Energy Ministry blocks division of EDF power's Polish assets for sale

French EDF, one of Poland’s largest electricity generators, said in a statement on Wednesday that it was disappointed with the government’s refusal to approve its decision to divide its cogeneration operations in Kraków from its coal power plant in Rybnik. The refusal, EDF said, prevents the exercise of its rights as a shareholder, especially the right to terminate the ongoing process of selling assets in Poland to energy company EPH and Investment Group IFM. The group said that it will appeal the decision of the Polish government. Marcin Kozłowski of Poland’s Ministry of Energy, confirmed on Wednesday that the government refused to allow the division. The government justified the denial, it said, due to the threat it poses to Polish energy security. Energy Minister Krzysztof Tchórzewski had said last month that the government wants to improve Poland’s energy security via a long-term investor for EDF’s assets in Poland, even though it acknowledged that EDF has not been profitable in its current form.