OREANDA-NEWS. September 04, 2009. The Estonian government has made a decision in principle to separate the transmission system operator Elering OU from the Eesti Energia Group. The state will buy Elering OU for 2.093 billion kroons, reported the press-centre of Eesti Energia Group.

The goal of the separation of Elering OU, Estonia’s TSO, is to conform with European Union requirements that TSOs be independent from production and sales activity as well to establish the conditions for the creation of an electricity market in Estonia.

The price of Elering OU was derived from the company’s book value of net assets as at 31 July 2009. The committee that made preparations for the separation found that the sale of the company was the best means, as both Eesti Energia and Elering OU would maintain their financial and investment capacity. Separation was also found to be the simplest and most efficient from the legal standpoint. The sales transaction must now be approved by the Eesti Energia supervisory board and general meeting, which will convene in early September. The transaction can be closed by the end of this year.

Elering OU is an energy transmission enterprise uniting Estonia’s major power plants, distribution grids and major consumers into an integral energy system.