French utility Suez (SZE.FR) and French nuclear group Areva (CEI.FR) said Tuesday they have signed an agreement giving SUEZ 5% ownership interest in the company that holds the Georges Besse II uranium enrichment plant.
The facility, built by Areva at the Tricastin site in France's Drome department, is based on ultra centrifuge technology.
Suez, through its Energy Services business line, is building the electrical installations, and supplying the fluid management systems and the HVAC and process cooling equipment of the new plant, which is scheduled for startup in 2009.
Georges Besse II is one of France's largest current industrial investments, representing a total of close to EUR3 billion.