Vattenfall has continued refocusing its business in the UK, with the sale of its electric vehicle (EV) charging network to Statkraft.
The move follows the company’s announcement last week that it was selling its supply side business, iSupply Energy, to EDF. It is looking to invest in developing its core UK businesses: renewable power generation, heating, B2B sales and distribution, said the company.
Tomas Björnsson, head of E-mobility at Vattenfall added that the company was “taking stock and changing its focus to ensure that the transport offer in the UK is fit for purpose. We will do our utmost to ensure that customers experience limited disruption at this time”.
Vattenfall have recently been very active in the EV space, announcing a partnership with Moixa and Honda to provide a charging bundle at the beginning of March.
Last year, the company installed charge points in Hampshire, signed a roaming agreement with NewMotion in August and was unveiled as a partner for an on-street charging project using Virgin Media infrastructure.
The acquisition will allow Statkraft to further secure its position in the UK EV space via its 100% owned subsidiary Gronn Kontakt UK. The company acquired Norwegian charging company Gronn Kontakt in December, after also acquiring E-Wald, which operates around 300 charge points in Germany and leases around 100 fleet EVs to businesses and municipalities, in August.
Anthony Hinde, head of eMobility at Statkraft UK said: “Statkraft’s experience with charging in Norway and Germany provides the confidence and scale to make a sustainable and customer focused business in the UK. In all these markets Statkraft is already present with energy production and comprehensive market operations.”
Vattenfall will now work with Statkraft to transfer assets, each of which will be done on a case by case basis to minimise disruption. All staff and chargers will become part of the company as it begins to manage, operate and maintain the UK network of charging stations.
Statkraft will also look to grow the existing network, providing an offer for both rapid and fast chargers.
Statkraft has “ambitious growth plans” said the company’s managing director David Flood.
“Long term investment into the UK market is a key part of our strategy. Electric vehicles will change the power industry in Europe, and to achieve an emission free transport sector, renewable energy must be used to charge electric vehicles.”
