Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 16 / Trend /
Ellada Khankishiyeva, Trend analytical centre head
Turkey's progress in the next wave of privatization of the energy sector is obvious. Practical implementation of the privatization are transferred to the ownership in 2012 and actively developing Petkim petrochemical holding, Seyitomer thermoelectric plant, Gediz and Akdeniz network companies. These are the large strategic enterprises with capacities allowing to meet the energy needs of the Turkish market.
Last year, a number of hydroelectric, gas and electricity distribution networks, coal deposits in the energy sector in Turkey have been privatized to be used for construction of power plants.
In total, 45 privatization transactions were held in Turkey in the energy sector in 2012, nearly 70 percent of them in the field of electricity.
Turkey intends to continue the policy of privatization of the energy sector. Privatization of country's certain electricity distribution companies, such as İstanbul Anadolu Yakası Elektrik Dağıtım A.Ş (power distribution network of the Anatolian side of Istanbul), Dicle Elektrik Dağıtım A.Ş, Toroslar Elektrik Dağıtım A.Ş and Vangölü Elektrik Dağıtım A.Ş, is on the agenda. Tender on privatization of the aforementioned companies is to be announced on February 19, 2013.
It should be noted that investors wishing to participate in the privatization of the energy sector are rushing to invest in any enterprise proposed by the Turkish government. Along with these cherished by state companies being attractive targets, the Turkish government has rich experience of realistic assessment of the state property. The fact of the matter is that the definition of the market value of companies, which increases due to future performance, potential market price of the shares and a number of other economic indicators, is one of the important factors that plays a key role in privatization. There are very many cases of investors being deterred from privatization of facilities by obscenely high prices.
By the way, the main contenders for the property of the Turkish state are foreign investors. As reported by the Department of privatization of the Ministry of Finance of Turkey, most of the applicants for the privatization of the Turkish gas distribution company Başkentgaz, the final tender for privatization of which will be held on January 18, 2013, are the foreign companies. Anothr example is acquisition by a Russian company "Gazprom"of 60-percent share of the gas company Avrasyagaz, and almost the same share of SOCAR Turkey Enerji in Petkim.
Privatization of the energy sector, along with significant revenues to the state budget of Turkey (according to the Turkish newspaper Sabah, in 2012, Turkey has earned $9.5 billion from privatization in the energy sector of the country), will improve the quality of services, expand their range, attract investment and new technologies, reduce debts of state companies (if any), solve the problem of non-payments, corruption, etc. Through liberalization of the energy sector Turkey will be able to achieve its goal: to enter the top ten countries with largest economies by 2023.
Successful privatization of the energy sector will also be one of the steps towards the country's accession to the European Union. In accordance with the requirements of the EU applicant countries should undertake a comprehensive reform of the FEC, providing the adaptation of national legislation to EU norms and standards, restructuring, liberalization and privatization.