Position on regional grid privatization unlikely to be determined soon - Novak
MOSCOW. Dec 23 (Interfax) - The Russian Energy Ministry and other agencies are unlikely to decide their position on the need to privatize one of the inter-regional distribution grid companies (IDGC) controlled by Russian Grids any time soon, Energy Minister Alexander Novak told reporters.
"The position on privatizing a grid company is unlikely to be reached in the current situation," he said, adding that there would be "shifts" in the timeframe for this.
Russian ministries might formulate their position on privatization of one of the interregional distribution grid companies before year-end, Deputy Energy Minister Vyacheslav Kravchenko told journalists late in November. "We, along with our colleagues at the Economic Development Ministry, are working on this topic. I hope that we will manage to formulate a position this year and that it will win support," Kravchenko said.
Privatization of the interregional grid companies is contained in the strategy for development of Russia's grid companies to 2030, which was approved by the Russian government in April 2013. Sale of one of the companies was planned for 2014. However, no privatization sale has been announced and the specific IDGC concerned has not been selected.
