The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has referred the proposed merger of SSE’s retail division with Npower for an in-depth investigation.
The CMA has this morning confirmed that an in-depth investigation is set to take place after both SSE and Npower failed to offer measures that addressed concerns raised by the government body a fortnight ago.
That has now triggered a Phase 2 investigation, and a decision on the merger is to be made by an independent panel of members with additional support made by a team of CMA staff. The final report is due to be published by 22 October.
Neither SSE nor Npower has commented on this morning’s announcement, but the former has previously committed to working “constructively” with the CMA and other interested parties in a bid to push the deal through.
