Power utility PPC’s equity capital increase, planned for late October, is expected to attract over one billion euros, in excess of the 750 million-euro amount initially announced, strong interest by foreign institutional investors, including major US interest, as well as dozens of meetings lined up for the coming weeks with potential participants, has indicated.

The next fortnight or so is expected to be filled with non-business news concerning PPC’s equity capital increase, the related topics to include discussion on possible participants, as well as political debate over the equity capital increase, effectively a partial privatization that will result in a decrease of privatization fund TAIPED’s current stake in the company from 51 percent to 34 percent.

The development promises to free the utility from restrictions imposed on state-controlled companies, boost its finances and enable the company to further consolidate its position as the dominant market player. Small and big energy players are expected to be impacted by the PPC move. Talk of takeovers is already brewing.

The equity capital increase, along with PPC’s not-yet-finalized sale of a 49 percent stake of distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO, a subsidiary, to Australian fund Macquarie for 2.116 billion euros, will offer crucial financial support for PPC’s 8.5 billion-euro investment plan covering the next five years. Green energy production and ventures abroad are the plan’s key objectives.