a) using valuation techniques with unobservable inputs (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy) can be derived from the difference between the fair 
values of the two disclosed fair value hierarchies and the total fair value of the listed categories.

The fair value of shareholdings in unlisted companies and 
of debt instruments that are not actively traded, such as 
loans received, loans granted and financial liabilities, is deter-
mined by discounting future cash flows. Any necessary 
 discounting takes place using current market interest rates 
over the remaining terms of the financial instruments. Fair 

value  measurement was not applied in the case of share-
holdings with a carrying amount of €12 million (2011: €12 mil-
lion) as cash flows could not be determined reliably for them. 
Fair values could not be derived on the basis of comparable 
transactions. The shareholdings are not material by comparison 
with the overall position of the Group.

 
176 Notes

The carrying amount of commercial paper, borrowings under 
revolving short-term credit facilities and trade payables is used 
as the fair value due to the short maturities of these items.

The determination of the fair value of derivative financial 
instruments is discussed in Note 30. Equity investments in the 
amount of €15 million were reclassified out of Level 3 of the 
fair value hierarchy in 2012 on the basis of reliable market data. 
The fair values determined using valuation techniques for 
financial instruments carried at fair value are reconciled as 
shown in the following table:

Fair Value Hierarchy Level 3 Reconciliation (Values Determined Using Valuation Techniques)

Purchases 
(including 
additions)

Sales
(including 
disposals)

73

–

73

-284

–

-284

Jan. 1, 
2012

1,561

-350

1,211

Settle-
ments

-1

329

328

Gains/
Losses in 
income 
state-
ment

-60

118

58

Transfers

into 
Level 3

out of 
Level 3

Gains/
Losses in 
OCI

–

–

0

-15

–

-15

49

–

49

Dec. 31, 
2012

1,323

97

1,420

€ in millions

Equity investments

Derivative financial 
instruments

Total

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

177

The following two tables illustrate the contractually agreed 
(undiscounted) cash outflows arising from the liabilities 
included in the scope of IFRS 7:

Cash Flow Analysis as of December 31, 2012

€ in millions

Bonds

Commercial paper

Bank loans/Liabilities to banks

Liabilities from finance leases

Other financial liabilities

Financial guarantees

Cash outflows for financial liabilities

Trade payables

Derivatives (with/without hedging relationships)

Put option liabilities under IAS 32

Other operating liabilities

Cash outflows for trade payables and other operating liabilities

Cash outflows for liabilities within the scope of IFRS 7

Financial guarantees with a total nominal volume of 
€707 million (2011: €1,542 million) were issued to companies 
outside of the Group. This amount is the maximum amount 
that E.ON would have to pay in the event of claims on the guar-
antees; a book value of €33 million (2011: €64 million) has 
been recognized.

Cash Flow Analysis as of December 31, 2011

€ in millions

Bonds

Commercial paper

Bank loans/Liabilities to banks

Liabilities from finance leases

Other financial liabilities

Financial guarantees

Cash outflows for financial liabilities

Trade payables

Derivatives (with/without hedging relationships)

Put option liabilities under IAS 32

Other operating liabilities

Cash outflows for trade payables and other operating liabilities

Cash outflows for liabilities within the scope of IFRS 7

Cash 
outflows
2013

3,325

Cash 
outflows
2014

4,289

Cash 
outflows
2015–2017

Cash 
outflows 
from 2018

8,176

14,127

180

640

126

1,168

707

6,146

5,629

33,840

215

12,556

52,240

58,386

–

160

87

168

–

4,704

–

7,916

30

13

7,959

–

91

296

622

–

9,185

–

2,354

122

37

2,513

–

54

1,734

1,677

–

17,592

–

21

408

150

579

12,663

11,698

18,171

Cash 
outflows
2012

3,913

Cash 
outflows
2013

3,350

Cash 
outflows
2014–2016

Cash 
outflows 
from 2017

8,750

17,976

870

758

110

1,653

1,542

8,846

4,748

44,822

265

13,984

63,819

72,665

–

57

91

282

–

3,780

–

13,104

31

34

13,169

16,949

–

287

236

712

–

9,985

–

3,214

163

28

3,405

–

153

1,336

1,236

–

20,701

–

240

362

186

788

13,390

21,489

178 Notes

For financial liabilities that bear floating interest rates, the 
rates that were fixed on the balance sheet date are used to 
calculate future interest payments for subsequent periods 
as well. Financial liabilities that can be terminated at any time 
are assigned to the earliest maturity band in the same way 
as put options that are exercisable at any time. All covenants 
were complied with during 2012.

In gross-settled derivatives (usually currency derivatives and 
commodity derivatives), outflows are accompanied by related 
inflows of funds or commodities.

The net gains and losses from financial instruments by IAS 39 
category are shown in the following table:

Net Gains and Losses by Category1
€ in millions

Loans and receivables

Available for sale

Held for trading

Amortized cost

Total

1The categories are described in detail in Note 1.

2012

-156

539

-982

-1,139

-1,738

2011

-136

449

-1,230

-1,292

-2,209

In addition to interest income and expenses from financial 
receivables, the net gains and losses in the loans and receiv-
ables category consist primarily of valuation allowances on 
trade receivables. Gains and losses on the disposal of avail-
able-for-sale securities and equity investments are reported 
under other operating income and other operating expenses, 
respectively.

The net gains and losses in the amortized cost category are 
due primarily to interest on financial liabilities, adjusted for 
capitalized construction-period interest.

The net gains and losses in the held-for-trading category 
encompass both the changes in fair value of the derivative 
financial instruments and the gains and losses on realiza tion. 
The fair value measurement of commodity derivatives and 
of realized gains on currency derivatives is the most important 
factor in the net result for this category.

Risk Management

Principles
The prescribed processes, responsibilities and actions con-
cerning financial and risk management are described in detail 
in internal risk management guidelines applicable throughout 
the Group. The units have developed additional guidelines of 
their own within the confines of the Group’s overall guidelines. 
To ensure efficient risk management at the E. ON Group, the 
Trading (Front Office), Financial Controlling (Middle Office) and 
Financial Settlement (Back Office) departments are organized 
as strictly separate units. Risk controlling and reporting in the 
areas of interest rates, currencies, credit and liquidity manage-
ment is performed by the Financial Controlling department, 
while risk controlling and reporting in the area of commodities 
is performed at Group level by a separate department.

E.ON uses a Group-wide treasury, risk management and 
reporting system. This system is a standard information tech-
nology solution that is fully integrated and is continuously 
updated. The system is designed to provide for the analysis 
and monitoring of the E.ON Group’s exposure to liquidity, 
 foreign exchange and interest risks. The units employ estab-
lished systems for commodities. Credit risks are monitored 
and controlled on a Group-wide basis by Financial Controlling, 

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

179

3. Credit Risks
E.ON is exposed to credit risk in its operating activities and 
through the use of financial instruments. Credit risk results 
from non-delivery or partial delivery by a counterparty of the 
agreed consideration for services rendered, from total or partial 
failure to make payments owing on existing accounts receiv-
able, and from replacement risks in open transactions. Uni-
form credit risk management procedures are in place through-
out the Group to identify, measure and control credit risks.

The following discussion of E.ON’s risk management activities 
and the estimated amounts generated from profit-at-risk (“PaR”), 
value-at-risk (“VaR”) and sensitivity analyses are “forward-
looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual 
results could differ materially from those projected due to 
actual, unforeseeable developments in the global financial 
markets. The methods used by the Company to analyze risks 
should not be considered forecasts of future events or losses, 
as E.ON also faces risks that are either non-financial or non-
quantifiable. Such risks principally include country risk, oper-
ational risk, regulatory risk and legal risk, which are not rep-
resented in the following analyses.

with the support of a standard software package. The com-
modity positions of most of the global and regional units are 
transferred to the Optimization & Trading unit for risk manage-
ment and optimization purposes, based on a transfer-pricing 
mechanism. Special risk management, coordinated with Group 
Management, applies in a small number of exceptional cases.

Separate Risk Committees are responsible for the maintenance 
and further development of the strategy set by the Board of 
Management of E.ON SE with regard to commodity, treasury 
and credit risk management policies.

1. Liquidity Management
The primary objectives of liquidity management at E.ON con-
sist of ensuring ability to pay at all times, the timely satisfac-
tion of contractual payment obligations and the optimization 
of costs within the E.ON Group.

Cash pooling and external financing are largely centralized at 
E.ON SE and certain financing companies. The funds are trans-
ferred internally to the other Group companies as needed.

E.ON SE determines the Group’s financing requirements on 
the basis of short- and medium-term liquidity planning. The 
financing of the Group is controlled and implemented on 
a forward-looking basis in accordance with planned liquidity 
requirements. Relevant planning factors taken into consider-
ation include operating cash flow, capital expenditures, and 
the maturity of bonds and commercial paper.

2. Price Risks
In the normal course of business, the E.ON Group is exposed 
to foreign exchange, interest and commodity price risks, and 
also to price risks in asset management. These risks create 
volatility in earnings, equity, debt and cash flows from period 
to period. E.ON has developed a variety of strategies to limit 
or eliminate these risks, including the use of derivative financial 
instruments.

180 Notes

Foreign Exchange Risk Management
E.ON SE is responsible for controlling the currency risks to 
which the E.ON Group is exposed.

Because it holds interests in businesses outside of the euro 
area, currency translation risks arise within the E.ON Group. 
Fluctuations in exchange rates produce accounting effects 
attributable to the translation of the balance sheet and income 
statement items of the foreign consolidated Group companies 
included in the Consolidated Financial Statements. One method 
used to hedge translation risks is through borrowing in the 
corresponding local currency, which in particular also includes 
shareholder loans in foreign currency. In addition, derivative 
financial instruments are employed as needed. The hedges 
qualify for hedge accounting under IFRS as hedges of net 
investments in foreign operations. The Group’s translation risks 
are reviewed at regular intervals and the level of hedging 
is adjusted whenever necessary. The respective debt factor and 
the enterprise value denominated in the foreign currency are 
the principal criteria governing the level of hedging.

The E.ON Group is also exposed to operating and financial 
transaction risks arising from transactions in foreign currency. 
Operating transaction risks for the Group companies arise 
primarily from physical and financial trading in commodities, 
from intragroup relationships and from capital spending in 
foreign currency. The subsidiaries are respon sible for controlling 
their operating currency risks. E.ON SE coordinates hedging 
throughout the Group and makes use of external derivatives 
as needed.

Financial transaction risks result from payments originating 
from financial receivables and payables. They are generated 
both by external financing in a variety of foreign currencies, 
and by shareholder loans from within the Group denominated 
in foreign currency. Financial transaction risks are generally 
fully hedged.

The one-day value-at-risk (99 percent confidence) from the 
translation of deposits and borrowings denominated in foreign 
currency, plus foreign-exchange derivatives, was €115 million 
as of December 31, 2012 (2011: €132 million) and resulted pri-
marily from the positions in British pounds, Swedish kronor 
and U.S. dollars.

Interest Risk Management
E.ON is exposed to profit risks arising from financial liabilities 
with floating interest rates, maturities and short-term bor-
rowings, as well as interest rate derivatives that are based 
on floating interest rates. Positions based on fixed interest 
rates, on the other hand, are subject to changes in fair value 
resulting from the volatility of market rates. E.ON seeks a 
specific mix of fixed- and floating-rate debt over time. The 
long-term orientation of the business model in principle means 
fulfilling a high proportion of financing requirements at fixed 
rates, especially within the planning period. This also involves 
the use of interest rate swaps. With interest rate derivatives 
included, the share of financial liabilities with fixed interest 
rates was 100 percent as of December 31, 2012 (2011: 94 percent). 
Under otherwise unchanged circumstances, the volume of 
financial liabilities with fixed interest rates, which amounted to 
€20.2 billion at year-end 2012, would decline to €16.7 billion 
in 2013 and to €15.3 billion in 2014. The effective interest rate 
duration of the financial liabilities, including interest rate deriv-
atives, was 7.0 years as of December 31, 2012 (2011: 6.6 years).

As of December 31, 2012, the E.ON Group held interest rate 
derivatives with a nominal value of €5,575 million (2011: 
€5,637 million).

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

181

The principal derivative instruments used by E.ON to cover 
commodity price risk exposures are electricity, gas, coal and oil 
swaps and forwards, as well as emissions-related derivatives. 
Commodity derivatives are used by the units for the purposes 
of price risk management, system optimization, equalization of 
burdens, and even for the improvement of margins. Proprie-
tary trading is permitted only within very tightly defined limits. 
The risk measure and volume limit used for the proprietary 
trading portfolio is a value-at-risk number with a 95- percent 
confidence interval, depending on market liquidity.

The trading limits for proprietary trading as well as for all other 
trading activities are established and monitored by bodies 
that are independent from trading operations. A three-year 
planning horizon, with defined limits, is applied for the sys-
tem portfolio. Limits used on hedging and proprietary trading 
activities include value-at-risk and profit-at-risk numbers, as 
well as stop-loss and volume limits. Additional key elements 
of the risk management system are a set of Group-wide com-
modity risk guidelines, the clear division of duties between 
scheduling, trading, settlement and controlling, as well as a 
risk reporting system independent from trading operations. 
Commodity positions and associated risks throughout the Group 
are reported to the members of the Risk Committee on a 
monthly basis.

As of December 31, 2012, the E.ON Group has entered into 
electricity, gas, coal, oil and emissions-related derivatives with 
a nominal value of €150,906 million (2011: €199,155 million).

A sensitivity analysis was performed on the Group’s short-term 
floating-rate borrowings, including hedges of both foreign 
exchange risk and interest risk. This measure is used for inter-
nal risk controlling and reflects the economic position of 
the E.ON Group. A one-percentage-point upward or downward 
change in interest rates (across all currencies) would cause 
interest charges to respectively increase or decrease by €29 mil-
lion in the subsequent fiscal year (2011: €13 million increase 
or decrease).

Commodity Price Risk Management
E.ON is exposed to substantial risks resulting from fluctuations 
in the prices of commodities, both on the supply and demand 
side. This risk is measured based on potential negative devia-
tion from the target EBITDA.

The maximum permissible risk is determined centrally by the 
Board of Management in its medium-term planning and trans-
lated into a decentralized limit structure in coordination with 
the units. Before fixing any limits, the investment plans and 
all other known obligations and quantifiable risks have been 
taken into account. Risk controlling and reporting, including 
portfolio optimization, is steered centrally for the Group by 
Group Management.

E.ON conducts commodity transactions primarily within the 
system portfolio, which includes core operations, existing sales 
and procurement contracts and any commodity derivatives 
used for hedging purposes or for power plant optimi zation. 
The risk in the system portfolio thus arises from the open 
position between planned procurement and generation and 
planned sales volumes. The risk of these open positions is 
measured using the profit-at-risk number, which quantifies the 
risk by taking into account the size of the open position and 
the prices, the volatility and the liquidity of the under lying com-
modities. PaR is defined as the maximum potential negative 
change in the value of the open position at a probability of 
95 percent in the event that the open position has to be closed 
as quickly as possible.

182 Notes

including their utilization, are submitted to the Risk Commit-
tee. Intensive, standardized monitoring of quantitative and 
qualitative early-warning indicators, as well as close monitoring 
of the credit quality of counterparties, enable E.ON to act early 
in order to minimize risk.

To the extent possible, pledges of collateral are negotiated 
with counterparties for the purpose of reducing credit risk. 
Accepted as collateral are guarantees issued by the respective 
parent companies or evidence of profit-and-loss-pooling 
agreements in combination with letters of awareness. To a 
lesser extent, the Company also requires bank guarantees 
and deposits of cash and securities as collateral to reduce credit 
risk. Risk-management collateral was accepted in the amount 
of €6,201 million.

The levels and backgrounds of financial assets received as 
collateral are described in more detail in Notes 18 and 26.

Derivative transactions are generally executed on the basis of 
standard agreements that allow for the netting of all open 
transactions with individual counterparties. For  currency and 
interest rate derivatives in the banking sector, this netting 
option is reflected in the accounting treatment. To further reduce 
credit risk, bilateral margining agreements are entered into 
with selected counterparties. Limits are imposed on the credit 
and liquidity risk resulting from bilateral margining agreements.

The VaR for the proprietary trading portfolio amounted to 
€6 million as of December 31, 2012 (2011: €19 million). The PaR 
for the financial and physical commodity positions held in 
the system portfolios over a three-year planning horizon was 
€4,306 million as of December 31, 2012 (2011: €2,860  million). 
The increase is attributable, among other things, to the forma-
tion of E.ON Global Commodities and to the inclusion of the 
renegotiated gas purchase contracts, and hence to an internal 
risk management structure that has been adjusted accordingly.

The calculation of the PaR reflects the position of the E.ON Group 
over a planning horizon of three years, and in addition to 
the financial instruments included in the scope of IFRS 7, also 
encompasses the remaining commodity positions in alignment 
with internal risk controlling.

Credit Risk Management
In order to minimize credit risk arising from operating activities 
and from the use of financial instruments, the Company enters 
into transactions only with counterparties that satisfy the Com-
pany’s internally established minimum requirements. Maxi-
mum credit risk limits are set on the basis of internal and, where 
available, external credit ratings. The setting and monitoring of 
credit limits is subject to certain minimum requirements, which 
are based on Group-wide credit risk management guidelines. 
Long-term operating contracts and asset management trans-
actions are not comprehensively included in this process. They 
are monitored separately at the level of the responsible units.

In principle, each Group company is responsible for managing 
credit risk in its operating activities. Depending on the nature 
of the operating activities and the credit limit, additional credit 
risk monitoring and controls are performed both by the units 
and by Group Management. Monthly reports on credit limits, 

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

183

Management at E.ON SE, which is part of the Company’s 
Finance Department, is responsible for continuous monitoring 
of overall risks and those concerning individual fund managers. 
Risk management is based on a risk budget whose usage is 
monitored regularly. The three-month VaR with a 98-percent 
confidence interval for these financial assets was €169 million 
(2011: €158 million).

In addition, the mutual insurance fund Versorgungskasse 
Energie VVaG (“VKE”) manages financial assets that are almost 
exclusively dedicated to the coverage of employee retirement 
benefits at E.ON Group companies in Germany; these assets 
totaled €0.7 billion at year-end 2012 (2011: €0.6 billion). The 
assets at VKE do not constitute plan assets under IAS 19 (see 
Note 24) and are shown as non-current and current assets 
on the balance sheet. The majority of the diversified portfolio, 
consisting of money market instruments, bonds, real estate 
and equities, is held in investment funds managed by external 
fund managers. VKE is subject to the provisions of the Insur-
ance Supervision Act (“Versicherungs aufsichts gesetz” or “VAG”) 
and its operations are supervised by the German Federal 
Financial Supervisory Authority (“Bundes anstalt für Finanzdienst-
leistungs aufsicht” or “BaFin”). Financial investments and con-
tinuous risk management are conducted within the regulatory 
confines set by BaFin. The three-month VaR with a 98-percent 
confidence interval for these financial assets was €19.3 million 
(2011: €18.7 million).

Exchange-traded forward and option contracts as well as 
exchange-traded emissions-related derivatives having an 
aggregate nominal value of €41,771 million as of December 31, 
2012, (2011: €49,360 million) bear no credit risk. For the remain-
ing financial instruments, the maximum risk of default is equal 
to their carrying amounts.

Virtually all of the investments in debt instruments have an 
external investment-grade rating.

At E.ON, liquid funds are normally invested at banks with good 
credit ratings, in top-rated money market funds or in short-
term securities (for example, commercial paper) of issuers 
with strong credit ratings. Bonds of public and private issuers 
are also selected for investment. Group companies that for 
legal reasons are not included in the cash pool invest money 
at leading local banks. Standardized credit assessment and 
limit-setting is complemented by daily monitoring of CDS levels 
at the banks and at other significant counterparties.

Asset Management

For the purpose of financing long-term payment obligations, 
including those relating to asset retirement obligations (see 
Note 25), financial investments totaling €5.7 billion (2011: 
€4.9 billion) were held predominantly by German E.ON Group 
companies as of December 31, 2012.

These financial assets are invested on the basis of an accumu-
lation strategy (total-return approach), with investments 
broadly diversified across the money market, bond, real estate 
and equity asset classes. Asset allocation studies are per-
formed at regular intervals to determine the target portfolio 
structure. The majority of the assets is held in investment 
funds managed by external fund managers. Corporate Asset 

184 Notes

(32) Transactions with Related Parties

E.ON exchanges goods and services with a large number of 
companies as part of its continuing operations. Some of these 
companies are related parties, the most significant of which 
are associated companies accounted for under the equity 
method and their subsidiaries. Additionally reported as related 
parties are joint ventures, as well as equity interests carried 
at fair value and unconsolidated subsidiaries, which are of 
lesser importance as regards the extent of the transactions 
described in the following discussion. Transactions with related 
parties are summarized as follows:

Related-Party Transactions

€ in millions

Income

Associated companies
Joint ventures
Other related parties

Expenses

Associated companies
Joint ventures
Other related parties

Receivables

Associated companies
Joint ventures
Other related parties

Liabilities

Associated companies
Joint ventures
Other related parties

2012

2,557
2,288
98
171

1,717
1,154
204
359

1,797
1,431
45
321

1,714
1,422
64
228

2011

2,473
2,191
154
128

2,292
1,654
228
410

1,798
1,297
302
199

2,909
2,123
81
705

Income from transactions with related companies is generated 
mainly through the delivery of gas and electricity to distrib-
utors and municipal entities, especially municipal utilities. The 
relationships with these entities do not generally differ from 
those that exist with municipal entities in which E.ON does not 
have an interest.

Expenses from transactions with related companies are 
 generated mainly through the procurement of gas, coal and 
electricity.

Receivables from related companies consist mainly of trade 
receivables.

Liabilities of E.ON payable to related companies as of 
December 31, 2012, include €720 million (2011: €859 million) 
in trade payables to operators of jointly-owned nuclear 
power plants. These payables bear interest at 1.0 percent or 
at one-month EURIBOR less 0.05 percent per annum (2011: 
1.0 percent or at one-month EURIBOR less 0.05 percent per 
annum) and have no fixed maturity. E.ON continues to have in 
place with these power plants a cost-transfer agreement 
and a cost-plus-fee agreement for the procurement of electricity. 
The settlement of such liabilities occurs mainly through clear-
ing accounts. In addition, E.ON reported financial liabilities of 
€340 million on December 31, 2012, (2011: €891 million) result-
ing from fixed-term deposits undertaken by the jointly-owned 
nuclear power plants at E.ON.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

185

Under IAS 24, compensation paid to key management person-
nel (members of the Board of Management and of the Super-
visory Board of E.ON SE) must be disclosed. The total expense 
for 2012 amounted to €15.7 million (2011: €13.5 million) in 
short-term benefits and €0 million (2011: €0 million) in termi-
nation benefits, as well as €2.8 million (2011: €2.4 million) in 
post-employment benefits.

The service cost of post-employment benefits is equal to the 
service cost of the provisions for pensions.

The expense determined in accordance with IFRS 2 for the 
tranches of the E.ON Share Performance Plan in existence in 
2012 was €2.0 million (2011: €0.6 million).

Provisions for the E.ON Share Performance Plan amounted to 
€3.2 million as of December 31, 2012 (2011: €1.2 million).

Members of the Supervisory Board received a total of 
€4.6 million for their activity in 2012 (2011: €4.8 million).

Furthermore, no transactions with key management personnel 
at non-market terms have taken place.

Detailed, individualized information on compensation can be 
found in the Compensation Report on pages 83 through 92.

(33) Segment Information

Led by its Group Management in Düsseldorf, Germany, the 
E. ON Group is segmented into global and regional units, 
which are reported here in accordance with IFRS 8. Since the 
beginning of 2012, the businesses of the existing Gas and 
Trading global units are reported collectively within the new 
Optimization & Trading segment. The exploration and produc-
tion business previously held within the Gas global unit has 
become its own segment. Furthermore, a number of gas 
 distribution companies previously assigned to the Gas global 
unit are being reported within the Germany regional unit 
since the beginning of the year. The corresponding prior-year 
figures have been adjusted.

Optimization & Trading
As the link between E.ON and the world’s wholesale energy 
markets, the Optimization & Trading global unit buys and 
sells electricity, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), oil, 
coal, freight, biomass, and carbon allowances. It additionally 
manages and develops assets at different levels in the gas 
market’s value chain.

Exploration & Production
E.ON’s exploration and production business is a segment 
active in the focus regions North Sea (U.K., Norway), Russia 
and North Africa.

Regional Units

E.ON’s distribution and sales operations in Europe are managed 
by eleven regional units in total.

For segment reporting purposes, the Germany, U.K., Sweden, 
Czechia and Hungary regional units are reported separately. 
E.ON’s power generation business in Russia is additionally 
reported as a special-focus region.

Global Units

The global units are reported separately in accordance with 
IFRS 8.

Generation
This global unit consists of the Group’s conventional (fossil 
and nuclear) generation assets in Europe. It manages and 
optimizes these assets across national boundaries.

Renewables
E.ON also takes a global approach to managing its carbon-
sourcing and renewables businesses. The objective at this 
unit is to extend the Group’s leading position in the growing 
renewables market.

186 Notes

Those units not reported separately are instead reported 
 collectively as “Other regional units.” They include the Italy, 
Spain, France, Netherlands, Slovakia and Romania units, and 
the Bulgaria regional unit through the end of June 2012.

The following table shows the reconciliation of our EBITDA to 
net income/loss as reported in the IFRS Consolidated Financial 
Statements:

Group Management/Consolidation contains E.ON SE itself, 
the interests held directly by E.ON SE, and the consolidation 
effects that take place at Group level.

Net Income

€ in millions

EBITDA1

Since January 1, 2011, EBITDA has been the key measure at 
E. ON for purposes of internal management control and as an 
indicator of a business’s long-term earnings power. EBITDA 
is derived from income/loss before interest, taxes, depreciation 
and amortization (including impairments and reversals) and 
adjusted to exclude extraordinary effects. The adjustments 
include net book gains and restructuring/cost-management 
expenses, as well as impairments and other non-oper ating 
income and expenses.

Economic net interest income is calculated by taking the net 
interest income shown in the income statement and adjusting 
it using economic criteria and excluding extraordinary effects, 
namely, the portions of interest expense that are non-operating. 
Net book gains are equal to the sum of book gains and losses 
from disposals, which are included in other operating income 
and other operating expenses. Restructuring and cost-manage-
ment expenses are non-recurring in nature. Other non-oper-
ating earnings encompass other non-operating income and 
expenses that are unique or rare in nature. Depending on the 
particular case, such income and expenses may affect differ-
ent line items in the income statement. For example, effects 
from the marking to market of derivatives are included in other 
operating income and expenses, while impairment charges 
on property, plant and equipment are included in depreciation, 
amortization and impairments.

Due to the adjustments, the key figures by segment may 
 differ from the corresponding IFRS figures reported in the 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

Depreciation and amortization

Impairments (-)/Reversals (+)2

EBIT1

Economic interest income (net)

Net book gains/losses

Restructuring/cost-management expenses

Impairments (-)/Reversals (+)2

Other non-operating earnings

Income/Loss (-) from continuing 
operations before taxes

Income taxes

Income/Loss (-) from continuing 
operations

Income from discontinued operations, net

Net income

Attributable to shareholders of E.ON SE
Attributable to non-controlling interests

2012

10,786

-3,544

-215

7,027

-1,321

322

-618

-1,688

-408

2011

9,293

-3,689

-166

5,438

-1,776

1,221

-1,387

-3,004

-3,403

3,314

-2,911

-710

1,036

2,604

-1,875

37

2,641
2,217
424

14

-1,861
-2,219
358

1Adjusted for extraordinary effects.
2Impairments differ from the amounts reported in accordance with IFRS due to 
impairments on companies accounted for under the equity method and impair-
ments on other financial assets, and also due to impairments recognized in non-
operating earnings.

Net book gains in 2012 were €0.9 billion, or 74 percent, below 
the prior-year level. In 2012, E.ON recorded book gains primarily 
on the disposal of its stake in Horizon Nuclear Power in the 
United Kingdom and on the sale of securities, network seg-
ments in Germany, a stake in a gas pipeline in the United King-
dom and an office building in Munich. The 2011 figure reflects, 
in particular, gains on the sale of Gazprom stock, the sale of the 
U.K. network business, the disposal of the gas distribution 
network in Sweden and the sale of securities.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

187

Restructuring and cost-management expenses totaled €0.6 bil-
lion in 2012, €0.8 billion less than in 2011. In 2012, most of 
this expenditure was attributable to the E.ON 2.0 cost-reduction 
program. E.ON 2.0 expenses consist primarily of obligations 
under early-retirement arrangements and severance packages 
at non-German subsidiaries, and were roughly €0.4 billion 
lower than in 2011. As in 2011, the remaining restructuring and 
cost-management expenses resulted mainly from restructuring 
measures  at German regional utilities and the withdrawal 
of generating units.

In 2012, E.ON’s global and regional units were adversely affected 
by a generally deteriorated market environment and by 
 regulatory intervention. This necessitated the recognition of 
impairment charges totaling €1.7 billion, particularly at the 
Generation, Renewables and Optimization & Trading units, and 
in the Other EU Countries segment. €0.3 billion was charged 
to goodwill, and another €1.7 billion to property, plant, and 
equipment, intangible assets and equity investments. These 
impairment charges were partially offset by reversals of impair-
ments in the amount of €0.3 billion, mainly in the Generation 
segment.

Other non-operating earnings of -€0.4 billion (2011: -€3.4 billion) 
include, among other things, the marking to market of deriv-
atives used to shield the operating businesses from price fluc-
tuations. As of December 31, 2012, this marking to market 
produced a negative effect of -€0.5 billion, compared with a 
negative effect of -€1.8 billion at year-end 2011. Non-operating 
earnings were also adversely affected by a number of smaller 
items in 2012. Positive effects on non-operating earnings in 
2012 included the reduction of the fine that the European Com-
mission had imposed on E.ON for an alleged market-sharing 
agreement with GdF Suez. In 2011, there were additional neg-
ative effects from the reclassification from equity of currency 

translation effects in the course of simplifying E. ON’s corpo-
rate structure, from impairment charges related to the amend-
ment of the Nuclear Energy Act in Germany, from prepayment 
penalties incurred in connection with debt reduction at E.ON 
and from write-downs on production licenses in the Explora-
tion & Production segment.

An additional adjustment to the internal profit analysis relates 
to net interest income, which is presented based on economic 
considerations. Economic net interest income is calculated by 
taking the net interest income from the income statement 
and adjusting it using economic criteria and excluding certain 
extraordinary (that is, non-operating) effects.

At -€1,321 million, economic net interest income increased over 
its 2011 level of -€1,776 million. The improvement in economic 
net interest income is primarily attributable to the reversal of 
provisions recognized in previous years. The influence in 2011 
of a one-time positive effect associated with the renewable 
energy support fund had an offsetting effect in 2012.

Economic Net Interest Income

€ in millions

2012

2011

Interest and similar expenses (net) 
as shown in the Consolidated 
Statements of Income

Non-operating interest expense (+)/
income (-)

Economic interest income (net)

-1,412

-2,094

91

-1,321

318

-1,776

Transactions within the E.ON Group are generally effected at 
market prices.

188 Notes

Financial Information by Business Segment

Generation

Renewables

Optimization & Trading

€ in millions

External sales

Intersegment sales

Sales 

EBITDA1

Earnings from companies accounted for under the equity method2

2012   

3,135   

10,107   

13,242   

2011   

3,737   

11,242   

14,979   

2,403   
8   

2,114   
8   

2012   

804   

1,674   

2,478   

1,271   
14   

2011   

781   

1,658   

63,252

36,849

2,439   

100,101

1,459   
11   

1,421
466

2012   

2011   

48,447

36,220

84,667

160
380

-381

581

Operating cash flow before interest and taxes

2,734   

2,644   

1,180   

1,376   

Investments

1,555   

1,711   

1,791   

1,114   

954

319

1Adjusted for extraordinary effects.
2Under IFRS, impairments on companies accounted for under the equity method and impairments on other financial assets (and any reversals of such charges) are included 
in income/loss (-) from companies accounted for under the equity method and financial results, respectively. These income effects are not part of EBITDA.

Financial Information by Business Segment—Presentation of Other EU Countries

€ in millions

External sales

Intersegment sales

Sales 

EBITDA1

Earnings from companies accounted for under the equity method2

Operating cash flow before interest and taxes

Investments

U.K.

Sweden

Czechia

2012   

9,607   

94   

2011   

8,467   

87   

9,701   

8,554   

289   
–   

278   

141   

523   
–   

154   

212   

2012   

2,660   

162   

2,822   

714   
9   

595   

397   

2011   

2,716   

206   

2,922   

672   
5   

622   

422   

2012   

2,851   

167   

3,018   

478   
50   

407   

172   

2011   

2,629   

136   

2,765   

470   
41   

230   

200   

1Adjusted for extraordinary effects.
2Under IFRS, impairments on companies accounted for under the equity method and impairments on other financial assets (and any reversals of such charges) are included 
in income/loss (-) from companies accounted for under the equity method and financial results, respectively. These income effects are not part of EBITDA.

The following table shows the reconciliation of operating 
cash flow before interest and taxes to operating cash flow:

Operating Cash Flow

€ in millions

2012

2011

Differ-
ence

Operating cash flow before 
interest and taxes

Interest payments

Tax payments

Operating cash flow

10,189

7,859

2,330

-851

-530

8,808

-1,200

-49

6,610

349

-481

2,198

The investments presented here are the purchases of invest-
ments reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 
 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

189

Russia

2012   

1,879   

–   

Group Management/
Consolidation

E.ON Group

2011   

1,615   

2012   

108   

2011   

2012   

2011   

89   

132,093   

112,954   

–   

-51,495   

-52,680   

0   

0   

Exploration & 
Production

Germany

Other EU Countries 
without Consolidation

2012   

2011   

2012   

2011   

2012   

2011   

38,777   

35,262   

22,925   

21,788   

1,521   

2,033   

1,171   

1,244   

1,213

173

1,386

523
72

531

573

1,235

283

1,518

727
54

817

645

40,298   

37,295   

24,096   

23,032   

1,879   

1,615   

-51,387   

-52,591   

132,093   

112,954   

2,819   
78   

2,457   
83   

2,032   
124   

2,259   
117   

2,868   

1,719   

1,874   

1,575   

1,070   

912   

1,063   

1,210   

729   
–   

690   

289   

553   
–   

-412   
-9   

-436   
–   

10,786   
753   

9,293   
653   

610   

-642   

-501   

10,189   

7,859   

322   

337   

29   

6,997   

6,524   

Hungary

Other regional units

Other EU Countries 
without Consolidation

2012   

1,910   

64   

2011   

1,916   

32   

1,974   

1,948   

186   
–   

215   

143   

223   
–   

197   

147   

2012   

5,897   

684   

6,581   

365   
65   

379   

210   

2011   

6,060   

783   

2012   

2011   

22,925   

21,788   

1,171   

1,244   

6,843   

24,096   

23,032   

371   
71   

2,032   
124   

2,259   
117   

372   

1,874   

1,575   

229   

1,063   

1,210   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
190 Notes

Additional Entity-Level Disclosures

External sales by product break down as follows:

Segment Information by Product

€ in millions

Electricity

Gas

Other

Total

2012

62,035

61,654

8,404

2011

59,946

46,068

6,940

132,093

112,954

The “Other” item consists in particular of revenues generated 
from services and from other trading activities.

The following table breaks down external sales (by customer 
and seller location), intangible assets and property, plant and 
equipment, as well as companies accounted for under the 
equity method, by geographic area:

Geographic Segment Information 

€ in millions

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

Germany

United Kingdom

Sweden

Europe (other)

Other

Total

External sales by 
location of customer

External sales by 
location of seller

56,860

47,519

34,110

31,924

4,798

4,511

34,901

28,308

1,424

692

132,093

112,954

Intangible assets

1,474

1,897

102,032

83,511

9,910

243

8,759

190

2,783

204

2,800

17,139

17,661

223

4,642

4,746

229

306

223

316

132,093

112,954

6,869

7,372

Property, plant and 
equipment

Companies 
accounted for under 
the equity method

16,722

20,900

6,319

5,307

9,723

9,097

18,656

17,627

2,753

2,938

54,173

55,869

2,161

4,485

2

208

283

278

1,615

1,354

6

–

4,067

6,325

E.ON’s customer structure did not result in any major concen-
tration in any given geographical region or business area. Due 
to the large number of customers the Company serves and 
the variety of its business activities, there are no indi vidual 
customers whose business volume is material compared with 
the Company’s total business volume.

Gas is procured primarily from Russia, Norway, Germany and 
the Netherlands.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

191

(34) Compensation of Supervisory Board and 
Board of Management

Board of Management

Supervisory Board

Total remuneration to members of the Supervisory Board in 
2012 amounted to €4.6 million (2011: €4.8 million).

As in 2011, there were no loans to members of the Supervisory 
Board in 2012.

The Supervisory Board’s compensation structure and the 
amounts for each member of the Supervisory Board are pre-
sented on pages 83 and 84 in the Compensation Report.

Additional information about the members of the Supervisory 
Board is provided on pages 208 and 209.

Total remuneration to members of the Board of Management 
in 2012 amounted to €21.7 million (2011: €17.6 million). This 
consisted of base salary, bonuses, other compensation elements 
and share-based payments.

Total payments to former members of the Board of Manage-
ment and their beneficiaries amounted to €9.7 million (2011: 
€9.5 million). Provisions of €154.3 million (2011: €137.7 million) 
have been established for the pension obligations to former 
members of the Board of Management and their beneficiaries.

As in 2011, there were no loans to members of the Board of 
Management in 2012.

The Board of Management’s compensation structure and the 
amounts for each member of the Board of Management are 
presented on pages 85 through 92 in the Compensation Report.

Additional information about the members of the Board of 
Management is provided on page 210.

192 Notes

(35) List of Shareholdings Pursuant to 
 Section 313 (2) HGB

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)

Name, location

2PRCE Energies SARL, FR, La Ciotat2

AB Lietūvos Dūjos, LT, Vilnius4

AB Svafo, SE, Stockholm5

Abfallwirtschaft Schleswig-Flensburg GmbH, DE, 
Schleswig5

Abfallwirtschaft Südholstein GmbH (AWSH), DE, 
Elmenhorst5

Abfallwirtschaftsgesellschaft Dithmarschen mbH, DE, Heide5

Abfallwirtschaftsgesellschaft Höxter mbH, DE, Höxter5

Abfallwirtschaftsgesellschaft Rendsburg-Eckernförde 
mbH, DE, Borgstedt5

Abwasser und Service Burg, Hochdonn GmbH, DE, Burg5

Abwasser und Service Mittelangeln GmbH, DE, Sartrup5

Abwasserbeseitigung Nortorf-Land GmbH, DE, Nortorf5

Abwasserentsorgung Albersdorf GmbH, DE, Albersdorf5

Abwasserentsorgung Amt Achterwehr GmbH, DE, 
Achterwehr5

Abwasserentsorgung Bargteheide GmbH, DE, Bargteheide5

Abwasserentsorgung Berkenthin GmbH, DE, Berkenthin5

Abwasserentsorgung Bleckede GmbH, DE, Bleckede5

Abwasserentsorgung Brunsbüttel GmbH (ABG), DE, 
Brunsbüttel5

Abwasserentsorgung Friedrichskoog GmbH, DE, 
Friedrichskoog5

Abwasserentsorgung Kappeln GmbH, DE, Kappeln5

Abwasserentsorgung Kropp GmbH, DE, Kropp5

Abwasserentsorgung Marne-Land GmbH, DE, 
Diekhusen-Fahrstedt5

Abwasserentsorgung Schladen GmbH, DE, Schladen5

Abwasserentsorgung Schöppenstedt GmbH, DE, 
Schöppenstedt5

Abwasserentsorgung St. Michaelisdonn, Averlak, Dingen, 
Eddelak GmbH, DE, St. Michaelisdonn5

Abwasserentsorgung Tellingstedt GmbH, DE, Tellingstedt5

Abwasserentsorgung Uetersen GmbH, DE, Uetersen5

Abwassergesellschaft Bardowick mbH & Co. KG, DE, 
Bardowick5

Abwassergesellschaft Bardowick Verwaltungs-GmbH, DE, 
Bardowick5

Abwassergesellschaft Ilmenau mbH, DE, Melbeck5

Abwasserwirtschaft Fichtelberg GmbH, DE, Fichtelberg5

Abwasserwirtschaft Kunstadt GmbH, DE, Burgkunstadt5

Stake (%)

Name, location

Stake (%)

100.0

38.9

22.0

49.0

49.0

49.0

49.0

49.0

44.0

33.0

49.0

49.0

49.0

27.0

44.0

49.0

Adria LNG d.o.o. za izradu studija, HR, Zagreb5

Aerodis, S.A., FR, Paris1

Alamo Solar, LLC, US, Delaware2

Åliden Vind AB, SE, Malmö2

AMGA – Azienda Multiservizi S.p.A., IT, Udine4

Amrumbank-West GmbH, DE, Munich1

Anacacho Wind Farm, LLC, US, Wilmington1

ANCO Sp. z o.o., PL, Jarocin2

Aquila Power Investments Limited, GB, Coventry1

Aquila Sterling Limited, GB, Coventry1

Arena One GmbH, DE, Munich1, 8

AS EESTI GAAS, EE, Tallinn5

AS Latvijās Gāze, LV, Riga4

AV Packaging GmbH, DE, Munich7

AVA Velsen GmbH, DE, Saarbrücken5

Avacon Hochdrucknetz GmbH, DE, Helmstedt2

Avon Energy Partners Holdings, GB, Coventry1

AWE-Arkona-Windpark Entwicklungs-GmbH, DE, Stralsund2

AWP GmbH, DE, Paderborn2

B.V. NEA, NL, Dodewaard5

49.0

Bad Driburg-Solar GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Bad Driburg5

49.0

49.0

49.0

49.0

49.0

49.0

25.1

35.0

49.0

49.0

49.0

49.0

25.0

30.0

Bad Driburg-Solar-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, DE, 
Bad Driburg5

Badlantic Betriebsgesellschaft mbH, DE, Ahrensburg5

Barras Eléctricas Galaico-Asturianas, S.A., ES, Lugo1

Barras Eléctricas Generación, S.L., ES, Lugo1

BauMineral GmbH, DE, Herten1, 8

Bayernwerk AG, DE, Munich2

BBL Company V.O.F., NL, Groningen4

Bergeforsens Kraftaktiebolag, SE, Bispgården4

Beteiligungsgesellschaft der Energieversorgungsunter-
nehmen an der Kerntechnische Hilfsdienst GmbH GbR, 
DE, Karlsruhe5

Beteiligungsgesellschaft e.disnatur mbH, DE, Potsdam2

BEW Bayreuther Energie- und Wasserversorgungs-GmbH, 
DE, Bayreuth4

BHL Biomasse Heizanlage Lichtenfels GmbH, DE, 
Lichtenfels5

BHO Biomasse Heizanlage Obernsees GmbH, DE, Hollfeld5

BHP Biomasse Heizwerk Pegnitz GmbH, DE, Pegnitz5

Bietergemeinschaft Tönsmeier MVA BI-HF, DE, Porta 
Westfalica5

39.2

100.0

100.0

100.0

21.9

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

33.7

47.2

0.0

49.0

100.0

100.0

98.0

100.0

25.0

48.9

49.0

49.0

54.9

55.0

100.0

100.0

20.0

40.0

44.0

100.0

24.9

25.1

40.7

46.5

50.0

adebton GmbH, DE, Potsdam2

100.0

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

193

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Bioenergie Bad Füssing GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Bad Füssing5

25.0

Celle-Uelzen Netz GmbH, DE, Celle1

Bioenergie Bad Füssing Verwaltungs-GmbH, DE, 
Bad Füssing5

Bioenergie Merzig GmbH, DE, Merzig2

Bioenergie Northeim-Osterode Verwaltungs-GmbH, DE, 
Northeim5

Bioenergie Südharz GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Northeim5

Bioerdgas Hallertau GmbH, DE, Wolnzach2

Bioerdgas Schwandorf GmbH, DE, Schwandorf2

Biogas Ducherow GmbH, DE, Ducherow2

Biogas Roggenhagen GmbH, DE, Potsdam2

Biogas Steyerberg GmbH, DE, Sarstedt2

Bioheizwerk Rötz GmbH, DE, Rötz5

BioMass Nederland b.v., NL, Maasvlakte1

Biomasseheizkraftwerk Emden GmbH, DE, Emden2

Biomasseheizkraftwerk Landesbergen GmbH, DE, 
Landesbergen5

Bioplyn Cetín, s.r.o., SK, Bratislava2

Bioplyn Hont, s.r.o., SK, Bratislava2

Bioplyn Horovce, s.r.o., SK, Bratislava2

Bioplyn Ladzany, s.r.o., SK, Bratislava2

BIOPLYN Trebon spol. s.r.o., CZ, Třeboň5

BioSolar Otrokovice s.r.o., CZ, Otrokovice2

Bio-Wärme Gräfelfing GmbH, DE, Gräfelfing5

Biowärme Surheim GmbH, DE, Regensburg2

Biunisi Solar S.r.l., IT, Sassari2

Björn Kraft Oy, FI, Kotka1

BKW Biokraftwerke Fürstenwalde GmbH, DE, 
 Fürstenwalde/Spree5

Blåsjön Kraft AB, SE, Arbrå4

Blomberger Versorgungsbetriebe GmbH/E.ON Westfalen 
Weser AG-GbR, DE, Blomberg5

BMV Energie Beteiligungs GmbH, DE, Fürstenwalde/Spree2

BMV Energie GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Fürstenwalde/Spree2

Braila Power S.A., RO, Chiscani village2

Brännälven Kraft AB, SE, Arbrå4

Brattmyrliden Vind AB, SE, Malmö2

Breitbandnetz GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Breklum5

BTB Bayreuther Thermalbad GmbH, DE, Bayreuth5

Bursjöliden Vind AB, SE, Malmö2

Bützower Wärme GmbH, DE, Bützow5

Carbiogas b.v., NL, Nuenen5

CART Partecipazioni in liquidazione S.r.l., IT, 
Orio al Serio (BG)2

CEC Energieconsulting GmbH, DE, Kirchlengern2

25.0

51.0

49.0

49.0

64.9

100.0

80.0

60.0

100.0

25.0

100.0

70.0

50.0

71.5

89.1

95.5

98.3

24.7

100.0

40.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

48.8

50.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

66.5

19.1

100.0

25.1

33.3

100.0

20.0

33.3

100.0

62.5

Centrale Solare di Fiumesanto S.r.l., IT, Sassari1

Centro Energia Ferrara S.p.A, IT, Rome4

Centro Energia Teverola S.p.A, IT, Rome4

Champion WF Holdco, LLC, US, Wilmington1

Champion Wind Farm, LLC, US, Wilmington1

CHN Contractors Limited, GB, Coventry1

CHN Electrical Services Limited, GB, Coventry1

CHN Group Ltd, GB, Coventry1

CHN Special Projects Limited, GB, Coventry1

Citigen (London) Limited, GB, Coventry1

Colonia-Cluj-Napoca-Energie S.R.L., RO, Cluj5

COMPAÑIA EÓLICA ARAGONESA, S.A., ES, Zaragoza4

Cordova Wind Farm, LLC, US, Wilmington2

Cottam Development Centre Limited, GB, Coventry1

Croplin d.o.o., HR, Zagreb5

Csornai Kogenerációs Erőmű Kft., HU, Győr5

CT Services Holdings Limited, GB, Coventry1

Dampfversorgung Ostsee-Molkerei GmbH, DE, Wismar5

DD Brazil Holdings SARL, LU, Luxembourg1

DD Turkey Holdings, SARL, LU, Luxembourg2

Debreceni Kombinált Ciklusú Erőmű Kft., HU, Debrecen1

Delcomm Limited, GB, Coventry1

Deutsche Flüssigerdgas Terminal oHG, DE, Essen2

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wiederaufarbeitung von 
 Kernbrennstoffen AG & Co. oHG, DE, Gorleben5

DFTG - Deutsche Flüssigerdgas Terminal Gesellschaft mit 
beschränkter Haftung, DE, Wilhelmshaven2

Diamond Power Generation Limited, GB, Coventry1

Distribuidora de Gas Cuyana S.A., AR, Mendoza2

Distribuidora de Gas del Centro S.A., AR, Córdoba1

Donaukraftwerk Jochenstein AG, DE, Passau4

Donau-Wasserkraft Aktiengesellschaft, DE, Munich1

DOTI Deutsche-Offshore-Testfeld- und Infrastruktur-
GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Oldenburg4

DOTI Management GmbH, DE, Oldenburg5

DOTTO MORCONE S.R.L., IT, Milan2

Dutchdelta Finance SARL, LU, Luxembourg1

E-Bio Kyjov s.r.o., CZ, Otrokovice5

E WIE EINFACH GmbH, DE, Cologne1

e.dialog GmbH, DE, Potsdam2

e.discom Telekommunikation GmbH, DE, Rostock2

e.disnatur Erneuerbare Energien GmbH, DE, Potsdam1

e.distherm Wärmedienstleistungen GmbH, DE, Potsdam1

97.5

100.0

58.4

58.4

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

33.3

50.0

100.0

100.0

50.0

50.0

100.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

90.0

42.5

90.0

100.0

53.2

58.7

50.0

100.0

26.0

26.0

100.0

100.0

24.5

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

194 Notes

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Name, location

Stake (%)

E.ON Human Resources International GmbH, DE, Munich1, 8

E.ON Provence Biomasse SARL, FR, Paris2

E.ON Achtzehnte Verwaltungs GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf2

E.ON Anlagenservice GmbH, DE, Gelsenkirchen1

E.ON Argentina S.A., AR, Buenos Aires1

E.ON Asset Management GmbH & Co. EEA KG, DE, 
 Grünwald1, 8

E.ON Austria GmbH, AT, Vienna1

E.ON Avacon AG, DE, Helmstedt1

E.ON Avacon Vertrieb GmbH, DE, Helmstedt1

E.ON Avacon Wärme GmbH, DE, Sarstedt1

E.ON Bayern AG, DE, Regensburg1

E.ON Bayern Vertrieb GmbH, DE, Regensburg1

E.ON Bayern Verwaltungs AG, DE, Munich2

E.ON Bayern Wärme 1. Beteiligungs-GmbH, DE, Regensburg2

E.ON Bayern Wärme GmbH, DE, Munich1

E.ON Belgium N.V., BE, Brussels1

E.ON Benelux CCS Project B.V., NL, Rotterdam2

E.ON Benelux Geothermie B.V., NL, Rotterdam1

E.ON Benelux Holding b.v., NL, Rotterdam1

E.ON Benelux Levering b.v., NL, Eindhoven/Noord-Brabant1

E.ON Benelux N.V., NL, Rotterdam1

E.ON Best Service GmbH, DE, Hamburg1

E.ON Beteiligungen GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf1, 8

E.ON Bioerdgas GmbH, DE, Essen1

E.ON Biofor Sverige AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Brasil Energia LTDA., BR, City of São Paulo, 
State of São Paulo1

E.ON Business Services GmbH, DE, Berlin2

E.ON Business Services SRL, RO, Cluj2

E.ON Carbon Sourcing GmbH, DE, Essen1, 8

E.ON Carbon Sourcing North America LLC, US, Wilmington2

E.ON Castilla La Mancha, S.L., ES, Albacete2

E.ON Casting Renovables, S.L., ES, Teruel2

E.ON Česká republika, s.r.o., CZ, České Budějovice1

E.ON Climate & Renewables Canada Ltd., CA, Saint John1

E.ON Climate & Renewables Carbon Sourcing Limited, 
GB, Coventry2

E.ON Climate & Renewables Carbon Sourcing Pte Ltd, SG, 
Singapore2

E.ON Climate & Renewables Central Europe GmbH, DE, 
Munich1

E.ON Climate & Renewables France Solar S.A.S., FR, 
La Ciotat1

E.ON Climate & Renewables GmbH, DE, Essen1

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

75.1

68.7

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

85.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

E.ON Climate & Renewables Italia S.r.l., IT, Milan1

E.ON Climate & Renewables Italia Solar S.r.l., IT, Milan1

E.ON Climate & Renewables North America LLC, US, 
Wilmington1

E.ON Climate & Renewables UK Biomass Limited, GB, 
Coventry1

E.ON Climate & Renewables UK Blyth Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON Climate & Renewables UK Developments Limited, 
GB, Coventry1

E.ON Climate & Renewables UK Humber Wind Limited, 
GB, Coventry1

E.ON Climate & Renewables UK Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON Climate & Renewables UK London Array Limited, 
GB, Coventry1

E.ON Climate & Renewables UK Offshore Wind Limited, 
GB, Coventry1

E.ON Climate & Renewables UK Operations Limited, GB, 
Coventry1

E.ON Climate & Renewables UK Rampion Offshore Wind 
Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON Climate & Renewables UK Robin Rigg East Limited, 
GB, Coventry1

E.ON Climate & Renewables UK Robin Rigg West Limited, 
GB, Coventry1

E.ON Climate & Renewables UK Wind Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON Climate & Renewables UK Zone Six Limited, GB, 
Coventry1

E.ON Comercializadora de Último Recurso S.L., ES, 
Santander1

E.ON Connecting Energies GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf1, 8

E.ON Czech Holding AG, DE, Munich1, 8

E.ON Czech Holding Verwaltungs-GmbH, DE, Munich1, 8

E.ON Danmark A/S, DK, Herlev1

E.ON Dél-dunántúli Áramhálózati Zrt., HU, Pécs1

E.ON Dél-dunántúli Gázhálózati Zrt., HU, Pécs1

E.ON Direkt GmbH, DE, Essen1

E.ON Distribuce, a.s., CZ, České Budějovice1

E.ON Distribución, S.L., ES, Santander1

E.ON Dreiundzwanzigste Verwaltungs GmbH, DE, 
Düsseldorf2

E.ON E&P Algeria GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf1, 8

E.ON E&P Norge AS, NO, Stavanger1

E.ON E&P UK Energy Trading Limited, GB, London1

E.ON E&P UK EU Limited, GB, London1

E.ON E&P UK Limited, GB, London1

E.ON edis AG, DE, Fürstenwalde/Spree1

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

71.5

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

195

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Name, location

Stake (%)

E.ON edis Contracting GmbH, DE, Fürstenwalde/Spree2

E.ON edis energia Sp. z o.o., PL, Warsaw1

E.ON edis Vertrieb GmbH, DE, Fürstenwalde/Spree1

E.ON Elektrárne s.r.o., SK, Tracovice1

E.ON Elnät Stockholm AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Elnät Sverige AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Energia S.p.A., IT, Milan1

E.ON Energía, S.L., ES, Santander1

E.ON Energiaszolgáltató Kft., HU, Budapest1

E.ON Energiatermelő Kft., HU, Debrecen1

E.ON Energie 25. Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH München, 
DE, Munich2, 8

E.ON Energie 27. Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH München, 
DE, Munich2

E.ON Energie 31. Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH München, 
DE, Munich2

E.ON Energie 33. Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH München, 
DE, Munich2

E.ON Energie 37. Beteiligungs-GmbH, DE, Munich2

E.ON Energie 38. Beteiligungs-GmbH, DE, Munich2

E.ON Energie 39. Beteiligungs-GmbH, DE, Munich2

E.ON Energie AG, DE, Munich1, 8

E.ON Energie Odnawialne Sp. z o.o., PL, Szczecin1

E.ON Energie Real Estate investment GmbH, DE, Munich2

E.ON Energie România S.A., RO, Târgu Mureş1

E.ON Energie S.A.S., FR, Paris1

E.ON Energie, a.s., CZ, České Budějovice1

E.ON Energies Renouvelables S.A.S., FR, Paris1

E.ON Energihandel Nordic AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Energy from Waste AG, DE, Helmstedt1

E.ON Energy from Waste Delfzijl B.V., NL, Farmsum1

E.ON Energy from Waste Göppingen GmbH, DE, Göppingen1

E.ON Energy from Waste Großräschen GmbH, DE, 
Großräschen1

E.ON Energy from Waste Hannover GmbH, DE, Hanover1

E.ON Energy from Waste Helmstedt GmbH, DE, Helmstedt1

E.ON Energy from Waste Heringen GmbH, DE, Heringen1

E.ON Energy from Waste Leudelange SARL, LU, Leudelange1

E.ON Energy from Waste Polska Sp. z o.o., PL, Warsaw2

E.ON Energy from Waste Premnitz GmbH, DE, Premnitz1

E.ON Energy from Waste Saarbrücken GmbH, DE,  Saarbrücken1

E.ON Energy from Waste Stapelfeld GmbH, DE, Stapelfeld1

E.ON Energy From Waste UK Limited, GB, Coventry – West 
Midlands2

E.ON Energy Gas (Eastern) Limited, GB, Coventry1

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

51.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

85.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

E.ON Energy Gas (Northwest) Limited, GB, Coventry2

E.ON Energy Projects GmbH, DE, Munich1, 8

E.ON Energy Sales GmbH, DE, Essen1

E.ON Energy Solutions Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON Energy Storage GmbH, DE, Essen2

E.ON Energy Trading Bulgaria EOOD – w likwidazia, BG, Sofia2

E.ON Energy Trading NL Staff Company 2 B.V., NL,  Voorburg2

E.ON Energy Trading NL Staff Company B.V., NL, Rotterdam2

E.ON Energy Trading S.p.A., IT, Milan1

E.ON Energy Trading SE, DE, Düsseldorf1

E.ON Energy Trading Srbija d.o.o., RS, Belgrade2

E.ON Energy Trading UK Staff Company Limited, GB, 
Coventry1

E.ON Energy UK Limited, GB, Coventry2

E.ON Erőművek Termelő és Üzemeltetö Kft., HU, Budapest1

E.ON España, S.L., ES, Madrid1

E.ON Észak-dunántúli Áramhálózati Zrt., HU, Győr1

E.ON Europa, S.L., ES, Madrid1

E.ON Exploration & Production GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf1, 8

E.ON Facility Management GmbH, DE, Munich1, 8

E.ON Fastigheter Sverige AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Fernwärme GmbH, DE, Gelsenkirchen1

E.ON Finanzanlagen GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf1, 8

E.ON First Future Energy Holding B.V., NL, Rotterdam1

E.ON Földgáz Storage ZRt., HU, Budapest1

E.ON Földgáz Trade ZRt., HU, Budapest1

E.ON Försäkring Sverige AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Försäljning Sverige AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON France Management S.A.S., FR, Paris2

E.ON France S.A.S., FR, Paris1

E.ON Gas & Power S.R.L., RO, Bucharest2

E.ON Gas Mobil GmbH, DE, Essen2

E.ON Gas Storage GmbH, DE, Essen1

E.ON Gas Storage UK Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON Gas Sverige AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Gashandel Sverige AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Gasification Development AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Gaz Distributie S.A., RO, Târgu Mureş1

E.ON Gazdasági Szolgáltató Kft., HU, Győr1

E.ON Generación, S.L., ES, Santander1

E.ON Generation Belgium N.V., BE, Vilvoorde1

E.ON Generation GmbH, DE, Hanover1

E.ON Gruga Geschäftsführungsgesellschaft mbH, DE, 
Düsseldorf2

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

51.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

196 Notes

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Name, location

Stake (%)

E.ON Gruga Objektgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, DE, 
 Düsseldorf1, 8

E.ON Hálózati Szolgáltató Kft., HU, Pécs1

E.ON Hanse AG, DE, Quickborn1

E.ON Hanse Vertrieb GmbH, DE, Hamburg1

E.ON Hanse Wärme GmbH, DE, Hamburg1

E.ON Hungária Zrt., HU, Budapest1

E.ON Iberia Holding GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf1, 8

E.ON Iberia Services, S.L., ES, Málaga1

E.ON Inhouse Consulting GmbH, DE, Munich2, 8

E.ON INTERNATIONAL FINANCE B.V., NL, Rotterdam1

E.ON Invest GmbH, DE, Grünwald, Landkreis Munich2

E.ON IT Bulgaria EOOD, BG, Sofia2

E.ON IT Czech Republic s.r.o., CZ, České Budějovice2

E.ON IT GmbH, DE, Hanover1

E.ON IT Hungary Kft., HU, Budapest2

E.ON IT Italia S.r.l., IT, Milan2

E.ON IT Netherlands B.V., NL, Rotterdam2

E.ON IT România S.R.L, RO, Iasi2

E.ON IT Slovakia spol. s.r.o., SK, Bratislava2

E.ON IT Sverige AB, SE, Malmö2

E.ON IT UK Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON Italia S.p.A., IT, Milan1

E.ON JobCenter Sverige AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Kainuu Oy, FI, Kajaani1

E.ON Kärnkraft Finland AB, FI, Kajaani1

E.ON Kärnkraft Sverige AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Kernkraft GmbH, DE, Hanover1

E.ON Közép-dunántúli Gázhálózati Zrt., HU, Nagykanizsa1

E.ON Kraftwerke 6. Beteiligungs-GmbH, DE, Hanover2

E.ON Kraftwerke GmbH, DE, Hanover1

E.ON Kundsupport Sverige AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON Mälarkraft Värme AB, SE, Håbo1

E.ON Masdar Integrated Carbon LLC, AE, Kalif A City, 
Abu Dhabi5

E.ON Metering GmbH, DE, Munich2

E.ON Mitte 1. Vermögensverwaltungs GmbH, DE, Kassel2

E.ON Mitte 2. Vermögensverwaltungs GmbH, DE, Kassel2

E.ON Mitte AG, DE, Kassel1

E.ON Mitte Natur GmbH, DE, Dillenburg1

E.ON Mitte Vertrieb GmbH, DE, Kassel1

E.ON Mitte Wärme GmbH, DE, Kassel1

E.ON Moldova Distributie S.A., RO, Iasi1

100.0

100.0

73.8

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

51.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

50.6

100.0

100.0

100.0

99.8

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

99.8

50.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

73.3

100.0

100.0

100.0

51.0

E.ON NA Capital LLC, US, Wilmington1

E.ON NA Investments LLC, US, Wilmington1

E.ON Netz GmbH, DE, Bayreuth1

E.ON New Build & Technology B.V., NL, Rotterdam2

E.ON New Build & Technology BVBA, BE, Vilvoorde2

E.ON New Build & Technology GmbH, DE, Gelsenkirchen1

E.ON New Build & Technology Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON Nord Sverige AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Nordic AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON North America, Inc., US, Wilmington1

E.ON Perspekt GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf2

E.ON Polska Sp. z o.o. w likwidacji, PL, Warsaw2

E.ON Portfolio Solution GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf2

E.ON Power Plants Belgium BVBA, BE, Brussels2

E.ON Produktion Danmark A/S, DK, Herlev1

E.ON Produzione Centrale Livorno Ferraris S.p.A., IT, Milan1

E.ON Produzione S.p.A., IT, Sassari1

E.ON Project Earth Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON RAG Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DE, Düsseldorf1

E.ON RE Investments LLC, US, Wilmington1

E.ON Real Estate GmbH, DE, Essen2

E.ON Red S.L., ES, Santander1

E.ON Regenerabile România S.R.L, RO, Iasi2

E.ON Renovables Financiera, S.L., ES, Madrid2

E.ON Renovables, S.L., ES, Madrid1

E.ON Renovaveis Portugal, SGPS S.A., PT, Lisbon1

E.ON Retail Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON Risk Consulting GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf1

E.ON România S.R.L., RO, Târgu Mureş1

E.ON Ruhrgas AG, DE, Essen1

E.ON Ruhrgas Austria GmbH, AT, Vienna1

E.ON Ruhrgas BBL B.V., NL, Voorburg1

E.ON Ruhrgas Dutch Holding B.V., NL, Den Haag2

E.ON Ruhrgas GPA GmbH, DE, Essen1, 8

E.ON Ruhrgas International GmbH, DE, Essen1, 8

E.ON Ruhrgas Nigeria Limited, NG, Abuja2

E.ON Ruhrgas Personalagentur GmbH, DE, Essen2

E.ON Ruhrgas Polska Sp. z o.o., PL, Warsaw2

E.ON Ruhrgas Portfolio GmbH, DE, Essen2

E.ON Russia Beteiligungs GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf2

E.ON Russia Holding GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf1, 8

E.ON Sechzehnte Verwaltungs GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf1, 8

E.ON Service GmbH, DE, Essen2

E.ON Service Plus GmbH, DE, Landshut1

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

75.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

80.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

90.2

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

197

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Name, location

Stake (%)

E.ON Servicii S.R.L., RO, Târgu Mureş1

E.ON Servicios, S.L., ES, Santander1

E.ON Servisní, s.r.o., CZ, České Budějovice1

E.ON Siebzehnte Verwaltungs GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf2

E.ON Slovensko, a.s., SK, Bratislava1

E.ON Smart Living AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Suomi Oy, FI, Helsinki1

E.ON Sverige AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Thüringer Energie AG, DE, Erfurt1

E.ON Thüringer Energie Dritte Vermögensverwaltungs-
GmbH, DE, Erfurt2

E.ON Thüringer Energie Fünfte Vermögensverwaltungs-
GmbH, DE, Erfurt2

E.ON Thüringer Energie Vierte Vermögensverwaltungs-
GmbH, DE, Erfurt2

E.ON Tiszántúli Áramhálózati Zrt., HU, Debrecen1

E.ON Trend s.r.o., CZ, České Budějovice1

E.ON Turkey Enerji Anonim Şirketi, TR, Ankara2

E.ON Ügyfélszolgálati Kft., HU, Budapest1

E.ON UK CHP Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON UK CoGeneration Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON UK Community Solar Limited, GB, Coventry2

E.ON UK Directors Limited, GB, Coventry2

E.ON UK Energy Services Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON UK Energy Solutions Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON UK Gas Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON UK Holding Company Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON UK Industrial Shipping Limited, GB, Coventry2

E.ON UK Ironbridge Limited, GB, Coventry2

E.ON UK Pension Trustees Limited, GB, Coventry2

E.ON UK plc, GB, Coventry1

E.ON UK Power Technology Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON UK Property Services Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON UK PS Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON UK Retail Limited, GB, Coventry2

E.ON UK Secretaries Limited, GB, Coventry2

E.ON UK Technical Services Limited, GB, Edinburgh1

E.ON UK Trustees Limited, GB, Coventry1

E.ON US Corporation, US, Wilmington1

E.ON US Energy LLC, US, Red Bank1

E.ON US Holding GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf1, 8

E.ON Varme Danmark ApS, DK, Herlev1

E.ON Värme Sverige AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Värme Timrå AB, SE, Sundsvall1

100.0

100.0

83.7

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

53.0

100.0

E.ON Värmekraft Sverige AB, SE, Karlshamn1

E.ON Vattenkraft Sverige AB, SE, Sundsvall1

E.ON Vertrieb Deutschland GmbH, DE, Munich1

E.ON Vierundzwanzigste Verwaltungs GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf2

E.ON Vind Sverige AB, SE, Malmö1

E.ON Wasserkraft GmbH, DE, Landshut1

E.ON Westfalen Weser 3. Vermögensverwaltungs-UG  
 (haftungsbeschränkt), DE, Hameln2

E.ON Westfalen Weser AG, DE, Paderborn1

E.ON Westfalen Weser Energie-Service GmbH, DE, 
Kirchlengern1

E.ON Westfalen Weser Vertrieb GmbH, DE, Paderborn1

100.0

E.ON Zwanzigste Verwaltungs GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf2

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

90.9

E.ON Zweiundzwanzigste Verwaltungs GmbH, DE, 
 Düsseldorf2

East Midlands Electricity Distribution Holdings, GB, 
Coventry1

East Midlands Electricity Distribution Limited, GB, Coventry2

East Midlands Electricity Generation (Corby) Limited, GB, 
Coventry1

East Midlands Electricity Limited, GB, Coventry1

East Midlands Electricity Share Scheme Trustees Limited, 
GB, Coventry2

EAV Beteiligungs-GmbH, DE, Helmstedt1

EBG 1. Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DE, Essen2

EBS Kraftwerk GmbH, DE, Hürth5

EBY Eigenbetriebe GmbH, DE, Regensburg1

EBY Gewerbeobjekt GmbH, DE, Regensburg2

EBY Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Regensburg2

EBY Port 3 GmbH, DE, Regensburg1

EBY Port 5 GmbH, DE, Regensburg2

EC Serwis sp. z o.o., PL, Slupsk1

EC&R Asset Management, LLC, US, Wilmington1

EC&R Canada Ltd., CA, Saint John1

EC&R Development, LLC, US, Wilmington1

EC&R Energy Marketing, LLC, US, Wilmington1

EC&R Investco Mgmt II, LLC, US, Wilmington1

EC&R Investco Mgmt, LLC, US, Wilmington1

EC&R NA Solar PV, LLC, US, Wilmington2

EC&R O&M, LLC, US, Wilmington1

EC&R Panther Creek Wind Farm I&II, LLC, US, Wilmington1

EC&R Panther Creek Wind Farm III, LLC, US, Wilmington1

EC&R Papalote Creek I, LLC, US, Wilmington1

EC&R Papalote Creek II, LLC, US, Wilmington1

EC&R QSE, LLC, US, Wilmington1

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

62.8

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

198 Notes

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Name, location

Stake (%)

EC&R Services, LLC, US, Wilmington1

EC&R Sherman, LLC, US, Wilmington2

Economy Power Limited, GB, Coventry1

E-Eko Malenovice s.r.o., CZ, Otrokovice2

EEP 1. Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DE, Munich2

EEP 2. Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DE, Munich2

EEP 3. Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DE, Munich2

EFG Erdgas Forchheim GmbH, DE, Forchheim5

EFM GmbH & Co. Beta KG, DE, Karlsfeld1, 8

EFR Europäische Funk-Rundsteuerung GmbH, DE, Munich5

EFR-CEE Szolgáltató Kft., HU, Budapest5

EGF EnergieGesellschaft Frankenberg mbH, DE, 
 Frankenberg/Eder5

EH-SZER Energetikai és Távközlési Hálózatépítő és 
Szerelő Kft., HU, Győr1

Eisenacher Versorgungs-Betriebe GmbH (EVB), DE, Eisenach4

Ekopur d.o.o., SI, Ljubljana2

EKS-Service Kft., HU, Budapest5

Elecdey ASCOY, S.A., ES, Murcia5

Elecdey CARCELÉN, S.A., ES, Albacete4

Elektrizitätswerk Schwandorf GmbH, DE, Schwandorf2

Elevate Holdco Funding, LLC, US, Delaware2

Elevate Wind Holdco, LLC, US, Wilmington2

ELICA S.R.L., IT, Milan2

Elmregia GmbH, DE, Schöningen5

Első Magyar Szélerőmű Kft., HU, Kulcs2

Eltel Networks Pohjoinen Oy, FI, Kajaani4

Elverket Vallentuna AB, SE, Vallentuna4

EME Distribution No. 2 Limited, GB, Coventry1

Empec Ustka Sp. z o.o., PL, Ustka4

ENACO Energieanlagen- und Kommunikationstechnik 
GmbH, DE, Maisach, Landkreis Fürstenfeldbruck5

ENAG/Maingas Energieanlagen GmbH, DE, Eisenach5

Energest S.r.l., IT, Mira (VE)2

Energetika Malenovice, a.s., CZ, Zlin-Malenovice2

ENERGETIKA SERVIS s.r.o., CZ, České Budějovice2

Energetyka Cieplna miasta Skarżysko-Kamienna 
Sp. z o.o., PL, Skarżysko-Kamienna2

Energetyka Cieplna Opolszczyzny S.A., PL, Opole5

Energia Eolica Sud s.r.l., IT, Milan2

Energías Renovables de Euskadi, S.L., ES, Bilbao5

Energie Region Kassel GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Vellmar1

Energie Region Kassel Verwaltungs GmbH, DE, Vellmar2

Energie- und Medienversorgung Schwarza GmbH (EMS), 
DE, Rudolstadt/Schwarza1

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

24.9

100.0

39.9

37.0

40.0

100.0

25.1

100.0

50.0

19.5

23.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

49.0

74.7

25.0

43.4

100.0

48.5

26.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

80.0

63.9

45.7

100.0

30.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Energie und Wasser Potsdam GmbH, DE, Potsdam4

Energie und Wasser Wahlstedt/Bad Segeberg GmbH & 
Co. KG (ews), DE, Bad Segeberg5

Energie-Agentur Weyhe GmbH, DE, Weyhe5

Energieerzeugungswerke Geesthacht GmbH, DE, 
Geesthacht5

Energienetze Bayern GmbH, DE, Regensburg1

Energienetze Schaafheim GmbH, DE, Regensburg2

Energieversorgung Alzenau GmbH (EVA), DE, Alzenau5

Energieversorgung Apolda GmbH, DE, Apolda4

Energieversorgung Buching-Trauchgau (EBT) Gesell-
schaft mit beschränkter Haftung, DE, Halblech5

Energieversorgung Greiz GmbH, DE, Greiz4

Energieversorgung Inselsberg GmbH, DE, Waltershausen5

Energieversorgung Nordhausen GmbH, DE, Nordhausen4

Energieversorgung Putzbrunn GmbH & Co. KG, DE, 
Putzbrunn5

Energieversorgung Putzbrunn Verwaltungs GmbH, DE, 
Putzbrunn5

Energieversorgung Rudolstadt GmbH, DE, Rudolstadt5

Energieversorgung Sehnde GmbH, DE, Sehnde5

Energie-Wende-Garching GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Garching, 
Landkreis Munich5

Energie-Wende-Garching Verwaltungs-GmbH, DE, 
 Garching, Landkreis Munich5

Energiewerke Isernhagen GmbH, DE, Isernhagen4

Energiewerke Zeulenroda GmbH, DE, Zeulenroda-Triebes5

Energos Deutschland GmbH, DE, Helmstedt2

Energy Collection Services Limited, GB, Coventry1

Enertec Hameln GmbH, DE, Hameln1

Enfield Energy Centre Limited, GB, Coventry1

Enfield Energy Services (Europe) Limited, GB, Coventry1

Enfield Operations (UK) Limited, GB, Coventry1

ENSECO GmbH, DE, Unterschleißheim, Landkreis Munich5

Entsorgungsgemeinschaft Oberhavel GbR, DE, Helmstedt2

Entsorgungszentrum Salzgitter GmbH, DE, Salzgitter5

Eólica de Levante, S.L., ES, Alicante5

Eólica de São Julião, Lda, PT, Lisbon4

EÓLICA MARÍTIMA Y PORTUARIA, SOCIEDAD LIMITADA, 
ES, Oviedo2

Eoliser Serviços de Gestão para parques eólicos, Lda, PT, 
Lisbon1

EOS PAX IIA, S.L., ES, Santiago de Compostela4

EPOS Bioenergie Verwaltungs-GmbH, DE, Herford2

EPS Polska Holding Sp. z o.o., PL, Warsaw2

EPS Polska Sp. z o.o. w likw., PL, Warsaw2

35.0

50.1

50.0

33.4

100.0

100.0

69.5

49.0

50.0

49.0

20.0

40.0

50.0

50.0

23.9

30.0

50.0

50.0

49.0

49.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

49.0

74.9

50.0

25.0

45.0

70.0

100.0

48.5

100.0

100.0

100.0

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

199

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Erdgasversorgungsgesellschaft Thüringen-Sachsen mbH 
(EVG), DE, Erfurt3

Ergon Energia S.r.l. in liquidazione, IT, Brescia4

Ergon Energy Limited, GB, Coventry1

Ergon Holding Company Limited, GB, Coventry1

Ergon Holdings Ltd, MT, St. Julians1

Ergon Insurance Ltd, MT, St. Julians1

Ergon Nominees Limited, GB, Coventry1

Ergon Overseas Holdings Limited, GB, Coventry1

Ergosud S.p.A., IT, Rome4

ERKA Vermögensverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, DE, 
Düsseldorf2

ESN EnergieSystemeNord GmbH, DE, Schwentinental5

Etzel Gas-Lager GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Friedeburg-Etzel7

Etzel Gas-Lager Management GmbH, DE, Friedeburg-Etzel5

European Nuclear Energy Leadership Academy GmbH, 
DE, Garching5

Evantec GmbH, DE, Munich2

EVG Energieversorgung Gemünden GmbH, DE, 
 Gemünden am Main5

EVU Services GmbH, DE, Neumünster5

EW Eichsfeldgas GmbH, DE, Worbis2

ew wärme GmbH, DE, Bad Heiligenstadt5

EWC Windpark Cuxhaven GmbH, DE, Munich5

ews Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, DE, Bad Segeberg5

Exporting Commodities International LLC, US, Marlton4

EZH-Systems Inc., US, Delaware2

EZV Energie- und Service GmbH & Co. KG Untermain, DE, 
Wörth am Main5

EZV Energie- und Service Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, 
DE, Wörth am Main5

Falkenbergs Biogas AB, SE, Malmö4

Farma Wiatrowa Barzowice Sp. z o.o., PL, Warsaw1

Farma Wiatrowa Łebcz Sp. z o.o., PL, Warsaw1

Fennovoima Oy, FI, Helsingfors4

Ferngas Nordbayern GmbH, DE, Nuremberg1

Fernwärmeversorgung Freising Gesellschaft mit 
beschränkter Haftung (FFG), DE, Freising5

Fernwärmeversorgung Herne GmbH, DE, Herne5

Fidelia Communications Inc., US, Delaware2

FIDELIA Holding LLC, US, Wilmington1

Fitas Verwaltung GmbH & Co. Dritte Vermietungs-KG, DE, 
Pullach i. Isartal, Landkreis Munich2

FITAS Verwaltung GmbH & Co. REGIUM-Objekte KG, DE, 
Pullach i. Isartal, Landkreis Munich2

FITAS Verwaltung GmbH & Co. Vermietungs-KG, DE, Pullach2

50.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

50.0

100.0

47.5

75.2

75.2

26.3

100.0

49.0

100.0

49.0

49.0

50.0

50.2

30.0

100.0

28.9

28.8

65.0

100.0

100.0

34.0

100.0

50.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

90.0

90.0

99.9

Flatlands Wind Farm, LLC, US, Wilmington2

Forest Creek Investco, Inc., US, Wilmington1

Forest Creek WF Holdco, LLC, US, Wilmington1

Forest Creek Wind Farm, LLC, US, Wilmington1

Freya Bunde-Etzel GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Bonn4

G.E.I. – Gestione Energetica Impianti S.p.A., IT, Crema4

GAL Beteiligungs GmbH, DE, Porta Westfalica5

Gasag Berliner Gaswerke Aktiengesellschaft, DE, Berlin4

Gasnetzgesellschaft Laatzen-Süd mbH, DE, Laatzen5

Gasspeicher Lehrte GmbH, DE, Helmstedt2

Gasum Oy, FI, Espoo4

Gas-Union GmbH, DE, Frankfurt/Main4

Gasversorgung Bad Rodach GmbH, DE, Bad Rodach5

Gasversorgung Biedenkopf GmbH, DE, Biedenkopf5

Gasversorgung Ebermannstadt GmbH, DE, Ebermannstadt5

Gasversorgung Frankenwald GmbH (GFW), DE, Helmbrechts5

Gasversorgung im Landkreis Gifhorn GmbH (GLG), DE, 
Wolfsburg-Fallersleben1

Gasversorgung Unterfranken Gesellschaft mit 
 beschränkter Haftung, DE, Würzburg4

Gasversorgung Vorpommern GmbH, DE, Trassenheide5

Gasversorgung Wismar Land GmbH, DE, Lübow5

Gasversorgung Wismar Land Vertrieb GmbH, DE, Lübow5

Gasversorgung Wunsiedel GmbH, DE, Wunsiedel5

Gaswerk Bad Sooden-Allendorf GmbH, DE, 
Bad Sooden-Allendorf5

GCE Energies SARL, FR, La Ciotat2

Gelsenberg GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Düsseldorf1

Gelsenberg Verwaltungs GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf2

Gelsenwasser Beteiligungs-GmbH, DE, Munich2, 8

Gem. Ges. zur Förderung des E.ON Energy Research 
 Center mbH, DE, Aachen5

Gemeindewerke Gräfelfing GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Gräfelfing2

Gemeindewerke Gräfelfing Verwaltungs GmbH, DE, 
Gräfelfing2

Gemeindewerke Leck GmbH, DE, Leck5

Gemeindewerke Uetze GmbH, DE, Uetze5

Gemeindewerke Wedemark GmbH, DE, Wedemark5

Gemeindewerke Wietze GmbH, DE, Wietze5

Gemeinschaftskernkraftwerk Grohnde GmbH & Co. oHG, 
DE, Emmerthal1

Gemeinschaftskernkraftwerk Grohnde Management 
GmbH, DE, Emmerthal2

Gemeinschaftskernkraftwerk Isar 2 GmbH, DE, Essenbach2

Gemeinschaftskraftwerk Irsching GmbH, DE, Vohburg1

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

60.0

48.9

50.0

36.9

49.0

100.0

20.0

25.9

50.0

49.0

50.0

50.0

95.0

64.0

49.0

49.0

49.0

50.0

49.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

49.9

49.0

49.0

49.0

100.0

83.2

75.0

50.2

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

200 Notes

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Gemeinschaftskraftwerk Kiel Gesellschaft mit 
 beschränkter Haftung, DE, Kiel3

Gemeinschaftskraftwerk Staudinger Verwaltungs-GmbH, 
DE, Großkrotzenburg2

Gemeinschaftskraftwerk Staudinger GmbH & Co. KG, DE, 
Großkrotzenburg1

Gemeinschaftskraftwerk Veltheim Gesellschaft mit 
beschränkter Haftung, DE, Porta Westfalica1

Gemeinschaftskraftwerk Weser GmbH & Co. oHG, DE, 
Emmerthal1

Generale Servizi in liquidazione S.r.l., IT, Gandino (BG)2

Geólica Magallón, S.L., ES, Zaragoza4

Geothermie-Wärmegesellschaft Braunau-Simbach mbH, 
AT, politische Gemeinde Braunau am Inn5

Gesellschaft für Energie und Klimaschutz 
Schleswig-Holstein GmbH, DE, Kiel5

GfS Gesellschaft für Simulatorschulung mbH, DE, Essen5

GHD E.ON Bayern AG & Co. KG, DE, Dingolfing2

GLG Netz GmbH, DE, Gifhorn1

GNR Gesellschaft zur energetischen Nutzung 
 nachwachsender Rohstoffe mbH, DE, Brakel5

GNS Gesellschaft für Nuklear-Service mbH, DE, Essen4

GOLLIPP Bioerdgas GmbH & Co KG, DE, Gollhofen5

GOLLIPP Bioerdgas Verwaltungs GmbH, DE, Nuremberg5

Gondoskodás-Egymásért Alapítvány, HU, Debrecen2

GRE Gesellschaft zur rationellen Energienutzung 
 Horn-Bad Meinberg mbH, DE, Horn-Bad Meinberg5

Grenzkraftwerke Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung, 
DE, Simbach am Inn5

GreyLogix GmbH, DE, Flensburg5

Guyane Conhilac Energies SARL, FR, La Ciotat2

Hamburg Netz GmbH, DE, Hamburg1

Hamburger Hof Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft, DE, 
Düsseldorf2

Hams Hall Management Company Limited, GB, Coventry4

Harzwasserwerke GmbH, DE, Hildesheim4

Havelstrom Zehdenick GmbH, DE, Zehdenick5

Heizwerk Holzverwertungsgenossenschaft 
Stiftland eG & Co. oHG, DE, Neualbenreuth5

Helioenergy Electricidad Dos, S.A, ES, Sevilla4

Helioenergy Electricidad Uno, S.A., ES, Sevilla4

HEMAB Elförsäljning AB, SE, Malmö1

Hermann Seippel-Unterstützungseinrichtung GmbH, DE, 
Essen2

HEUREKA-Gamma AG, CH, Baden-Dättwil2

HGC Hamburg Gas Consult GmbH, DE, Hamburg2

50.0

100.0

100.0

66.7

66.7

100.0

36.2

20.0

33.3

41.7

75.0

100.0

33.3

48.0

50.0

50.0

100.0

50.0

50.0

74.2

100.0

74.9

100.0

46.6

20.8

49.0

50.0

50.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Hibernia Gamma Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DE, 
Frankfurt/Main4

HIBERNIA Industriewerte GmbH & Co. oHG, DE, Düsseldorf2

Hochtemperatur-Kernkraftwerk GmbH (HKG), 
 Gemeinsames europäisches Unternehmen, DE, Hamm5

HOCHTIEF Energy Management Harburg GmbH, DE, 
Hamburg5

Holford Gas Storage Limited, GB, Edinburgh1

Holsteiner Wasser GmbH, DE, Neumünster5

HSE AVG Beteiligungs-GmbH, DE, Darmstadt5

HSN Magdeburg GmbH, DE, Magdeburg1

HUGE Kft., HU, Budapest2

Inadale Wind Farm, LLC, US, Wilmington1

Induboden GmbH, DE, Düsseldorf2

Induboden GmbH & Co. Grundstücksgesellschaft OHG, 
DE, Düsseldorf1

Induboden GmbH & Co. Industriewerte OHG, DE, Düsseldorf1

Industriekraftwerk Greifswald GmbH, DE, Kassel5

Industry Development Services Limited, GB, Coventry1

Informační služby – energetika, a.s., CZ, Prague2

InfraServ-Bayernwerk Gendorf GmbH, DE, Burgkirchen/Alz5

Infrastructure Alliance Limited, JE, St. Helier1

Infrastrukturgesellschaft Stadt Nienburg/Weser mbH, DE, 
Nienburg/Weser5

Innwerk AG, DE, Landshut2

INTERARGEM GbR, DE, Bielefeld2

Interargem GmbH, DE, Bielefeld1

Inversora de Gas Cuyana S.A., AR, Mendoza2

Inversora de Gas del Centro S.A., AR, Córdoba1

Inwestycyjna Spólka Energetyczna-IRB Sp. z o.o., PL, Warsaw5

Isam-Immobilien-GmbH, DE, Munich2

Jihočeská plynárenská, a.s., CZ, České Budějovice2

Jihomoravská plynárenská, a.s., CZ, Brno5

Kajaanin Lämpö Oy, FI, Helsingfors4

Kalmar Energi Försäljning AB, SE, Kalmar4

Kalmar Energi Holding AB, SE, Kalmar4

Karlshamn Kraft AB, SE, Karlshamn1

Kärnkraftsäkerhet & Utbildning AB, SE, Nyköping5

Kernkraftwerk Brokdorf GmbH & Co. oHG, DE, Hamburg1

Kernkraftwerk Brunsbüttel GmbH & Co. oHG, DE, Hamburg4

Kernkraftwerk Gundremmingen GmbH, DE, 
Gundremmingen4

Kernkraftwerk Krümmel GmbH & Co. oHG, DE, Hamburg4

Kernkraftwerk Stade GmbH & Co. oHG, DE, Hamburg1

39.4

100.0

26.0

35.0

100.0

50.0

50.0

74.9

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

49.0

100.0

100.0

50.0

100.0

49.9

100.0

66.7

61.2

24.0

75.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

43.7

50.0

40.0

50.0

70.0

25.0

80.0

33.3

25.0

50.0

66.7

Kernkraftwerke Isar Verwaltungs GmbH, DE, Essenbach1

100.0

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

201

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Name, location

Stake (%)

KGN Kommunalgas Nordbayern GmbH, DE, Bamberg1

KGW – Kraftwerk Grenzach-Wyhlen GmbH, DE, Munich1

Klåvbens AB, SE, Olofström5

Kokereigasnetz Ruhr GmbH, DE, Essen2

Kolbäckens Kraft KB, SE, Sundsvall1

Komáromi Kogenerációs Erőmű Kft., HU, Győr2

KommEnergie Erzeugungs GmbH, DE, Eichenau, 
 Landkreis Fürstenfeldbruck 5

KommEnergie GmbH, DE, Eichenau, Landkreis 
Fürstenfeldbruck5

Kommunale Energieversorgung GmbH Eisenhüttenstadt, 
DE, Eisenhüttenstadt5

Kommunale Klimaschutzgesellschaft Landkreis Celle 
gemeinnützige GmbH, DE, Celle5

Kommunale Klimaschutzgesellschaft Landkreis Uelzen 
gemeinnützige GmbH, DE, Celle5

KomSolar Invest GmbH, DE, Erfurt5

Kraftverkehrsgesellschaft Paderborn mbH -KVP-, DE, 
Paderborn2

Kraftwerk Buer Betriebsgesellschaft mbH, DE, 
Gelsenkirchen5

Kraftwerk Buer GbR, DE, Gelsenkirchen5

Kraftwerk Burghausen GmbH, DE, Munich1

Kraftwerk Hattorf GmbH, DE, Munich1

Kraftwerk Obernburg GmbH, DE, Erlenbach am Main3

Kraftwerk Plattling GmbH, DE, Munich1

Kraftwerk Schkopau Betriebsgesellschaft mbH, DE, 
Schkopau1

Kraftwerk Schkopau GbR, DE, Schkopau1

Kraftwerk Schwedt GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Schwedt1

Kraftwerk Schwedt Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, DE, 
Schwedt2

Kraftwerks-Simulator-Gesellschaft mbH, DE, Essen5

Kreiswerke Main-Kinzig GmbH, DE, Gelnhausen5

Kurgan Grundstücks-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. 
oHG, DE, Grünwald, Landkreis Munich1

LandE GmbH, DE, Wolfsburg-Fallersleben1

Landgas Göhren GmbH, DE, Göhren5

Landwehr Wassertechnik GmbH, DE, Schöppenstedt2

Lighting for Staffordshire Holdings Limited, GB, Coventry1

Lighting for Staffordshire Limited, GB, Coventry1

Lillo Energy NV, BE, Beveren/Antwerp5

Limited Liability Company E.ON IT, RU, Moscow2

Łobeska Energetyka Cieplna Sp. z o.o., PL, Łobez2

London Array Limited, GB, Coventry5

100.0

69.8

50.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

LSW LandE-Stadtwerke Wolfsburg GmbH & Co. KG, DE, 
Wolfsburg4

LSW LandE-Stadtwerke Wolfsburg Verwaltungs-GmbH, 
DE, Wolfsburg5

Lubmin-Brandov Gastransport GmbH, DE, Essen1

LUMEN DISTRIBUCE s.r.o., CZ, České Budějovice5

LUMEN DISTRIBUČNÍ SOUSTAVY, s.r.o., CZ, České Budějovice5

Lumen Energy a.s., CZ, Prague5

LUMEN SYNERGY s.r.o., CZ, České Budějovice5

67.0

Luminar S.r.l., IT, Milan1

49.0

25.0

25.0

49.0

100.0

50.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

50.0

100.0

55.6

58.1

99.0

100.0

41.7

24.5

90.0

69.6

40.6

100.0

60.0

100.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

30.0

Luna Lüneburg GmbH, DE, Lüneburg5

Maasvlakte CCS Project B.V., NL, Rotterdam5

Maasvlakte I b.v., NL, Rotterdam2

Maasvlakte II b.v., NL, Rotterdam2

Magic Valley Wind Farm I, LLC, US, Wilmington1

Mainkraftwerk Schweinfurt Gesellschaft mit 
 beschränkter Haftung, DE, Munich2

Maricopa West Solar PV, LLC, US, Delaware2

MCE Energies SARL, FR, La Ciotat2

MEC Koszalin Sp. z o.o., PL, Koszalin4

MEON Pensions GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Grünwald1, 8

MEON Verwaltungs GmbH, DE, Grünwald2

Mer. Wind S.r.l., IT, Milan1

Měření dodávek plynu, a.s., CZ, Prague2

Metegra GmbH, DE, Laatzen5

Meter Services Limited, GB, Coventry2

Metering Services Limited, GB, Coventry2

METHA-Methanhandel GmbH, DE, Essen1

MFG Flughafen-Grundstücksverwaltungsgesellschaft 
mbH & Co. Gamma oHG, DE, Grünwald7

Midlands Electricity Limited, GB, Coventry2

Midlands Gas Limited, GB, Coventry1

Midlands Generation (Overseas) Limited, GB, Coventry1

Midlands Power (UK) Limited, GB, Coventry1

Midlands Power International Limited, GB, Coventry1

Midlands Sales Limited, GB, Coventry2

Mittlere Donau Kraftwerke Aktiengesellschaft, DE, Munich2

Montan GmbH Assekuranz-Makler, DE, Düsseldorf4

Monte Elva Solar S.r.l., IT, Sassari1

Mosoni-Duna Menti Szélerőmű Kft., HU, Győr2

MPX Energia S.A., BR, Rio de Janeiro4

Müllheizkraftwerk Rothensee GmbH, DE, Magdeburg7

Munkabol Vind AB, SE, Malmö2

Munnsville Investco, LLC, US, Wilmington1

Munnsville WF Holdco, LLC, US, Wilmington1

57.0

57.0

100.0

34.0

34.0

40.0

34.0

100.0

49.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

75.0

100.0

100.0

30.8

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

25.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

90.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

60.0

44.3

100.0

100.0

11.7

51.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

202 Notes

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Munnsville Wind Farm, LLC, US, Wilmington1

MVA Bielefeld-Herford GmbH, DE, Bielefeld1

Nafta a.s., SK, Bratislava4

Nahwärme Bad Oeynhausen-Löhne GmbH, DE, 
Bad Oeynhausen2

Nahwärmeversorgung Kirchlengern GmbH, DE, 
Kirchlengern5

Naturgas Emmerthal GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Emmerthal2

Netz- und Windservice (NWS) GmbH, DE, Schwerin2

Netz Veltheim GmbH, DE, Porta Westfalica1

Netzanschluss Mürow Oberdorf GbR, DE, Bremerhaven5

Netzgesellschaft Gehrden mbH, DE, Gehrden5

Netzgesellschaft Hemmingen mbH, DE, Hemmingen5

Netzgesellschaft Herrenwald Verwaltung GmbH, DE, 
Stadtallendorf2

Netzgesellschaft Hildesheimer Land GmbH & Co. KG, DE, 
Gießen5

Netzgesellschaft Hildesheimer Land Verwaltung GmbH, 
DE, Gießen5

Netzgesellschaft Schwerin mbH (NGS), DE, Schwerin5

Netzgesellschaft Stuhr/Weyhe mbH, DE, Weyhe5

Neue Energien Bad Salzungen GmbH, DE, Bad Salzungen5

Neumünster Netz Beteiligungs-GmbH, DE, Neumünster1

NHG Netzgesellschaft Herrenwald GmbH & Co. KG, DE, 
Stadtallendorf1

Nord Stream AG, CH, Zug4

Norddeutsche Gesellschaft zur Ablagerung von 
 Mineralstoffen mbH, DE, Helmstedt2

NORD-direkt GmbH, DE, Neumünster2

Nordzucker Bioerdgas GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Braunschweig2

Nordzucker Bioerdgas Verwaltung-GmbH, DE, 
Braunschweig2

Northeolic Montebuño, S.L., ES, Madrid2

Nyíregyházi Kombinált Ciklusú Erőmű Kft., HU, Nyíregyháza1

OAO E.ON Russia, RU, Surgut1

OAO Severneftegazprom, RU, Krasnoselkup4

OAO Shaturskaya Upravlyayushchaya Kompaniya, RU, 
Shatura1

oaza-Krupka, a.s., CZ, Liberec VI5

Obere Donau Kraftwerke Aktiengesellschaft, DE, Munich2

Oebisfelder Wasser und Abwasser GmbH, DE, Oebisfelde5

Offshore Trassenplanungs GmbH, DE, Hanover2

Offshore-Windpark Beta Baltic GmbH, DE, Munich2

Offshore-Windpark Delta Nordsee GmbH, DE, Munich2

OKG AB, SE, Oskarshamn1

OLT Offshore LNG Toscana S.p.A., IT, Milan4

100.0

100.0

40.5

65.4

50.0

84.6

100.0

66.7

34.8

49.0

49.0

51.0

49.0

49.0

40.0

49.0

40.0

50.1

51.0

15.5

51.0

100.0

50.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

83.7

25.0

51.0

49.0

60.0

49.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

54.5

46.8

OOO E.ON E&P Russia, RU, Moscow2

OOO E.ON Russia, RU, Moscow2

OOO E.ON Russia Power, RU, Moscow2

OOO Teplosbyt, RU, Shatura1

Orcan Energy GmbH, DE, Munich1

Oskarshamns Energi AB, SE, Oskarshamn4

Österreichisch-Bayerische Kraftwerke Aktiengesellschaft, 
DE, Simbach am Inn3

Östersjöfrakt AB, SE, Örebro1

Östrand Energi AB, SE, Sundsvall1

Ostrowski Zaklad Ceoplowinczy S.A., PL, Ostrow 
 Wielkopolski4

PADES Personalservice GmbH, DE, Munich2

Panrusgáz Zrt., HU, Budapest5

Parque Eólico Barlavento, S.A., PT, Lisbon1

Patriot Wind Farm, LLC, US, Delaware2

PEG Infrastruktur AG, CH, Zug1

Peißenberger Kraftwerksgesellschaft mit beschränkter 
Haftung, DE, Peißenberg, Landkreis Weilheim-Schongau2

Peißenberger Wärmegesellschaft mbH, DE, Peißenberg, 
Landkreis Weilheim-Schongau5

Perstorps Fjärrvärme AB, SE, Perstorp4

Pioneer Trail Wind Farm, LLC, US, Wilmington1

Powerforum Zrt., HU, Budapest5

Powergen (East Midlands) Investments, GB, Coventry1

Powergen (East Midlands) Loan Notes, GB, Coventry1

Powergen Group Holdings Limited, GB, Coventry1

Powergen Group Investments, GB, Coventry1

Powergen Holdings B.V., NL, Amsterdam1

Powergen Holdings SARL, LU, Luxembourg1

Powergen International Limited, GB, Coventry1

Powergen Ireland Limited, GB, Coventry1

Powergen Limited, GB, Coventry1

Powergen LS SE, GB, Coventry1

Powergen Luxembourg Holdings SARL, LU, Luxembourg1

Powergen Power No. 1 Limited, GB, Coventry1

Powergen Power No. 2 Limited, GB, Coventry1

Powergen Power No. 3 Limited, GB, Coventry1

Powergen Retail Limited, GB, Coventry1

Powergen Retail Supply Limited, GB, Coventry1

Powergen Serang Limited, GB, Coventry2

Powergen UK Holding Company Limited, GB, Coventry1

Powergen UK Investments, GB, Coventry1

Powergen UK Limited, GB, Coventry1

Powergen UK Securities, GB, Coventry1

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

16.2

50.0

50.0

80.0

100.0

48.6

100.0

50.0

90.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

50.0

50.0

100.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

203

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Powergen US Holdings Limited, GB, Coventry1

Powergen US Investments, GB, Coventry1

Powergen US Securities Limited, GB, Coventry1

Powergen Weather Limited, GB, Coventry2

Pragoplyn, a.s., CZ, Prague1

Pražská plynárenská Distribuce, a.s., člen koncernu 
Pražská plynárenská, a.s., CZ, Prague1

Pražská plynárenská Holding a.s., CZ, Prague5

Pražská plynárenská Servis distribuce, a.s., člen koncernu 
Pražská plynárenská, a.s., CZ, Prague2

Pražská plynárenská Správa majetku, s.r.o., člen koncernu 
Pražská plynárenská, a.s., CZ, Prague2

Pražská plynárenská, a.s., CZ, Prague1

Promec Sp. z o.o., PL, Skarżysko-Kamienna2

Prometheus, energetické služby, a.s., člen koncernu 
Pražská plynárenská, a.s., CZ, Prague2

Przedsiębiorstwo Energetyki Cieplnej w Barlinku 
Sp. z o.o., PL, Barlinek2

Przedsiębiorstwo Energetyki Cieplnej w Słubicach 
Sp. z o.o., PL, Słubice2

PT Power Jawa Barat, ID, Jakarta4

Purena GmbH, DE, Wolfenbüttel1

Pyron Wind Farm, LLC, US, Wilmington1

Q-Energie b.v., NL, Eindhoven2

Raab Karcher Electronic Systems plc, GB, Coventry1

RAG-Beteiligungs-Aktiengesellschaft, AT, Maria Enzersdorf4

Rauschbergbahn Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung, 
DE, Ruhpolding2

RDE Regionale Dienstleistungen Energie GmbH & Co. KG, 
DE, Würzburg2

RDE Verwaltungs-GmbH, DE, Würzburg2

REGAS GmbH & Co KG, DE, Regensburg5

REGAS Verwaltungs-GmbH, DE, Regensburg5

REGENSBURGER ENERGIE- UND WASSERVERSORGUNG AG, 
DE, Regensburg5

regiocom Berlin GmbH, DE, Berlin5

regiocom GmbH, DE, Magdeburg5

regiocom Halle GmbH, DE, Halle (Saale)5

regiocom Salzwedel GmbH, DE, Salzwedel5

regiolicht Niedersachsen GmbH, DE, Helmstedt2

Regnitzstromverwertung Aktiengesellschaft, DE, Erlangen5

REWAG REGENSBURGER ENERGIE- UND 
 WASSERVERSORGUNG AG & CO KG, DE, Regensburg4

RGE Holding GmbH, DE, Essen1

Rhein-Main-Donau Aktiengesellschaft, DE, Munich1

Ringhals AB, SE, Varberg4

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

49.0

R-KOM Regensburger Telekommunikationsgesellschaft 
mbH & Co. KG, DE, Regensburg5

R-KOM Regensburger Telekommunikationsverwal-
tungsgesellschaft mbH, DE, Regensburg5

RMD Wasserstraßen GmbH, DE, Munich2

RMD-Consult GmbH Wasserbau und Energie, DE, Munich2

Roscoe WF Holdco, LLC, US, Wilmington1

Roscoe Wind Farm, LLC, US, Wilmington1

Rosengård Invest AB, SE, Malmö5

100.0

Rota Gas S.r.l., IT, Mercato San Severino (SA)5

RuhrEnergie GmbH, EVR, DE, Gelsenkirchen1

100.0

49.3

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

40.0

94.5

100.0

53.3

100.0

30.0

77.4

62.7

100.0

50.0

50.0

35.5

50.0

50.0

50.0

50.0

100.0

33.3

35.5

100.0

77.5

29.6

S.C. Congaz S.A., RO, Constanţa5

S.C. Salgaz S.A., RO, Salonta2

Safetec Entsorgungs- und Sicherheitstechnik GmbH, DE, 
Heidelberg2

San Juan de Bargas Eólica, S.L., ES, Zaragoza4

Sand Bluff WF Holdco, LLC, US, Wilmington1

Sand Bluff Wind Farm, LLC, US, Wilmington1

SBI Jordberga AB, SE, Linköping5

Scarweather Sands Limited, GB, Coventry5

SCF2 S.R.L, IT, Rome2

SCHLESWAG Abwasser GmbH, DE, Neumünster5

Schleswig-Holstein Netz AG, DE, Quickborn1

Schleswig-Holstein Netz GmbH, DE, Rendsburg2

Schleswig-Holstein Netz Verwaltungs-GmbH, DE, Quickborn1

Sea Power & Fuel S.r.l., IT, Genoa5

Seattle Holding B.V., NL, Zoetermeer4

SEC Energia Sp. z o.o., PL, Szczecin2

SEC Gryfice Sp. z o.o., PL, Szczecin2

SEC Połczyn-Zdrój Sp. z o.o., PL, Polczyn Zdrój2

SEE-Sul Energia Eólica, Lda, PT, Lisbon1

SERVICE plus GmbH, DE, Neumünster2

Service Plus Recycling GmbH, DE, Neumünster2

Settlers Trail Wind Farm, LLC, US, Wilmington1

Sinergia Andaluza, S.L., ES, Granada5

SINERGIA ARAGONESA, S.L., ES, Zaragoza2

SKO ENERGO FIN, s.r.o., CZ, Mlada Boleslav4

SKO ENERGO, s.r.o., CZ, Mlada Boleslav5

Slovak Gas Holding B.V., NL, Zoetermeer3

SO.MET. ENERGIA S.r.l., IT, Costigliole d’Asti (AT)1

Sociedad Eólica Salmantina, S.L, ES, Salamanca1

Société des Eaux de l’Est S.A., FR, Saint-Avold (Creutzwald)5

Société Nationale d’Electricité et de Thermique, S.A. 
(SNET), FR, Paris1

Söderåsens Bioenergi AB, SE, Billesholm4

20.0

20.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

28.1

49.0

100.0

28.6

60.1

100.0

47.0

100.0

100.0

20.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

94.3

100.0

100.0

50.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

25.0

60.0

42.5

21.0

50.0

60.0

100.0

25.0

100.0

51.0

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

204 Notes

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)

Name, location

Solar Energy s.r.o., CZ, Znojmo5

Sollefteåforsens AB, SE, Sundsvall4

Sønderjysk Biogasproduktion I/S, DK, Vojens5

SQC Kvalificeringscentrum AB, SE, Stockholm5

Städtische Betriebswerke Luckenwalde GmbH, DE, 
Luckenwalde5

Städtische Werke Magdeburg GmbH & Co. KG, DE, 
Magdeburg4

Städtische Werke Magdeburg Verwaltungs-GmbH, DE, 
Magdeburg5

Stadtnetze Neustadt a. Rbge. GmbH & Co. KG, DE, 
 Neustadt a. Rbge.4

Stadtnetze Neustadt a. Rbge. Verwaltungs-GmbH, DE, 
Neustadt a. Rbge.5

Stadtversorgung Pattensen GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Pattensen5

Stadtversorgung Pattensen Verwaltung GmbH, DE, 
Pattensen5

Stadtwerk Haßfurt GmbH, DE, Haßfurt5

Stadtwerke Arnstadt GmbH, DE, Arnstadt5

Stadtwerke Bad Bramstedt GmbH, DE, Bad Bramstedt5

Stadtwerke Bad Langensalza GmbH, DE, Bad Langensalza5

Stadtwerke Barth GmbH, DE, Barth5

Stadtwerke Bebra GmbH, DE, Bebra5

Stadtwerke Bergen GmbH, DE, Bergen5

Stadtwerke Blankenburg GmbH, DE, Blankenburg5

Stadtwerke Bogen GmbH, DE, Bogen5

Stadtwerke Brandenburg an der Havel GmbH, DE, 
 Brandenburg an der Havel4

Stadtwerke Bredstedt GmbH, DE, Bredstedt5

Stadtwerke Burgdorf GmbH, DE, Burgdorf5

Stadtwerke Ebermannstadt Versorgungsbetriebe GmbH, 
DE, Ebermannstadt5

Stadtwerke Eggenfelden GmbH, DE, Eggenfelden5

Stadtwerke Eisenberg GmbH, DE, Eisenberg5

Stadtwerke Frankfurt (Oder) GmbH, DE, Frankfurt/Oder4

Stadtwerke Garbsen GmbH, DE, Garbsen4

Stadtwerke Geesthacht GmbH, DE, Geesthacht5

26.7

24.9

24.9

49.0

49.0

24.9

44.0

36.0

40.0

49.0

20.0

49.0

30.0

41.0

36.8

49.9

49.0

25.0

49.0

49.0

39.0

24.9

24.9

Stadtwerke Gelnhausen GmbH, DE, Gelnhausen1

100.0

Stadtwerke Gotha GmbH, DE, Gotha4

Stadtwerke Göttingen AG, DE, Göttingen2

Stadtwerke Husum GmbH, DE, Husum5

Stadtwerke Lage GmbH, DE, Lage5

Stadtwerke Leinefelde GmbH, DE, Leinefelde-Worbis5

Stadtwerke Lichtenau GmbH, DE, Lichtenau5

Stadtwerke Lübz GmbH, DE, Lübz5

48.0

48.9

49.9

45.0

49.0

25.0

25.0

Stake (%)

Name, location

Stake (%)

25.0

50.0

50.0

33.3

29.0

Stadtwerke Ludwigsfelde GmbH, DE, Ludwigsfelde5

Stadtwerke Mühlhausen GmbH, DE, Mühlhausen5

Stadtwerke Neunburg vorm Wald Strom GmbH, DE, 
Neunburg vorm Wald5

Stadtwerke Neustadt an der Orla GmbH, DE, 
Neustadt an der Orla5

Stadtwerke Niebüll GmbH, DE, Niebüll5

26.7

Stadtwerke Parchim GmbH, DE, Parchim5

29.0

23.9

24.9

20.0

49.9

25.2

35.0

49.0

39.0

37.8

23.9

24.9

44.4

49.0

41.0

20.0

49.0

49.0

22.7

26.0

49.4

100.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

32.0

90.0

49.0

100.0

49.0

100.0

50.0

100.0

83.3

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Stadtwerke Premnitz GmbH, DE, Premnitz5

Stadtwerke Pritzwalk GmbH, DE, Pritzwalk5

Stadtwerke Ribnitz-Damgarten GmbH, DE, 
Ribnitz-Damgarten5

Stadtwerke Schwedt GmbH, DE, Schwedt/Oder4

Stadtwerke Sondershausen GmbH, DE, Sondershausen5

Stadtwerke Stadtroda GmbH, DE, Stadtroda5

Stadtwerke Suhl/Zella-Mehlis GmbH, DE, Suhl4

Stadtwerke Tornesch GmbH, DE, Tornesch5

Stadtwerke Vilshofen GmbH, DE, Vilshofen5

Stadtwerke Weilburg GmbH, DE, Weilburg an der Lahn5

Stadtwerke Weimar Stadtversorgungs-GmbH, DE, Weimar4

Stadtwerke Wismar GmbH, DE, Wismar4

Stadtwerke Wittenberge GmbH, DE, Wittenberge5

Stadtwerke Wolfenbüttel GmbH, DE, Wolfenbüttel4

Stadtwerke Wolmirstedt GmbH, DE, Wolmirstedt5

Statco Six Limited, GB, London1

Stensjön Kraft AB, SE, Stockholm4

Stony Creek WF Holdco, LLC, US, Wilmington1

Stony Creek Wind Farm, LLC, US, Wilmington1

store-x Storage Capacity Exchange GmbH, DE, Leipzig5

Strom Germering GmbH, DE, Germering, Landkreis 
Fürstenfeldbruck2

Stromnetzgesellschaft Bad Salzdetfurth-Diekholzen 
mbH, DE, Bad Salzdetfurth5

Stromversorgung Ahrensburg GmbH, DE, Ahrensburg2

Stromversorgung Angermünde GmbH, DE, Angermünde5

Stromversorgung Ruhpolding Gesellschaft mit 
 beschränkter Haftung, DE, Ruhpolding2

strotög GmbH Strom für Töging, DE, Töging am Inn5

SüdWasser GmbH, DE, Erlangen2

SULPUR Grundstücks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. 
Objekt Erfurt KG i.L., DE, Schönefeld2

Sunshine 1 S.r.l., IT, Milan2

Surschiste, S.A., FR, Mazingarbe2

SV Civitella S.r.l., IT, Milan1

SV VII S.r.l., IT, Milan1

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

205

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB, SE, Stockholm5

Svenskt Gastekniskt Center AB, SE, Malmö5

SVH Schlackenverwertung Helmstedt GmbH, DE, Helmstedt5

SVH Stromversorgung Haar GmbH, DE, Haar, Landkreis 
Munich5

SVI-Stromversorgung Ismaning GmbH, DE, Ismaning, 
Landkreis Munich5

SVO Holding GmbH, DE, Celle1

SVO Vertrieb GmbH, DE, Celle1

SWE Energie GmbH, DE, Erfurt4

SWE Netz GmbH, DE, Erfurt4

SWE Technische Service GmbH, DE, Erfurt5

SWN Stadtwerke Neustadt GmbH, DE, Neustadt bei Coburg4

SWS Energie GmbH, DE, Stralsund4

Sydkraft EC Slupsk Sp. z o.o., PL, Slupsk1

Sydkraft Polen AB, SE, Malmö1

Sydkraft Term Sp. z o.o., PL, Poznań1

Sydkraft Zlotow Sp. z o.o, PL, Zlotow1

Synergy Energia S.A., BR, Rio de Janeiro3

Szczecinska Energetyka Cieplna Sp. z o.o., PL, Szczecin1

Szombathelyi Erőmű Zrt., HU, Győr2

Szombathelyi Távhöszolgáltató Kft., HU, Szombathely5

Tapolcai Kogenerációs Erőmű Kft., HU, Győr2

Tauerngasleitung GmbH, AT, Wals-Siezenheim5

Tech Park Solar, LLC, US, Delaware2

Technische Werke Delitzsch GmbH, DE, Delitzsch5

TEN Thüringer Energienetze GmbH, DE, Erfurt1

Teplárna Kyjov, a.s., CZ, Kyjov2

Teplárna Otrokovice a.s., CZ, Otrokovice1

Teplárna Tábor, a.s., CZ, Tábor1

Terminal Alpi Adriatico S.r.l., IT, Rome1

Terrakomp GmbH, DE, Helmstedt2

THB Thüringer Breitband GmbH, DE, Weimar2

The Power Generation Company Limited, GB, Coventry2

Thor Cogeneration Limited, GB, Coventry1

Thor Holdings Limited, GB, Coventry1

Thüringer Energie Netzservice 
 Geschäftsführungs gesellschaftmbH, DE, Erfurt2

Thüringer Energie Netzservice GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Erfurt2

Thüringer Netkom GmbH, DE, Weimar2

Tipton Wind, LLC, US, Delaware2

TPG Wind Limited, GB, Coventry4

Tractaments de Juneda, S.A., ES, Lérida4

Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG, CH, Baar5

34.0

30.0

50.0

50.0

25.1

50.1

100.0

29.0

29.0

25.1

25.1

49.0

98.9

100.0

100.0

85.0

50.0

66.4

55.0

25.0

100.0

46.7

100.0

25.1

100.0

99.3

100.0

51.5

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

50.0

26.4

15.0

TREA Breisgau Betriebsgesellschaft mbH, DE, Eschbach2

TREA Breisgau Energieverwertung GmbH, DE, Eschbach5

TXU Europe (AH Online) Limited, GB, Coventry1

TXU Europe (AHG) Limited, GB, Coventry1

TXU Europe (AHGD) Limited, GB, Coventry1

TXU Europe (AHST) Limited, GB, Coventry1

TXU Europe Group Trustee Limited, GB, Coventry1

Überlandwerk Leinetal GmbH, DE, Gronau5

Umspannwerk Miltzow-Mannhagen GbR, DE, Horst5

Umwelt- und Wärmeenergiegesellschaft Strasburg 
GmbH, DE, Strasburg2

Unión de Generadores de Energía, S.A., ES, Zaragoza4

Untere Iller AG, DE, Landshut2

Uranit GmbH, DE, Jülich3

Utilities Center Maasvlakte Leftbank b.v., NL, Rotterdam1

Utility Debt Services Limited, GB, Coventry2

Valencia Solar LLC, US, Delaware2

VEBA Electronics LLC, US, Wilmington1

VEBACOM Holdings LLC, US, Wilmington2

Venado Wind Farm, LLC, US, Wilmington2

Verkehrs-Servicegesellschaft Paderborn/Höxter mbH, DE, 
Paderborn2

Versorgungsbetrieb Waldbüttelbrunn GmbH, DE, 
Waldbüttelbrunn5

Versorgungsbetriebe Helgoland GmbH, DE, Helgoland5

Versorgungskasse Energie (VVaG), DE, Hanover1

Versuchsatomkraftwerk Kahl GmbH, DE, Karlstein5

Veszprém-Kogeneráció Energiatermelő Zrt., HU, Győr2

VEW-VKR Fernwärmeleitung Shamrock-Bochum GbR, DE, 
Gelsenkirchen-Buer2

Visioncash, GB, Coventry1

Volkswagen AG Preussen Elektra AG Offene Handels-
gesellschaft, DE, Wolfsburg3

Wärme- und Wasserversorgung Friedensstadt GmbH, DE, 
Trebbin5

Wärmeversorgung Schenefeld GmbH, DE, Schenefeld5

Wärmeversorgung Sollstedt GmbH, DE, Sollstedt5

Wärmeversorgungsgesellschaft Königs Wusterhausen 
mbH, DE, Königs Wusterhausen2

Warmtebedrijf Exploitatie N.V., NL, Rotterdam5

Wasser GmbH Salzhemmendorf, DE, Salzhemmendorf5

Wasser- und Abwassergesellschaft Vienenburg mbH, DE, 
Vienenburg5

Wasserkraftnutzung im Landkreis Gifhorn GmbH, DE, 
Müden/Aller5

Wasserversorgung Sarstedt GmbH, DE, Sarstedt5

74.9

30.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

48.0

36.8

100.0

50.0

60.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

55.5

49.0

49.0

94.0

20.0

100.0

55.1

100.0

95.0

50.0

40.0

49.0

50.1

50.0

49.0

49.0

50.0

49.0

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

206 Notes

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Name, location

Stake (%)

Wasserwerk Gifhorn Beteiligungs-GmbH, DE, Gifhorn5

Wasserwerk Gifhorn GmbH & Co KG, DE, Gifhorn5

Wasserwerks-Betriebsgemeinschaft Klein Heidorn GbR, 
DE, Neustadt a. Rbge.5

Wasserwirtschafts- und Betriebsgesellschaft Grafenwöhr 
GmbH, DE, Grafenwöhr5

WAZV-Abwasserentsorgung GmbH, DE, Nentershausen5

WEA Schönerlinde GbR mbH Kiepsch & Bosse & 
 Beteiligungsges. e.disnatur mbH, DE, Berlin2

Weißmainkraftwerk Röhrenhof Aktiengesellschaft, DE, 
Berneck2

Western Gas Limited, GB, Coventry1

WEVG Salzgitter GmbH & Co. KG, DE, Salzgitter1

WEVG Verwaltungs GmbH, DE, Salzgitter2

WGS Wärmegesellschaft mbH Saalfeld, DE, Saalfeld5

49.8

49.8

50.0

49.0

49.0

70.0

93.5

100.0

50.2

50.2

24.0

Wildcat Wind Farm I, LLC, US, Wilmington1

Wildcat Wind Farm II, LLC, US, Wilmington2

WINDENERGIEPARK WESTKÜSTE GmbH, DE, 
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Koog2

Windkraft Thüringen GmbH, DE, Ilmenau2

Windpark Anhalt-Süd (Köthen) OHG, DE, Potsdam2

Windpark Mutzschen OHG, DE, Potsdam2

Windpark Naundorf OHG, DE, Potsdam2

Windy Hills Limited, GB, Country Tyrone1

WPG Westfälische Propan-GmbH, DE, Detmold5

WVM Wärmeversorgung Maßbach GmbH, DE, Maßbach5

Yorkshire Windpower Limited, GB, Coventry4

ZAO Gazprom YRGM Development, RU, Salekhard7

Západoslovenská energetika a.s. (ZSE), SK, Bratislava4

100.0

100.0

80.0

14.3

83.3

77.8

66.7

100.0

22.2

22.2

50.0

25.0

49.0

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

207

Disclosures Pursuant to Section 313 (2) HGB of Companies in Which Equity 
Investments Are Held (as of December 31, 2012)
Name, location

Consolidated investment funds 

ACTIVEST A 5 Fonds, DE, Unterföhring7)

ACTIVEST B 18 Fonds, DE, Unterföhring7)

E.ON Treasury 1, DE, Unterföhring7)

EBW Fonds, DE, Unterföhring7)

EDEN Fonds, DE, Unterföhring7)

GRP Fonds, DE, Unterföhring7)

GSB Fonds, DE, Unterföhring7)

GSBW 1 Fonds, DE, Unterföhring7)

HANSE 2 Fonds, DE, Unterföhring7)

MEA Fonds, DE, Unterföhring7)

ON Balance 1 Fonds, DE, Unterföhring7)

OP-ONE Fonds, DE, Unterföhring7)

SEW Fonds, DE, Unterföhring7)

TASSILO Fonds, DE, Unterföhring7)

VKE Fonds, DE, Unterföhring7)

WEB Fonds, DE, Unterföhring7)

Stake %

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Name, location

Other companies in which share investments are held 

AB Lesto, LT, Vilnius6, 9

Bloom Energy Corporation, US, Wilmington6

Baumgarten-Oberkappel-Gasleitungsgesellschaft m.b.H., AT, Vienna6

Enovos International S.A., LU, Esch-sur-Alzette6

Transitgas AG, CH, Zurich6

Holdigaz SA, CH, Vevey6, 10

Powernext, S.A., FR, Paris6

European Energy Exchange AG, DE, Leipzig6

Electrorisk Verzekeringsmaatschappij N.V., NL, Rotterdam6

Forsmarks Kraftgrupp AB, SE, Östhammar6, 9

Teplárna Strakonice, a.s., CZ, Strakonice6, 

Stake %

Equity 
€ in millions

Earnings 
€ in millions

11.8

0.2

15.0

10.0

3.0

2.2

5.0

3.5

18.9

8.5

1.8

1,022.0

91.5

37.5

717.3

88.9

85.1

18.8

57.6

11.3

37.2

19.9

-13.5

-23.6

22.0

40.3

2.6

18.4

5.1

7.5

0.3

0.0

0.3

1Consolidated affiliated company. · 2Non-consolidated affiliated company for reasons of immateriality (valued at cost). · 3Joint venture pursuant to IAS 31 (valued using the equity 
method). · 4Associated company (valued using the equity method). · 5Associated company (valued at cost for reasons of immateriality). · 6Other companies in which share 
investments are held. · 7Included as consolidated associated company pursuant to SIC-12. · 8This company exercised its exemption option under Section 264, Paragraph 3 of 
the German Commercial Code or under Section 264b of the German Commercial Code. · 9IFRS figures. · 10Short fiscal year.

 
 
 
 
208 Supervisory Board and Board of Management

Supervisory Board (and Information on Other Directorships Held by Supervisory Board Members)

Werner Wenning
Chairman of the Supervisory Board, 
E.ON SE
Chairman of the Supervisory Board, 
Bayer AG
•  Bayer AG (Chairman)
•  Deutsche Bank AG 
•  HDI V.a.G.
•  Talanx AG
•  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 

(Shareholders’ Committee)

•  Freudenberg & Co. KG  

(Shareholders’ Committee)

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Lehner
Member of the Shareholders’ 
 Committee, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory 
Board, E.ON SE
•  Deutsche Telekom AG (Chairman)
•  Henkel Management AG
•  Porsche Automobil Holding SE
•  ThyssenKrupp AG
•  Dr. Oetker KG (Advisory Board)
•  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 

(Shareholders’ Committee) 

•  Novartis AG (Administrative Council) 

Baroness Denise Kingsmill, CBE
Attorney, Member of the House of Lords
•  APR Energy plc
•  Betfair plc (until October 2012)
•  International Consolidated Airlines 

Group S.A.

•  Korn/Ferry International Limited 

(until September 2012)

Eugen-Gheorghe Luha 
(since November 15, 2012)
President of Gaz România Trade Union 
Federation, Chairman of Romanian 
employee representatives

Bård Mikkelsen 
(until November 15, 2012)
Businessman, former President and 
CEO of Statkraft AS
•  Bore Tech AB (Chairman) 
(until September 1, 2012)

•  Clean Energy Invest AS (Chairman)
•  Ganger Rolf ASA/Bonheur ASA 
(Shareholders’ Committee)

•  Powel AS (Chairman)
•  Saferoad AS
•  Store Norske Spitsbergen 

Kulkompani AS (Chairman) 
(until June 14, 2012)

René Obermann
Chairman of the Board of Management, 
Deutsche Telekom AG 
•   T-Systems International GmbH 

(Chairman)

•  T-Mobile US Inc. (Chairman) 

Erhard Ott
Member of the National Board, Unified 
Service Sector Union, ver.di
Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory 
Board, E.ON SE
•  Bremer Lagerhaus-Gesellschaft AG

Werner Bartoschek 
(until November 15, 2012)
Chairman of the Group Works Council, 
E.ON Ruhrgas AG
•  E.ON Ruhrgas AG

Sven Bergelin
(until November 15, 2012)
Director of the National Energy and 
Mining Industry Group, Unified Service 
Sector Union, ver.di
•  E.ON Energie AG
•  E.ON Kernkraft GmbH

Oliver Biniek
(until November 15, 2012)
Chairman of the Works Council, 
E.ON Anlagenservice GmbH
•  E.ON Anlagenservice GmbH 
•  E.ON Generation GmbH

Gabriele Gratz
Chairwoman of the Works Council, 
E.ON Ruhrgas AG
•  E.ON Ruhrgas AG

Ulrich Hocker
(until November 15, 2012)
President of German Investor 
 Protection Association e.V. (DSW)
•  Deutsche Telekom AG 
(until May 24, 2012)

•  Feri Finance AG 
•  Gildemeister AG 
•   Phoenix Mecano AG (Chairman of the 

Board of Directors) 

Unless otherwise indicated, information as of December 31, 2012, or as of the date on which membership in the E.ON Supervisory Board ended.
•  Directorships/supervisory board memberships within the meaning of Section 100, Paragraph 2 of the German Stock Corporation Act.
•  Directorships/memberships in comparable domestic and foreign supervisory bodies of commercial enterprises.

 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

209

Supervisory Board Committees

Executive Committee
Werner Wenning, Chairman
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Lehner, Deputy Chairman
Erhard Ott, Deputy Chairman 
Klaus Dieter Raschke

Audit and Risk Committee
Dr. Theo Siegert, Chairman
Klaus Dieter Raschke, Deputy Chairman
Eberhard Schomburg
Werner Wenning

Finance and Investment 
Committee
Werner Wenning, Chairman
Gabriele Gratz, Deputy Chairwoman
Dr. Karen de Segundo
Willem Vis

Nomination Committee
Werner Wenning, Chairman
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Lehner
Dr. Karen de Segundo

Hans Prüfer
(until November 15, 2012)
Chairman of the Combined Works 
Council, E.ON Avacon AG

Klaus Dieter Raschke
Chairman of the Group Works Council, 
E.ON Energie AG
•  E.ON Energie AG
•  E.ON Kernkraft GmbH
•  E.ON Generation GmbH
•  Versorgungskasse Energie VVaG

Dr. Walter Reitler 
(until November 15, 2012)
Chairman of Group Spokesperson 
 Committee E.ON AG
•  E.ON Energie AG

Hubertus Schmoldt
(until November 15, 2012)
Economist
•  Bayer AG (until April 27, 2012)
•  DOW Olefinverbund GmbH
•  RAG Aktiengesellschaft

Eberhard Schomburg
(since November 15, 2012)
Chairman of the SE Works Council
•  E.ON Energie AG
•  E.ON Kraftwerke GmbH

Dr. Henning Schulte-Noelle
(until November 15, 2012)
Former Chairman of the Supervisory 
Board,  Allianz SE
•  Allianz SE (Chairman) 
(until May 9, 2012)

Dr. Karen de Segundo 
Attorney
•  British American Tobacco plc 
•  Lonmin plc
•  Pöyry Oyj

Dr. Theo Siegert
Managing Partner, de Haen-Carstanjen 
& Söhne
•  Deutsche Bank AG (until May 31, 2012)
•  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA  
•  Merck KGaA
•  DKSH Holding Ltd. 

(Administrative Board)

•  E. Merck OHG 

(Shareholders’ Committee)

Willem Vis
(since November 15, 2012)
Competence Manager Generation, E.ON 
Benelux N.V.

Dr. Georg Frhr. von Waldenfels
(until November 15, 2012)
Attorney
•  Georgsmarienhütte Holding GmbH
•  Rothenbaum Sport GmbH (Chairman) 

(until November 15, 2012)

Hans Wollitzer 
(until November 15, 2012)
Chairman of the Company Works Council, 
E.ON Energie AG
•  E.ON Energie AG
•  E.ON Bayern AG

Unless otherwise indicated, information as of December 31, 2012, or as of the date on which membership in the E.ON Supervisory Board ended.
•  Directorships/supervisory board memberships within the meaning of Section 100, Paragraph 2 of the German Stock Corporation Act.
•  Directorships/memberships in comparable domestic and foreign supervisory bodies of commercial enterprises.

210 Supervisory Board and Board of Management

Board of Management (and Information on Other Directorships Held by Board of Management Members)

Dr. Johannes Teyssen
Born 1959 in Hildesheim 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 
since 2010
Member of the Board of Management 
since 2004
Group Executive Human Resources, 
Investor Relations, Political Affairs & 
Corporate Communications, Sustain-
ability Management, Group Audit, and 
Corporate Strategy & Development
•  E.ON Energie AG1 (until June 30, 2012)
•  E.ON Ruhrgas AG1 (until August 21, 

2012)

•  Deutsche Bank AG
•  Salzgitter AG

Jørgen Kildahl
Born 1963 in Bærum, Norway
Member of the Board of Management 
since 2010
Commercial Operations, Renewables, 
Generation, Exploration & Production, 
Operational Efficiency,  Optimization & 
Trading
•  E.ON Energy Trading SE1 (Chairman)
•  E.ON Generation GmbH² (Chairman)
•  E.ON Ruhrgas AG1 (Chairman)
•  E.ON Sverige AB²

Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Maubach
Born 1962 in Schwelm 
Member of the Board of Management 
since 2010
Corporate Incident & Crisis Management, 
Health/Safety & Environment, Engineer-
ing & Major Projects, E.ON Connecting 
Energies, Technology & Innovation
•  E.ON Energy Trading SE1 
•  E.ON New Build & Technology GmbH1 

Dr. Marcus Schenck
Born 1965 in Memmingen
Member of the Board of Management 
since 2006
E.ON International Energy, Finance, 
Mergers & Acquisitions, Accounting & 
Controlling, Taxes, Insurance
•  E.ON Energy Trading SE1
•  E.ON IT GmbH1
•  E.ON Ruhrgas AG1 

(Chairman)

•  E.ON Ruhrgas AG1 
•  E.ON Sverige AB²

Dr. Bernhard Reutersberg
Born 1954 in Düsseldorf
Member of the Board of Management 
since 2010
Coordination of regional units, distribu-
tion and retail businesses, E.ON 2.0
•  E.ON Energie AG1 (Chairman)
•  E.ON Benelux N.V.² (Chairman)
•  E.ON España S.L.²
•  E.ON France S.A.S.² (Chairman)
•  E.ON Hungaria Zrt.² (Chairman)
•  E.ON Italia S.p.A.² 
•  E.ON Sverige AB² (Chairman) 
•  Nord Stream AG
•  OAO E.ON Russia² (Chairman) 

(until August 21, 2012)

•  Commerzbank AG
•  SMS Group GmbH
•  AXA S.A.

Regine Stachelhaus
Born 1955 in Böblingen
Member of the Board of Management 
since 2010
Consulting, Procurement & Real Estate 
Management, IT, Human Resources 
(Labor & Social Issues), Legal Affairs & 
Compliance
•  E.ON Energie AG1 (until June 30, 2012)
•  E.ON IT GmbH1 (Chairwoman)
•  E.ON Ruhrgas AG1

Unless otherwise indicated, information as of December 31, 2012.
•  Directorships/supervisory board memberships within the meaning of Section 100, Paragraph 2, of the German Stock Corporation Act.
•  Directorships/memberships in comparable domestic and foreign supervisory bodies of commercial enterprises.
1Exempted E.ON Group directorship.   2Other E.ON Group directorship.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

211

Internal controls are an integral part of our accounting pro-
cesses. Guidelines define uniform financial-reporting docu-
mentation requirements and procedures for the entire E.ON 
Group. We believe that compliance with these rules provides 
sufficient certainty to prevent error or fraud from resulting in 
material misrepresentations in the Consolidated Financial 
Statements, the Combined Group Management Report, and 
the Interim Reports.

Düsseldorf, February 2013

E.ON SE 
Board of Management 

Dr. Teyssen  

Kildahl 

Prof. Dr. Maubach

Dr. Reutersberg 

Dr. Schenck 

Stachelhaus 

Explanatory Report of the Board of Management 
on the Disclosures Pursuant to Section 289, Para-
graph 4, and Section 315, Paragraph 4, as well as 
Section 289, Paragraph 5, of the German Commer-
cial Code

The Board of Management has read and discussed the dis-
closures pursuant to Section 289, Paragraph 4 and Section 315, 
Paragraph 4 of the German Commercial Code contained in 
the Combined Group Management Report for the year ended 
December 31, 2012, and issues the following declaration 
regarding these disclosures:

The disclosures pursuant to Section 289, Paragraph 4 and 
Section 315, Paragraph 4 of the German Commercial Code 
 contained in the Company’s Combined Group Management 
Report are correct and conform with the Board of Manage-
ment’s knowledge. The Board of Management therefore con-
fines itself to the following statements:

Beyond the disclosures contained in the Combined Group 
Management Report (and legal restrictions such as the exclu-
sion of voting rights pursuant to Section 136 of the German 
Stock Corporation Act), the Board of Management is not aware 
of any restrictions regarding voting rights or the transfer of 
shares. The Company is not aware of shareholdings in the Com-
pany’s share capital exceeding ten out of one hundred voting 
rights, so that information on such shareholdings is not nec-
essary. There is no need to describe shares with special control 
rights (since no such shares have been issued) or special 
restrictions on the control rights of employees’ shareholdings 
(since employees who hold shares in the Company’s share 
capital exercise their control rights directly, just like other 
shareholders).

To the extent that the Company has agreed to settlement 
payments for Board of Management members in the case of 
a change of control, the purpose of such agreements is to 
preserve the independence of Board of Management members.

The Board of Management also read and discussed the dis-
closures in the Combined Group Management Report pursuant 
to Section 289, Paragraph 5, of the German Commercial Code. 
The disclosures contained in the Combined Group Manage-
ment Report on the key features of our internal control and 
risk management system for accounting processes are complete 
and comprehensive.

212 Tables and Explanations

Summary of Financial Highlights1
 € in millions 

Sales and earnings

Sales

EBITDA2

EBIT2

Net income/Net loss

Net income/Net loss attributable to shareholders of E.ON AG

Value measures

ROACE/through 2009 ROCE (%)

Cost of capital (%)

Value added3

Asset structure

Non-current assets

Current assets

Total assets

Capital structure

Equity

Capital stock
Minority interests 

Non-current liabilities

Provisions
Financial liabilities
Other liabilities and other

Current liabilities
Provisions
Financial liabilities
Other liabilities and other

Total assets

Cash flow and investments

Cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations 

Cash-effective investments

Financial ratios

Equity ratio (%)

Long-term capital as a percentage of non-current assets (%) 

Economic net debt (at year-end)

Debt factor4

Cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations as a percentage of sales

Stock

Earnings per share attributable to shareholders of E.ON SE (€)

Equity5 per share (€)

Twelve-month high per share (€)

Twelve-month low per share (€)

Year-end closing price per share6 (€)

Dividend per share7 (€)

Dividend payout

Market capitalization6, 8 (€ in billions)

E.ON SE long-term ratings

Moody’s

Standard & Poor’s

Employees

Employees at year-end

10,786

7,027

2,641

2,217

11.1

7.7

2,156

96,563

43,863

 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

112,954

132,093

84,873

12,836

9,483

1,621

1,283

13.6

9.1

3,128

79,974

12,975

9,291

8,669

8,420

12.2

9.1

2,362

92,863

13,346

9,454

6,281

5,853

14.4

8.3

4,000

9,293

5,438

-1,861

-2,219

8.4

8.3

90

108,622

113,046

106,657

102,221

48,107

39,568

46,224

50,651

156,729

152,614

152,881

152,872

140,426

38,451
2,001
3,960

66,323
22,757
25,036
18,530

51,955
4,260
16,022
31,673

43,986
2,001
3,607

70,775
21,692
30,657
18,426

37,853
4,715
7,120
26,018

45,585
2,001
3,932

69,580
23,631
28,880
17,069

37,716
4,950
3,611
31,527

39,613
2,001
3,876

67,129
25,672
24,029
17,428

46,130
4,985
5,885
35,260

38,819
2,001
3,862

65,001
28,575
21,937
14,489

36,606
4,073
4,007
28,526

156,824

152,614

152,881

152,872

140,426

6,397

17,756

8,590

8,655

10,614

8,286

25

96

29

102

30

108

6,610

6,524

26

104

8,808

6,997

28

108

-44,946

-44,665

-37,701

-36,385

-35,879

3.4

7.8

0.69

18.11

50.93

23.50

28.44

1.50

2,857

54.2

A2

A

3.4

11.1

4.42

21.19

30.47

18.19

29.23

1.50

2,858

55.7

A2

A

2.8

11.4

3.07

21.86

29.36

21.13

22.94

1.50

2,858

43.7

A2

A

3.9

5.9

-1.16

18.76

25.11

12.88

16.67

1.00

1,905

31.8

A3

A

3.3

6.7

1.49

18.34

19.52

13.80

14.09

1.10

2,097

26.9

A3

A-

90,428

85,108

85,105

78,889

72,083

1Adjusted for discontinued operations.  2Adjusted for extraordinary effects.  3Starting with 2010, the figure is as of the balance-sheet date.  4Ratio between economic net debt 
and EBITDA.  5Attributable to shareholders of E.ON SE  6End of December.  7For the respective financial year; the 2012 figure is management’s proposed dividend.  8Based on 
shares outstanding.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

213

Glossary of Financial Terms

Actuarial gains and losses
The actuarial calculation of provisions for pensions is based 
on projections of a number of variables, such as projected 
future salaries and pensions. An actuarial gain or loss is 
recorded when the actual numbers turn out to be different 
from the projections.

Cash provided by operating activities
Cash provided by, or used for, operating activities of continuing 
operations.

Commercial paper (“CP”)
Unsecured, short-term debt instruments issued by commercial 
firms and financial institutions. CPs are usually quoted on a 
discounted basis, with repayment at par value.

ADR
Abbreviation for American depositary receipt. These are deposi-
tary certificates issued by U.S. banks and traded on U.S. stock 
exchanges in place of a foreign stock. ADRs make it easier for 
foreign companies to gain access to U.S. investors.

Beta factor
Indicator of a stock’s relative risk. A beta coefficient of more 
than one indicates that a stock has a higher risk than the 
overall market; a beta coefficient of less than one indicates 
that it has a lower risk.

Bond
Debt instrument that gives the holder the right to repayment 
of the bond’s face value plus an interest payment. Bonds are 
issued by public entities, credit institutions, and companies 
and are sold through banks. They are a form of medium- and 
long-term debt financing.

Consolidation
Accounting approach in which a parent company and its 
affiliates are presented as if they formed a single legal entity. 
All intracompany income and expenses, intracompany accounts 
payable and receivable, and other intracompany transactions 
are offset against each other. Share investments in affiliates 
are offset against their capital stock, as are all intracompany 
credits and debts, since such rights and obligations do not 
exist within a single legal entity. The adding together and con-
solidation of the remaining items in the annual financial 
statements yields the consolidated balance sheets and the 
consolidated statements of income.

Contractual trust arrangement (“CTA”)
Model for financing pension obligations under which company 
assets are converted to assets of a pension plan administered 
by an independent trust that is legally separate from the 
company.

Capital employed
Represents the interest-bearing capital tied up in the E.ON 
Group. It is equal to a segment’s operating assets less the 
amount of non-interest-bearing available capital. Other share-
holdings are included at their acquisition cost, not their fair 
value.

Capital stock
The aggregate face value of all shares of stock issued by a com-
pany; entered as a liability in the company’s balance sheet.

Cash flow statement
Calculation and presentation of the cash a company has 
 generated or consumed during a reporting period as a result 
of its operating, investing, and financing activities.

Cost of capital
Weighted average of the costs of debt and equity financing 
(weighted-average cost of capital: “WACC”). The cost of equity 
is the return expected by an investor in a given stock. The 
cost of debt is based on the cost of corporate debt and bonds. 
The interest on corporate debt is tax-deductible (referred to 
as the tax shield on corporate debt).

Credit default swap (“CDS”)
A credit derivative used to hedge the default risk on loans, 
bonds, and other debt instruments. 

 
214 Glossary of Financial Terms

Debt factor
Ratio between economic net debt and EBITDA. Serves as a 
metric for managing E.ON’s capital structure. 

Debt issuance program
Contractual framework and standard documentation for the 
issuance of bonds.

Discontinued operations
Businesses or parts of a business that are planned for divest-
ment or have already been divested. They are subject to  special 
disclosure rules.

EBIT 
Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes. It is derived from 
income/loss from continuing operations before interest income 
and income taxes and is adjusted to exclude certain extraor-
dinary items, mainly other income and expenses of a non-
recurring or rare nature (see Other non-operating earnings).

EBITDA 
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and 
amortization. E.ON’s key earnings figure for purposes of inter-
nal management control and as an indicator of our busi-
nesses’ long-term earnings power. It is derived from income/
loss from continuing operations before interest income and 
income taxes and is adjusted to exclude certain extraordinary 
items, mainly other income and expenses of a non-recurring 
or rare nature (see Other non-operating earnings).

Economic net debt
Key figure that supplements net financial position with pension 
obligations and asset retirement obligations (less prepayments 
to the Swedish nuclear fund). The calculation of economic 
net debt includes the fair value (net) of currency derivatives 
used for financing transactions (but excluding transactions 
relating to our operating business and asset management) 
in order to also reflect the foreign-currency effects of financial 
transactions which, for accounting reasons, would not be 
included in the components of net financial position.

Equity method
Method for valuing shareholdings in associated companies 
whose assets and liabilities are not fully consolidated. The pro-
portional share of the company’s annual net income (or loss) 
is reflected in the shareholding’s book value. This change is 
usually shown in the owning company’s income statement.

Fair value
The price at which assets, debts, and derivatives pass from a 
willing seller to a willing buyer, each having access to all the 
relevant facts and acting freely.

Financial derivative
Contractual agreement based on an underlying value (refer-
ence interest rate, securities prices, commodity prices) and a 
nominal amount (foreign currency amount, a certain number 
of stock shares).

Goodwill
The value of a subsidiary as disclosed in the parent company’s 
consolidated financial statements resulting from the consoli-
dation of capital (after the elimination of hidden reserves and 
liabilities). It is calculated by offsetting the carrying amount 
of the parent company’s investment in the subsidiary against 
the parent company’s portion of the subsidiary’s equity.

Impairment test
Periodic comparison of an asset’s book value with its fair 
value. A company must record an impairment charge if it 
determines that an asset’s fair value has fallen below its 
book value. Goodwill, for example, is tested for impairment 
on at least an annual basis.

International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”)
Under regulations passed by the European Parliament and 
European Council, capital-market-oriented companies in 
the EU must apply IFRS for fiscal years that begin on or after 
 January 1, 2005, and by January 1, 2007, at the latest.

Investments
Cash-effective capital investments.

Net financial position
Difference between a company’s total financial assets (cash 
and securities) and total financial liabilities (debts to financial 
institutions, third parties, and associated companies).

Option
The right, not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset 
(such as a security or currency) at a specific date at a prede-
termined price from or to a counterparty or seller. Buy options 
are referred to as calls, sell options as puts.

CEO Letter
Report of the Supervisory Board
E.ON Stock 
Combined Group Management Report 
Consolidated Financial Statements 
Supervisory Board and Board of Management
Tables and Explanations 

215

Stock appreciation rights (“SAR”)
Virtual stock options in which compensation is in cash instead 
of in stock. At E.ON, the exercise gain equals the difference 
between the price of E.ON stock on the exercise date and at 
the time the SAR were issued.

Syndicated line of credit
Credit facility extended by two or more banks that is good 
for a stated period of time. 

Tax shield
Deductions that reduce an enterprise’s tax burden. For example, 
the interest on corporate debt is tax-deductible. An enterprise 
takes this into consideration when choosing between equity 
and debt financing (see Cost of capital).

Underlying net income
An earnings figure after interest income, income taxes, and 
minority interests that has been adjusted to exclude certain 
extraordinary effects. The adjustments include effects from the 
marking to market of derivatives, book gains and book losses 
on disposals, restructuring expenses, and other non-operating 
income and expenses of a non-recurring or rare nature (after 
taxes and minority interests). Underlying net income also 
excludes income/loss from discontinued operations, net.

Value added
Key measure of E.ON’s financial performance based on residual 
wealth calculated by deducting the cost of capital (debt and 
equity) from operating profit. It is equivalent to the return 
spread (ROCE minus the cost of capital) multiplied by capital 
employed, which represents the interest-bearing capital tied 
up in the E.ON Group.

Value at risk (“VaR”)
Risk measure that indicates the potential loss that a portfolio 
of investments will not exceed with a certain degree of prob-
ability (for example, 99 percent) over a certain period of time 
(for example, one day). Due to the correlation of individual 
transactions, the risk faced by a portfolio is lower than the sum 
of the risks of the individual investments it contains.

Working capital
The difference between a company’s current assets and 
 current liabilities.

Other non-operating earnings
Income and expenses that are unusual or infrequent, such as 
book gains or book losses from significant disposals as well 
as restructuring expenses (see EBIT).

Prepayments and accrued income 
Line item used to account for aperiodic expenses and income. 
Prepayments, which are recorded on the liability side of the 
balance sheet, occur when payment is made before the bal-
ance-sheet date, but the expense is after the balance-sheet 
date. Accrued income, which is recorded on the liabilities 
side of the balance sheet, occurs when payment is received 
before the balance-sheet date, but the income is recorded 
after the balance-sheet date.

Profit at risk (“PaR”)
Risk measure that indicates, with a certain degree of confidence 
(for example, 95 percent) and depending on liquidity, that 
the negative deviation of the profit margin due to changes in 
market prices will not exceed a certain value during the 
 holding period. For E.ON’s business the most relevant market 
prices are those for power, gas, coal, and carbon certificates.

Purchase price allocation
In a business combination accounted for as a purchase, the 
values at which the acquired company’s assets and liabilities 
are recorded in the acquiring company’s balance sheet.

Rating
Standardized performance categories for an issuer’s short- 
and long-term debt instruments based on the probability of 
interest payment and full repayment. Ratings provide inves-
tors and creditors with the transparency they need to compare 
the default risk of various financial investments.

Return on equity
The return earned on an equity investment (in this case, 
E.ON stock), calculated after corporate taxes but before an 
investor’s individual income taxes.

ROACE
Acronym for return on average capital employed. A key indica-
tor for monitoring the performance of E.ON’s business, ROACE 
is the ratio between E.ON’s EBIT and average capital employed. 
Average capital employed represents the interest-bearing 
average capital tied up in the E.ON Group. 

ROCE
Acronym for return on capital employed. ROCE is the ratio 
between E.ON’s EBIT and capital employed. Capital employed 
represents the interest-bearing capital tied up in the E.ON 
Group. 

216

Further information 

E.ON SE
E.ON-Platz 1
40479 Düsseldorf
Germany

T +49 211-4579-0
F +49 211-4579-501
info@eon.com
www.eon.com

Media Relations
T +49 211-4579-453
presse@eon.com

Investor Relations
T +49 211-4579-345
investorrelations@eon.com

Creditor Relations
T +49 211-4579-563
creditorrelations@eon.com

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E.ON Group Financial Highlights

€ in millions 
Electricity sales1 (billion kWh)
Gas sales1 (billion kWh)

Sales 
EBITDA2
EBIT2

Net income/Net loss

Net income/Net loss attributable to shareholders of E.ON SE
Underlying net income2

Investments

Cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations

Economic net debt (at year-end)
Debt factor4

Equity

Total assets

ROACE (%)

Pretax cost of capital (%)

After-tax cost of capital (%)

Value added

Employees (at year-end)
Earnings per share6, 7 (€) 
Equity per share6, 7 (€)
Dividend per share8 (€)

Dividend payout
Market capitalization7 (€ in billions)

1Includes trading sales volume. 
2Adjusted for extraordinary effects (see Glossary).
3Change in absolute terms.
4Ratio of economic net debt and EBITDA.
5Change in percentage points.
6Attributable to shareholders of E.ON SE.
7Based on shares outstanding. 
8For the respective financial year; the 2012 figure is management’s proposed dividend.

2012

740.4

1,162.1

132,093

10,786

7,027

2,641

2,217

4,187

6,997

8,808

2011

733.7

1,107.5

112,954

9,293

5,438

-1,861

-2,219

2,501

6,524

6,610

-35,879

-36,385

3.3

38,819

140,426

11.1

7.7

5.6

2,156

72,083

1.16

18.34

1.10

2,097

26.9

3.9

39,613

152,872

8.4

8.3

6.1

90

78,889

-1.16

18.76

1.00

1,905

31.8

+/- %

+1

+5

+17

+16

+29

–

–

+67

+7

+33
+5063
-0.63

-2

-8
+2.75
-0.65
-0.55

–

-9

–

-2

+10

+10

-15

  Financial Calendar

May 3, 2013  2013 Annual Shareholders Meeting
May 6, 2013  Dividend Payout
May 8, 2013 
August 13, 2013 
November 13, 2013 

Interim Report: January – March 2013
Interim Report: January – June 2013
Interim Report: January – September 2013

March 12, 2014  Release of the 2013 Annual Report
April 30, 2014  2014 Annual Shareholders Meeting

May 2, 2014  Dividend Payout
May 13, 2014 
August 13, 2014 
November 12, 2014 

Interim Report: January – March 2014
Interim Report: January – June 2014
Interim Report: January – September 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012 Annual Report

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