France's EDF raises Constellation Energy stake

PARIS (Reuters) - French energy group EDF (EDF.PA) said on Tuesday it had increased its stake in U.S. power company and nuclear partner Constellation Energy Group (CEG.N) to 9.51 percent from 4.97 percent through the purchase of shares.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The transaction follows an agreement between EDF and Constellation Energy, signed in July 2007, relating to the creation by the two companies of Unistar, a 50-50 joint venture set up to build and develop nuclear power stations using EPR technology in the United States, the statement said.

The deal is "a reflection of the group's commitment to the revival of nuclear generation in the United States, the intention being at first to construct, operate and invest in four EPR power stations," it said.

(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Quentin Bryar)