Sale of Oslo utility draws political fire.

Byline: Patricia Koza

A decision by Oslo officials to sell the city's controlling stake in energy company Hafslund ASA triggered a storm of opposition in Norway's Parliament on Wednesday that could kill the move.

City officials on Tuesday, May 6, replaced the board of Oslo-based Hafslund, in which the city holds 53.7% of share capital and 58.5% of votes, with a six-person board committed to selling the company.

Analysts say the most likely bidder is Fortum Oyj, Finland's biggest energy company and already a part owner of Hafslund, estimated to be worth about $1.1 billion.

But Energy Minister Einar Stensnaes, speaking in Parliament in his …