Acquisition

Centrica PLC
                  

Centrica and Gaz de France complete acquisition of Belgian energy company

Centrica plc (Centrica) today announced that through Segebel SA, a holding
company owned 50/50 in a joint venture with Gaz de France SA (Gaz de France), it
has completed the acquisition of a controlling 51 per cent stake in SPE SA
(SPE), a Belgian energy company, in a deal which values SPE at EUR760 million
(£515 million).

At the same time, Centrica's existing 50/50 joint venture energy supply business
in Belgium, Luminus NV (Luminus), and ALG Nègoce, Gaz de France's 50/50 retail
joint venture in Belgium, have been acquired by SPE for shares, valuing the
entities at EUR207 million (£140 million) and EUR2 million (£1.4 million)
respectively. The 49% balance of the enlarged SPE is held by existing Belgian
shareholders of SPE, Publilum (Centrica's existing partner in Luminus) and ALG.

After taking into account the sale of its share of Luminus to SPE, the cash cost
to Centrica of this transaction is EUR144 million (£98 million).

Centrica originally announced this transaction on 24th June 2005. Completion of
the transaction was conditional, amongst other things, on clearance by the
European Commission which has since been granted.

Notes to Editors:

Enquiries:
Centrica Media Relations 01753 494085
Centrica Investor Relations 01753 494900