Antitrust Approves Italgas’s Acquisition of 2iRete Gas with Conditions

Rome: The Italian Antitrust Authority has given the green light to Italgas Spa’s acquisition of 2i Rete Gas, marking a significant merger between Italy’s two largest gas distributors, subject to specific conditions.

According to Ansa News Agency, the competition watchdog expressed concerns that the merger could impact competitive dynamics in future area-based tenders for gas distribution concession holders across 65 Italian minimum territorial areas, known as ATEMs. To mitigate these concerns, the authority has imposed divestiture and behavioral conditions on the transaction.

The Antitrust Authority’s decision mandates that in 31 ATEMs, Italgas must divest at least 20% of the gas redelivery points it currently manages under existing concessions. Additionally, in four other ATEMs, Italgas is required to sell a share equivalent to what it has acquired. These divestitures are to be conducted under specific procedures and timelines as outlined in the final decision, with oversight provided by a monitoring trust
ee approved by the authority.