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Britons feared on missing plane ... is not about to announce a takeover of British Energy, the firm has told the BBC.
EDF and British Gas owner Centrica were expected to pay more than Ј12bn for the company, which owns eight British nuclear power stations.
The French company said: "After in depth discussions, EDF considers that the conditions for a major development in Great Britain are not met to date."
EDF will hold its half-year results meeting on Friday morning as planned.
Nuclear sites
British Energy, which generates about 20% of the UK's electricity, is part-owned by the British government which wants to sell its stake.
The firm was privatised in 1996 but ended up being bailed out in 2002 by the government after running into severe financial difficulties.
It is 35% owned by the government, and the deal would have raise as much as Ј4bn for the Chancellor.
Centrica was negotiating with EDF to be its minority partner in the acquisition, and was expected to pay around Ј3bn for a 25% stake.
British Energy's sites are considered prime locations for the government's proposed new generation of nuclear power plants.
(BBC)
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