RWE (Group) – annual report 2003

      …We have successfully completed  incorporation of our greatest acquisition. Revenues coming from the acquisitions have been developing according to the plan. Our business in the Czech market is already creating positive value added  – three years earlier then expected…

Press release of NPF – PRIVATIZATION OF CZECH GAS SECTOR HAS BEEN CONCLUDED, May 16, 2002

Today, RWE Gas AG has transferred Euro 4,1billion to the privatization account of the National Property Fund (NPF) of the Czech Republic and has become the strategic owner of the Czech Republic gas sector.

The purchase price paid for the State shareholdings in Transgas and eight gas distribution companies represents according to the NPF a great success and important primacies:

      • the most successful privatization in the history of the Czech Republic
      • the biggest privatization revenue in Central and Eastern European countries in 2001
      • the biggest privatization revenue in energy sector in Central Europe in the history
      • the biggest privatization revenue in gas sector in all European countries in last 3 years

Percentage share on the shares sold by the National Property Fund of the Czech Republic:

Transgas, a.s. 96,99%
Pražská plynárenská, a.s. 49,18%
Středočeská plynárenská, a.s. 48,49%
Východočeská plynárenská, a.s. 47,10%
Severočeská plynárenská, a.s. 49,18%
Západočeská plynárenská, a.s. 45,84%
Jihočeská plynárenská, a.s. 46,66%
Jihomoravská plynárenská, a.s. 47,65%
Severomoravská plynárenská, a.s. 40,05%

Combined with Transgas’ shares in regional distribution companies RWE Gas has gained control over the following distributors: Středočeská plynárenská, Východočeská plynárenská, Severočeská plynárenská, Západočeská plynárenská, Jihomoravská plynárenská and Severomoravská plynárenská.

The amount of Euro 4,1billion earned by the sale of NPF’s shares in the gas companies has been deposited to NPF’s  foreign exchange account at the Czech National Bank. The assets will be dealt with in accordance to agreement between the Czech Government and the Czech National Bank on common approach to managing the privatization income. No concrete use/division of the assets has been approved.

Jana Víšková
NPF spokeswoman