The city of Antwerp (Belgium) has blocked the sale of a 14% stake in Belgian electricity and gas distributor Eandis to Chinese group State Grid International Development Limited (SGID), over tariffs to be applied throughout the Eandis Assets area. The Antwerp local utility IMEA refused to take part to the deal after the Flanders energy regulator Vref imposed a uniform distribution tariff in the Eandis area and refused that IMEA continues to offer lower tariffs than other utilities.
Eandis (Elektriciteit, Aardgas, Netten en DIStributie) was created by seven intercommunal electricity companies to distribute electricity in 229 cities in Flanders (Belgium). The 229 communes and provinces own Eandis Assets, the holding owning 100% of Eandis Assets. Until late 2014, Electrabel used to own a 30% stake in Eandis, that was transferred to the seven companies (Gaselwest, IMEA, Intergem, Imewo, Iveka, Iverlek and Sibelgaz) on 1 January 2015.
State Grid had been selected in June 2016 as preferred bidder to take a 14% interest in Eandis and the transaction was expected to be completed in late 2016.