Still no final decision on merger of Centrenergo with state mines, issue needs to be discussed within privatization – Haluschenko

KYIV. Aug 30 (Interfax-Ukraine) – There is no final decision on which state-owned coal enterprises can be merged with PJSC Centrenergo as part of the creation of a vertically integrated company, this issue still needs to be discussed from the point of view of the willingness of potential investors to acquire such a company, Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko has said.

"There is no final decision on this merger yet […] It is not a problem to merge. But does a potential investor who will come to buy Centrenergo need these mines? Suddenly he will say that he does not need these mines," Haluschenko said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine, adding that in the matter of privatization of the state generating company it is necessary to adjust to the buyers.

At the same time, he suggested that the privatization of Centrenergo might not take place next year.

"Let’s generally see if Centrenergo will get into privatization next year. Remember, in 2015 there were French investors who wanted to buy it [the French energy company Engie was mentioned] […] How did it end? We will not indicate names and surnames, but without result," the minister said.

At the same time, he drew attention to the fact that power units of Centrenergo require expensive modernization, and if there is an investor who is ready to buy a generating company on such terms, then his opinion should be taken into account.