Poland’s ruling party aims to create energy giant
Poland has laid out plans to merge four of its largest energy groups in a move the government hopes will create a major regional player, with the country’s largest refiner PKN Orlen taking on the risk of another large deal.
The country’s ruling right-wing nationalist and populist Law and Justice (PiS) party has sought to increase state control over the economy, halting privatizations and merging some state-controlled companies, with PKN leading the consolidation drive. “We are building a powerful global multi-energy group in Poland,” claimed State Assets Minister Jacek Sasin.
PKN Orlen on July 14 received conditional EU antitrust approval to take over smaller rival Lotos and said it plans to buy Poland’s largest gas company PGNiG, having already acquired utility Energa this year.
The Polish state is the biggest shareholder in PKN Orlen, Lotos and PGNiG.
(Reuters)
