AREVA and Schneider Electric Join Forces to Develop Offshore Wind Power in France

Regulatory News:

AREVA (Paris:AREVA) has selected Schneider Electric as its preferred supplier of power equipment for its offshore wind projects. This includes in particular the wind farm of 100 5MW turbines in the bay of Saint Brieuc off the coast of Brittany and the current tenders for the offshore wind farms at Le Tréport off the coast of Haute-Normandie and the islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier in Pays de la Loire (France).

Developed as part of the offshore wind call for tender program launched by the French government in 2011, these wind farms will not only contribute to France meeting its targets laid down in the EU's Climate and Energy Package, but also firmly establish a French sector of excellence for a promising technology.

Under the terms of the agreement signed by the two groups, Schneider Electric will supply transformers and circuit breakers for AREVA's wind farms. These components will be manufactured at two of Schneider Electric's French industrial sites, located near Metz and Grenoble.

According to Frédéric Abbal, Executive Vice President, Energy Business Schneider Electric's Energy Business, "Schneider Electric is delighted to be designated as AREVA’s preferred technology partner for their offshore wind projects. The combination of expertise offered by our two companies proves highly promising for the rapid establishment of a leading French sector of excellence in offshore wind.”

Louis-François Durret, CEO of AREVA Renewables, said: "This agreement with Schneider Electric further underscores our commitment to developing a complete industrial sector in France, providing job creation opportunities and harnessing our local expertise.”

About Schneider Electric

As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in Utilities & Infrastructure, Industries & Machines Manufacturers, Non-residential Buildings, Data Centers & Networks and in Residential. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, efficient, productive and green, the Group's 150,000 plus employees achieved sales of 24 billion euros in 2013, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations make the most of their energy.
www.schneider-electric.com

About AREVA

AREVA supplies advanced technology solutions for power generation with less carbon. Its expertise and unwavering insistence on safety, security, transparency and ethics are setting the standard, and its responsible development is anchored in a process of continuous improvement.
Ranked first in the global nuclear power industry, AREVA’s unique integrated offering to utilities covers every stage of the fuel cycle, nuclear reactor design and construction, and operating services. The group is also expanding in renewable energies – wind, bioenergy, solar, energy storage – to become a European leader in this sector.
With these two major offers, AREVA’s 46,000 employees are helping to supply ever safer, cleaner and more economical energy to the greatest number of people.
www.areva.com