Privatisation agency scraps sale procedure for Bobov Dol power plant

The privatisation agency has discontinued negotiations with the Greek energy company PPC for the coal-fired power plant in Bobov Dol. The Greek state-owned company has won the tender in the spring of 2005 offering EUR 71mn for the full stake. The local authorities have rejected the offer as unsatisfactory but have been forced to resume sale talks after a court appeal won by the Greeks. Three months ago, the sale process was blocked by the refusal of the environment ministry to approve parameters related to the work of the power plant. Privatisation chief Todor Nikolov says that a new tender may be called in a month or two unless the Greeks file another court appeal.