New actors to enter the Slovak gas market

New stakeholders could acquire influence in the Slovak gas industry, with the Czech Energy and Industry Holding (EPH) - a co-owner of gas distribution companies in Slovakia - announced the plans to change its organisational structure and is considering new players to welcome in its structures, according to the Sme daily. The conglomerate CEFC China Energy could be interested in purchasing a minority stake in the company currently owned by Daniel Křetínský, Peter Tkáč and investors, whose money is being handled by J&T. The plan is to accumulate all of its investments in energy infrastructure in Central Europe into one company. The company will be called EP Infrastructure and should merge companies that transport, distribute and store gas, as well as electricity and heat. It could also include company assets in Slovakia. Specific list of companies that might be transferred into the EP Infrastructure isn't available as yet, CEFC China Energy currently owns a 10-percent share in J&T Financial Group, which is J&T's bank holding. The Chinese group is planning to overtake as much as 30 percent in the future. Analyst Jozef Badida said that it's important for Slovakia to know who acquires the share in the EP Infrastructure, because the new company might also overtake a share in Eustream; the company managing the gas pipeline in the Slovak territory. The Government Office didn't comment on the possible indirect entry of China into Slovak power engineering, but merely referred to the Economy Ministry. Its spokesperson Miriam Žiaková said that the ministry has no power over EPH's decisions.