The Siemens-Rosatom joint venture plans to further develop Russian pressurized-water reactor technology and will handle marketing, sales and the construction of new nuclear power plants as well as modernization and upgrades of existing plants. Rosatom will hold the majority stake with 50 percent plus one share.

Siemens recently announced it would exit its agreement with France’s state-controlled Areva and will wind down their joint venture, Areva NP, by 2012. Siemens holds a 34 percent stake in the nuclear venture, which Areva will pay for.

A report in the Financial Times said Areva estimated the 34 percent at €2 billion ($2.5 billion) at the end of 2007, but analysts have said the stake’s current value has risen, helped by prospects of rising worldwide demand for nuclear reactors.