26 letters of interest have been received for the privatisation of three power holdings, planned to include mining units and electricity generators, according to Rompres.

Among the main bidders are Bechtel and AES, Enel, IFC, EBRD and the Public Power Corporation of Greece, most of them placing letters for all holdings.

The establishment of the energy holdings was accelerated by the government late in 2003, after having been considered for 2 years. The investors were invited to express their interest in late Dec-03, after a similar call has been launched in early 2003.

The project is however in its early stage. The economy ministry will inform the potential investors on future steps.

(NewsBase 02.ii.04)