Local news reports suggest that the German government is pushing ahead with plans to merge its four high-voltage Transmission System Operators (TSOs) – namely TenneT, 50Hertz, TransNet BW, and Amprion, by purchasing stakes in each company. In the case of TenneT, the payment for its German subsidiary may come to $21 billion. The Economy Ministry has openly acknowledged that discussions are underway with TenneT and TransnetBW. Germany bought a 20% stake in 50Hertz in 2018 while EnBW has offered to sell a 49.9% stake in TransnetBW, which it owns. Bloomberg this week cited anonymous sources saying that Amprion stakeholders support the merger. This reunification of the grid will substantively revert former Angela Merkel’s privatization of the grid, which is blamed…