Suez/Total may join for more nuclear projects-paper

PARIS Jan 15 (Reuters) - Suez LYOE.PA may team up with Total (TOTF.PA) for additional projects to the nuclear power station they plan to develop in Abu Dhabi, but nothing is planned for now, the head of Suez said in a newspaper interview.

Asked by French daily La Tribune whether Suez had other projects planned with Total, Suez Chief Executive Gerard Mestrallet said in an interview published on Tuesday:

"Not for the moment. But if other countries and other local industrial groups show an interest in nuclear power, our cooperation with Total could be used as a framework for new projects."

On Monday, French oil major Total and utility Suez confirmed they had joined forces to develop a nuclear power station in the United Arab Emirates, with Areva CEPFi.PA as their nuclear reactor and fuel supplier.

"We'll create an investment firm which will own the nuclear plant. The authorities of Abu Dhabi will own at least 50 percent of its capital. Suez and Total will split the balance in equal stakes," Mestrallet said, adding Suez would operate the plant.

(Reporting by Marie Maitre, editing by Elizabeth Fullerton)