Christian Democrat MPs have asked economic affairs minister Maxime Verhagen to explain the implications of a possible deal between RWE and Gazprom, which could give the Russian state firm partial control of six Dutch power stations.

They want to know if the deal means Gazprom could eventually end up controlling the power stations which are owned by Essent, now part of RWE. They also want to know if Dutch law gives sufficient protection against any eventual Russian state intervention.
RWE and Gazprom are setting up a joint venture which will include power plants in the Benelux, Germany and Britain.
The two companies hope the deal will be finalised in the next three months.
RWE has emphasised it is a purely financial deal and that it will remain responsible for the operational side. ‘Our power stations will continue to be managed by Essent staff,’ Essent’s CEO Peter Terium told the FD.