At EDF was more cautious yesterday in Paris

Face of American competition, the Elysee Palace called EDF to the rescue to win a giant market in nuclear in Abu Dhabi. Monday evening, the Elysee Palace confirmed that the public electrician would be associated with the consortium of Areva, GDF Suez and Total in a tender on two EPR ("Les Echos" of May 6). "EDF will be in the consortium," assured a senior manager at the end of a dinner private between the Abu Dhabi crown prince and the head of the French State, Nicolas Sarkozy, on the eve of the inauguration of a new French military base in the Emirates. "From the time may be needed of the technique of part of the teams of EDF, them is in the consortium." (...) "This is the France, it does not discuss," he said to the press.

The initiative is above all political and seems to sow a certain industrial fairness. At EDF, was more cautious yesterday in Paris. The group "is ready to support in the way of technical assistance" to the French consortium, said a spokesman for the group. This assistance may include control of book or the start of the

Central.

Find a logic of die

Clearly, the desire of EDF is not to participate in the consortium, and still less than invest in this project which is not party of its strategic priorities. The idea that the public electrician can be invited to the consortium also disrupted its three current members. "If EDF joined us in the consortium, it must see exact conditions", note a close source from the folder.

To justify the arrival of EDF in this project, the French official quoted by the AFP spoke of delays in the construction Finland first EPR by Areva reactor and its expartner German Siemens. "Those who know how to build the heart of the plant is not necessarily one that knows how to assemble it, which is not necessarily one that knows how to build the plant", he continued. The goal is now to a "gathering of skills" and to find a logic of die. Willy-nilly, the President of Areva, Anne Lauvergeon, welcomed to benefit from the "feedback" EDF. "It is necessary and desired assistance," considered the Director General of Total, Christophe de Margerie.

The France is eager to strengthen its influence in the region, where its industrial are in competition with the Americans. The economic stakes are colossal. The tender announced deals with two stations, but it could be extended to six, or even a dozen reactors. In total, the market could reach 25 to 50 billion euros.

To the French offer is an American-Japanese consortium, which should consist of General Electric and Hitachi, and a South Korean company, Kepco. Toshiba Westinghouse and its AP-1000 reactor have clearly not selected by Abu Dhabi.

To improve the chances of their businesses, the United States are increasing initiatives. Last week, President Barack Obama said officially support a Bill to his predecessor, George w. Bush, allowing the United States to share its nuclear technology with the United Arab Emirates in an expanded action to promote and manage civil nuclear power, at the global level. "The aim is to allow us companies to fully participate in the revival at the global level and to capture a substantial market share well organized competition," says Patrice Lambert de Diesbach, analyst at CM - CIC.