It is a big week for the country’s energy privatizations with gas company DEPA Infrastructure’s tender set to reach a concluding stage tomorrow and that of distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO also approaching its finale as its binding bids are scheduled to be opened on Friday.

Italgas, Italy’s biggest natural gas distribution company and the third largest in Europe, has, according to sources, submitted the highest bid in the DEPA Infrastructure sale, offering an 100 percent stake, and is the only bidder to which the privatization fund TAIPED has extended a request for an improved offer, by tomorrow.

The Italgas offer is believed to be close to 700 million euros, a figure expected to rise further, and well above an offer submitted by rival bidder EPH from the Czech Republic.

As for the privatization of DEDDIE/HEDNO, a power utility PPC subsidiary, four binding offers, for a 49% stake, have been submitted by major international funds CVC Capital Partners Group, First Sentier Investors Group, KKR Group, and the Macquarie Group. This level of participation could boost bid levels. Offers of over 1.5 billion euros, or even 1.7 billion euros, could be unveiled, sources have anticipated.

The rebounding economy, potential of Greece’s energy market, as well as the statures of all five suitors involved in the two sales could result in two of the country’s most lucrative privatization agreements, in all sectors.