British Energy mulls 'several' offers for

Nuclear power operator British Energy said yesterday that it has received several offers from parties interested in the company as Britain prepares major new atomic energy investment.

British Energy did not identify the companies involved, saying only that the board “has decided that discussions should continue with all the parties concerned.”

The company said several offers were priced above 680 pence (US$13.25) per share, the closing price on Thursday.

Recent press reports have said state-owned French firm EDF had submitted an offer and bought land near two nuclear sites in England and Wales. Germany’s RWE and E.ON have also been named.

Yesterday was the deadline for bids for the British government’s 35.2 percent stake in British Energy, which provides nearly 19 percent of the country’s electricity and owns eight nuclear power stations.