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The first half of his column was about the rumours that EDF and ACS are preparing a takeover (and subsequent carveup) of Iberdrola (whose shares shot up on the rumours).

He said that utilities are awash in cash and that whenever a takeover target arises they all get really interested in it. What I wasn't able to get form the front-page news story or from the "European View" column was why Iberdrola is suddenly a takeover target. Has anything happened to make Iberdrola more vulnerable? Or is this just the result of Banks' Mergers and Acquisitions departments whispering in the ears of EDF and ACS?

We have met the enemy, and he is us — Pogo

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Feb 1st, 2008 at 06:24:30 AM EST
There are few available targets for take-over, as many are "protected" by their national governments.

The current scheme for Iberdrola would avoid that, with ACS keeping most of the Spanish and renewable assets, and EDF getting the other international assets (starting with Scottish Power).

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 1st, 2008 at 08:16:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]
But another possibility was that EDF would be interested in Iberdrola's SPanish nuclear power plants, and ACS would keep the renewables (including Scottish Power), if I understood correctly.

We have met the enemy, and he is us — Pogo
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Feb 1st, 2008 at 08:21:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]
EDF would get a politically palatable few % of the Spanish electricity market. I had not heard about the nuclear assets, and I suppose that this could be interpreted politically in different ways: (i) as a foreign country taking over a sensitive sector (unacceptable), or (ii) as a strong operator helping the country keep its expertise in a vital technology (positive, espeically if there are quid pro quos with access to French markets or to EDF/Areva competence for Spain in the package).

I understand that Scottish power would be split between the (smaller) renewable bit going to ACS/Union Fenosa, and the traditional power generation going to EDF.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 1st, 2008 at 08:28:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]
As a Spaniard I would probably like to see some technology transfer involving Spanish companies if Areva/EDF bought our nuclear power plants.

We have met the enemy, and he is us — Pogo
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Feb 1st, 2008 at 08:39:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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