Sat, Nov 21 2009

GDF, Dalkia eye Sofia’s struggling heating utility

Wed, Oct 14 2009 09:22 CET byDnevnik.bg 930 Views
French gas utility Gaz de France and utility company Dalkia are interested in the planned sell-off of Bulgaria’s largest heating utility Toplofikatsiya Sofia, Economy Minister Traicho Traikov told Dnevnik.

During Traykov’s meeting with French company representatives on October 12, officials from French banks and major manufacturers have inquired about Bulgaria’s broad economy and the regulatory framework as well as specific issues, Traikov said.

Gaz de France and Dalkia confirmed their interest in the privatisation of Sofia’s heating utility when it comes on the agenda.

Traikov said that the Government was in the process of transferring the company’s ownership back to the Sofia city hall and a few more administrative hurdles needed to be overcome to complete the procedure.

Dalkia owns the heating utility in the Black Sea city of Varna and has already expressed interest in managing the Sofia firm or acquiring it in a potential sell-off. Several years ago, Sofia municipality was seeking a manager for its heating company, but the procedure was suspended.

Gaz de France has repeatedly said it is eager to acquire the utility. It has also shown interest to vie for construction of a new gas link between Stara Zagora, Dimitrovgrad and Komotini in Greece. The Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) - the catch-all structure grouping the nation’s top energy assets - has already picked a consultant on the project but is yet to name a contractor.

Source: Dnevnik

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