Veolia interested in part of Areva's dismantling unit - CEO
“French task force” of nuclear dismantling reuniting Veolia, Areva and government agencies
Industrial clients, including dismantling, now account for 40% of Veolia’s revenues
Veolia [EPA:VIE], the French utilities group, would be interested in taking a piece of the pie should Areva [EPA:AREVA] decide to reduce its stake in its nuclear dismantling unit, Antoine Frerot, CEO of Veolia, said today, Tuesday.
Speaking at a conference on Veolia’s energy saving innovation, Frerot cast doubt on French press reports that suggested Areva would sell the entire unit. But, he would gladly collaborate should the unit be restructured, he added. Reports have valued the unit at EUR 500m.
Frerot proposed that Veolia, the CEA (Commissariat a l’Energie Atomique, the public agency) and Areva create a “global network offer of dismantling” for nuclear plants around the world.
Speaking to this news service, another senior executive at Veolia said that Veolia’s expertise could help establishing a “map” of radioactive intensity in a variety of sites. He described this as a “zoning of radioactivity” that would permit various partners to be in charge of dismantling activities they are most qualified for. The most radioactive plants would be left to Areva, whereas Veolia or government agencies could take care of radioactivity in Research, Laboratory or other zones.
Also, Veolia has already begun to work in the business of clearing up radioactivity from hospitals. Many hospitals in France use nuclear techniques to relieve pain from cancer or other illnesses.
Overall, the business of dismantling is going to be huge, Frerot said. German plants, Japanese plants, US plants and even French plants will be subject to cutting plans.
A French report said on Sunday Areva could sell its mining business, nuclear logistics and dismantling business.
In its presentation Frerot said during the next three years, Veolia’s development will be mainly based on organic growth but he would not neglect bolt-on acquisitions, and could even go up to EUR 200m for a major strategic buy.
The dismantling of nuclear plants is so important for Veolia that the company is considerably modifying its business plan. Instead of relying on water, energy or waste concessions from French local governments, which are increasingly entrusting them to local businessmen, he is now making a major effort towards luring industrial clients. They now represent 40% of revenues in the areas of Mines and Metals, Agrobusiness, and dismantling (trains, ocean liners, plants). This is not only in France but in Western Europe and North America.
Veolia posted EUR 22.315bn in revenues in 2013. Financial figures for 2014 will be published 26 February.