Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9372 — EPH/AES Ballylumford/AES Kilroot Power)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2019/C 166/05)

On 7 May 2019, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. (1)

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—	EP UK Investments Limited (‘EPUK’, the UK), controlled by Energetický a průmyslový holding, a.s. (‘EPH’, the Czech Republic);

—	AES Ballylumford Limited (‘AES Ballylumford’, Northern Ireland) and AES Kilroot Power Limited (‘AES Kilroot Power’, Northern Ireland), controlled by the AES Corporation (‘AES’).

EPH, through EPUK, acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of AES Ballylumford and AES Kilroot Power.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	EPUK is a UK energy company, primarily focusing on power generation from conventional and renewable sources in Great Britain; EPH is a utility company engaged in coal extraction, electricity and heat production, distribution and supply as well as gas supply in various EU Member States;

—

AES Ballylumford operates the Ballylumford gas fired power station in Northern Ireland; AES Kilroot Power operates the Kilroot thermal dual coal/oil fired power station with a battery storage facility, also in Northern Ireland; AES is a holding company which operates thermal and renewable electricity generation businesses and electricity distribution businesses, across the United States, South America, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.9372 — EPH/AES Ballylumford/AES Kilroot Power

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 229-64301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

(2) OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.