The decision by Germany to nationalize Sefe, the former European subsidiary of Russian gas company Gazprom, will allow dozens of Dutch local authorities and other institutions to continue their contracts with the company, Dutch energy minister Rob Jetten said on Tuesday.

Germany took the decision to nationalize Sefe to help stave off bankruptcy, after placing it in a trust because of the sanctions earlier this year.

Jetten had told Dutch clients to break off their contracts with Sefe, in line with EU sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and had given them until the end of the year to do so.

Some 150 local authorities, schools and waterboards have contracts with Gazprom Nederland, which changed its name to Sefe Energy in August.

Companies and institutions which had already broken their contracts with Sefe will be compensated, Jetten said.