German giant plans nuclear plants in UK

German utility giant E.ON has struck a deal with French state-run nuclear company Areva and electronics firm Siemens to build new nuclear plants in the UK, it announced today.

The UK government gave the go-ahead for a new generation of nuclear plants earlier this year, but there has been no decision yet on who will build them.

E.ON said it signed a letter of intent with Areva and German firm Siemens that would see it use the French company’s 1,600 megawatt EPR pressurised water reactor in the British plants.

E.ON also said it would collaborate with Areva on developing further the French company’s SWR boiling-water reactor.