Paladin Energy Ltd PALAF

Pace of Reactor Construction Quickens

[gatman]

more reactors are being planned than ever...here is news of some planned for the Middle East France forms consortium to supply nuclear power to Abu Dhabi: report by Staff Writers Paris (AFP) Jan 11, 2008 A trio of French energy and engineering groups have linked up to build and operate two nuclear reactors in the emirate of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, French newspaper Les Echos reported Friday. "An exclusive partnership with a view to building and then operating two third-generation nuclear reactors in the emirate" was sealed by the three companies on Friday, the paper said on its website. French nuclear technology group Areva, oil company Total and utility group Suez are the three companies in the consortium. The report said the companies responded to interest from the water and electricity authority in the emirate, ADWEA, which has outlined plans to build the reactors. Les Echos said the companies were now ready to supply and operate the electricity-producing plants when a final decision is made by Abu Dhabi to proceed with the project -- something that could happen "in the next few months." The paper also said that French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates next week, is to sign a nuclear energy cooperation agreement with the UAE. "After Morocco, Algeria and Libya, the Emirates will be the fourth Arab country to sign this type of agreement," the paper said.