Press Release: Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of joint control by Gaz de France and Centrica of SPE, ALG Negoce SA and Luminus

The European Commission on 8 September 2005 cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of joint control by Gaz de France International S.A. (GDF) and Centrica plc (Centrica), both active in the production, trade and supply of gas and electricity, through a newly created company, New SPE, of the undertakings SPE, a Belgian electricity producer, ALG Negoce S.A. (ALG) and Luminus NV, both suppliers of gas and electricity in Belgium. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.