The privatization of the national gas transmission system operator DESFA appears to be moving forward, as the institutions quartet pressure the Greek government for a quick solution.
According to government sources cited by Ta Nea, in his recent meeting with the institutions, the Minister of Environment and Energy Panagiotis Skourletis discussed possible buyers for the 66% shares of DESFA that is up for privatization.
Aside from the Azeri company SOCAR, Italian natural gas infrastructure company Snam appears to be interested in participating in the privatization. The Greek side would like Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) to retain some DESFA shares, as it already owns 35%.
The government sources underlined that three aspects of the privatization are certain: Firstly that the 400 million euros offered by SOCAR through the relevant tender in 2013 is final; secondly that the Azeri company may only control 49% of the company and thirdly taking measures to avoid excessive charges on natural gas consumers.
