France Is ‘Open’ To Potential Mitsubishi Stake In Areva Group
Written by NucNet
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
France’s prime minister has said he welcomes the possibility of Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) taking a stake in the Areva group.
François Fillon made his comments at a press conference in Tokyo following talks with Japan’s prime minister Naoto Kan on 16 July 2010.
Mr Fillon said he wanted to strengthen the partnership between Areva and Mitsubishi for the production of the advanced generation Atmea-1 reactor, adding that France was “open” to MHI taking a financial stake in France’s state-owned nuclear group.
The Atmea joint venture, based in Paris, was created by Areva and MHI to develop and market Atmea-1. The pressurised water reactor will have features already adopted by Areva and MHI in terms of resistance to commercial aircraft crashes, reduced spent fuel and waste, and the capacity to use mixed oxide (MOX) fuel.
