Agreement Proposes Two EPRs For United Arab Emirates
Written by NucNet
Monday, 14 January 2008
14 Jan (NucNet): An agreement that could lead to two European
pressurised water reactors (EPRs) being built in the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) was announced today in Paris.
France's Areva group, Suez of Belgium and the oil and gas group Total said they had signed a partnership agreement to submit a nuclear power plant project to the UAE that would also involve local partners.
The three companies propose the construction of two 1,600-megawatt EPRs plus fuel cycle products and services.
Total would provide expertise in managing complex major industrial projects in collaboration with local authorities and business, acquired through its presence in the the Middle East annd the UAE, the companies said.
Suez would contribute expertise as a nuclear power plant operator, gained from designing and building nuclear power plants in Belgium that it has now operated for more than 30 years.
Areva's involvement would include its "know-how covering nuclear islands and the complete fuel chain".
French president Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Saudi Arabia yesterday at the start of a visit to the region that will include the UAE.
This report was compiled for NucNet by John Shepherd.
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