Brussels to investigate Areva NP agreement

The European Commission has opened proceedings June 2010 to assess whether non-compete clauses between French company Areva and German company Siemens in the field of civil nuclear technology may be in violation of EU antitrust rules. The opening of proceedings means the case merits investigation. It does not prejudge the final outcome.

The acrimonious nuclear power joint venture between France’s Areva and Germany’s Siemens is to be probed by competition officials at the European Commission after the German company complained about a previously undisclosed 'non-compete' clause to the regulator.

If Brussels upholds the complaint, it could have broader implications for the nuclear power plant market, potentially accelerating the creation of a rival joint venture between Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear company, and Siemens.

European Commission: Press Release: IP/10/655: Antitrust: Commission opens an investigation into alleged restrictions of competition between Areva and Siemens http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/655&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

ESO: Background information: Nuclear frisson http://www.europeansources.info/record/nuclear-frisson/

Areva: Operations: Reactors and services http://www.areva.com/EN/operations-1669/reactors-and-services-new-builds-and-installed-base.html

Siemens: Press Release, 3.3.09: Rosatom and Siemens sign Memorandum of Understanding on the creation of a nuclear joint venture http://www.siemens.com/press/en/pressrelease/?press=/en/pressrelease/2009/corporate_communication/axx20090338.htm

EurActiv, 3.6.10: Areva-Siemens nuclear divorce turns sour http://www.euractiv.com/energy/areva-siemens-nuclear-divorce-tu-news-494821

---