In order to secure E ON's future, Mr Johannes Teyssen CEO of E ON and the board of management are convinced that it is necessary to quickly and permanently achieve a significant reduction of costs.

He commented that "We are not immune to negative changes in our markets, and especially in the political and regulatory environment. We simply must make use of the internal flexibility we have."

A reduction of non personnel costs alone could not achieve the necessary cost savings. Therefore, according to initial considerations of the board of management, on a group wide level 9,000 to 11,000 jobs, primarily in administrative functions, could be affected in the medium term.

Furthermore, the potential for efficiency enhancements in operational areas will be examined. E ON plans to add detail to its considerations in the weeks to come. The decisions of the supervisory board regarding job implications are to be adopted in autumn.