npower has announced that it has acquired one of Britain's largest building services companies, SPI Group Ltd (SPI). The purchase, which was completed on 30 January, is a major boost for npower as it seeks to grow its energy services business.

SPI specialises in providing mechanical and electrical installation and maintenance services, predominantly to social housing and public buildings. They have a large number of major clients throughout England and Wales. SPI's commercial division delivers mechanical and electrical services, primarily in public buildings such as schools and libraries. SPI employs around 500 people across England and Wales.

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SPI operates in the substantial social housing services market for installations, repairs and maintenance, worth an estimated £13.2 billion. Access to good social housing is of growing importance during the current economic downturn. The acquisition of SPI means that npower is well positioned to help improve the quality of a growing share of the almost five million homes in the social housing sector and is able to provide high quality home energy services to both homeowners and tenants. npower will also expand its commercial energy services activity.

In 2007 npower hometeam, a central heating installation and boiler servicing business, was created to provide for growth in this increasingly important business area.

npower has grown its home energy services business from the ground up and now employs over 800 people with a fleet of around 400 vans on the road.

Kevin Miles Chief Executive of npower retail said: "I am delighted that we have been able to acquire such a well respected, professional and quality orientated business such as SPI. This is a major step forward for npower in growing its energy services business.

"Looking ahead our plan is to grow the business still further, delivering the same high quality service that current SPI customers and clients enjoy today."

(CD/JM)