Wednesday, June 3, 2015

The future of Areva in the heart of a meeting at the Elysee – Le Figaro

Francois Hollande met at the Elysee on Wednesday the ministers involved in the nuclear industry. Objective:. Draw a giant French nuclear

The state puts order in nuclear power. The head of government Manuel Valls and the ministers concerned with nuclear will gather around the head of state on Wednesday morning. A meeting that will launch the reorganization of the French nuclear industry, a “nuclear France,” as the means Emmanuel Macron, around EDF, more coherent and integrated as it is today the industry. François Hollande and the government will define the future of Areva and EDF determine the role and strategy. All without neglecting the issue of employment.

After a net loss of about five billion euros in 2014, Areva now needs six to seven billion euros. The group hopes that the state injects funds to recapitalize its subsidiary responsible for the design. But this scheme does not favor the government that supports another proposal, cheaper.



A scenario found everything

EDF offered to buy the Areva NP pole for two billion euros. The “Levy Plan”, named after its CEO, foresees the creation of a subsidiary that would bring together the activities of the Areva reactor industry. A company “large industrial and management autonomy” but also “close to its majority shareholder EDF” and therefore “more effective”, according to Jean-Bernard Lévy. EDF wishes to draw the direction of French but mostly foreign partners, including China.

What the taxpayer does not pay to save Areva, electricity consumers could pay more. In exchange for the offer that provides a real helping hand to the State, the government could grant EDF a rise in electricity prices. According to the JDD , it could be a 2.5% increase per year over three years.

Lower costs of around one billion EUR is also provided to bail out the company. A choice that is not without consequences on employment. Management announced last month, suppression of 6,000 posts, including 3,000 to 4,000 in France. On the eve of the summit meeting of the State, the employees of Areva themselves again strongly mobilized to defend jobs in the nuclear group. The Inter CGT, CFDT, CFE-CGC, FO and UNSA had Tuesday urged employees to “work stoppage” of 24 hours to denounce the dismantling of the nuclear group. A victory for the unions since the strike rate has reached 50% to 60% on various sites, according to management. FO speaking of “more than 90% of strikers on average on industrial sites.”

The state, which owns nearly 87% stake in the group, will still have to hand the wallet . Despite two billion expected to come from the sale of assets and cost reduction specialist of the atom. Two other billion from the sale of the subsidiary EDF reactors. It therefore lacks two billion that the state will inject into Areva accounts.



Other alternatives

The electricity group is not the only candidate in play. Engie fight him part of the activities of Areva. The direction of the former GDF Suez plans to build nuclear although no concrete offer has yet been proposed. Chinese electricity groups CNNC and CGN also discussed the folder. Already partners EDF and Areva in China and the UK are interested in taking a stake in what should be the future subsidiary of EDF. Prime Minister Manuel Valls had already mentioned the arrival of others.

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