Centrica expects Dutch Oxxio sale in 2010

AMSTERDAM, Oct 29 (Reuters) - British gas and power utility Centrica (CNA.L) expects to launch a formal competitive process for the sale of its Dutch energy supply unit Oxxio in 2010, a company spokesman confirmed on Thursday.

Sources familiar with discussions said Centrica has been talking to parties interested in Oxxio, the fourth-largest energy retailer in the Netherlands, since the summer, some of which were based on asset swaps.

"No formal sale process is expected until after Christmas, in the new year," a Centrica spokesman said, but declined to comment on any bilateral discussions that the company has had already.

Denmark's DONG Energy [DOENRY.UL] was looking at Oxxio but will not be making an offer, two people familiar with the matter said. Other utilities interested in the sale include Belgium's Electrabel, Italy's Eni (EN.MI) and Germany's E.ON (EONGn.DE) and Nederlandse Energie Maatschappij, sources said. (Reporting by Greg Roumeliotis and Stephen Jewkes in Milan)