IBM announced today that it is to open a Global Center of Excellence for Nuclear Power in La Gaude, France. The aim of the new center is to support safe, reliable and efficient electricity generation by energy companies worldwide.

The new Center extends IBM's on-going work with leading nuclear power companies to support improved design, construction, safety and operation of power plants based on IBM software, hardware & consulting. IBM has been extensively involved with the nuclear industry in France designing both software & hardware to run its plants.

France possesses world-class expertise in the area of nuclear power, said Frederic Bauchot, Lead Architect, IBM Center of Excellence for Nuclear Power. Establishment of the Center enables IBM to utilize not only local IBM talent and experience in nuclear systems design and implementation, but also advanced skills of a leading nuclear power market.

At present France has a total of 59 nuclear reactors with a 60th being built in Flamanville, Normandy which will be the first French EPR reactor (European Pressurized Reactor).

Over the past decade France has exported more than 60 kWh of electricity each year making it one of the largest producers of electricity in the world gaining it over 3 billion euros per year.

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