TXU Corp., the largest electricity producer in Texas, said Monday it has agreed to be sold to a group of private-equity firms for about $32 billion US in what would be the largest private buyout in U.S. corporate history if shareholders approve it.

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Texas Pacific Group led a group that included Goldman Sachs & Co. and three other Wall Street firms that will pay $69.25 US per share for TXU. They will also assume about $13 billion US in debt.

The firms won support for the buyout from some environmentalists by agreeing to sharply scale back TXU's controversial $10 billion US plan to build 11 new coal-fired power plants that would produce tonnes of new greenhouse gas emissions.

TXU directors voted Sunday night to recommend shareholders approve the sale. The price represents a 15 per cent premium on TXU's closing stock price Friday. TXU shares rose $7.83 US, or 13.1 per cent, to $67.85 US in early NYSE trading.

The deal would top the previous biggest private buyout of $25.1 billion US set in 1988 when RJR Nabisco was acquired by Kohlberg Kravis.

Private-equity firms have often steered clear of utilities, viewing them as highly regulated businesses with a relatively low return on investment. But Texas deregulated its electricity market in 2002, and TXU is generating tremendous amounts of cash and profit. Wall Street expects the company to report Tuesday that it earned about $2.5 billion US in 2006.

TXU, with more than 2.3 million customers, has prospered because electricity rates in Texas are tied to the price of natural gas, while TXU generates much of its power more cheaply at coal and nuclear plants.

Still, TXU had flaws that might have made buyers think twice.

Many Texas consumers have switched to other companies that sell electricity at a lower price, although most of TXU's longtime customers have stood by the firm.

Viewed as long-term asset

Henry Kravis, founding partner of KKR, pledged to turn TXU into "a more innovative, customer-centric, environmentally friendly company." He said the private-equity buyers — who are often viewed as short-term investors looking to resell — see TXU as a long-term asset.

David Bonderman, founding partner of Texas Pacific, said the new owners' approach would "better manage the delicate balance between the energy needs of a growing Texas population, responsibility to the environment and the cost concerns of Texas businesses and residents."

TXU was near bankruptcy in 2002, when it lost $4.2 billion US. It was forced to sell units in Europe and Australia and returned to its roots, selling electricity to Texans.

The company rebounded, earning $1.72 billion US in 2005. A dramatic rise in TXU's stock price stalled, however, making it an attractive takeover target.