OREANDA-NEWS. E.ON has today agreed to sell its 20 percent shareholding in the Finnish natural gas company Gasum Oy to the Finnish State. Gasum Oy is engaged in the import, distribution and sale of natural gas in Finland.

The purchase price for E.ON's shares is EUR 0.2 billion. The transaction is expected to be completed shortly.

The sale is part of E.ON's ongoing strategy of optimizing its business portfolio and follows the divestment of E.ON's 34 percent participation in the Finnish nuclear project Fennovoima and the sale of E.ON's Finnish energy companies, E.ON Kainuu Oy and Karhu Voima Oy in 2013.

Fortum Oy has also agreed to sell its 31 percent stake in Gasum Oy to the Finnish state. Together, these transactions will increase the Finnish State's shareholding in Gasum Oy from 24 percent currently to 75 percent.