EDF Looks For UK Industry Support On Nuclear Build

LONDON (Dow Jones)--Electricite de France SA (EDF.FR) is in early stage talks with U.K. industrial groups about forming a consortium to help fund new nuclear power stations, U.K. newspaper The Times reports Friday. French glassmaker Saint-Gobain Ltd. and steelmaker Corus, the European arm of Indian-based Tata Steel Ltd. (500470.BY), and several others are understood to be participating in the talks, the paper said. The manufacturers would invest in the new reactors in return for long-term electricity supply contracts, the paper said. Citing Jeremy Nicholson of the Energy Intensive Users Group, and industry lobby, the paper said the goal is to offset some of the risk involved in new nuclear construction in the U.K.