Belgium's Electrabel targets 49% of CNR

Resumen de Prensa            Enervía, miércoles, 26 marzo 2003

FUENTE: Platts


Electrabel, the energy subsidary of France's Suez, has targeted
a 49% share in France's third electricity producer Compagnie
Nationale du Rhone (CNR), an Electrabel spokeswoman said
Tuesday. "We hope to increase our share in CNR to 49%, as far as
we can go under present law." She confirmed the company has
reached a deal with the town of Paris to buy its 14.6% stake in CNR
for Eur111-mil ($118-mil), which means Electrabel now has
agreements for 28%, including those shares held by Rhone and Lyon
regions. The company is in talks with Electricite de France for its
16.7% share, and with SNCF for its 16.7%. Electrabel had no
"calendar"for the deals and further shares would not be bought "at
any price," the spokeswoman said. CNR, which produces 3% of total
French power, is about to change its statute to open 49% of its
capital to the markets. CNR on Tuesday reported total sales of
Eur396-mil in 2002, up Eur42.5-mil from the figure for 2001, a
company spokeswoman said Tuesday. The sales figure, which is
expected to be ratified by the board Apr 16, has contributed to "very
good results for 2002," the spokeswoman said.