privatizations

Two funds submit DEDDIE interest ahead of sale’s preliminary deadline

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Two undisclosed funds have jumped the gun to submit non-binding, first-round expressions of interest for the sale of a 49 percent stake in distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO three days before a February 19 deadline, highlighting the heightened level of buyer interest that surrounds this privatization.

European and US investment teams, more so than network operators, have shown particular interest in the DEDDIE/HEDNO sale during its lead-up.

A market test in December revealed that 19 potential bidders include New York-based Blackrock, the world’ biggest investment fund, managing capital worth 7.8 trillion dollars; American giant KKR, handling 220 billion dollars; as well as French fund Ardian, one of Europe’s most dynamic, with involvement in over 150 enterprises and capital management worth more than 100 billion dollars.

Though it remains unknown if any of the aforementioned players were early birds, it has become very clear that funds will play a big role in this sale.

In an effort to add to the sale’s appeal, power utility PPC, DEDDIE/HEDNO’s parent company, has decided to bolster the 49 percent minority rights by offering potential buyers equal powers with PPC over crucial network operator decisions.

Between four and seven investment teams have displayed the greatest level of interest in the DEDDIE/HEDNO sale. Some of these teams are believed to be engaged in negotiations to establish new formations for this sale.

DEDDIE bidders shaping teams as first-round deadline nears

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Investors preparing to participate in the 49 percent sale of power utility PPC’s subsidiary DEDDIE/HEDNO, the distribution network operator, a procedure whose deadline for non-binding expressions of interest expires on February 19, are busy negotiating the details of their partnerships.

Between five and seven existing formations involving European system operators and funds, all appearing extremely interested in the sale, are seen reshaping into approximately three investment teams ahead of this week’s deadline, according to sources.

The investment interest is serious and lives up to the operator’s investment plan, estimated at 2.3 billion euros, for the next five-year period, sources said.

Meanwhile, sources at PPC have confirmed that investors will be offered a one-off 49 percent stake in the distribution operator following thoughts of a two-stage sale resulting in this stake.

The managerial rights to be attached to the minority 49 percent stake will be bolstered to give potential buyers equal powers with PPC over the operator’s new business plan and company expenses, PPC sources informed.

DEDDIE/HEDNO possesses a regulated asset base worth over 3 billion euros, networks totaling 242,000 km in length, 240 high-voltage substations, 163 low-voltage substations, a 5,800-member workforce, and a client base numbering 7.5 million.

The company caters to annual demand of 43.194 TWh and 57,752 RES units with a total capacity of 3,926 MW.

 

 

Four teams, backed by funds, display strong DEDDIE interest

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Prospective bidders considering power utility PPC’s sale of a 49 percent stake in subsidiary firm DEDDIE/HEDNO, the distribution network operator, have flooded the seller with a stream of enquiries ahead of a February 19 deadline for non-binding expressions of interest.

Interested parties had until February 5 to make enquiries before they can officially express interest in the sale later this month.

Interest in the distribution network operator is definitely strong. Questions received at PPC indicate that four investment teams, with the involvement of major funds, are maintaining the strongest interest in the DEDDIE/HEDNO sale.

Prospective buyers lodged enquiries on a range of issues, including the sale’s rules for funds, whether participating funds will need to submit their equity line-ups in full detail, and if supporting documents can be submitted in languages other than English.

A market test for the upcoming partial privatization staged by Goldman Sachs in December disclosed that interested parties include New York-based Blackrock, the world’s biggest investment fund managing capital worth 7.8 trillion dollars, US giant KKR, backed by capital worth 220 billion euros, as well as French fund Ardian, one of Europe’s strongest, linked with over 150 enterprises and capital management worth more than 100 billion dollars.

In an attempt to strengthen the sale’s appeal, PPC will guarantee the strategic investor holding a 49 percent stake in DEDDIE/HEDNO no obstacles in decisions concerning crucial matters.

However, the minority rights for DEDDIE/HEDNO’s prospective 49 percent stakeholder will not be as strong as they are for power grid operator IPTO’s Chinese strategic partner SGCC. DEDDIE/HEDNO will retain the operator’s managerial control.

Authorities had considered a two-stage sale of DEDDIE/HEDNO’s 49 percent, beginning with a stake of about 30 percent and a further 19 percent at a latter date, when market conditions may have improved, before opting for a one-off procedure.

DEPA Commercial RES entry adds value to its ongoing privatization

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Gas supplier DEPA Commercial’s move into the renewable energy sector through a 49 percent acquisition of North Solar, a company developing solar energy projects with a total capacity of 499.61 MW in northern Greece’s west Macedonia region, provides new prospects and added value to the gas company’s ongoing privatization procedure.

The agreement between DEPA Commercial and North Solar, announced last Friday, diversifies the gas company’s energy portfolio, activities, earnings potential and risk.

The move follows in the footsteps of strategies adopted by numerous international gas companies, expanding their reach into the RES sector to broaden their revenue sources and reduce environmental footprints.

DEPA Commercial is currently at the final stage of a sale launched by privatization fund TAIPED.

In addition to the prospective benefits promised by its RES entry, the gas company is also expected to gain in value as a result of its detachment from previous gas-auction responsibilities maintained during the market’s liberalization process.

DEPA Commercial’s market share appears to have stabilized at levels of approximately 40 percent, while the company’s financial performance, according to sources, improved in 2020.

 

DEPA Commercial sale moving ahead as planned despite ELFE legal dispute

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Privatization fund TAIPED intends to move ahead as planned with the next round of the sale of gas company DEPA Commercial by setting a spring binding-bids deadline for candidates, despite concerns that an ongoing legal dispute between the company and ELFE (Hellenic Fertilizers and Chemicals) could impact the privatization’s proceedings, sources have informed.

An appeal filed by gas utility DEPA, DEPA Commercial’s parent company, challenging an Athens Court of First Instance verdict that ordered the company to return 61 million euros to ELFE as a result of overcharging was yesterday deferred for September and will now probably be jointly heard along with a separate appeal case involving the two companies over a similar amount of unpaid receivables owed by the fertilizer and chemicals producer to DEPA.

This ongoing legal dispute has caused uncertainty among potential buyers of DEPA Commercial as it is complicating their bid calculations.

TAIPED is currently engaged in talks with the finance and energy ministries for the establishment of an appropriate formula concerning a related term in the privatization’s sale and purchase agreement that would offer candidates security to a great extent.

A court ruling in favor of ELFE, in the DEPA overcharging case, could prompt other DEPA customers, such as electricity producers and industrial producers, to take legal action against the utility over overcharging claims. This could end up costing DEPA many hundreds of millions.

Outcome of DEPA appeal against ELFE crucial for sale

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The outcome of tomorrow’s appeal filed by gas utility DEPA against ELFE (Hellenic Fertilizers and Chemicals) following an Athens Court of First Instance verdict ordering a 61 million-euro return from the gas utility for gas supply overcharging will be crucial for the privatization of DEPA Commercial, a new DEPA entity formed for the sale.

According to legal experts, tomorrow’s hearing could be deferred until September so that it may be concurrently heard with an ensuing appeal filed, in response, by ELFE against DEPA to challenge a separate Court of First Instance decision in October, 2019 that ordered ELFE to pay the gas company about 60 million euros in unpaid receivables. DEPA had sought 86.7 million euros. This ELFE appeal was given a September, 2021 date.

Combining appeal cases is commonly practiced by courts, the legal sources pointed out.

Postponement of tomorrow’s appeal case until September may prompt the privatization fund TAIPED to extend a March deadline it had set for binding bids concerning the DEPA Commercial privatization. Potential buyers would want to know the outcome of the DELA-ELFE legal dispute before placing any offers.

A court ruling in favor of ELFE could prompt other DEPA customers, such as electricity producers and industrial producers, to take legal action against the utility over overcharging claims.

The Court of First Instance ruled DEPA overcharged ELFE between 2010 and 2015 by applying an oil-indexed gas pricing formula used by Russia’s Gazprom. ELFE sought 302 million euros, well over the a 61 million-euro return determined by the court.

Key issues in new minister’s first session with EC officials

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Today’s first meeting, via teleconference, between Greece’s recently appointed energy minister Kostas Skrekas and European Commission authorities, as part of Brussels’ ninth post-bailout review, will focus on four key issues: power utility PPC’s lignite monopoly; the proper functioning of target model markets; energy-sector privatizations, and the decarbonization plan for west Macedonia, a lignite-dependent area in the country’s north.

The four issues were addressed in preliminary talks last week between Alexandra Sdoukou, secretary-general of Greece’s environment and energy ministry and Brussels technocrats.

It remains to be seen if the European Commission will again commend Athens, and to what extent, for the target model’s functioning, as Brussels had done last November, when the model’s new markets in Greece were launched as a step to harmonize EU energy markets.

However, weeks into the launch, balancing market costs skyrocketed, leading to sharply increased wholesale electricity prices. RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, is now considering to introduce an adjustable price-containing measure to be set as a percentage of day-ahead market prices.

The European Commission, in the latest talks, can also be expected to push for the launch of a market test concerning an agreement offering independent players access to PPC’s lignite-based electricity production.

Though the interest of independent players for lignite-based electricity may have diminished given its increased cost, this antitrust case, unresolved for years, remains a big concern for the government as Brussels could associate it with pending Greek issues.

The complexity of PPC’s lignite monopoly case was deepened following a decision by the previous energy minister, Costis Hatzidakis, to bundle the matter with a Greek compensation request based on the utility’s need to keep running lignite-fired power stations for energy sufficiency. According to reports, his successor, Skrekas, will not sway from this policy.

As for energy-sector privatizations, a sale plan for gas supplier DEPA Commercial has attracted considerable interest but officials are concerned as parent company DEPA is embroiled in an ongoing lawsuit with ELFE (Hellenic Fertilizers and Chemicals).

DEPA has appealed a verdict awarding the producer a compensation amount of 60 million euros following overcharging claims. The case could be deferred until September, meaning binding bids by possible DEPA Commercial buyers may need to be delayed.

Greece’s decarbonization master plan features 16 key investment proposals that are expected to create over 8,000 jobs, directly and indirectly, in lignite-dependent areas. However, numerous complex matters need to be resolved, including the transfer of related property controlled by PPC, Brussels’ approval of a series of incentives for new investments, and scores of licensing issues.

Regulatory decision for operator DEDDIE most likely delayed

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RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, is not expected to reach a decision by March 31, as has been scheduled, on the regulated earnings and network development plan for distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO’s four-year period covering 2021 to 2024 because the authority has yet to receive all necessary data and information, sources have informed.

The authority’s decision on regulated earnings, to apply retroactively as of January 1, 2021, is important for the DEDDIE/HEDNO privatization, to offer investors a 49 percent stake, as it will determine WACC amounts and other key dimensions.

RAE has already established formulas for calculating required distribution network earnings and WACC figures.

The operator’s new framework includes two four-year periods, 2021 to 2024 and 2025 to 2028, offering prospective buyers a longer-term outlook on this investment’s yield.

Last Friday, power utility PPC extended its expression-of-interest deadline for the sale of its minority stake in DEDDIE/HEDNO to February 19, from January 29, following requests by prospective bidders. They now have until February 5 to forward any related queries and February 26 to produce supporting documents needed for the sale’s preliminary expression-of-interest stage.

Five to six investment teams, comprised mostly of companies and funds, are seen participating in the sale of a minority DEDDIE/HEDNO stake.

Chinese firms barred from distribution operator sale

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Conflict of interest, including in grid energy storage, a fast-growing market, has prompted power utility PPC to stop two Chinese firms interested in the prospective sale of a 49 percent stake in distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO, a PPC subsidiary, from taking part.

State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), a strategic partner of Greek power grid operator IPTO with a 24 percent stake, and another Chinese company, still undisclosed, both participated in a market test for the DEDDIE/HEDNO privatization, indicating an interest to submit bids.

A total of 19 firms reportedly expressed preliminary interest in the sale’s market test, conducted by the procedure’s consultants.

The DEDDIE/HEDNO partial privatization’s conditions include a term barring the participation of any firms directly or indirectly related to IPTO.

The conflict-of-interest term was included in the sale’s rules as electricity network companies, whether involved in high voltage, such as IPTO, or mid and low voltage, such as DEDDIE/HEDNO, are expected to find themselves competing in various electricity market services, including energy storage.

The grid energy storage market – offering large-scale storage systems that store electrical energy during times of abundance, low prices, or low demand before returning it to the grid when demand is high and electricity prices tend to be higher – is experiencing rapid growth on a global scale.

Greece still lacks a legal framework covering this domain. The energy ministry is working on this pending issue, crucial for the country’s effort to achieve National Energy and Climate Plan objectives through greater RES penetration.

This legal framework will, amongst other matters, determine market participation and remuneration terms for energy storage units, as well as related services to be traded on the energy exchange.

PPC anticipates first-round expressions of interest from four to six consortiums for the DEDDIE/HEDNO sale of a 49 percent stake.

 

DEDDIE sale preliminary deadline near, China’s SGCC out of contention

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Prominent US funds such as Blackrock and KKR, European funds, including Ardian, as well as distribution network operators, primarily from Europe’s south, and central Europe, are among 19 likely participants, to date, in power utility PPC’s sale of a 49 percent stake in subsidiary DEDDIE/HEDNO, the distribution network operator.

An approaching expression-of-interest deadline set by PPC expires on January 29. In the lead-up, some 70 possible investors have been approached by three consultants, Goldman Sachs, Eurobank and Grant Thornton, commissioned by the power utility for the DEDDIE/HEDNO sale.

State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) cannot take part in the sale as its strategic partnership with Greek power grid operator IPTO, in which the Chinese company holds a 24 percent stake, would represent a breach of conflicting-interest rules.

SGCC recently made clear an interest to further develop its presence in the Greek electricity market by either increasing its IPTO stake or pursuing a share in DEDDIE.

DEPA appeal against ELFE on January 28, deferral possible

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A January 28 date has been set for an appeal filed by gas supplier DEPA Commercial to challenge a 2019 ruling by an Athens Court of First Instance that vindicated an overcharging claim by ELFE (Hellenic Fertilizers and Chemicals), awarding the producer a compensation amount worth 61 million euros.

ELFE was seeking a compensation amount of 302 million euros, arguing DEPA – the gas utility from which DEPA Commercial later sprung forth as a new group entity – overcharged between 2010 and 2015 for supply to the producer’s facility in Kavala, northern Greece, by passing on the increased cost of DEPA’s oil-indexed contract with Gazprom.

Also in 2019, the Athens Court of First had concurrently delivered a separate verdict in favor of DEPA, vindicating the gas company for unpaid receivables owed by ELFE. The producer was ordered to pay a sum estimated between 59.5 and 60 million euros.

In response, ELFE, too, filed an appeal opposing this 2019 decision, the hearing’s date set for September, 2021, sources informed.

Legal sources explained that the two appeals could end up being heard concurrently in September, based on a decision that may emerge from the forthcoming appeal ten days from now. Combining appeal cases is commonly practiced by courts, the sources noted.

If so, the amount of time needed to resolve this legal dispute will be extended, which would impact privatization fund TAIPED’s scheduling of the DEPA Commercial privatization.

TAIPED has set a March deadline for binding offers. This deadline could end up being stretched beyond September.

Should DEPA Commercial’s appeal against ELFE ultimately fail, then other customers of the gas company, primarily electricity producers and industrial enterprises, could also seek compensation amounts for overcharging.

Some pundits have pointed out that electricity producers were probably able to pass on to their customers any cost increase resulting from DEPA’s oil-indexed contract with Gazprom. On the contrary, industries did not have such leeway.

South Kavala UGS tender qualifiers by early February

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Greece’s privatization fund TAIPED will finalize its list of second-round qualifiers in a tender offering development and operation of an underground gas storage facility (UGS) in the almost depleted natural gas field of “South Kavala” in northern Greece by late January or early February, sources have informed.

Three parties submitted first-round expressions of interest: China Machinery Engineering Co. Ltd. (CMEC) – Maison Group; DESFA – GEK Terna; and Energean Oil & Gas (in alphabetical order).

Assessments of their supporting documents and other criteria are expected to be completed within the next twenty days.

RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, still needs to deliver decisions concerning the operating framework of the UGS.

These pending issues include a RAE decision on the percentage of the UGS project’s capacity to be regulated, thus pre-determining this proportion’s revenue, and the earnings percentage to be determined by market forces.

The authority also needs to decide on the duration of the regulatory period and its WACC level.

Outcome of ELFE legal battle crucial for DEPA’s privatization

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The outcome of an appeal filed by gas supplier DEPA Commercial to challenge a 2019 ruling by an Athens Court of First Instance that vindicated an overcharging claim by ELFE (Hellenic Fertilizers and Chemicals), scheduled to be heard next week, is pivotal for the gas company’s privatization plan.

If ELFE overcomes the appeal lodged by DEPA Commercial – which, as things stand, is expected to return 63 million euros to the fertilizer and chemicals company for overcharged gas supply between 2012 and 2015 – then this precedent will prompt more overcharging cases, for the same period, by other customers, primarily electricity producers and industrial enterprises.

Such a development, which, according to sources, could end up costing DEPA Commercial a total of up to one billion euros in rebates, threatens to derail the company’s privatization procedure as investors would not want to take on such a financial burden. Worse still, DEPA Commercial’s sustainability would be severely tested, the sources added.

DEPA Commercial was formed by gas utility DEPA specifically for its privatization.

The appeals court will require some time before it delivers its verdict. If the ruling is in favor of ELFE, then DEPA Commercial is expected to take the case to the Supreme Court. A prolonged legal battle would surely impact the gas company’s growth plans.

In 2019, the Athens Court of First Instance ruled that DEPA passed on to its customers the cost of an oil-indexed purchase agreement with Russian gas company Gazprom without considering lower prices available at natural gas hubs.

Taking into account this ongoing legal battle, privatization fund TAIPED has set an early-spring deadline for binding bids by potential buyers of DEPA Commercial as well as DEPA Infrastructure, the gas utility’s other new entity.

New minister, just appointed, has issues to resolve in 2021

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Kostas Skrekas, just appointed new energy minister as part of the government’s cabinet reshuffle, in place of Costis Hatzidakis, who has headed the ministry for a constructive year and a half, faces a series of pending energy-sector matters that remained unresolved in 2020. They need to be addressed as soon as possible. Developments and conditions this year will be pivotal for these matters.

Skrekas was previously deputy minister for agricultural development and food.

Also in 2021, a year during which takeovers and mergers are seen occurring in the retail electricity and gas markets, rivals will continue battling for market share gains. The target model’s launch two months ago has brought about new conditions, strengthening the positions of vertically integrated suppliers.

The need for a normalization of the target model’s new markets stands as the energy ministry’s most pressing task at present. A sharp rise in wholesale electricity prices as a result of soaring balancing market costs has deeply unsettled the market, impacting the standings of non-vertically integrated suppliers, as well as industrial enterprises and consumers, who face rising bills.

Market coupling with Bulgaria’s day-ahead market, scheduled to take place within the first three months of the new year, is the next step of the target model, a procedure designed to harmonize EU energy markets and promote competition.

New energy-intensive industrial tariffs also need to be set soon. Though essentially a matter concerning state-controlled power utility PPC and Greece’s industrial players, the cost of industrial energy is crucial for Greek industry, carrying particular political and economic weight.

Also, Greece has little time left in its negotiations with Brussels for a framework to offer third parties access to PPC’s lignite-based generation. This issue is no longer as crucial as it once was because the country’s lignite output has been drastically reduced. Even so, it remains important for independent suppliers.

A number of energy-sector privatizations could be completed this year. Gas utility DEPA’s two new entities, DEPA Infrastructure and DEPA Commercial, electricity distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO, and a tender for a tender for the development of an underground natural gas storage facility (UGS) in the almost depleted natural gas field of “South Kavala” in northern Greece are all on this year’s privatization list.

In renewable energy, the ministry needs to take decisions within the first few months to clarify terms regulating the sector. RES investment interest is currently high. Steps still need to be taken in an ongoing effort to simplify RES licensing procedures, while a legal framework must be established for energy storage, offshore wind farms and hydrogen use.

 

Strong market test turnout for DEDDIE sale, 18 players in all

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A total of 18 prospective bidders have taken part in a market test staged by Goldman Sachs for power utility PPC’s forthcoming sale of a 49 percent stake in subsidiary firm DEDDIE/HEDNO, the distribution network operator.

The list, forwarded by Goldman Sachs to PPC, includes investors already familiar to the Greek market such as US firm Blackrock, specializing in transportation and energy infrastructure long-term investments; prominent infrastructure funds; as well as many European operators.

France’s Engie and Italy’s Enel, both often linked with the DEDDIE/HEDNO sale, were not among the 18 market test participants, sources informed.

Interestingly, no previous market test staged to gauge interest in the prospective sale of any Greek State asset has generated such a strong turnout.

Authorities behind DEDDIE/HEDNO’s partial privatization hope this more than promising response for the market test will result in intense bidding competition and a higher sale price.

A clear picture on the number and identity of the sale’s participants will become apparent on January 29, the deadline for the procedure’s first round official expressions of interest.

Officials have attributed the strong market test interest to five key factors: the operator’s new regulatory framework; an elevated WACC level of 6.7 percent for 2021 to 2024, well over levels of between 2.5 and 3 percent offered by other European operators; strong confidence in the governance of the country, pivotal for long-term investments; good timing, as, at present, no other network operator in Europe is up for sale; and a massive accumulation of global capital currently available for investment as a result of numerous lockdowns imposed in many parts of the world since March.

The Greek government will aim to complete DEDDIE/HEDNO’s partial privatization in the first half of 2021.

 

Investment funds targeted in operator DEDDIE’s 49% sale

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Power utility PPC’s forthcoming sale of a 49 percent stake in subsidiary firm DEDDIE/HEDNO, the distribution network operator, will not be limited to potential buyers with energy-market backgrounds, according to the sale’s terms, published yesterday, suggesting the seller is aiming to attract investment funds.

DEDDIE/HEDNO’s investment plan for the next five years is worth 2.3 billion euros, including 850 million euros for a nationwide digital power meter upgrade, an amount the government will seek to draw from the EU recovery fund.

Three major infrastructure funds have already expressed unofficial interest in the operator’s sale through a market test staged by Goldman Sachs, sources informed.

The sale is planned to take place over two stages, beginning with expressions of interest by candidates until a January 29 deadline, followed by a second round of binding bids from second-round qualifiers.

They will be given access to a virtual data room for evaluations before binding offers are shaped and submitted.

The government will aim to complete DEDDIE/HEDNO’s partial privatization in the first half of 2021, energy minister Costis Hatzidakis noted during an online Capital Link Forum staged yesterday.

 

At least 10 candidates emerge for DEDDIE sale’s market test

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At least ten prospective bidders, among them a number of infrastructure funds as well as European operators, have taken part in a market test staged by distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO in the lead-up to its sale of a 49 percent stake.

The privatization’s officials have deemed the turnout as considerably satisfactory, both in terms of numbers and the reputations of participants.

Some of the funds, both from Europe and beyond, that emerged for this market test are either already present in the Greek market or have been considering to make an entry for quite some time. They specialize in infrastructure and energy projects as long-term investments.

The board at power utility PPC, DEDDIE/HEDNO’s parent company, will be fully informed on the market test’s participants at a meeting scheduled for today, before the privatization is officially launched.

The privatization’s exact number of first-round participants should become known by the end of January, when the expression-of-interest deadline is expected to be set.

Officials believe the overall sale procedure can be completed by spring in 2021. Attractive WACC levels set recently by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy – 7 percent for 2020 and 6.7 percent for 2021 to 2024 – are expected to lure candidates.

DEDDIE/HEDNO’s ambitious 2.3 billion-euro investment plan, included in the operator’s preliminary network development plan, its projects featuring the installation of 7.5 million digital power meters, transmission network upgrades and expansions, as well as a fiber optics project, should serve as further stimulus for a solid sale price.

RAE to set DEDDIE’s WACC level this week, investors keen

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The launch of a privatization procedure to offer a 49 percent stake in distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO should be brought one step closer to its actualization this week as RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, is expected to set a WACC level for 2020, before following up, a few weeks later, within December, with a WACC level covering 2021 to 2024.

These steps are intended to offer investors clarity on the operator’s earning potential.

The distribution network operator’s WACC level for 2021 to 2024 is expected to be set at just below 7 percent, a highly attractive level given the far lower yields offered by respective European distribution network operators.

Investor interest in the forthcoming DEDDIE/HEDNO sale is currently high, energy ministry sources informed. Though no companies were specified, the sources indicated that potential buyers who had surfaced prior to the pandemic remain interested.

Germany’s EON, Italy’s Enel, France’s Enedis and a number of Chinese firms had all expressed interest. Surprise additions to this list cannot be ruled out.

A market test, to measure the level of interest of prospective bidders, is expected to take place next month, immediately following an Investor Day online event planned by state-owned power utility PPC, the operator’s parent company, for early December, energy minister Costis Hatzidakis told a recent energypress conference.

DEDDIE/HEDNO, possessing networks covering 242,000 kilometers, has prepared a major investment plan that includes installation of 7.5 million smart power meters, a project budgeted at 850 million euros, and a digital upgrade of the network. The operator’s assets are valued at 3.6 billion euros.

PPC’s upcoming Investor Day event on strength of good news

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Power utility PPC plans to go into early December’s rescheduled Investor Day, an online event organized by the corporation for its presentation of an updated 2021-2023 business plan to international analysts, on the back of favorable developments, including yet another profitable quarter, the fourth in a row, as well as new business openings.

PPC had originally planned Investor Day for last March, in London, but was forced to postpone and reshape for an online version as a result of the pandemic’s outbreak.

A year earlier, PPC was struggling, but the succession of positive quarters has lifted the company into a confident higher flyer.

Its updated business plan will feature more specific goals of greater ambition for the three-year period. They are expected to include a RES market share target of between 15 and 20 percent and capacity of over 1 GW, as well as fresh news on the company’s digital transformation, electromobility effort, commercial policy, and, possibly, an even swifter withdrawal plan for the company’s lignite-fired power stations.

Just days ahead of the Investor Day event PPC will announce a series of favorable developments, namely an initial securitization deal collection of 150 million euros; a higher EBITDA figure for yet another quarter; the launch of a privatization procedure to offer 49 percent of distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO, a subsidiary; and, on December 1, financial results for the nine-month period, including a profitable third quarter.

PPC is also expected to announce a further workforce reduction plan and employee shifts from lignite units headed for closure. Earlier this year, the power utility reported a 10 percent payroll cost reduction for the first half.

 

RAE deciding on DEDDIE 2020 WACC, terms for 2021 to 2024

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RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, intends to reach decisions this week on the WACC and allowable income levels for 2020 of distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO, both pending regulatory factors needed ahead of the operator’s privatization.

The authority has already approved a formula determining the required network earnings.

RAE intends to approve the operator’s WACC level for 2021 to 2024 by the end of the year before deciding early in 2021 on the regulated earnings and a network business development plan covering 2021 to 2024.

The distribution network operator’s WACC level for 2021 to 2024 is expected to be set at just below 7 percent, sources informed. Such a level would be seen as highly attractive by investors given the far lower yields offered by respective European distribution network operators.

Decisions on all these regulatory matters will enable prospective buyers to evaluate DEDDIE/HEDNO’s prospects and shape their offers for a 49 percent stake to be offered through the operator’s privatization.

The sale could be completed by the first quarter of 2021. Pundits anticipate the sale price could reach approximately 1.5 billion euros.

In accounting terms, the operator’s fixed assets – networks covering 239,000 kilometers and substations – are worth 3.5 billion euros.

DEDDIE board moves to reduce workforce ahead of privatization

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Privatization-headed distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO, a subsidiary of power utility PPC, has decided to implement employment term revisions enabling the termination of contracts of workers who, by December 31, have either qualified for pension rights and are at least 63 years of age or have turned 67 and served at the operator or the power utility for a total of at least 15 years.

The operator’s board has also decided to offer aged employees a 20,000-euro bonus as an incentive to hasten departures ahead of the privatization. This bonus will only apply for employees who take up the departure offer by December 31.

The company intends to apply this new employment rule unilaterally if workers belonging to either of the two aforementioned retirement categories do not submit their resignations by the end of 2020.

Employees will be gradually dismissed as of January 31, 2021, beginning with oldest staff members, according to the DEDDIE/HEDNO plan.

Severance pay not exceeding 15,000 euros will be offered to departing employees irrespective of whether they volunteer to retire or end up being dismissed.

Any debt owed by employees to the company will be offset with exit package amounts.

DEDDIE/HEDNO employees serving in highly specialized fields and not instantly replaceable will be exempted from the operator’s new staff exit plan and could have their contracts extended by a year with an option for an additional year for exceptional cases.

DEPA Commercial invites RES companies for collaboration

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DEPA Commercial, one of two new entities formed by gas utility DEPA for its upcoming privatization, has invited renewable energy companies with existing production units or advanced projects to express interest in prospective collaborations.

DEPA Commercial is aiming to transform into an energy company with emphasis on green energy activities, chief executive Costas Xifaras has noted.

According to sources, DEPA Commercial is looking to develop a RES portfolio totaling 240 MW.

Related investments at DEPA Commercial are expected to reach 120 million euros, the company head has stated.

DEPA Commercial, interested in both solar and wind energy projects, is looking to acquire RES production licenses and, especially, mature-stage projects, sources informed, adding the company is seriously considering takeovers.

For the time being, DEPA Commercial does not intend to partner with energy groups active in the RES market as well as the company’s privatization procedure.

Besides its plan to expand into the RES market, DEPA Commercial, currently developing major LNG projects, is also exploring the possibility of entering the hydrogen sector.

RAE approval of gas distributor tariffs paves way for DEPA Infrastructure sale

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RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, has approved tariffs for gas utility DEPA’s distribution companies EDA Attiki, covering the wider Athens area, EDA Thess, covering Thessaloniki and Thessaly, and DEDA, covering the rest of Greece, a move that paves the way for the sale of DEPA Infrastructure, one of DEPA’s new entities established for the utility’s privatization procedure.

DEPA Infrastructure is now the parent company of the three distribution firms.

RAE examined tariff-related data submitted by the gas distributors before giving the green light.

The authority hesitated to deliver a decision on distributor tariffs over concerns that connection term discounts offered by the distributors could be regarded as a form of state aid.

RAE also appears to have approved revisions made by the distribution companies to their five-year development plans from 2020 to 2024 after making slight alterations.

The revisions by the gas distributors concern the entry of certain areas to networks as well as more rational use of CNG solutions.

The regulatory authority’s approval of the tariffs, development plans of the distribution companies, and their connection term incentives were all a prerequisite for the continuation of the DEPA Infrastructure sale.

DEDDIE formula for required revenue approved by authority

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RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, has approved a formula determining the required revenue for electricity distribution networks, an important first step towards the finalization of distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO’s regulatory framework, essential for its privatization procedure to offer a 49 percent stake, sources have informed.

A WACC level still needs to be set and approved for the operator. RAE intends to reach a decision by December 31 so that prospective buyers can have even greater clarity on the operator’s potential revenue.

Given the time required for the processing of related data concerning the operator’s regulated earnings and the network’s business development plan for 2021 to 2024, RAE should deliver a decision on the four-year period by March 31, 2021, which would be retroactively applied as of January 1, 2021.

The new framework includes two periods covering 2021-2024 and 2025-2028, offering investors a long-term picture of the investment’s potential yield.

According to sources, the authority intends to set a WACC level of just below 7 percent for 2021-2024, highly attractive for investors given levels of no more than 2.5 percent offered by equivalent distribution network operators around Europe.

RAE plans to launch a market test, to measure the level of investor interest in DEDDIE/HEDNO, next month.

Prior to the pandemic, Germany’s EON, Italy’s Enel, Enedis – an EDF subsidiary – as well as a number of Chinese companies, had expressed interest in the DEDDIE/HEDNO privatization plan.

DEDDIE market test next month, rules framework soon

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Goldman Sachs, the privatization consultant for power distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO’s forthcoming sale, plans to stage a market test in November, barring unexpected pandemic-related developments, for a measure of the level of interest of prospective bidders.

This preliminary step in the sale procedure will attract major energy players from Europe and beyond, including funds seeking to invest in infrastructure offering high and stable returns, reliable sources have informed.

A February launch of the privatization by power utility PPC, DEDDIE/HEDNO’s parent company, is considered highly likely. Bidders are expected to be given a two-month period to submit binding offers. If so, officials will be in a position to announce the winning bidder in May, 2021.

Importantly, RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, still needs to announce the distribution network operator’s new regulatory framework before the market test can be launched.

A formula determining the operator’s WACC, or yield, is expected to be announced by RAE this week, or, at the very latest, early next week. An official WACC figure, helping bidders shape their bids, should be set in December.

 

DEDDIE’s WACC close to 7%, RAE framework approval soon

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Distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO’s new WACC level, determining the yield, required by potential buyers, will be set at just below 7 percent for a four-year period covering 2021 to 2024, energypress sources have informed.

This WACC level, well over rates of no more than 2.5 percent offered by respective European operators, is expected to be seen as a very attractive offer by investors.

RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, has been given the green light by the energy ministry to hasten proceedings for a launch of the DEDDIE/HEDNO privatization, offering a 49 percent stake, in November, as promised by the ministry.

DEDDIE/HEDNO has awaited RAE’s approval of its new regulatory framework, including the WACC level, to launch the tender. This framework will include an option for a four-year extension, covering 2025 to 2028.

If the privatization is launched next month, it could be completed within the first quarter of 2021.

Market officials have forecast a DEDDIE/HEDNO selling price of close to 1.5 billion euros for the 49 percent stake.

The operator’s assets, essentially comprising networks totaling 239,000 kilometers in length, plus substations, are estimated to be worth 3.5 billion euros.

The DEDDIE/HEDNO business plan for 2021 to 2024, still subject to official approval, should excite investors. It features investments worth 2 billion euros and network 5G add-on potential for a wide range of telephony and internet services.

The prospective installation of 7.5 million digital power meters in place of conventional meters around the country, an upgrade budgeted at 850 million euros, is another strong selling point. Recovery funds will be sought for this project, energy minister Costis Hatzidakis recently informed. This would save the operator a considerable amount.

Germany’s EON, Italy’s Enel, Enedis, a subsidiary of France’s EDF, as well as a number of Chinese companies had showed interest, unofficially, in the DEDDIE/HEDNO sale well before the pandemic broke out.

 

 

Storengy’s Kavala UGS tender exit prompts formation changes

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A decision by France’s Storengy (Engie) to not participate in a forthcoming tender offering an underground natural gas storage facility (UGS) license for the almost depleted South Kavala offshore natural gas field in the country’s north has prompted a domino effect of formation changes by groups of investors planning to bid.

GEK TERNA appears to have formed an association with gas grid operator DESFA for the tender after having previously agreed to join forces with Energean Oil & Gas and Storengy.

Energean Oil & Gas, holding a license for the virtually depleted South Kavala field, has not remained an onlooker. The company has also found a partner, believed to be domestic, from the construction sector, according to sources.

To date, Energean Oil & Gas has held talks with three major groups, Mytilineos, AVAX and Aktor, the same sources added.

A Chinese investor is also believed to be interested in the South Kavala UGS tender, staged by privatization fund TAIPED, but will not link up with any partners.

The tender is offering rights for the use, development and exploitation of the virtually depleted offshore natural gas field south of Kavala as a UGS facility for a period of up to 50 years.

Participants must submit first-round, non-binding offers by October 19 following three deadline extensions.

RAE set to permit gas link fee discounts after initial hesitation

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Following initial hesitation, RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, appears set to permit distribution network connection fee discounts offered by natural gas distributors to attract new customer. But this approval will only apply to areas where gas market penetration levels remain low.

RAE has hesitated to approve such discounts offered by gas utility DEPA’s subsidiaries EDA Attiki, EDA Thess and DEDA – the three gas distributors covering the wider Athens area, Thessaloniki-Thessaly and rest of Greece, respectively – fearing the special offers could be regarded as a form of state aid by the European Commission’s competition officials.

However, DEPA Infrastructure, a new DEPA entity now controlling these three gas distribution subsidiaries, recently warned that RAE’s delays are undermining its privatization procedure. This warning was highlighted in a letter to the authority that was also shared with privatization fund TAIPED and the energy ministry.

RAE’s delay in endorsing EDA tariffs for 2019 to 2022 has consequently also placed the gas company’s development plan in turmoil, DEPA Infrastructure pointed out in the letter.

RAE has overcome its concerns and is now preparing to endorse the tariffs. The authority will also permit connection fee discounts in areas where natural gas market penetration levels do not exceed 25 percent.

In areas where natural gas market penetration levels are exceeded but not greater than 75 percent, RAE will permit connection fee discounts of up to 90 percent in 2022, 80 percent in 2023, 70 percent in 2024 and 60 percent in 2025.

The authority will not endorse any connection fee discounts for municipalities where natural gas market penetration levels exceed 75 percent.

 

South Kavala UGS bidders talk formations as deadline nears

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Prospective bidders of an upcoming tender to offer an underground natural gas storage facility (UGS) license for the almost depleted South Kavala offshore natural gas field in the country’s north are deliberating over possible partnerships as the October 19 deadline for official expressions of interest approaches.

Greek gas grid operator DESFA, Energean Oil & Gas and GEK TERNA will participate in the tender, according to enegypress sources, while some market officials believe a Chinese company, not yet revealed, is also interested.

All three Greek companies have remained tight-lipped on possible partnership formations for the tender. GEK TERNA and Energean Oil & Gas are believed to be discussing the prospect of teaming up, while DESFA and the Chinese company will most likely enter the tender alone, energypress sources informed.

The tender, staged by privatization fund TAIPED, will offer rights for the use, development and exploitation of the virtually depleted offshore natural gas field south of Kavala as a UGS facility for a period of up to 50 years.

Investments needed for the project’s development are estimated between 300 and 400 million euros.

The field is located approximately 6 kilometers from the west coast of the island Thasos, in the North Aegean Sea, at a depth of 52 meters.

Its development into a UGS facility promises to contribute to Greece’s energy security and that of southeast Europe.