Poland blocks EDF heating asset sale

Poland has blocked France’s EDF from selling its heating and power assets in the country, citing energy security concerns.

The decision means EDF will be unable to finish selling off its Polish assets, a process begun earlier this year.

In September, Poland’s government placed district heating assets owned by EDF and fellow French firm Engie on a list of companies deemed important for energy security, in order to be able to block their potential sale.

EDF then began talks in October with Australia’s IFM Investors over its heating plants, with Polish state-owned utilities PGE, Enea, Energa and PGNiG also submitting a joint bid.

The company owns five Polish heating plants which hold a 15% share in the district heating market. The company also holds 10% of Poland’s power market share.

In total, the company’s installed capacity in Poland totals 3 GWe/3.5 GWth.

In a statement, EDF said the sale ‘aimed to separate cogeneration activities (heat and power) of EDF Polska from those related to the generation of the coal-fired plant of Rybnik (power only)’.

The company said it ‘regrets’ the government’s decision, ‘which precludes it from exercising its legitimate rights as a shareholder, in particular the right to close the ongoing sale processes with EPH and IFM’.

EDF said it was ‘examining the reasoning underlying this refusal’.

Source: Decentralized Energy
Poland blocks EDF heating asset sale