32017M8516

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 20.7.2017

C(2017) 5293 final

PUBLIC VERSION

To the notifying party:

Subject:Case M.8516 – EPH / CENTRICA LANGAGE AND CENTRICA SHB
Commission decision pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 1 and Article 57 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area 2

Dear Sir or Madam,

1.On 27 June 2017, the European Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of the Merger Regulation by which the undertaking Energetický a průmyslový holding, a.s. (“EPH”, Czech Republic) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the undertakings Centrica Langage Ltd. ("Centrica Langage", UK) and Centrica SHB Ltd. ("Centrica SHB", UK) by way of a purchase of shares. 3

2.The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

-for EPH: EPH is a utility company engaged in brown coal extraction, electricity and heat production, distribution and supply as well as gas transmission, distribution, and storage. EPH is mainly active in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Poland and the UK;

-for Centrica Langage: Centrica Langage is a gas-fired power plant located near Plymouth, UK, with an installed capacity for electricity generation of approximately 905 MW;

-for Centrica SHB: Centrica SHB is a gas-fired power plant located near Stallingborough, UK, with an installed capacity for electricity generation of approximately 1310 MW.

3.After examination of the notification, the European Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of the Merger Regulation and of paragraph 5(c) of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. 4

4.For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the European Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the internal market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of Article 6(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation and Article 57 of the EEA Agreement.

For the Commission

(Signed)
Johannes LAITENBERGER
Director-General

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