Paris - China might buy two European nuclear pressurised reactors (EPR), the Les Echos newspaper reported yesterday, following a decision by the government to order four AP1000 pressurised water reactors from US group Westinghouse.
The newspaper said that such an order might be discussed when a representative from the Chinese government visited France today to talk about nuclear co-operation between the two countries.
A spokesperson for French nuclear power group Areva said: "We have no comment on this rumour. But if it had some basis, it would really be a success for Areva and for France, and that the strategy of being a global partner, developed by Areva, is right."
Another French publication, La Lettre de l'Expansion, reported yesterday that Anne Lauvergeon, the president of Areva, had said at a recent meeting of the company's works committee that "the Chinese horizon is clearing" and that a Chinese order for two EPRs "might be "announced soon".
Les Echos reported that the duplication of existing nuclear power reactors and a possible partnership for the treatment of nuclear fuel would also be discussed during the visit of the Chinese official.
The French economy ministry had announced the visit at the weekend, saying that it would cover the outlook for "our co-operation with China in the nuclear field".
On Saturday, China awarded to Westinghouse a contract worth several billion dollars for the construction of four so-called third-generation nuclear reactors. Areva had also bid for the contract.
In early trading in Paris yesterday, the price of Areva shares fell by 3.09 percent to E548 (R5 011). The overall market as measured by the CAC 40 index was showing a decline of 0.16 percent.
French economy and finance minister Thierry Breton, commenting on the award of the contract to Westinghouse, told Les Echo: "In addition to the industrial problems encountered by Areva in completing the EPR in Finland, which have been played up here and there, it is undeniable that today, Areva, with this setback in China, is going through a difficult period."
He said Areva had made big efforts, particularly in accepting a transfer of nuclear technology to the Chinese.
This was an added reason for the French state, as a shareholder, to be more committed than ever to Areva, "to help it get through this patch".
In his comment to Les Echo, Breton was referring to delays to an EPR pressurised water plant that Areva is building in Finland.