Reuters reported that Russia’s energy giant Gazprom is ready to enter Turkey’s electricity grids market, a problematic field of privatization due to financial problems of local players.

Mr Alexander Medvedev Gazprom executive board vice chairman and Gazprom Exports said that the company is in touch with Turkish companies for cooperation. We are ready to enter Turkey’s electricity market not only as a supplier but also an investor.

Mr Medvedev said while commenting on Turkey’s state run pipeline company Botaş’s recent decision to cancel an annually 6 billion cubic square natural gas deal that Turkey needed Russian gas. Gazprom will discuss the method of importing natural gas Turkey during a meeting with officials this month. The Turkish authorities had earlier said that private companies were free to bargain with Russia on importing gas via the North Stream pipeline.

He said that Gazprom has received 12 new applies from Turkish companies in addition to current importer still, it is not clear that what kind of a procedure will be followed. What is important for us that the new customers represent end users. We do not need any new suppliers. The Russian representative also criticized the pricing structure in Turkey The prices should base on free market, not ones that were artificially determined.

Gazprom also said yesterday it had acquired Envacom, a German energy and telecommunications firm, giving the Russian gas export monopoly a foothold in the power market of Europe’s largest economy. Gazprom bought 100 percent of Envacom, which was founded in 1999 and has 500,000 customers, in a friendly deal. Envacom’s telecoms business will be carved out and remain under the sole ownership and control of previous owner Tillman Raith.

Gazprom said that the new entity will be called Gazprom Marketing and Trading Retail Germania GmbH and will market its products and services as Gazprom Energy.

(Sourced from www.hurriyetdailynews.com)