Nuclear is one of the ways for Italy to rebalance energy generation in the next fifteen years while ensuring security of supply, reducing carbon emissions and keeping energy as affordable as possible. The introduction of new nuclear power, alongside cleaner fossil fuels, renewables and energy efficiency, will be vital going forward
– By Mark McFadden –
GDF SUEZ and E.ON signed a Memorandum of Understanding focusing on the current and developing market for new nuclear energy in Italy, showing their determination to participate actively to Italy’s nuclear restart process.
As in other nuclear projects both parties are also in favor of a strong cooperation with local utilities as well as with large consumers in Italy.
E.ON and GDF SUEZ will examine all the key issues related to new investment in nuclear power plant such as technology, locations and industrial partnership. They will engage a dialogue with the national and local authorities on mechanisms to promote a stable, clear and predictable regulatory environment. Through this agreement, Italian nuclear new build will benefit from the backing of two companies with extensive experience in operating nuclear power stations and resources, and skills to deliver new nuclear plants.
Klaus Schäfer, Chief Executive Officer of E.ON in Italy said: “Nuclear is one of the ways for Italy to rebalance energy generation in the next fifteen years while ensuring security of supply, reducing carbon emissions and keeping energy as affordable as possible. The introduction of new nuclear power, alongside cleaner fossil fuels, renewables and energy efficiency, will be vital going forward. If the conditions in the Italian Market continue to develop in the desired direction, our cooperation with GDF SUEZ might contribute to the constitution of a further consortium in the future.”
“The Memorandum of Understanding between E.ON and GDF SUEZ is a first step of our cooperation to deliver an early, substantial and vital contribution for the re-entry of nuclear power in Italy. To move forward we need the completion of the well advanced regulatory framework, a strong industrial partnership open to Italian and other European partners and a competitive process to access to suitable nuclear sites”, declared Stéphane Brimont, President and CEO of GDF SUEZ Energy Europe.
The companies have stakes in thirty nuclear power stations in Germany, Belgium, France and Sweden. E.ON runs and operates nine and GDF SUEZ, seven.
Italy is a key market where GDF SUEZ enjoys prominent positions. GDF SUEZ is the leader in energy services in Italy through its subsidiary Cofely, the third largest gas operator serving more than 1 million customers and the fifth largest producer of electricity with over 1.5 million customers. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT also has a strong position with over 2.4 million users of its environmental services.
One of the leading energy providers in the world, GDF SUEZ is active across the entire energy value chain, in electricity and natural gas, upstream to downstream. It develops its businesses (energy, energy services and environment) around a responsible-growth model to take up the great challenges: responding to energy needs, ensuring the security of supply, fighting against climate change and maximizing the use of resources. GDF SUEZ relies on diversified supply sources as well as flexible and high-performance power generation in order to provide innovative energy solutions to individuals, cities and businesses. The Group employs 200,000 people worldwide and achieved revenues of €83.1 billion in 2008. GDF SUEZ is listed on the Brussels, Luxembourg and Paris stock exchanges and is represented in the main international indices: CAC 40, BEL 20, DJ Stoxx 50, DJ Euro Stoxx 50, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI Europe and ASPI Eurozone.
E.ON is one of the world’s leading power and gas companies. With 2009 sales of more than €82 billion and over 88,000 employees, it is already one of the world’s largest investor-owned power and gas companies. E.ON is active along the entire value chain in power and gas, with operations upstream (power generation and natural gas production), midstream (energy imports and wholesale), and downstream (end customer supply). E.ON today has a significant presence on more than 30 energy markets worldwide. In Italy E.ON has an installed power capacity of 5,9 GW including renewables, making it the fourth-largest power producer.