In the interest of all and before all of the consumer

More than any other historical actor of a market in the opening phase, EDF, has long been, resistance. Brussels looks of a very bad look this France which, while having proclaimed the end of the monopoly on electricity distribution, has implemented a true-false opening in which EDF holds without sharing the nuclear annuity and resells, at too high prices arbitrarily fixed by the State, part of the electricity it produces new entrants.

Specifically, EDF sold, within the framework of regulated tariffs, nuclear electricity less than 35 euros mégawatheure, while competitors suppliers buy the same electricity to more than 50 euros on the wholesale market. This additional cost of about 20 of the average price charged to residential client prevents the new entrants to cover their expenses and the place, structurally in deficit.

The appointment of a new President at the head of EDF could, if the political power had wished it, be an opportunity to break the infernal logic and compel EDF to sell to new entrants its nuclear power at a price of share rates regulated, providing either more than 35 euros the mégawatheure. This intermediate solution would allow new entrants to make the investments needed to improve their supply and their customers to finally have a real competitive choice, while enjoying legitimately nuclear that they, as taxpayers, funded program for years.

The choice of Henri Proglio; the privilege (keep the non-executive chairmanship of Veolia, raising of actual governance issues); virtual "Declaration of war" it launched against Areva before even taking his duties; and its determination to do nothing on rates ("I said no!", said recently on this subject) suggest, on the contrary, industrial-dirigiste policy takes more than ever top on any commitment to opening and rebalancing of market energy in France.

His claim to reinvent the French nuclear and to give back to EDF its historic role of leader in this area, not hesitating to apply for the challenge, of strength, the integrated model of Areva to retrieve in the bosom of his new business, ex-Framatome (the reactors of the nuclear group subsidiary) takes industrial Gigantism. Already the idea closer to Veolia and EDF actual difficulties of compatibility of interests public-private and akin to constructivism of the business. Why, indeed, stop at Veolia and Areva Why not merge with Total oil, with France Telecom technology telecommunication remotely useful for future "smart meters", with the position for the sending of invoices for electricity and with Publicis to promote integrated its various products As rightly noted by Christine Lagarde, "Mr. Proglio is about to be appointed head of EDF, it retains a number of functions within the Veolia group as non-Executive Chairman: it is already much."

And so "returned back" would break the virtues (copied across the world, GE Energy Alliance Siemens-Rosatom) "Areva model" which, because it is present on all of the links in the nuclear sector while being independent of the enterprises construction, electricians and energy services companies, is much easier to win markets abroad through partnerships with local providers. Transposed in the aviation world, Mr. Proglio dangerous ambition would be to suggest to Air France to launch a hostile takeover bid on Airbus! This makes no sense: the foreign electricians working today with Areva will never accept depend on their EDF competitor for nuclear activity. Our balance of payments did not need him planting such a thorn in the foot!

Debate on rates, even though Mr. Gadonneix is politically "dead" he requests an increase of 20 of the fare, Mr. Proglio may well reach, by a subtle sleight Tower, to obtain such an increase in the Act on rates of electricity that must be passed before the summer. Indeed, 90 euros the regulated tariff mégawatheure, nuclear represents approximately 30 euros the mégawatheure. EDF proposes today to the provision of alternative suppliers of nuclear energy to 46 euros the mégawatheure is 16 euros the more mégawatheure corresponding to an increase in the regulated rate of... 17. It is very close to the hated "Gadonneix plan!"

Proactive armed arm of an excessive industrial voluntarism, the new President of EDF goes against the sense of history and might perpetuate the aconcurrentielle logic of its predecessors. However, it is still time, rather than be proclaimed "grand Chief of the energy in France", to open their eyes to the virtues of the market and the "real" competition. In the interest of all and before all of the consumer.