Cooperation deals for French, Italian nuclear companies
A raft of nuclear cooperation agreements between French and Italian companies were signed at a forum chaired in Paris by French president Nicolas Sarkozy and Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.
A raft of nuclear cooperation agreements between French and Italian companies were signed at a forum jointly chaired in Paris by French president Nicolas Sarkozy and Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.
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Strengthening Franco-Italian cooperation (Image: Présidence de la République/L.Blevennec) |
Italy phased out nuclear power after a referendum in 1987 but legislation finalised in 2009 has placed nuclear back at the forefront of Italian plans, calling for 25% of Italy's electricity to be nuclear generated by 2030. With Italians facing higher prices for their electricity than their European neighbours, the decision to relaunch the country's nuclear program had been a necessity, Berlsuconi told a joint press conference by the two premiers. Sarkozy praised the Italian government's decision to return to nuclear power, describing it as "extremely important". France's desire, he said, was to work "hand in hand" with Italian enterprises to help develop the nuclear industry.
Sarkozy's hopes were given more concrete expression in the signature of memoranda by French companies Areva and EdF with Italian companies Finmeccanica, Enel, Ansaldo and Techint, plus Italian academic consortium CIRTEN.
Five-year memorandum for Finmeccanica
The memorandum of understanding signed by the CEOs of Enel, Finmeccanica and EdF has been hailed by Finmeccanica as the first concrete step towards maximising the involvement of the Italian nuclear industry in the construction of the country's new nuclear plants. The agreement defines areas of cooperation between Enel-EdF and Ansaldo Nucleare, part of the Finmeccanica group, in the construction of at least four Areva-designed Evolutionary Pressurised Reactors (EPRs) that Enel and EdF plan to build in Italy.
Under the agreement, Enel and EdF will act as investors and architect engineers, with overall responsibility for project management, design, construction and commissioning. Ansaldo will contribute the benefit of its experience in the study, design, planning and commissioning of nuclear systems and provide support to the licensing process. Ansaldo subsidiary Ansaldo Nucleare will also participate in the qualification and tender processes carried out by Enel and EdF for the supply of equipment, installation and engineering systems.
The agreement, which will last for a minimum of five years, will also enable Ansaldo Energia and Ansaldo Nucleare to take part in engineering and supply tenders for EdF EPR projects outside Italy, subsequent to qualification by Enel and EdF.
Three deals for Areva
Areva CEO Anne Lauvergeon signed three separate agreements with the CEOs of Ansaldo, Techint and CIRTEN.
According to Ansaldo parent Finmeccanica, the agreement between Areva and Ansaldo Energia, along with its subsidiary Ansaldo Nucleare, aims to develop a progressive industrial partnership which will start with existing Areva projects such as the Olkiluoto 3 EPR reactor currently under construction in Finland. The partnership would then extend to projects in Italy (the EdF-Enel project to build four EPRs) and other countries. It covers collaboration in the production of special components, reactor construction and commissioning, and studies for licensing agreements in Italy, an area in which Ansaldo Nucleare claims long-standing experience.
The agreement signed by Areva and Italian engineering company Techint will pave the way for the companies to cooperate on future turnkey nuclear projects around the world, while the agreement with the CIRTEN inter-university nuclear research consortium will provide a channel for Areva to help develop new industrial competencies in Italy.
Researched and written
by World Nuclear News
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