Inter RAO might enter European market in consortium with Russian partners, places hopes on working with Gazprom
MOSCOW. Feb 15 (Interfax) - OJSC Inter RAO UES hopes to enter the European market in a consortium with Russian partners, Ilnar Mirsiyapov, a member of the company's executive board and head of its strategy department, told journalists.
He said that Inter RAO hopes to bring in Russian gas giant Gazprom for this effort.
Mirsiyapov said that Inter RAO has plans this year to sign several transactions for asset acquisitions. The company is now looking at markets in Western Europe, the Balkans and Turkey, he said.
"I think that we will be able to complete one or two transactions in 2012," he said.
When asked about possible Russian players that could be brought into a consortium with Inter RAO, Mirsiyapov noted Gazprom . At the same time, the gas monopoly would only be brought in as a partner so far. Inter RAO still has not proposed any projects in this regard.
"We are in constant dialogue with everybody, even those would be unlikely partners for us at first glance," he said.
Mirsiyapov said that Gazprom's exclusive rights for negotiations with RWE have expired. Therefore, Inter RAO has not ruled out partnership with the German company.
