E.ON CEO Teyssen emphasises social and systemic significance of critical energy infrastructure in current crisis. He emphasised, “Energy utilities have a special significance for critical infrastructure in this crisis and thus, a special responsibility. We’re Europe’s biggest operator of energy networks. Their reliability and continuous availability is of paramount importance for healthcare, public order, and people everywhere. We will do everything in our power to ensure supply security, even in this situation. Despite the difficult times, more than 14,000 of our employees are working for our customers in our networks and at our production facilities. Policymakers and the general public can count on us in this period as well.” Teyssen affirmed that the company would join other utilities to support the German Energy Association’s pledge, until further notice, not to disconnect financially vulnerable customers.
Teyssen also addressed the corona crisis’s possible implications for the company, “Overall, the energy industry doubtless won’t be as hard hit as other industries. But will still expect the crisis to leave its mark on our bottomline. Industrial and commercial customers are consuming noticeably less energy. This will have a temporary impact our network and sales businesses. There may be delays in our ability to deliver energy infrastructure projects.” E.ON also anticipates a temporary decline in demand at its B2B business as well.