During the Franco-Italian summit now taking place in Rome, in the presence of the French President and the President of the Italian Council, EDF and ENEL confirmed the signing of two industrial agreements on the development of nuclear energy, following the previous agreement in Nice in November 2007.

The first agreement announced today sets up a 50/50 consortium between EDF and ENEL to look into the feasibility of developing a least four nuclear reactors based on EPR technology in Italy. The agreement will therefore enable EDF to participate in the nuclear programme that ENEL is expecting to develop in Italy, although at this stage construction is still dependent on changes in the legislative and regulatory framework and on the technological choices.

A second agreement also plans to extend ENEL’s participation in the French new nuclear programme and to join forces with the Italian Group in the construction and operation of the new EPR reactor at Penly (Seine Maritime). ENEL already has a 12.5% interest in the EPR under construction at Flamanville (Manche) and will take a similar holding, alongside other partners, in the second French EPR to be built by EDF and brought into service in 2017.

This partnership is consistent with the industrial partnership that the two companies signed up to in 2007 and provides for ENEL to participate in France’s 3rd generation nuclear programme under EDF’s plans for EPRs in France between now and 2023. EDF also has the option to take part in any nuclear projects that ENEL develops in Europe and in particular in Italy.

EDF’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Pierre Gadonneix, said, "The partnership between EDF and ENEL will help strengthen relations between France and Italy in a strategic sector for the future of both countries. EDF is delighted to be able to participate, at the appropriate time, to the development of new EPR reactors in Italy. EDF is also delighted to include a major industrial partner like ENEL in its plans to build a new EPR reactor in France. The agreement continues the fruitful co-operation between our two companies that began with the current construction of the Flamanville EPR, in Normandy, aimed at developing safe, competitive energy free of CO2 emissions and guarantee security of supply in Europe."

Tags: EDF Energies Nouvelles, ENEL