UDPATE 1-Alstom, Schneider to make joint Areva T&D bid

* Alstom, Schneider to create joint structure to bid

* Alstom would get transmission, Schneider distribution

* Transfer would not have social consequences

(Adds details)

PARIS, July 23 (Reuters) - French engineering groups Alstom (ALSO.PA) and Schneider Electric (SCHN.PA) said on Thursday they were considering a joint bid for the transmission and distribution unit Areva CEPFi.PA has put up for sale.

Alstom and Schneider would create a "common structure" to bid for Areva's T&D unit -- which belonged to Alstom until it was forced to sell it to state-owned nuclear technology group Areva in 2004 as part of a rescue plan.

If their bid for the unit was accepted, the groups would eventually transfer the transmission activities to Alstom and the distribution activities to Schneider, the groups said in a joint statement.

Areva's high voltage transmission activities are "very close" to Alstom's own power generation activities, while Schneider would like to reinforce its activities in medium voltage distribution, the companies said.

The groups did not give any financial details.

For a FACTBOX on Areva's T&D unit, click on [ID:nL8519486]

(Reporting by Helen Massy-Beresford; Editing by David Cowell)