A project to upgrade the concrete basemat under EDF's Fessenheim 1 has been completed, allowing France's oldest operating reactor to continue producing electricity.

Support for nuclear power amongst the French public is on the rise. However, although twice as many people now favour nuclear energy than oppose it, half of the population remains uncommitted.

French nuclear company Areva is to work with Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd to bring the Rokkasho-mura recycling plant into commercial operation under a new strategic agreement. Franco-Japanese partnerships have been further strengthened by the signature of a cooperation between Areva and Atox.

Plans for the Cigéo facility to dispose of radioactive waste at Bure in France have reached the stage of final public consultation.

French nuclear regulators have prescribed a program of works to be carried out at Fessenheim 2 to allow France's second-oldest nuclear unit to continue to operate beyond its third ten-yearly inspection.

China is to reprocess used reactor fuel at a plant supplied by Areva, according to a letter of intent signed in Beijing yesterday. Areva said it was a milestone that represented a signature on part of a contract for sale.

A state visit has seen Areva, EDF and China Guangdong Nuclear Power Corporation sign a three-way agreement for further cooperation.

Fuel for Jordan's research reactor will be made by Areva, the company announced. A South Korean consortium is supplying the 5 MWt unit to Jordan University of Science and Technology.

The first fuel assemblies for unit 1 of China's Taishan plant have been produced by Areva. The EPR unit - the first of two currently under construction at the site - is expected to begin operating next year.

A catastrophic fire and explosion at a Total oil terminal could affect safety at the adjacent Gravelines nuclear power plant, an annual review of nuclear safety in France has revealed. Total and EDF will make changes to avoid effects on nuclear safety from a previously unconsidered scenario.

Two contract workers have died and a third seriously injured in an accident during maintenance work in a reactor building at EDF's Cattenom nuclear power plant in north-eastern France.

EDF has reported strong results for 2012 that "underscore the solidity of its integrated and diversified business model," it said. Total earnings for the French utility in 2012 were some €16.1 billion ($21.4 billion), representing growth of over 7.7%.