The American electrician which he owned 9

The bad news accumulate for EDF. While the British Energy patina folder, the French electrician sees its US partner in difficulty, Constellation Energy, spinning him between the fingers. The American electrician, which he owned 9.5, yesterday announced an agreement to sell to MidAmerican Energy, an operator focused on wind energy, controlled by billionaire Warren Buffett. In the morning, the Habs electrician had yet summoned urgently a Board of Directors to protect his beachhead in the revival of nuclear power in the United States. But it was already too late. "EDF, who has studied the possibility of strengthening its position in the capital of Constellation Energy, estimated at this stage that the whole of the conditions was not meeting to", acknowledged the group after this Council.

MidAmerican intends to launch an offer of 4.7 billion dollars (3.3 billion) on Constellation Energy, or 26,50 dollars per share. This represents a premium of 7 over the closing price of Wednesday evening, but a 55 Monday haircut, before the American electrician does collapses on the stock exchange. The company faces an "acute liquidity crisis", according to the Standard & Poor's rating agency. The operator, which has 78 power plants and has 1.2 million customers in the State of Maryland, including seen catching up by the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, his partner in trading activities. The Group had already sought a strong partner in 2005, through a $ 11 billion merger with its domestic competitor FPL. The operation ultimately failed in 2006.

Is rude to EDF. Ideally, the Habs electrician would have liked to take control of Constellation Energy, probably by a roundabout way knowing that the American legislation forbids to hold the majority of the capital of a nuclear operator.

Players good Areva and EDF

The two companies are partners since 2007 in a joint venture, UniStar Nuclear Energy, whose purpose is to develop, produce, hold and operate EPR reactors in the United States.

But the group led by Pierre Gadonneix had to arbitration while he is preparing an offensive of the order of 15 billion euros in Britain. For the moment, the Habs Group seems not prepared to make its titles to offer which must be completed Friday between MidAmerican and Constellation. Always interested in nuclear power in the United States, he intends to keep its options open ". The arrival of Warren Buffett may also be issue for Areva, which created as early as 2005 a joint company with Constellation, UniStar Nuclear, whose purpose is to market and build the EPR. It has already convinced 5 American electricians to buy its third-generation reactor, which still has to receive the certificate of the authorities. A change of strategy of Constellation, if needed, would be inappropriate...

Good players, Areva and EDF wish to see encouraging signs on the part of the new future shareholder. "The acquisition of Constellation Energy, once complete, will prove beneficial for all parties", assured Warren Buffett yesterday. And the pattern of MidAmerican is said perfectly "in phase with the Constellation strategy" Welcoming "the fleet ... and Constellation nuclear." "of its joint venture with EDF."

"Warren Buffett is a prudent business man, said, meanwhile, a spokesman for Areva.". In this period, it may invest in many companies. The choice of a nuclear electrician shows the value added of this sector of activity. It is also encouraging for the PRT. AREVA therefore welcomes this information with satisfaction and encouragement.