Centrica plc, through its British Gas New Energy division has bought the low carbon solutions firm Semplice Energy for £1.5 million.
Reading-based firm Semplice Energy provides clean technology solutions in the UK, offering consulting, design and systems integration to help businesses reduce their energy usage and invest in clean generation to cut CO2 emissions. The company currently employs 21 staff.

Approximately £1.2 million has been paid on acquisition with a further £0.3 million payable in two years (dependant on specific criteria being met).

Gearóid Lane, managing director of British Gas New Energy, said 'This is another step forward in our development of a broad range of energy efficiency and low-carbon capabilities we can offer business and domestic customers. Semplice Energy will help us in the delivery of these services.'

The deal follows British Gas' acquisition earlier this month (October 16) of specialist building controls systems firm Building Management System Integrators Ltd, which was bought for £7 million.

In January 2008 British Gas announced an equity investment in, and development and distribution agreement with, Ceres Power Holdings to develop CHP systems for residential properties based on solid oxide fuel cell technology. More recently, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Disenco Energy plc that will see both companies collaborating in the development of micro-CHP appliances for larger homes and commercial properties.

British Gas acquired the integrated solar PV technology installer Solar Technologies Group at the end of September.

Speaking about the purchase of Solar Technologies in September, Lane said 'This acquisition is an important step in British Gas putting in place a range of renewable and low carbon energy technologies for our residential, business and public sector customers. These technologies will become increasingly important as the UK implements policies to meet its stretching renewable energy and carbon emissions targets. And with British Gas's energy experts supporting millions of Britain's homes and business, we are uniquely positioned to deliver.'