If the ambition of Germany’s leading energy companies was not already apparent, Innogy’s confirmation of February UK press reports of RWE’s attempted friendly acquisition of the UK energy company should convince the remaining sceptics.

Although the £2.9 billion ($4.1 billion) bid – made at the end of 2001 – was rejected as too low, it is further evidence that the big German energy firms such as Essen-based multi-utility RWE and its main local rival Düsseldorf-based E.on are keen to add to