On the occasion of the official visit to China by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, EDF signed agreements aimed at further strengthening the long term partnerships forged with leading players in the Chinese energy sector.

As part of their strategic partnership, EDF and China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) signed an agreement to share their experience of plant operation and engineering support for existing nuclear fleets, with the aim of preserving the highest safety levels and maintaining consistency between French and Chinese procedures and standards.

EDF also signed an agreement with Huadian, a leading Chinese electric utility, paving the way for future cooperation on joint projects in China as well as at international level. The three key areas of focus of this agreement are combined-cycle gas-turbine power plants, hydro power plants operation and renewable energies.

During his visit to China EDF Chairman & CEO Jean Bernard LEVY will meet also CGN and CNNC leaders to discuss potential involvement in the development of new nuclear power plant projects in China. This will pave the way for cooperation between EDF, AREVA and their Chinese partners in the development of step-by-step evolutions of medium-size reactors.

EDF Chairman and CEO Jean-Bernard Levy announced:"These agreements with our long-term Chinese partners will deepen our existing cooperation, and lay the foundations for new joint projects. EDF is delighted at this prospect; it demonstrates the lasting nature of our presence in China, which benefits the entire French nuclear sector, from flagship companies such as AREVA and ALSTOM to the dozens of small- and medium-sized French businesses who have had a presence in this market alongside EDF for more than 30 years."

EDF Chairman & CEO Jean-Bernard LEVY and AREVA Board Chairman Philippe VARIN will have a full guided tour of the Taishan EPR construction site, giving them the opportunity to pay tribute to the commitment of on-site teams and observe at first hand the smooth running of the construction work for the two reactors.

Carole TRIVI

+33 (0) 1 40 42 44 19