British Gas owner Centrica is in the running to buy parts of collapsed electricity and gas supplier Bulb Energy.
But its bid could be controversial, as it seeks taxpayer support for the deal.
Centrica wants Bulb’s 1.7m customers, but not the brand, staff or offices, The Sunday Times reported.
Controversial: British Gas owner Centrica wants Bulb’s 1.7m customers, but not the brand, staff or offices
But it would ask for government cash to go towards buying energy for those customers. Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s clean energy company, has also lodged a bid.
Bulb entered administration in November, as energy prices began to rise.
The firm’s problems were worsened by the fact that it hadn’t stabilised its prices by buying energy far enough in advance.
Because of Bulb’s size, it is now being run by the Government in a special administration process expected to cost £2.2billion
