Týden.cz: Gascontrol is 4th bidder for Czech plant Dětmarovice

Prague, Oct 23 (CTK) - Gascontrol is a fourth company taking part in the bidding for the coal-fired power plant Detmarovice, run by the energy group CEZ, the server Tyden.cz reported Tuesday.

The Czech daily newspaper E15 wrote last week that mining company NWR and energy companies Energeticky a prumyslovy holding (EPH) and Ceska energie have shown interest in the plant.

CEZ representatives only said that four companies are bidding for Detmarovice which is located near the Polish border. With an output of 800 megawatts is the most efficient coal-fired facility in the Czech Republic.

CEZ would not give any names or details of the offers.

Gascontrol managing director Radim Vasko confirmed the firm's interest in Detmarovice to the server without elaborating.

Bids were submitted at the beginning of October and CEZ is now analysing them.

CEZ is selling five coal-fired power plants in order to raise money but mainly to convince the European Commission that it has not been restricting competition on the Czech market.

The plants Pocerady, Chvaletice, Tisova, Melnik 3 and Detmarovice has been put up for sale by CEZ. Under the settlement agreement with the EC, CEZ must sell one of the five facilities with a minimum output of 800 megawatts.

CEZ is not ruling out that it can sell more power plants if investors' bids are interesting, however.

CEZ has convened an extraordinary general meeting over Detmarovice for December 18 to take necessary steps ahead of the plant's sale, CEZ said on its website Tuesday.

CEZ will make a decision on spinning off Detmarovice into a separate unit at the general meeting thus preparing it for potential sale. This is just a procedural matter, CEZ said.