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Italgas CEO sees 2i Rete Gas deal as big chance

The possibility of purchasing smaller sized competing 2i Rete Gas will enable Italgas to consolidate its leadership in Europe and get multiple benefits, the CEO of Italy's most significant gas distributor stated on Tuesday after reporting firstquarter results.

The group, which manages more than 80,000 kilometres of gas pipelines in Italy and Greece, on Monday entered unique speak with buy 2i Rete Gas after it provided a preliminary deal for the company, which is bulk owned by infrastructure fund F2i.

Speaking to analysts, Italgas CEO Paolo Gallo said the group could not supply explain about the quote, but added that the regulated possession base (RAB) for 2i Rete Gas was estimated at 4.9 billion euros ($ 5.3 billion) in 2015.

The RAB is one crucial element to calculate income for managed services such gas distribution.

2i Rete Gas, is Italy's second-largest gas distributor, stated in February it wished to list on the Milan bourse, however media speculation emerged the following month about an approach by Italgas valuing the competitor at in between 4 and 5 billion euros.

Italgas said on Tuesday it would delay the discussion of its organization plan, formerly planned for June 12, as it wanted to complete due diligence on the rival, which might take a couple of months.

Must the acquisition go through, Italgas will fund it through a bridge credit facility underwritten by JP Morgan, which might be re-financed through a mix of equity, debt or equity like instruments, it said.

The group pledged to keep the same credit profile and the existing dividend policy if the acquisition profits.

Italgas reported a rise in its first-quarter core revenues but a fall in sales, which were struck by a drop in non-regulated activities.

Between January and March the group's earnings before interest, taxes, devaluation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased 10%. to 326 million euros, also thanks to the enhancement in the. managed gas distribution weighted average cost of capital. ( WACC) in Italy.

Total sales fell 10% to 431 million euros as a boost in. gas distribution managed revenue only partially compensated. for a sharp drop in profits relating to energy efficiency. activities.

The phase-out of a costly Italian government incentive. plan to enhance home energy efficiency - the so-called. Superbonus - was at the base of the poor efficiency of Italgas'. non-regulated organization, the group said in a statement.