10 Nov (NucNet): France-based energy group Areva has increased its shareholding in South African engineering and services company Lesedi Nuclear Services from 45% to a majority 51%.
Since forming its original partnership with Lesedi in 2001, many of the products and services Areva provides for the Koeberg nuclear power plant in South Africa have been locally sourced. Areva first supplied parts and services for the plant 26 years ago.
Areva said that for South Africa, nuclear energy is a means of diversifying from coal, which currently accounts for more than 90% of the country’s production capacity. Areva said by taking a majority stake in Lesedi, it was reinforcing its commitment to the development of South Africa’s nuclear market.
The Koeberg nuclear power plant, which comprises two pressurised water reactor units, was designed and built by Framatome ANP, recently renamed Areva NP. It was one of its first nuclear plants to be exported and sold as a turnkey project.
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Areva Aims For One-Third Of Global Nuclear Market (World Nuclear Review No. 10, 10 March 2006)
‘Guard Against Nuclear Inequality’, Says South Africa Minister (News in Brief No. 7, 20 September 2006)
