German utility RWE AG is the front-runner to win the auction of Dutch utility Essent NV, which could fetch as much as €10 billion, or about $14 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.
The board of Essent, based in Arnhem, the Netherlands, is likely to agree next week to a deal with RWE, the people said. Closely held Essent is the Netherlands' biggest utility, with 2007 revenue of €7.4 billion.
The deal would be the first large-scale acquisition announced in Europe this year. It would show that for companies in relatively stable industries, like utilities and pharmaceuticals, the financial crisis hasn't sapped the ability to make acquisitions, and in some cases, could present opportunities.
Other possible suitors for Essent include
Eni SpA of Italy, but RWE, Germany's largest power producer by capacity, is "a better fit," a person familiar with the matter said. Germany borders the Netherlands, enabling the companies to combine operations more easily.
RWE, based in Essen, has signaled its desire to expand abroad and make acquisitions. "We're determined to benefit from the crisis," executive board member Leonhard Birnbaum told reporters in December. He said RWE plans to invest more than €30 billion through 2012, mainly outside Germany.
Roughly 74% of Essent's shares are owned by six Dutch provinces. The rest are owned by a collection of nearly 140 Dutch municipalities.
Essent said in June that it would look for a buyer of its commercial operations, which consist of its power plants and trading operations. Essent's grid operation, mainly of gas and power lines, isn't up for sale.
The company said in June that it needed a partner so it could get bigger and offer its customers better prices. Its effort to merge with Dutch rival Nuon fell apart in 2007.
RWE largely stuck to the sidelines as European consolidation heated up. But that caution, combined with a string of sales of noncore businesses, such as in water and printing,means RWE has little debt and plenty of cash.