At least ten prospective bidders, among them a number of infrastructure funds as well as European operators, have taken part in a market test staged by distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO in the lead-up to its sale of a 49 percent stake.

The privatization’s officials have deemed the turnout as considerably satisfactory, both in terms of numbers and the reputations of participants.

Some of the funds, both from Europe and beyond, that emerged for this market test are either already present in the Greek market or have been considering to make an entry for quite some time. They specialize in infrastructure and energy projects as long-term investments.

The board at power utility PPC, DEDDIE/HEDNO’s parent company, will be fully informed on the market test’s participants at a meeting scheduled for today, before the privatization is officially launched.

The privatization’s exact number of first-round participants should become known by the end of January, when the expression-of-interest deadline is expected to be set.

Officials believe the overall sale procedure can be completed by spring in 2021. Attractive WACC levels set recently by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy – 7 percent for 2020 and 6.7 percent for 2021 to 2024 – are expected to lure candidates.

DEDDIE/HEDNO’s ambitious 2.3 billion-euro investment plan, included in the operator’s preliminary network development plan, its projects featuring the installation of 7.5 million digital power meters, transmission network upgrades and expansions, as well as a fiber optics project, should serve as further stimulus for a solid sale price.