Frequently asked Questions

We have put together the answers to some frequently asked questions for you here:

• What is a virtual AGM?

  A 'virtual AGM' is an annual general meeting held without the shareholders or their authorised representatives being present at the venue. The legislator recently provided us with this option by introducing the Act Concerning Measures Under the Law of Companies, Cooperative Societies, Associations, Foundations and Commonhold Property to Combat the Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic ('German COVID-19 Act').

  As holding an event requiring physical presence during the COVID-19 pandemic would expose participants to the risk of infection and would be impossible without violating applicable regulations, the legislator has introduced the possibility of holding a virtual AGM, enabling our Annual General Meeting to be held in compliance with the law. 

  With the approval of the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board of RWE Aktiengesellschaft decided to exercise this option to hold its Annual General Meeting on 26 June 2020 in view of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

  The online options for following the virtual AGM have been expanded in exchange for waiving the right of shareholders to attend the AGM. Most importantly, there will be an audio-visual webcast of the entire virtual Annual General Meeting, and the shareholders will be able to exercise their voting rights electronically and submit questions in advance.

• Do I have to register for the virtual AGM?

  Yes, this is necessary if you intend to exercise your voting rights and ask the Executive Board questions. The process for registering for the virtual AGM is the same as the one you are familiar with from the normal AGMs with shareholder attendance that have been held thus far: You must submit your registration with the Company and furnish proof of  share ownership via your depositary bank by a certain deadline.  You will receive a participation ticket instead of an admission ticket. 

  Shareholders who duly request a participation ticket from a depositary bank usually do not need to do anything else. In such cases, registration and proof of share ownership are handled by the depositary bank. Please refer to the information in the invitation and any deadlines that may have been set by your depositary bank.

• How can I follow the virtual AGM and exercise my voting rights?

  There will be an audio-visual webcast of the entire Annual General Meeting for shareholders and the interested public. You can view the simulcast here on 26 June 2020, starting at 10:00 a.m. (CEST).

  As a duly registered shareholder, you can exercise your voting rights (if necessary via an authorised third party) in various ways:

  You can exercise your voting rights electronically via the web-based InvestorPortal by postal vote or by authorising the voting proxies nominated by the Company before and during the Annual General Meeting until the beginning of the determination of the outcomes of the votes. Access to the web-based InvestorPortal will be provided here starting on 5 June 2020. The system can be used by providing the information printed on the participation ticket that is sent to all shareholders duly requesting a participation ticket by their depositary bank.

  In addition, you can exercise your voting rights in the run-up to the Annual General Meeting by using the form provided for this purpose on the back of the participation ticket ('Briefwahl und Stimmrechtsvertretung’ (Postal Vote and Voting Proxy) marked with a B).

  The participation ticket, which is necessary in order to exercise voting rights in any event, will be sent to all shareholders duly requesting a participation ticket by their depositary bank. 

• How can I ask the Executive Board questions?

  We have provided for the possibility to ask question by means of electronic communication for duly registered shareholders. You may submit your questions to the Executive Board via the web-based InvestorPortal until Tuesday, 23 June 2020, 24:00 hours CEST. Access to the InvestorPortal will be provided here starting on 5 June 2020. The system can be used by providing the information printed on the participation ticket that is sent to all shareholders duly requesting a participation ticket by their depositary bank. 

  The Executive Board will answer your questions at its discretion after due consideration.

• Why is the Annual General Meeting not being held as an event with attendance at a later point in time?

  Of course, we explored this option. In view of the current developments, however, it is uncertain whether an event with attendance can be held. However, it is important for our Company and the shareholders to pass the resolutions at the Annual General Meeting with legal certainty. This applies above all to the proposal for the appropriation of distributable profit, which is the basis for paying the dividend in the proposed amount.

• What dividend is being proposed for fiscal 2019?

  The Supervisory Board and the Executive Board of RWE Aktiengesellschaft will propose to the Annual General Meeting on 26 June 2020 that a dividend of €0.80 per share be paid for fiscal 2019. Based on the 614,745,499 million dividend-bearing shares, this results in a dividend payment of approximately €492 million.

• Where can I view the requests for supplements to the Agenda, countermotions or candidate nominations?

  All permissible requests for supplements to the Agenda, countermotions and candidate nominations received by the Company will be published on our website together with any statements in response by management.

  Moreover, requests for supplements will be published in the German Federal Gazette, disseminated throughout Europe, and communicated to the shareholders together with the convocation of the Annual General Meeting pursuant to Section 125, Paragraph 1, Sentence 3 of the German Stock Corporation Act.

• When did the last AGM take place? What dividend was paid?

  Our last Annual General Meeting was held in the Grugahalle in 45131 Essen, Germany, on 3 May 2019. The AGM decided to pay a dividend of €0.70 per share for fiscal 2018.

• When will the 2021 Annual General Meeting take place?

  The next Annual General Meeting is scheduled for 28 April 2021.