The German utility E.On, specialized in networks and distribution, is carrying out a preliminary analysis to assess whether the land of former nuclear power plants in Germany, whose last reactors were shut down in 2023, can be used as suitable sites for the installation of data centers.
"This is an initial assessment," emphasized E.On’s chief financial officer, Nadia Jakobi, during a conference with analysts, where she noted that, in principle, they could offer potential benefits to all parties involved by having attractive industrial locations and, depending on the site, using the existing infrastructure, including the connection to the electricity grid, adding that the company will evaluate "case by case."
"We have been global leaders in nuclear power generation and now we are also leaders in nuclear demolition because of the speed at which we do it. Therefore, we expect these sites to be available soon," the executive said, referring to progress in dismantling the plants.
The decision to abandon nuclear power in Germany dates back to 2011, when the Government led by Angela Merkel opted to accelerate the shutdown schedule for the country’s nuclear power plants after the disaster at Japan’s Fukushima plant in March of that year. At the time, the nuclear shutdown of the country’s 17 power plants was set for 2022, although final closure ended up taking place in the spring of 2023.
E.On’s financial results up to September
On the financial front, E.On has said that in the first nine months of the year it recorded an attributable net profit of 3.584 billion euros, nearly four times higher than the 918 million euros obtained up to September of the previous fiscal year.
Between July and September, the company achieved an attributable net profit of 972 million euros, compared with the losses of 51 million euros taken in the same quarter of the previous year.
As for revenue, E.On saw a 4.3% decline in its income up to September, to 55.033 billion euros, despite an interannual increase of 6.2% in the third quarter, with business revenue of 16.957 billion euros.
These figures keep E.On aligned with its forecasts for the full year, in which it continues to expect to reach an adjusted Ebitda of between 9.400 and 9.600 billion euros and an adjusted net profit of between 2.700 and 2.900 billion euros.
"Our results for the first nine months of the year once again highlight the strength of our business model. Our solid financial and operational performance puts us firmly on the right track to achieve our annual objectives," declared Nadia Jakobi, for whom, in all of the company’s markets, "there is a substantial and growing need for investment in energy infrastructure."
Investment plan and energy transition
In this regard, as planned, E.On invested a total of 5.2 billion euros in the first nine months of 2026, 2% more than in the same period of the previous year, concentrating its investments mainly on the expansion, modernization and digitalization of energy grids.
"We are meeting the investment program as planned," added Jakobi, noting that the next phase of the energy transition requires high-performance networks, greater flexibility in the system and even smarter solutions for customers.
"Our investments lay the groundwork for affordable and secure energy supply, while strengthening Europe’s competitiveness," defended E.On’s chief financial officer, adding that, "investments of this scale also require a reliable long-term regulatory framework that meets international standards.