There would be ‘‘significant detriment’’ if AGL’s proposed purchase of the country’s largest power generator, Macquarie Generation, was to proceed, while public benefits would be ‘‘small’’. and would likely to accrue to AGL, not consumers, the competition watchdog the ACCC has warned.

The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission ACCC) has blocked the planned acquisition, with the Australian Competition Tribunal now to decide whether it should proceed.

Most of the benefit of the proposed AGL- MAcquarie Generation merger would go to AGL and not the public, competition watchdog the ACCC has warned.

‘‘The public benefits that are likely to result from the proposed acquisition are small,’’ the ACCC said in its submission to the Tribunal. ‘‘The benefits ... would largely accrue to AGL and are extremely unlikely to be shared with the broader community.’’

AGL is one of the country’s largest power generators and retailers already, and its position would be strengthened if the acquisition was allowed to proceed.