Centrica, together with Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners and iCON Infrastructure Partners II, has agreed to acquire Bord Gáis Energy (BGE), the vertically integrated Irish energy business from Bord Gáis Éireann, the state owned energy company, for €1.1 billion (£920 million).

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2014.

Under the transaction, Centrica will acquire BGE's gas and electricity supply business in Ireland and the Whitegate gas-fired power station, which make up €210 million (£175 million) of the total enterprise value as at the effective date of 31 December 2013. This figure includes working capital, a contingent payment based on future performance of BGE and value accruing to Bord Gáis Éireann from 1 January 2014 until the transaction closes. iCON Infrastructure Partners II, L.P. will acquire BGE's firmus energy supply and regulated gas distribution assets in Northern Ireland and Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners L.P. will acquire BGE's renewable generation assets.

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For Centrica the transaction provides an opportunity to acquire a vertically integrated energy supply business in an adjacent market. Building on the existing capabilities of the business, BGE provides a platform for growth in Ireland, allowing Centrica to bring innovative propositions from our US and UK downstream operations and the potential to increase BGE's offering in energy services. The business will be operated from BGE's offices in Dublin and Cork, forming part of Centrica’s International Downstream activities and reporting to Centrica executive Eddy Collier, who has led the transaction.

The BGE supply business is the largest dual fuel supplier in Ireland, with approximately 650,000 residential gas and electricity accounts and 30,000 business accounts. The 445MW Whitegate gas-fired power station in County Cork, commissioned in December 2010, provides efficient, flexible generation capacity.

The acquisition is expected to be earnings accretive in the first full year of ownership.

(CD)