Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.7295 — Parkwind/Aspiravi Offshore/Summit Renewable Energy Northwind/Northwind) — Candidate case for simplified procedure  Text with EEA relevance
Date: 2014-07-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Belgium, North Sea, consumer goods, economic concentration, investment company, merger control, retail trade, subsidiary, wind energy








C_2014227EN.01002001.xml










17.7.2014   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 227/20





Prior notification of a concentration
(Case M.7295 — Parkwind/Aspiravi Offshore/Summit Renewable Energy Northwind/Northwind)
Candidate case for simplified procedure
(Text with EEA relevance)
2014/C 227/13






1.


On 10 July 2014, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Parkwind NV (‘Parkwind’ of Belgium), Aspiravi Offshore (‘Aspiravi’ of Belgium) and Summit Renewable Energy Northwind (‘Summit’ of the UK) will acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the undertaking Northwind NV (‘Northwind’ of Belgium), by way of purchase of shares.










2.


The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






—


Parkwind is an investment and development vehicle of the Korys/Colruyt Group and PMV. The principal activity of the Korys/Colruyt Group is retail of daily consumer goods. PMV is an independent investment company controlled by the Flemish regional government.










—


Aspiravi is a 100 % subsidiary of Aspiravi Holding. Aspiravi Offshore’s only current activity is the holding of a stake in Northwind. Aspiravi Holding is indirectly controlled by Belgian municipalities.










—


Summit was set up as a special-purpose-vehicle for the purpose of the proposed concentration and is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation. Sumitomo Corporation is active in operation and construction of wind farms in Japan, China, the USA and South Africa.










—


Northwind holds a concession and necessary licences to operate an offshore wind farm of 216 MW in the Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone in the North Sea.














3.


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.










4.


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. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by e-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number M.7295 — Parkwind/Aspiravi Offshore/Summit Renewable Energy Northwind/Northwind, to the following 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.