GDF heating unit extends exclusive talks with A2A

MILAN, April 29 (Reuters) - Italy's biggest regional utility, A2A (A2.MI: Quote, Profile, Research), said on Tuesday it had agreed with France's Cofatech Sas to extend exclusive negotiations to buy the heating network management unit of Gaz de France GAZ.PA.

"Cofatech Sas, a branch of the Gaz de France Group, has extended until May 23 exclusivity granted to A2A last March 27 for negotiations finalised to the purchase of 100 percent of the share capital of Cofathec Coriance Sas," it said in a statement.

Gaz de France needs to sell Cofathec Coriance as part of commitments to the European Commission for clearance of a merger with Suez SA (LYOE.PA: Quote, Profile, Research).

The unit had 2007 sales of 63 million euros ($98.13 million). (Reporting by Valentina Za; Editing by Brian Moss)