The situation might be different in Turkey

It took at least that to bring them together. The prospect of a market of EUR 30 billion, Anne Lauvergeon, Chairperson of the Executive Board of Areva, Henri Proglio, CEO of EDF, and ten representatives of the French nuclear industry have put aside their feuds and together allowed the Minister of energy of South Africa, Dipuo Peters, Friday at Bercy. "Thanks to you, all French energy met at this table", congratulated his French counterpart, Eric Besson. A first for the new Minister of energy.

A month before the official visit to Paris by President Jacob Zuma, in which "energy plays a central role", Dipuo Peters wants to know "how we can share our experiences and cooperate," says to "echoes".

Two years after canceling a nuclear tender in which Areva was in competition with the American Westinghouse, the first African economy should formally boost April before its nuclear program. Goal: install 9,000 megawatts of capacity by 2030, equivalent to 6 EPR. "The Chinese, Korean and American competition will be strong", predicts a high official.

This opportunity therefore presents itself as a test for nuclear France team, still sounded by its failure in the United Arab Emirates to Korean Kepco. It may have a decisive impact on the Organization of the French sector that a Council of nuclear policy chaired by Nicolas Sarkozy plans to draw current March.

First topic mentioned by François Roussely in his report on the French nuclear industry: the range of reactors. The France should confine itself to those third-generation of Areva (EPR, Atmea and Kerena) Or integrate foreign reactors, second generation, less expensive but less safe "If one country launches a call for tenders of second generation, we go there, or we're not going", asks a political leader. At the risk of blur the message: under the pressure of the France, the European Council agreed Friday to "promote the highest standards of nuclear safety."

In 2008, the South Africa had screened two third generation technologies. Three years later, Dipuo Peters left the question open. EDF is ready to submit a tender with the CPR-1000, a technology Chinese second generation.

Second question, just as thorny, in the menu of the next Council of nuclear policy: what organization for the sector In South Africa, EDF is a historic partner of his counterpart, Eskom. Its presence in the French ticket seems to be desired. The Group operator and architect-contractor, should be the "leader" always and everywhere, as Henri Proglio claimed him in the past "Everything depends on the client's request," said a senior official, who cited the example of the Poland. End of 2009, the Polish electrician EMP had signed a memorandum of understanding with EDF to build together a future EPR. Suddenly, he thus chose the operator and technology. Fifteen months later, the country seems to have changed approach. "The Poles are now considering to launch a tender for the technology, confirms a close source of Areva. Their choice of the operator will come after.

The Czech Republic, whose Prime Minister, Petr Necas, will be received by Eric Besson Friday, is also preparing a tender exclusively on technology.

The situation might be different in Turkey. The country has signed a contract of $ 20 billion for four reactors with Russian Rosatom, but he is preparing a second project. After the Koreans, it took three months to negotiate with the Japanese. But the French want to invite to the discussions. Not only Areva and EDF, but also GDF Suez, which is present in the country... Nicolas Sarkozy could defend the French offer on a shift in Turkey, end of February in the g-20.