http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/renewable-energy-news/by-technology/wind/gdf-suez-areva-confirm-wind-development-jv-with-vinci.html

GDF Suez and nuclear technology developer Areva have closed an agreement that will see the pair establish a wind energy joint venture, a month on from rumours surfacing in the French press.

News of the potential collaboration sent Areva’s shares up for the first time in months last month, after Japan’s Fukushima nuclear woes shook the global industry.
The new alliance explicitly comes in response to the wind energy tender announced by the French government in January.
The tender called for the development of five wind farms off the coast of France as part of a development programme of six planned offshore wind farms in the next decade.
While rumours that Danish developer Dong Energy would be brought into the partnership are yet to be confirmed, concessions and construction company Vinci looks set to be brought into the partnership to mobilise contracting and integration.
The partners said in a statement that they will collaborate on the development of three offshore wind projects, estimated to generate up to 4,000 jobs in the country.
GDF Suez in France’s main wind energy producer, with nearly 1GW of wind energy capacity installed. The conglomerate also plans to further its offshore wind deployment in the country with the support of its subsidiaries in the coming years, working on both of France’s coastlines.
Through its subsidiary Compagnie du Vent, GDF Suez is working on 750MW of offshore wind projects identified by the state.
Areva has quietly been present in the wind sector since 2004, responsible for what it claims is the second largest wind a farm at sea in Europe. The company said it has already won orders and firm commitments from European banks that will enable it to pursue its wind energy ambitions.
Gerard Mestrallet, CEO of GDF Suez, said, ‘GDF Suez continues its strong growth in renewable energy and confirms its ambitions in terms of offshore wind farms with its partners, [we are] now an inescapable place in the constitution of a genuine French industry of wind at sea, the group will contribute its expertise in integrated energy combined with that of its subsidiaries.’