23 December 2004 - Areva T&D is to sell its New Zealand and Australian electrical and telecommunication services business to Transfield Services for A$193m ($148m), to concentrate on its core products and services.

Chairman and CEO of Areva T&D, Philippe Guillemot said: "Earlier this year, Areva T&D refocused its service product line around activities that add value to T&D as a product and systems provider. As a result, the electrical and telecommunications services in Australia and New Zealand are no longer viewed as core activities for Areva T&D."

The electrical and telecommunications services business provides outsourced engineering and maintenance services to the electricity, heavy industrial, telecommunication and related infrastructure industries. The deal should be completed by April 2005.