EDF is Europe's biggest nuclear power producer with 58 reactors in France that have a total nuclear generation capacity of more than 60,000 megawatts. EDF is expected to launch a £12.4bn bid for UK nuclear power station operator British Energy as MJ closes for publication. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's brother Andrew is Head of Press at EDF's UK subsidiary EDF Energy.

Energy from tidal currents, which emits no greenhouse gases and has the advantage of being predictable, could become a key source of renewable energy, EDF said in a statement, adding its claim that France alone had 80% of the potential for generating electricity from tidal currents in Europe, which it estimated at 10 million megawatt-hour per year.

Utilities and oil majors across Europe are seeking seek to develop cleaner energy sources as part of a drive by the European Union moves to cut carbon dioxide emissions by one fifth by 2020, compared to 1990 levels.