UPDATE 1-Enel sees "substantial" move on E.ON deal by end-March

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MOSCOW, March 6 (Reuters) - Enel (ENEI.MI: Quote, Profile, Research) expects "substantial" developments in talks to sell assets worth billions of euros to Germany's E.ON by the end of March, the Italian power producer's chief executive said on Thursday.

"I do expect something substantial on this deal to happen by the end of March," Fulvio Conti told reporters.

He declined to confirm a price of 11.5 billion euros ($17.6 billion) for the assets in Spain, Italy and France, which Enel is selling with partner Acciona (ACS.MC: Quote, Profile, Research) of Spain.

"Negotiations are not done through journalists," Conti said.

Last month, a source familiar with the matter said the price for the assets would be about midway between E.ON's 10 billion euro offer and Enel's initial request for 13 billion euros.

E.ON Chief Executive Wulf Bernotat said on Thursday the earlier the asset acquisition was finalised, the stronger earnings would rise this year.

E.ON had agreed to buy the assets as a consolation prize after its own bid for Endesa lost out to the Italian and Spanish team.

Conti said he expected to continue in his role at the company when his mandate comes up for renewal shortly, despite an investigation into possible corruption in Enel's sale of telecoms company Wind.