Constellation, Areva join forces to build new US nuclear plants

Washington (Platts)--15Sep2005

Constellation Energy and French nuclear equipment vendor Areva Inc
Thursday said they have joined forces to create UniStar Nuclear, a joint
venture designed to develop the first fleet of advanced nuclear power plants
in the US in nearly 30 years.
     The companies said UniStar will offer a "business framework" that will
enable the development of joint ventures with Constellation and other energy
companies and interested parties. The joint ventures would license, build, own
and operate the nuclear plants as part of a standardized fleet.
     UniStar will market a standard advanced design called the US Evolutionary
Power Reactor, a 1,600-MW reactor designed by Areva, which is now working on
obtaining a design certification from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 
     The first of Areva's EPR is under construction in Finland and a second is
expected to be built in France.
     Constellation said that under current plans it would operate the first
fleet of four or more US EPRs. Constellation also said it would form joint
ventures for each power plant.

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