E.ON, the German energy utility with close links to Goldman Sachs, is preparing to demerge Viterra, its energy services subsidiary, via a listing or a sale to an investor.

Last month E.ON, said it is is looking to spend at least €10bn ($9bn) on acquisitions in the US, even as it raises the money it needs to pay for previous purchases. The company already has to find €7.5bn to €9bn to pay for recent acquisitions, including UK-based Powergen and the German subsidiary of Fortum, the Finnish energy company.