Czech Republic-based energy group CEZ, which entered the domestic market as a result of the privatisation of the former Electrica Oltenia, is the favourite in the race for the acquisition of the 345 MW wind farm project (half of the capacity of a reactor in Cernavoda) in Dobrogea, developed by Polish investment fund Continental Wind Partners (CWP).
"The results of the negotiations will be announced in no more than two weeks; so far, CEZ is the preferred group because it has the soundest takeover bid. There are four companies on the shortlist," sources on the market stated.
The project attracted the interest of six companies, such as Petrom, the largest Romanian company, Enel (Italy), CEZ (Czech Republic), Iberdrola (Spain), E.ON (Germany) and Gaz de France (France), but Enel and Iberdrola backed out, leaving only four companies in the race. Petrom is also involved in a deal to sell the natural gas distribution company Petrom Distributie Gaze, where bids are expected until July 7.
According to initial estimates, the value of the CWP deal could reach approximately 60 million euros, given the sale price of similar projects. Sources on the market state that the final value of the project in Dobrogea, once all investments have been completed, could reach one billion euros.
The investors are practically buying permits and necessary licences to start such a project, with the actual investment in turbines standing at approximately 1 million euros for each megawatt of installed capacity.
The completion of this deal complements the series of acquisitions of renewable energy projects on the domestic market, the most important of which were those conducted by Iberdola and Enel. The Spaniards at Iberdrola have recently bought 50 wind farm projects in Eastern Romania through their renewable energy unit, Iberdrola Renovables. The value of the deal was
