EPH Front Runner in Sale of Slovakian TSO

An announcemnt by Poland's PGNiG SA, appears to place Energeticky a Prumyslovy Holding (Czech Energy and Industrial Holding or EPH) in front runner status to acquire a minority holding in Slovakia's gas transit and distribution company.

In a statement Friday, spokesperson Joanna Zakrzewska said that PGNiG is not interested in buying shares Slovak Gas Industry (SPP).

Zakrzewska was addressing reports in Slovak media that quoted Tomas Malatinsky, Slovakia's Economy Minister, as saying that the Polish state-controlled gas monopoly was one of two companies interested in SPP.

EPH has previously stated its interest in acquiring the 49 per cent stake held in SPP by E.ON and GDF Suez. The Slovakian government holds the remaining 51 per cent stake in the company.

The EPH group holdings includes more than 20 companies operating in electricity and heat generation, electricity trading or renewables and is owned by PPF,  the privately held international financial group controlled by billionaire Petr Kellner and private equity, asset management and investment banking firm J & T Group.