Russian businessman Oleg Burlakov is reportedly ready to buy the Trbovlje thermal power plant (TET) for which he would be willing to pay 11 million euros to the majority owner, the state Holding Slovenske Elektrarne (HSE), according to unofficial information reported by Slovenian media.
According to unofficial information reported by Slovenian Radio on Wednesday, Burlakov would purchase TET through his Swiss company Edelweis and would commit to investing 60 million euros in the renovation of the Slovenian thermal power plant, while retaining the majority of the current employees, of whom there are currently 140.
Burlakov reportedly negotiated the purchase of TET, which produces about 6 percent of Slovenia’s total electricity, last year and at the beginning of this year, when no agreement was reached. He has now allegedly expressed renewed interest and completed a due diligence review of the business in the international tender.
Therefore, according to unofficial information, the deal could be realized as the current owners, management, and employees of the thermal power plant are satisfied with what Burlakov has offered.
According to media reports, there remains a dilemma regarding the fact that the new owner would likely focus on imported coal since the current supplies in the Trbovlje-Hrastnik mine are running low and the mine will have to be closed in the future, while investing in new mines is neither likely nor economical.
