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17 January 2007 - The £11.6bn ($22.8bn) takeover of ScottishPower has moved a step closer with news that its Spanish suitor has filed documents with the European Commission.
A spokesman for Iberdrola said the energy giant expected a reply by 16 February. "The notification was made last Friday and we don't expect any problems on competition," he added.
The deal still requires regulatory approval in the United States - where the Scots firm owns several wind farms - shareholder clearance and court approvals. Last month, Spain's energy sector watchdog, CNE, said it had decided not to investigate the merger after it was asked to do so by Spanish utility rival Endesa.
The rival group, which supplies electricity and gas in Spain and Latin America, had argued that the tie-up could "put at risk or have a negative effect" on regulated businesses and "could affect the security and the quality of [energy] provision".
At the end of November, the boards of ScottishPower and Iberdrola agreed a £7.77 cash-and-shares deal to create Europe's third-biggest utility and a global leader in renewable energy.
After buying ScottishPower, Iberdrola will trail only EDF and Eon among Europe's biggest utilities.
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