First-round participants in the main power utility PPC’s bailout-required sale of lignite mines and power stations representing 40 percent of capacity are heightening their efforts to form partnerships for the sale procedure ahead of an upcoming July 31 deadline and could be close to announcing arrangements, energypress sources have informed.

In one of two main fronts taking shape, one of two Czech firms that have emerged for the sale and said to be displaying a strong interest in Greece’s lignite market is close to reaching a deal with a major Greek corporate group, sources said.

On the other main front, a high-voltage industrial enterprise also taking part in the sale is said to be exploring the possibility of merging with the aforementioned scheme or partnering with the Copelouzos-China Energy scheme.

The high-voltage industrial enterprise is entitled CO2 emission right cost offsetting support, a definite advantage, even though most recent calculations indicate CAT remuneration support is also needed to make competitive the PPC lignite facilities being sold.

Though no further details on the players have emerged at this point, the sale appears to be developing into a showdown between the Copelouzos-China Energy scheme and a second team to be comprised of a foreign firm with a Greek partner, sources noted.

The aforementioned high-voltage industrial enterprise could side with either team, the sources added.

Also, both candidate teams are believed to be interested in the sale’s two separate packages, respectively comprised of PPC assets in the country’s north and south.