Energy supplier Centrica plans bid for North’s Viridian

Centrica, the largest energy supplier to UK homes, is preparing a bid for the North’s power company Viridian Group, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Centrica is working as part of a consortium as Viridian’s owner Arcapita Bank BSC awaits first-round offers from potential bidders by Friday evening in Belfast, said one of the people, who asked not to be named, as the process is private.

Australian financial services firm AMP is also among parties lining up an offer, said another person.