Poste Italiane launches energy supply business for staff initially

MILAN (Reuters) - Italian mail group Poste Italiane launched an energy supply business for its employees, two sources told Reuters on Thursday, a first step before extending the new line to the general public.

The offer, named "Energy 160" to honour the 160-year-long history of the Italian company, includes both gas and electricity supplies.

Poste, now a conglomerate whose services range from digital payments to mobile services, said in May it would enter the energy sector by the end of the year, with an offer based exclusively on renewable sources.

Poste Italiane aims to be among the top five energy providers in Italy by 2024, the company said in March.

(Reporting by Francesco Zecchini; Editing by Keith Weir)