PreussenElektra
Corporate brand
UnclaimedGerman E.ON subsidiary responsible for operating, decommissioning, and repurposing nuclear energy assets.
Last updated August 24, 2026
Overview
PreussenElektra GmbH is a German energy company and wholly owned E.ON subsidiary focused on the operation, ownership, decommissioning, and redevelopment of nuclear power assets. The company is the successor to the nuclear activities assembled under E.ON after the creation of the group in 2000. It was formerly known as E.ON Kernkraft GmbH and adopted the PreussenElektra name in July 2016, reconnecting the business with the historical PreussenElektra energy enterprise while retaining its role within E.ON. The company’s principal activity has been the management of nuclear generation facilities in Germany. Its portfolio historically included majority ownership and operating responsibilities at the Grohnde, Brokdorf, and Isar 2 nuclear power stations, as well as minority interests in the Gundremmingen and Emsland plants operated by other utilities. The company has also been responsible for the decommissioning of retired facilities, including Isar 1 and Unterweser. These activities place PreussenElektra within the highly regulated end-of-life phase of Germany’s nuclear-energy sector as well as its former electricity-generation business. PreussenElektra’s history is connected to the restructuring of the German electricity market and the consolidation of major utilities. Following Germany’s electricity-market deregulation in 1999, the predecessor business launched Elektra Direkt as a retail arm. After E.ON was formed in 2000, the nuclear assets of PreussenElektra AG and Bayernwerk AG were combined in E.ON Kernkraft. The company later returned to the PreussenElektra name in 2016. Germany completed its nuclear phase-out in 2023, when the country’s remaining nuclear power plants were shut down. This changed PreussenElektra’s role from that of a nuclear-generation operator to one centered on dismantling, waste and asset management, site remediation, and possible energy-infrastructure reuse. In 2024, the company began dismantling the Brokdorf plant and developed plans to convert the site into a large battery-storage facility. The planned reuse illustrates the broader transition of the business from conventional nuclear generation toward managing the legacy and future utility value of former nuclear sites. PreussenElektra has also pursued international nuclear know-how activities. In 2017, it entered a partnership with Assystem intended to support the development of nuclear capabilities in the United Arab Emirates. Nevertheless, its core corporate identity and operating footprint remain tied to Germany and to E.ON’s nuclear assets there.
History
PreussenElektra’s corporate history is rooted in the restructuring of the German electricity industry and the consolidation of nuclear assets within E.ON. In February 1999, Germany deregulated its electricity market. The predecessor business responded by establishing Elektra Direkt as a retailing arm, reflecting the shift from traditional utility structures toward customer competition and direct electricity sales. The formation of E.ON in 2000 brought together major German energy interests. The nuclear assets of PreussenElektra AG and Bayernwerk AG were organized under E.ON Kernkraft GmbH. E.ON Kernkraft became responsible for managing a substantial portfolio of German nuclear-generation interests, including majority ownership in several plants and minority stakes in facilities operated by other utilities. In July 2016, E.ON Kernkraft was renamed PreussenElektra GmbH. The change restored the PreussenElektra identity while preserving the company’s position as an E.ON subsidiary. Its portfolio included 83% of the 1.4 GW Grohnde plant, 80% of the 1.4 GW Brokdorf plant, and 75% of the 1.5 GW Isar 2 plant. It also held minority interests in the RWE-operated Gundremmingen and Emsland nuclear stations. The company was responsible not only for operating or holding interests in active facilities, but also for the decommissioning of retired plants such as Isar 1 and Unterweser. PreussenElektra extended its nuclear-related activities beyond Germany in 2017 through a partnership with Assystem focused on supporting the development of nuclear capabilities in the United Arab Emirates. Its principal business, however, remained the management of E.ON’s German nuclear assets. Germany’s nuclear phase-out fundamentally changed the company’s operating model. The country’s remaining nuclear power plants were shut down in 2023. As a result, PreussenElektra’s role moved away from routine electricity generation and toward dismantling, decommissioning, site management, and the handling of former nuclear facilities. In 2024, it began dismantling the Brokdorf plant, which had been among Germany’s final operating nuclear stations. The company also planned to repurpose the Brokdorf site as a large battery-storage facility, linking the legacy of nuclear generation with the development of new electricity-system infrastructure. The company therefore represents a transitional phase in Germany’s energy industry: it retains specialist nuclear expertise and responsibility for former nuclear assets, while its future activities increasingly concern safe decommissioning and the conversion of established energy sites for alternative uses.
- 2024
Brokdorf dismantling begins
[1]PreussenElektra began dismantling the Brokdorf nuclear power plant and planned a large battery-storage redevelopment for the site.
- 2023
End of German nuclear generation
[1]Germany shut down its last nuclear power plants, accelerating PreussenElektra’s transition toward decommissioning and site management.
- 2017
International nuclear-capability partnership
[1]PreussenElektra partnered with Assystem on the development of nuclear capabilities in the United Arab Emirates.
- 2016
E.ON Kernkraft adopts the PreussenElektra name
[1]E.ON Kernkraft GmbH was renamed PreussenElektra GmbH in July.
- 2000
Creation of E.ON Kernkraft
[1]After E.ON was created, the nuclear assets of PreussenElektra AG and Bayernwerk AG were combined under E.ON Kernkraft GmbH.
- 1999
Electricity-market deregulation and launch of Elektra Direkt
[1]Following German electricity-market deregulation, the predecessor business launched Elektra Direkt as a retailing arm.
Products and positioning
A specialist E.ON nuclear-energy subsidiary transitioning from electricity generation to decommissioning, site management, and energy-infrastructure reuse.
Electricity generation
Nuclear-generated electricity
Historically, PreussenElektra generated and managed nuclear electricity through majority-owned and operated German plants, including Grohnde, Brokdorf, and Isar 2. Germany’s nuclear phase-out ended this active-generation role in 2023.
Energy infrastructure services
Nuclear asset operation and management
The company’s core historical offering was the operation, ownership management, and portfolio administration of E.ON’s German nuclear assets, including majority interests and minority holdings in plants operated by other utilities.
Decommissioning services
Nuclear plant decommissioning
PreussenElektra manages the dismantling and decommissioning of retired nuclear facilities, including Isar 1 and Unterweser. This activity has become central to the company following the shutdown of Germany’s remaining nuclear plants.
Energy storage infrastructure · 2024
Brokdorf site battery-storage redevelopment
The planned redevelopment of the Brokdorf nuclear site is intended to repurpose former generation infrastructure for a large battery-storage facility, supporting the transition from nuclear generation to other electricity-system uses.
Brand decisions
2024
Brokdorf site conversion toward battery storageStrategyBackground
The Brokdorf nuclear power plant entered the dismantling phase after Germany’s nuclear shutdown.
Action taken
PreussenElektra began dismantling the plant and planned to repurpose the site as a large battery-storage facility.
Aftermath
The project positions the former nuclear site as potential electricity-storage infrastructure rather than a generation facility.
2023
Transition from nuclear generation to decommissioningStrategyBackground
Germany shut down its last nuclear power plants, ending the country’s active nuclear-generation phase.
Action taken
PreussenElektra shifted its practical focus toward dismantling, decommissioning, and managing former nuclear assets.
Aftermath
The company’s nuclear expertise remains relevant primarily to the safe closure and redevelopment of former plant sites.
2016
Rebranding as PreussenElektraStrategyBackground
E.ON’s nuclear business had operated as E.ON Kernkraft after the consolidation of the nuclear assets of PreussenElektra AG and Bayernwerk AG.
Action taken
The company changed its name to PreussenElektra GmbH in July 2016.
Aftermath
The renamed company continued managing E.ON’s German nuclear portfolio under the restored PreussenElektra identity.
Recent events
- 2024
PreussenElektra begins dismantling the Brokdorf nuclear power plant[1]
Other
The company began dismantling Brokdorf, a former nuclear power station, while planning to repurpose the site as a major battery-storage facility.
- 2023
Germany completes shutdown of its remaining nuclear power plants[1]
Regulation · Other
Germany’s last nuclear power plants were shut down, ending PreussenElektra’s role in operating an active German nuclear-generation fleet and increasing the importance of decommissioning and site-management work.
- 2017
PreussenElektra partners with Assystem on United Arab Emirates nuclear capabilities[1]
Other
PreussenElektra and Assystem formed a partnership intended to help develop nuclear capabilities in the United Arab Emirates.
Sources1 sources
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