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Is AREVA losing faith in the ‘nuclear renaissance’ ?

Areva Switching From Nuclear Power To Solar ? The Oil Drum  by Big Gav  February 14, 2010

French energy company Areva (best known for its nuclear power business) has purchased solar thermal power company Ausra – yet another example of a promising Australian technology company ending up with foreign ownership.

One possible positive interpretation of the news is that Areva are losing faith in the oft-predicted but unrealised “nuclear renaissance” and now see the real future growth opportunities in large scale solar power, with nuclear power (at best) a legacy business…………….

Areva this week said that it will acquire 100% of Ausra, provider of large-scale concentrated solar power solutions. This acquisition launches Areva’s new global solar energy business and the company said that it reflects Areva’s strategic objective to be the world leader in concentrated solar power (CSP) and will further strengthen and diversify its renewables portfolio……….

The market for concentrated solar power plants is expected to grow substantially in the next decade with an average annual growth rate of 20% and should reach an estimated installed capacity of over 20 GW by 2020. With this acquisition, Areva is planning to capture large market share in the emergin sector.

The Oil Drum: Australia/New Zealand | Areva Switching From Nuclear Power To Solar ?

February 15, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, climate change, France | antinuclear, AREVA, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear spin, renewable energy, renewables, solar