PARIS, April 27 (Reuters) - French state-owned utility EDF will invest nearly 100 million euros ($117.33 million) in a new factory operated by its subsidiary Arabelle Solutions to develop parts for nuclear reactor projects, it said late on Sunday.
The factory in Saone-et-Loire in eastern France will produce heat exchangers for future nuclear reactors, with the first equipment manufacturing planned from 2030, EDF said.
EDF plans development of six nuclear reactors over the coming decades, with the first expected to enter service in the late 2030s. Plans are also in place to develop an additional eight reactors to replace France's ageing nuclear fleet.
The company's recent projects have faced delays and cost overruns, so it is hoping to develop a pan-European supply chain and build the reactors in a series, using experience gained with each project to make the next one quicker.
($1 = 0.8523 euros)
Reporting by Forrest Crellin Editing by David Goodman
Source: Reuters