Austria's EVN eyes status of multi-service utility in Bulgaria

Austria's EVN, the majority owner of the regional electricity distribution companies in Bulgarian cities Plovdiv and Stara Zagora, is interested in investing in waste recycling, gas distribution, water services and the purchase and construction of power stations in Bulgaria, said Stefan Szyszkowitz, chairman of the EVN Bulgaria managing board.

EVN considers as viable investment options the construction of waste recycling plants in Plovdiv and Stara Zagora.

The Austrian company, which failed to obtain gas distribution licences for the Trakia and Western regions, has not given up on its plans to enter Bulgaria's natural gas market.

Bulgaria's power regulator has just opened the licensing procedure for ski resort Bansko and is expected to launch the licensing procedures for some of the nation's coastal cities.

In the water sector, EVN is focused on the utilities in Burgas, Plovdiv and Stara Zagora. EVN claims the World Bank is ready to invest in the said water utilities. According to Szyszkowitz, the investment in the water sector should employ the build-operate-transfer scheme.

EVN plans to pursue the acquisition of the district heating companies in Plovdiv and Ruse and to participate in the rehabilitation of power stations in the Maritsa Iztok coal basin in partnership with other companies.
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