Romanian Competition Council approves creation of Oltenia energy behemoth

Romania’a Competition Council recently OK-ed the creation of energy complex Complexul Energetic Olteni, following the merger of several companies: Complexul Energetic Craiova, Complexul Energetic Rovinari, Complexul Energetic Turceni, and the National Society of Lignite Oltenia, reads a statement of the council.

The main activity of three out of the four companies to merge, namely Complexul Energetic Craiova, Complexul Energetic Rovinari, Complexul Energetic Turceni, is the production and supply of electricity. The National Society of Lignite Oltenia’s principal business is inferior coal mining and preparation, transport and coal retail. Following the economic concentration analysis, the Council found that "there are not serious doubts about its compatibility with the normal competitive environment, and a dominant position isn’t created or strengthened." The Romanian Government initially intended to merge the main energy and coal producers into two national companies, but has abandoned this project because of legal problems. Next, the government decided to create two smaller energy companies - Complexul Energetic Oltenia and Complexul Energetic Hunedoara. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com (photo source: Sxc.hu)