EDF CEO: US Nuclear Prospects For EDF Only Delayed

French state-controlled power group Electricite de France SA (EDF.FR) still has prospects to develop in the U.S. nuclear sector, its Chairman and Chief Executive Henri Proglio said Tuesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of a conference, Proglio expressed satisfaction that a deal had been reached with U.S.-based Constellation Energy Group Corp. (CEG) over their nuclear partnership.

Earlier Tuesday, EDF said it has agreed to withdraw its opposition to the merger between U.S. utilities Exelon Corp. (EXC) and Constellation Energy as they have both agreed to maintain the operational autonomy of Constellation's nuclear power unit in which EDF owns a 49.9% stake.

EDF's development plans in the U.S. are "but delayed in time...a matter of years," Proglio told reporters.

Proglio said he remained determined to expand the lifespan of its French reactors, which are on average 26 years old, with some of them nearing the limit of 40 years old.

"There are several schedules" for the works and not just one, which are currently being designed along with France's nuclear safety watchdog Autorite de Surete Nuclaire and which should be made public well before June, Proglio also said.

EDF is the world's largest nuclear operators with 58 reactors and one under construction, all in France.

-By Geraldine Amiel, Dow Jones Newswires; [phone]; [e-mail]