Areva and TVO have been locked in a dispute over who is liable for the costs incurred from the delay. The project is three years behind schedule, with cost overruns estimated at about 2.3 billion euros.
Areva CEO Anne Lauvergeon’s position is believed to have weakened significantly in recent months, partly because of the problems of the Olkiluoto project. She explained her side of the story at a press conference in Paris on Thursday.
Lauvergeon blamed the Finns for the delays, and said that TVO should approve the technical documentation at the building site more quickly.
French Media Gets Areva's Point of View
In reporting on the dispute between Areva and TVO, the French media has focused on Areva’s side of the story for several years.
However, last autumn, TVO's Chairman of the Board, Timo Rajala, aired his views in the business newspaper Les Echos. Rajala expressed surprise at the tense relations between the partners, and characterised Lauvergeon as a good speaker, but a poor listener.
Speaking to YLE, Lauvergeon rejected the criticism.
“Differences in business and personal relations should be kept separate. There is no reason to be aggressive on a personal level," she said.
TVO and Areva are now in international arbitration over which company should be liable for the costs of the delay in construction.
