Czech CEZ looks at Kosovo power, coal deals

PRAGUE, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Czech power firm CEZ <CEZPsp.PR> plans to enter a tender to build a power plant and develop coal mines in Kosovo, the company said on Friday.

The provisional Kosovo authorities have invited bidders to express interest in the project, which includes the construction of a power station generating up to 2,100 megawatts, the development of new lignite mines to supply the new and existing power stations, and the reconstruction of an existing power plant.

"We are interested in it, and we intend to go for it," CEZ spokesman Ladislav Kriz said, without giving any details.

The deadline for registration is Oct. 31. Pre-qualified bidders will be selected by the end of the first quarter of 2007.

CEZ, majority state-owned, has been on the expansion trail and has identified the Balkans as a strategic area.

According to media reports, a number of foreign investors have shown interest in the tender in the southern Serb province, which has been run by the United Nations since 1999. ((Reporting by Jan Korselt, editing by Will Waterman; prague.newsroom@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: jan.lopatka.reuters.com@reuters.net; +420-224 190 474))

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Keywords: ENERGY CZECH KOSOVO