The source was confirming a report by the Rheinische Post newspaper that cited labour union sources. "There will be job cuts," a company spokesman said without giving a specific number, noting RWE had already flagged this and was working with unions to implement them. RWE has ruled out forced layoffs in Germany through 2012. The company said in August it planned to divest assets worth 11 billion euros ($14.8 billion) by the end of 2013. It aims to cut costs by 1.5 billion euros next year as it comes to grips with Germany's decision to phase out nuclear power by 2022. RWE will cut jobs as a result of closing its Biblis nuclear power plant and replacing coal-fired plants with ones that require fewer staff. It is also restructuring in Britain and eastern Europe.