30 March 2004 - Speculation has started again that France's Electricite de France and Italy's Enel could sign a memorandum of understanding whereby EDF supplies Italy with some 4-6 GW of power by May-end.

The discussions could include a variety of scenarios under which the two companies decide cooperation is possible - joint-venture agreements in eastern Europe, investment by Enel in EDF's plans to build a new European Pressurized Reactor as well as the possibility of the sale.

The sale would mean Enel would get a steady supply of baseload nuclear power at much lower prices than electricity produced in Italy and France one of the cheapest suppliers in Europe would be able to sell its output at higher rates that it sells annual baseload power to other European buyers.