UPDATE 1-FACTBOX-EDF targets Constellation in global expansion

(Adds detail on U.S. market)

Dec 3 (Reuters) - EDF (EDF.PA), the world's largest nuclear power utility, offered to buy half of Constellation Energy's (CEG.N) nuclear assets for $4.5 billion and to pay as much as $2 billion for its non-nuclear assets. [ID:nN02296254]

Following is a summary of EDF's activities and strategy:

STRATEGY AND RANKINGS

* EDF, in which the French state owns 84.67 percent, is the world's largest nuclear energy group with 58 nuclear power stations. It aims to invest in more than 10 European pressurised reactor (EPR) power stations by 2010 and plans to invest over 35 billion euros through 2010 to strengthen its position in Europe.

* EDF aims to expand in the U.S., Chinese, South African and British nuclear power markets. It is trying to secure EU regulatory approval of its proposed 12.5 billion pound ($18.4 billion) takeover of British Energy Group Plc BGY.L announced in September.

* In August, EDF finalised a formal agreement with long-standing partner China Guangdong National Power Co to invest and operate two new generation nuclear power reactors.

* Last year, EDF made 46 percent of its sales and 34 percent of its gross operating profit outside France.

CONSTELLATION'S ATTRACTION

* U.S. annual electricity demand is projected to increase from 4300 billion kWh today to 5000 billion kWh in 2030. Consensus estimates suggest the industry must invest between $750 billion and $1 trillion in the electricity sector over the next 15 years.

* Nuclear energy accounts for almost 20 percent of U.S. electricity production and there are 32 companies licensed to operate nuclear reactors.

* In July 2007, EDF and Constellation Energy created a joint venture called UniStar Nuclear Energy to develop, build and operate EPR-type nuclear power plants in the United States.

* Constellation runs five nuclear reactors on the U.S. east coast, which together make up 3.73 percent of the country's nuclear energy output.

* In October EDF dropped out of a bid to buy Constellation stating tight credit conditions as the reason. It said however the United States was still one of its four target countries for international nuclear development.

Sources: Reuters; Nuclear Energy Institute (www.nei.org); World Nuclear Association (www.world-nuclear.org).

(Compiling by Benjamin Mallet and Astrid Wendlandt in Paris, with Jijo Jacob and Carl Bagh in Bangalore; Editing by Erica Billingham and David Holmes)