UK Energy Market Consolidation Sparks Regulatory Concerns

The competition watchdog has launched a probe into a £2.1bn deal to takeover Electricity North West by the owner of ScottishPower. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is looking into the deal which was first announced by Iberdrola in August last year. The watchdog said it was investigating whether the deal may affect competition in the sector and will decide by 27 March whether to refer the acquisition for an in-depth probe. Interested parties have until 12 February to submit their comments. If no competition issues are raised, the…