The European Commission has given its consent for the acquisition of 266 petrol stations in Austria. By the time this process is finalized, ORLEN’s services will be available in seven European retail markets. The transaction will fulfil nearly 97% of the company’s strategic assumptions by 2030 regarding the number of stations. As a result, ORLEN will be among the top three largest petrol station networks in Austria, holding about 10 percent of the country’s retail market share.
– Through the merger with the LOTOS Group and PGNiG, we have the potential to fulfill our ambitious development plans, including in the retail sector. The European Commission’s decision brings us closer not only to achieving strategic goals related to foreign expansion but also our objectives concerning the self-sufficiency of petrol stations and the development of alternative fuels. As many as 40 of the contracted acquisition facilities in Austria are equipped with photovoltaic panels. Moreover, we will take over as many as 110 charging points for electric cars at 34 locations – says Daniel Obajtek, President of the ORLEN Management Board.
A conditional agreement was already signed with the Doppler Group in early July. While examining ORLEN’s application, the European Commission deemed the transaction to be in compliance with the common market rules. This means the green light for ORLEN to acquire 100% of the shares in Doppler Energie, the operator of the Austrian network, from the Doppler Group.
The agreement involves 266 facilities operating under the Turmöl brand. Nearly half of the acquired stations are popular self-service facilities in Austria allowing customers to purchase fuel and pay at the distributor itself. The company to be taken over by ORLEN also owns a network of chargers for electric cars under the Turmstrom brand. By the end of the year, this will amount to 110 charging points in 34 locations. Ninety-six facilities provide wash services, half of the stations offer shop services, and around 80 operate a gastronomic concept. As part of the transaction, Austrocard, a company providing fuel cards for private and business customers and accepted at over 500 locations in Austria, will also be taken over.
The ORLEN Group’s strategy for 2030 is to have a network of about 3,500 fuel stations, with 45 percent located outside of Poland. By the end of the second quarter of 2023, the number of ORLEN petrol stations was 3,157, of which 1,919 were in Poland and 1,238 were in overseas markets: Czech Republic, Lithuania, Germany, Slovakia, and Hungary.
