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Optiver to Acquire Majority Stake in European Energy Trader Northpool

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Optiver has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Northpool, a Leiden, Netherlands-based energy trading firm focused on European power and gas markets, Optiver said Tuesday.

Optiver, an Amsterdam-based global market maker, will combine its technology, quantitative capabilities and risk management expertise with Northpool's European power and gas trading knowledge.

The deal combines complementary capabilities to help both companies grow their energy-market presence, as rising power demand, more complex electricity systems and the shift to lower-carbon sources increase the need for advanced trading expertise.

"Northpool has built a leading business in short-term power and gas trading, combining deep market expertise with advanced weather analytics and predictive models," said Jan Boomaars, CEO of Optiver.

"This investment strongly complements the asset class portfolio we have built and will allow us to bring our liquidity provision to global energy markets," Boomaars added.

"As we considered the next phase of Northpool's growth, we were looking for a partner that shared our ambition and could help us accelerate our long-term plans," said Roald Noort, CEO of Northpool.

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