The consortium of the Italian company Snam, the Belgian Fluxys, and the Spanish Enagas will be the new owner of 66 percent of the Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator SA (DESFA), after it was declared the preferred bidder yesterday evening.

When the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) opened the sealed bids, it emerged that the winning consortium had offered 535 million euros, 78 million more than its competitor.

The offer of the consortium comprised of the Spanish Ragosa, Romanian Transgaz, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was 457 million euros.

The HRADF will commence a new round of talks with the preferred bidder in the coming days in order to further increase the sale price.