German utility E.On AG (EON) is looking to invest in the Italian energy market, particularly in the gas and nuclear sectors, E.ON Italia's chief executive Klaus Schafer told Corriere della Sera in an interview published in its Friday Internet edition.
Italy is "a key market, especially because of its strategic position," Klaus told the paper. "In the gas (sector) it could become a platform for the entire continent. It has interesting growth rates and we want to bring our know-how here."
In September, it's scheduled that E.ON's Livorno Ferraris combined cycle gas turbine plant will come on stream, with a capacity of 800 megawatts and an investment of EUR400 million, he told Corriere, adding that within a few years a liquefied natural gas terminal, in which E.ON holds a 30% stake, should be ready off the Livorno shore.
Schafer also said his company is ready to invest in nuclear projects in Italy, considering E.ON's expertise in the sector with its nine nuclear plants across Europe, according to the paper.