Energy Ministry Puts The Brakes On Energy Sector Privatizations.

According to media reports the Energy Ministry has refused to allow the State Property Fund (SPF) to go forward with the partial privatization of 20 Oblenergos and 4 energy generating companies – Centrenergo (CEEN: BUY), Dniproenergo (DNEN: BUY), Donbassenergo (DOEN: BUY) and Zakhidenergo (ZAEN: HOLD). On September 6, the SPF forwarded a decree to the Cabinet on privatizations in the energy sector, of the three ministries required to sign the decree (Finance, Justice and Energy) only the Energy Ministry has refused to sign. Alexander Paraschiy:  Following the fiasco with Luhanskteplovoz (LTPL: HOLD), it is clear that the privatization plan is got going to be met, and these privatizations are a long way off at best. The reluctance of the Regions-backed Cabinet to go forward with privatizations is likely connected to personal business interests. Final word now is likely to come from Yanukovich.