Power utility PPC’s plan, announced late last week, to proceed with a 750 million-euro 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, 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.

Rival players in the electricity and RES markets are closely following the developments, realizing the energy market map is headed for a major reshape if PPC’s equity capital increase is successfully completed.

PPC, as a transformed, independent corporation without state-company restrictions will be a much harder force to reckon with as it can be expected to charge ahead with an aggressive investment strategy in Greece and the Balkans, market players have commented.

Also, PPC, reshaping for a focus on green energy, will benefit from many advantages in the RES market, including the right to utilize its outgoing lignite areas for renewables, as well as priority grid dispatch rights given the strategic importance of its investments for the country, market officials have noted.

In response, rival players will now need to strengthen their capital standing and also consider strategic partnerships.