GDF Suez is promoting itself as a major player in an anticipated worldwide renaissance of nuclear power
– Edited by Abby Gessner –
According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, French utility GDF Suez SA's capacity to generate nuclear power could increase by 2020 to the equivalent of between three and four EPR reactors, Paul Rorive, senior vice president of the company's Nuclear Activities division said on Thursday.
Referred to as a "third generation" reactor, the EPR is designed by the French nuclear group Areva SA.
GDF Suez is promoting itself as a major player in an anticipated worldwide renaissance of nuclear power, as countries look to secure energy supplies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The company has made "preliminary" contacts in Europe with Italy, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia as it studies potential future markets in which to develop nuclear power, Rorive said.
Outside of Europe, its list extends to Brazil, Chile, the U.S. and Thailand, he said in the presentation.
Rorive also said there is "a lot of interest" in the U.K.'s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority auction for land suitable for building new nuclear power stations in which GDF Suez is participating, according to a confirmed company source. Furthermore, "Prices are rising," Rovive commented.
The process of disposing of land adjacent to three existing nuclear sites at Wylfa, Oldbury and Bradwell began when online bidding launched March 16.
In February, GDF Suez and Spanish peer Iberdrola SA announced a partnership to jointly develop nuclear power stations in the U.K. along with Scottish and Southern Energy PLC.
With its new partnership, GDF Suez aims to build one or two EPR reactors in the U.K. by 2020, Rorive said in his presentation.
Rorive commented separately that he anticipates a decision regarding GDF Suez from the United Arab Emirate of Abu Dhabi concerning its planned bid to develop new nuclear capacity there by the end of 2009.
In January 2008, GDF Suez agreed with Areva and Total SA (TOT), oil major to form a consortium to bid on building nuclear reactors in the U.A.E.
The state is looking for a strategic partner to operate and build at least four nuclear reactors there, according to the GDF Suez presentation.
A nuclear project in Romania, in which GDF Suez has a 9.15% stake, is anticipated to be operational in 2016, Rorive also said.