On Tuesday 30 May, the European Commission authorised the acquisition by the French electricity giant EDF of some of the assets of New NP, which brings together the nuclear reactor-related activities of the French group Areva. The French company is planning to buy between 51% and 75% of the capital in New NP, in plans that were notified on 18 April 2017.
Although both companies are active in the energy sector, albeit at different levels, the Commission did not consider the planned acquisition to be in breach of EU competition rules.
EDF is the largest operator of nuclear power stations in the EU, whereas New NP is active in the design and supply of nuclear reactors and equipment, fuel assemblies, control systems and operational services to nuclear power stations.
The Commission's analysis focused on a number of points. On the market for the design and construction of new reactors, the institution took the view that given the number of suppliers and nuclear power stations not operated by EDF, the two companies would not be in a position to exclude their competitors.
On the market for services for existing power stations and instrumentation and control systems, the Commission considered that it was very much in the interests of both companies to offer products (as regards New NP) or use other suppliers (as regards EDF). The institution also observed that it was in the French company's interests to purchase supplies from a number of suppliers on the fuel assembly market.
Finally, as EDF is already party to contracts for the provision of fuel assemblies and associated services, limiting it to other nuclear power station operators would breach its current commitments.
The Commission therefore concluded that EDF's acquisition of New NP would not create competition distortions in the EU. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)