14/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 13 January, the European Commission cleared the proposed acquisition of sole control of Alstom Hydro Holding by Alstom Holdings, both of France. Alstom is an international group of companies mainly active in the manufacture of equipment and the provision of services for power generation and rail transport. Alstom Hydro is active in the market for hydropower solutions and services. Alstom Hydro is currently a 50-50 joint venture company created in 2006 between Alstom and French construction and engineering company Bouygues SA. The Commission examined the links between Alstom and Alstom Hydro as regards control systems and excitation systems for larger hydropower plants. Exciters are small generators that provide an initial electric current to start a large electric turbine. The Commission's investigation found that the market position for hydro activities will not materially change through the transaction and that the equipment sourced from Alstom represents a small proportion of the overall hydropower equipment market. (O.L./transl.rt)