Equatorial throws Cepisa, from Eletrobras, in a single offer with the grant of R $ 95 mi

Equatorial Energia bought Thursday Cepisa, electricity distributor Eletrobras responsible for supply in Piauí, presenting the only proposal of the company, with the payment of a grant of 95 million reais to Treasury and 45, 5 thousand in the state.

Despite the absence of competition in the auction at the headquarters of the São Paulo B3 Stock Exchange, the result was celebrated by the federal government and by Eletrobras, the latter being heavily in deficit, while like five other distributors in Brazil.

The call for tenders, to which other groups have expressed interest, also overcame fears of court rulings that could paralyze the process, amidst a strong state of things north and north east that should also be sold. the opposition of trade unions and left-wing parties to the plans of the government and Eletrobras for privatization.

In practice, the Equatorial offer, which already controls the distributors of Maranhão and Pará, will still mean a reduction of 8.5 Cepisa's tariffs, which are expected to come into force 45 days after the transfer of control of electrical energy.

By the regulation of the auction, venc it was the dispute for the company that offered the greatest combination of tariff reduction and granting of bonuses. The rules also provide that Equatorial will pay approximately R $ 720 million to Cepisa and badume the company's debts.

According to the edict prepared by the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) for the auction, Cepisa closed 2016 with a debt of 1.68 billion reais. The Minister of Mines and Energy, Moreira Franco, said that the privatization of Cepisa and other distributors of Eletrobras in the North and Northeast would result in total losses of 1.5 billion dollars over a five-year period.

an "energy apartheid" situation, since these regions should see improvements in quality with the entry of companies with a greater capacity for investment in the management of energy. ;electricity.

The general manager of the National Agency of Electric Power (Aneel), Romeu Rufino, saw the result of the auction "very positive", mainly because consumers should also benefit reduced rates and better services.

He also said he had confidence in Equatorial's ability to make improvements to Cepisa after the company managed to improve the quality indices in the distributors it controls in Maranhão and Pará.

Cepisa and Ceal, from Alagoas, have been considered by specialists as the most attractive for investors among the distributors who will be put on sale by Eletrobras.

Now, the electric companies that operate in Acre, Amazonas, Roraima and Rondônia have an auction scheduled for August 30, although success in the sale of many businesses are those badociated with the approval of A bill under discussion in the Senate, which resolves their responsibilities with funds from the electrical sector.

Only Ceal has no date yet to sell due to a judicial decision by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) Minister Ricardo Lewandowski, which banned the privatization of the company after an action brought by the Alagoan government.

equatorial shares rose more than 2 percent, around 12:30, while those of Eletrobras withdrew

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Equatorial, whose main investors are funds and badet managers, such as Squadra Investimentos, Opp ortunity and BlackRock, always interested in other distributors that Eletrobras wants to privatize, said the president of the Equatorial Group, Augusto Miranda.

He also planned a "very synergistic gain" with the incorporation of Cepisa to Equatorial, once Piauí is on the border with Maranhão, where the company operates Cemar.

"The fact that we are" next door "is undoubtedly a differential, and to operate in areas such as Pará, Maranhão … which gives us peace of mind, a state like Piaui can it will become easier, "he said.

The executive refused to comment on the investments He added that Equatorial should soon hold a conference call to discuss these points