5 companies and the Korean electrician KHNP 2

One would think to 1970s sci-fi movie. EURODIF, located of Areva uranium enrichment plant at Tricastin, in the Drôme, is 1,400 steel pipe giant, each of the power of a TGV, which circulate continuously 3,000 tonnes of uranium. To run this strategic site started in 1979, EDF has built four nuclear reactors, including one of relief. "It was a time where there was fear of means on the table," launches Gérard Perrat, Executive of Areva and old hand of nuclear power.

At the time, the France had satisfied the Belgium, the Italy, the Spain and the Sweden to enter the capital of the plant. When the latter decided to withdraw, the Shah of Iran, who had power plants projects, purchased of the shares. In the meantime, the mullahs revolution changed the this.

The France has not delivered the Iran, but the Islamic Republic remained shareholder, via a holding company by the name of Sofidif. Thirty years later, Areva also wants to share the cost of 3 billion euros for its new plant, Georges Besse II, which shall deliver its first products at the end.

The society for enrichment of Tricastin (SET), his legal vehicle, already allowed capital GDF Suez (at 5), Japanese Kansai and Sojitz (2.5) companies and the Korean electrician KHNP (2.5). "The round table is not finished, says François-Xavier Rouxel, Director of enrichment in Areva. We will be happy that the Italy and the Spain join us and it is not prohibited to look elsewhere. "Citing Asia and Europe, he refuses to say whether China or the India, two customer keys of the French group, could do the part.

However, one thing seems certain, EDF will not part while it is by far the first customer of Areva in enrichment. The Habs electrician indeed provides half of the turnover of Eurodif. He wanted to enter the GBII preferred conditions, but Anne Lauvergeon capital, the patron saint of Areva, did not disadvantage the other partners.

However, EDF signed in 2008 a contract for 20 years with Areva that defines the conditions in which it will remove a part of the production of the future plant.

"Stroke of genius".

Of other electricians to secure their supply should be seduced. Unlike its predecessor, which must be closed in 2012 and works by gaseous diffusion, GBII will use the technology of ultracentrifugation. It consumes 50 times less electricity.

In practical terms, the site will consume 60 megawatts, against 3,000 at present, which corresponds to the consumption of the Ile-de-France. Another economic advantage, GBII employ 450 people, against 1,100 employees currently in Eurodif.

If the French champion of nuclear can exploit this technology, it is thanks to "a stroke of genius", said Gerard Perrat, who leads the SET. In the early 2000s, its rival European Urenco, holder of the technology by ultracentrifugation, seeks a partner to assist it in its costs. Shareholders - the Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands - derive the language. "Nobody believed at the time, except Areva nuclear," says Gérard Perrat. For its part, Areva has need to prepare after the Eurodif.

He signs a letter of intent in 2002 and created a joint venture with Urenco in 2006. Analysts estimate that Areva was paid about 500 million euros for this operation, which imposes it as co-holder of the technology.

The group is very discreet on the matter, but its margins should leap in enrichment, where he made 1 billion euros of turnover per year.

Its American competitor Usec, which still uses gaseous diffusion technology, displays an operating margin of 14 in 2008, almost 50 for Urenco.