Second-round qualifiers of a privatization offering a 49 percent stake of distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO, a subsidiary of power utility PPC, are entering the procedure’s next stage without a clear picture on the company’s regulatory framework, still not established, despite a March 31 deadline.

Though related talks began well in advance, RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, is still awaiting all the details it requires from the operator on its regulated earnings and network development plan before the authority can reach a decision on the regulatory framework.

The operator’s regulatory framework is crucial for the privatization as it concerns pivotal matters such as extra wacc for certain projects, as well as Opex, Capex settings, amongst other details.

Once established, DEDDIE/HEDNO’s new regulatory framework will be applied retroactively, as of January 1, 2021.

Though its delivery date still remains unclear, it will include two periods, covering 2021 to 2024 and 2025 to 2028, which will give potential buyers a long-term perspective on the returns to be offered by the investment.

RAE has already decided on a formula calculating required earnings from the distribution network as well as the wacc level.

Second-round qualifiers are expected to be given access to DEDDIE/HEDNO’s virtual data room within the next few days for an assessment of the operator’s financial standing as part of due diligence.