The nuclear energy generator said it had received another range of proposals from a string of bidders, The Guardian reported.

The company has said it plans to continue discussions and all plans put forward need further development. Talks are predicted to continue for a number of weeks before a final decision is made.

The prospect of a renewed bid battle for British Energy has sparked a rally in its shares, which increased the company's value to about $23 billion.

In March, British Energy, which owns eight nuclear power plants, said it received a number of approaches from firms including France's EDF and Suez, Germany's RWE and E.ON, Spain's Iberdrola and Centrica.

British Energy has said it will likely not take a bid from one single company.