So far, Germany had planned to take a 30% stake in Uniper, but the company said discussions, which also include Finnish parent Fortum, now also included a "straight equity increase that would result in a significant majority participation".

Uniper CEO Klaus-Dieter Maubach had in July flagged the possibility that the German government could theoretically end up holding more than 50% of the company.

(Reporting by Christoph Steitz; Editing by Madeline Chambers)