British Energy will split into three separate companies in order to win European Commission approval for a £5 billion (€7.4 billion) rescue deal in the next few weeks, a source close to the situation said today.
British Energy will split into a nuclear power generator, a coal power generator and an energy sales firm, each with separate accounts.
The nuclear generator company will receive British government aid for decommissioning but will be barred from sharing this money with the other new firms, the source said.