Germany's RWE mulls raising stake in Amprion, source says (updated)
UPDATE 1-Germany's RWE mulls raising stake in Amprion, source says Changes sourcing, adds RWE's comment in paragraph 4
May 28 (Reuters) - RWE RWEG.DE, Germany's biggest power producer, is considering buying further shares in power network operator Amprion, a person familiar with the matter said.
RWE currently holds a 25.1% stake in Germany's second-biggest electricity grid through RWE Akjaios Holding, a joint venture with US private equity firm Apollo APO.N.
The joint venture could buy the Amprion stake held by AEBG, which is backed by five pension funds led by AEVWL, the person said.
"We are in regular contact with Amprion's other shareholders, including the individual shareholders of M31, on a range of topics," a RWE spokesperson told Reuters, declining to comment on the content of the talks.
AEGB declined to comment on the news, which was first reported by Handelsblatt.
Amprion did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
AEBG holds a 16.5% in Amprion, Handelsblatt reported, citing people familiar with the matter, adding RWE had already signed a preliminary purchase agreement.
Sources told Reuters in February that Amprion's major owners were considering selling their stakes to new investors.
(Reporting by Linda Pasquini and Christoph Steitz
Editing by Madeline Chambers and Sabine Wollrab)((linda.pasquini@thomsonreuters.com; +48 58 7785261;))
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