According to two sources familiar with the matter on Tuesday, Swiss energy investor Energy Infrastructure Partners (EIP) is in discussions with BayWa to potentially increase its ownership in the German agricultural group's renewable energy unit, BayWa r.e., to between 70 percent and 80 percent. The sources indicated that EIP currently holds a 49 percent stake in BayWa r.e. and a further sale could alleviate recent financial pressures faced by BayWa and enhance the credit rating of its renewables division.

Earlier, German business magazine WirtschaftsWoche had reported EIP's intention to boost its stake in BayWa r.e. significantly. One source suggested that EIP's ownership in the subsidiary could exceed 80 percent if the discussions conclude favorably. The talks, which were temporarily halted by BayWa's announcement on July 12 regarding a restructuring consultation aimed at improving its financial situation, remain ongoing.

In the proposed transaction, EIP aims for BayWa to maintain control over the Solar Trade unit within the subsidiary, responsible for supplying solar energy equipment, as per the sources. EIP had previously acquired its 49 percent stake in BayWa r.e. for 530 million euros ($575.37 million) in late 2020.

While the exact financial terms have yet to be finalized, one source suggested that under current conditions, BayWa would likely need to agree on a reduced valuation for any stake it decides to divest. Earlier reports on Tuesday indicated that Mihaela Seidl, the finance chief of BayWa r.e., had resigned abruptly citing personal reasons, according to an internal memo.