PRESS RELEASE
Public Power Corporation (PPC) presented its new business plan for the period 2006-2010 today in an address given by CEO Mr. Dimitrios Maniatakis to analysts. Mr. Maniatakis was joined by the management of the corporation.
The goal of the plan is to modernize operating practices in the corporation and improve its competitiveness so that PPC can more successfully cope with the implications of the key trends affecting its market - namely rising fuel prices, market liberalization and coming competition from new entrants.
The anchor of this strategic plan is Project Hercules, a comprehensive transformation program comprising 12 targeted initiatives to transform the business and all its activities, including procurement, inventory management, asset management, personnel, capital budgeting, etc. Through Project Hercules, PPC's management expects to create €2.2B cumulative incremental EBITDA during the period 2006-2010.
PPC's business plan also calls for investments of approximately €4.8B during this same period for the necessary modernization and renewal of the domestic power business, including generation, mines, transmission and distribution. In particular, the new investment plan will enable PPC to bring online 1,600 MW of new generation capacity which will both enhance its economic performance and secure the company's leadership in its core market for years to come. The first of these investments, a tender for a 370-420MW CCGT unit to be built near Aliveri will be announced by June.
In addition to these activities, PPC has launched a number of strategic corporate-development initiatives, including:
· Investing in Renewables. PPC plans to either participate in the development of 1,540 MW by 2014 through JV's, or to develop on its own at least 770 MW through an independent subsidiary focused on renewables.
· Supporting the ongoing development of Tellas: with a view to maximizing the value of its 50% stake in Greece's number-two fixed-line telecommunications company.
· Unlocking value from PPC's real estate property portfolio: valued today at approximately €1.6B, though the final valuation and development plan are expected to be ready by early fall.
· Monetizing the value of PPC's option for a 30% stake in DEPA: which offers PPC an interest in Greece's rapidly growing natural gas sector.
Mr. Maniatakis stressed to analysts that the vision of PPC's new management is to transform the corporation into a modern and dynamic Southeastern European energy company through both disciplined transformation of operations in its core domestic market and by making selective and judicious investments in regional energy markets. These investments could amount to approximately €500, though will depend on the opportunities that present themselves.
To this end, PPC has already entered into a strategic collaboration with Contour Global, an international energy infrastructure development and operating company, to participate in a tender for a majority stake in a Montenegro lignite mine and generation plant. In addition, PPC is in constant dialogue with a number of other potential strategic partners who have expressed interest in collaborating with PPC to exploit additional opportunities in the region.
Finally, at the end of the meeting, each of PPC's General Managers commented on the specific transformation initiatives underway in their business units - initiatives which will collectively deliver the targeted €2.2B in incremental EBITDA to which the entire management team is committed.
Athens, May 3, 2006
Click here to view the presentation