No chance of BE-Centrica tie up, according to suggestions

Centrica would not be allowed to merge with British Energy, it has been reported, following the failure of EDF to make a successful merger with the nuclear group last week.

Centrica would not be allowed to merge with British Energy, it has been reported, following the failure of EDF to make a successful merger with the nuclear group last week.

Energy company Centrica had voiced its hoped to merge with the British nuclear group British Energy if French company EDF did not successfully make a tie up, but the government would in fact block such an action, the Financial Times has reported.

"It's not receiving the support of this party," said one source, quoted as a senior government official by the FT.

"British Energy needs more [new nuclear] expertise, experience and knowledge technologies. Centrica's not going to provide that."

The moves show the determination by the government to move the UK in to a more nuclear-reliant future, despite talks of increasing green energy investment.

Currently Scotland is leading the way in terms of making use of its resources, as it has integrated wind and wave power into its power supply and formed a joint grid between itself, Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Such a grid is now being used as the inspiration for a Europe-wide project to deliver green energy across the continent.