French power utility EDF is interested in taking over Areva NP, Areva's subsidiary in charge of designing, manufacturing and maintaining nuclear reactors, considering that this business would fit with EDF's industrial strategy. EDF, which will make in a few days a formal offer to Areva and the government, their main shareholder (87% of Areva and 84.5% of EDF are state-owned), could create a subsidiary in charge of Areva NP, in which foreign partners could take a stake.
In 2014, Areva announced a €4.8bn loss. The company could be split to focus on the fuel cycle (uranium mines, enrichment, process and recycling of used fuels) and sell Areva NP, which accounts for 40% of its revenues and workforce. The negotiations could stumble upon the price, as Areva values Areva NP at €2.7bn, while EDF is seeking to limit its indebtedness levels before investing at least €55bn in its nuclear fleet modernisation and safety programme.