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AGL Energy mulls strategic review amid demerger doubts

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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO – The logo of AGL Energy Ltd (Australia’s No.2 power retailer) is displayed on the Sydney office of AGL Energy Ltd. It was taken February 8, 2017, in Sydney. Photograph taken February 8, 2017. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) – AGL Energy (OTC:) Ltd could launch a strategic review as early as Monday as doubts grow over the Australian power producer’s plans to split into two companies, the Australian newspaper reported.

According to the newspaper, AGL was contemplating its options Sunday amid speculations in the markets that AGL’s breakup into generation and retail businesses may not have the support of shareholders.

AGL didn’t immediately reply to Reuters’ request for comment.

The Australian reported that one option was to conduct a strategic review, which could increase the likelihood of AGL being bought off.

AGL’s board was to meet on Sunday afternoon to determine next steps, with a decision possible on Monday, the report said.

AGL’s demerger plan will be up for vote by shareholders on June 15. AGL Australia (the country’s biggest energy retailer) and Accel Energy (the country’s most powerful power producer) would split.

Technology billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes indicated on Friday he would seek two seats on AGL’s board if the plan to split the company failed.

Cannon Brookes, in a letter to Peter Botten (AGL Chair), criticized the demerger plan. He also expressed his desire to name two nominees for Grok Ventures — a vehicle that he is the owner – to AGL’s board.

Cannon-Brookes is the co-chief executive at software company Atlassian (NASDAQ;). He has been vocal about climate activism and gained 11.3% of AGL by converting a portion of his derivatives-based stake. Brookfield Asset Management failed him in a attempted takeover.

HESTA is an Australian pension fund that opposed demerger. HESTA said it was not happy with the separation supporting the Paris climate deal’s decarbonisation targets.

Accel will, if AGL merges, inherit AGL’s coal power plants as well as the title of Australia’s biggest carbon emitter according to government data.

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