Nuclear power operator British Energy says it has received several offers from parties interested in the company as Britain prepares major new atomic energy investment.
British Energy 'was in discussions with interested parties in the context of its future and its plans to take a pivotal part in any new nuclear programme,' it said in a statement.
It did not identify the companies involved, saying only that the board had decided that discussions should continue with all the parties.
British Energy said several offers for the company were priced above 680p per share, the closing price on Thursday.
Recent British press reports have said state-owned French power company EDF submitted an offer for British Energy and bought land near two existing nuclear sites in England and Wales.
British Energy provides nearly 19% of Britain's electricity. It owns and operates eight nuclear power stations. German power giants RWE and E.ON plus Spain's Iberdola have also been named as possible bidders.
The British government approved a new generation of nuclear power stations in January this year, signalling that they were likely to be built on or near existing sites primarily by private firms.
