Completion of Acquisition

Centrica PLC
21 August 2000


         COMPLETION OF ACQUISITION OF DIRECT ENERGY
                      IN NORTH AMERICA

On  6th July 2000 Centrica announced that it had agreed with
the  trustees of the Direct Energy Income Fund an  offer  to
acquire  its  North American energy supply business,  Direct
Energy  Marketing Limited ('Direct Energy').   In  addition,
Centrica  had  agreed  to  purchase  the  assets  of  Direct
Energy's  primary marketing agent, Natural Gas  Wholesalers,
which  provides marketing and call centre services to Direct
Energy  and Energy America L.L.C (a joint venture  in  which
Direct  Energy  has  an interest).  The total  consideration
including assumption of debt was C$912m/£406m.

At   a   meeting   on   18th  August  2000,   unit   holders
overwhelmingly  approved the transaction,  which,  following
receipt  of  all other regulatory consents, completed  later
that day.


For further information contact:

Investor Relations: [e-mail]
Chris Milburn       [phone]

Media Relations:    [e-mail]
Neville Barltrop    [phone]