(BRUSSELS) - The European Commission said Thursday it was in talks on "structural measures" with EON, the biggest German power company and the target of a Commission anti-trust probe.

The news came after a German government spokesman said Bonn had been in contact with EON on the possibility that the company might sell its high-voltage network.

"EON and the European Commission are discussing structural measures to address concerns in the course of the Commission anti-trust investigation against EON ... following the energy sector enquiries," Commission spokesman Johannes Laitenberger told reporters.

The head of EON, Wulf Bernotat, informed German Chancellor Angela Merkel that he wanted to split off the distribution network, according to the German government spokesman in Berlin.

The European Commission has been pressing for major European energy groups to sell off their networks transporting natural gas and electricity to stimulate competition and investment, with the aim of reducing energy costs to European consumers.

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