Hochtief tipped for nuclear JV with E.ON and RWE

Hochtief is being tipped as a likely contender to hook up with German utility firms E.ON/RWE, after the power giants announced that they were teaming up to build at least four new nuclear power stations in Britain.

One source said: "UK contractors are now circling Hochtief as a very attractive joint venture construction partner."

A UK contractor added: "We expect to announce a construction partner by the summer and I anticipate that other joint ventures targeting new nuclear construction will emerge this year."

Meanwhile, Balfour Beatty will hope the joint venture chooses the Areva reactor design. The firm clinched a deal in December last year to be Areva's construction partner. However, sources say Balfour has no exclusivity deal with Areva, which means if E.ON/RWE choose to build the rival Westinghouse AP1000 design it could still be in the running.