Atel, one of the largest energy traders in Switzerland, which acquired the Buzmann Industries electricity provider in December 2007, is currently negotiating the acquisition of Ehol Distribution, the company that took over most of Energy Holding’s contracts, sources close to the deal told Business Standard. Atel has been interested for some time in Energy Holding, the company which dominated the local trading market in 2002-2007. “Energy Holding transferred most of its contracts to Ehol Distribution, which is especially interesting in the Atel trader. Energy Holding shareholders want to focus on energy production rather than trading. You could say that Ehol Distribution is the new Energy Holding,” the quoted sources said. Energy Holding has been the local energy trader market leader for several years, but its market share plunged to six percent in January-November 2008, from 19 percent in 2007, especially after the loss of contracts with the Petrom oil company and the Oltchim chemical complex. The possible sale of Energy Holding, whose business amounted to RON 1.09 billion (€328.12 million) in 2007, is not a new subject on the market. According to data from the National Trade Register Office, the majority shareholder of Energy Holding is no longer the Swiss Societe Bancaire Privee (SBP), but B.V. Marken Investment&Trading M.I.T. registered in the Netherlands, which owns 95 percent of the shares. The Competition Council was not notified about the transfer of shares to B.V. Marken, according to data provided by the competition authority. Energy Holding officials declined to comment on Business Standard’s information. According to sources, the most important asset of Energy Holding is the contract with the state-owned Hidroelectrica company.
