Sokolovska Uhelna AS, CARBOUNION BOHEMIA, spol. s r.o. and E-INVEST (PURS) the only remaining bidder for two power plants put up for sale have also has quit the tender, Petr Paukner, Partner in PURS said. "With the current energy prices we, unfortunately, cannot pay the amount that Alpiq Holding AG is asking for," he added.

However, he did not want to give a figure for the price the Swiss company had asked for in the sale, which is part its broad restructuring program. Hospodarske Noviny newspaper reported without identifying a source, that Alpiq had asked for CZK 10.5 billion for the two plants in the cities of Zlin and Kladno, while PURS was willing to pay up to CZK 8.5 billion. Paukner said that PURS was still interested in the plants and was ready to renew talks with Alpiq, if the Swiss group changed its mind about conditions of the sale.

"We do not have a problem with banks to lend to us for it. We have enough money to even add equity," Paukner added. Christel Varone, Alpiq's Spokeswoman said, "We do not want to comment on the ongoing process.

Once decisions have been taken Alpiq will inform accordingly."