UAE NUCLEAR TENDER A BATTLE BETWEEN KOREA AND FRANCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001062

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/NESS, EEB/CBA AND NEA/ARP
NSC FOR JOST
COMMERCE FOR ITA AND ADVOCACY CENTER

E.O. 12958: 11/09/2019
TAGS: ENRG KNNP PGOV ECON ETRD AE
SUBJECT: UAE NUCLEAR TENDER A BATTLE BETWEEN KOREA AND FRANCE

CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR RICHARD G. OLSON FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D

REFS: A) ABU DHABI 994
B) PARIS 1417
C) ABU DHABI 827


1. (C/NF) Summary: Abu Dhabi's upcoming award of a $40+ billion
nuclear power contract (reftels) has attracted the highest levels of
diplomatic and commercial advocacy. Secretaries Clinton and
Napolitano both recently advocated for the GE/Hitachi bid with Abu
Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed (MbZ),who said their
bid is more than 50% more expensive than the Korean competition and
GE/Hitachi negotiating teams have not been impressive. As French and
Korean political pressure grows, MbZ reportedly told the Korean FM
that the French have tied the nuclear deal to broader cooperation.
While most indications continue to point to a Korean win, the French
may yet pull off a commercial miracle. End Summary.


2. (C/NF) On October 31, Secretary Clinton advocated for the
GE/Hitachi bid during a meeting with MbZ, Foreign Minister Abdullah
bin Zayed and Executive Affairs Authority Chairman Khaldoon Al
Mubarak. MbZ told the Secretary simply that the GE/Hitachi bid was
"too expensive." When Secretary Napolitano advocated on November 8,
MbZ was more expansive in his comments. He said a decision would be
made "soon," but the GE and Japanese bid was not in good shape. MbZ
complained the Japanese were too "hands off" in their approach,
noting he had personally spoken to the Japanese Prime Minister about
the matter. In comparison, the French and Koreans appear much more
serious and committed to winning, having dedicated significant staff
to their bids; MbZ added that he has spoken at length to both the
Korean President and Sarkozy. The UAE will spend a lot of money and
is well aware that a nuclear power plant is a 100 year commitment,
and so wants a serious partner. The Ambassador stressed that the
GE-Hitachibid has more advanced technology (ABWR),safety and
non-proliferation benefits, but MbZ responded firmly, "They are too
expensive. Not by 20 percent, or 50 percent, but by more than 50
percent."


3. (C/NF) On November 9, the Ambassador advocated for GE's bid with
one of MbZ's key advisors on US-UAE relations. The advisor responded
that the vast price difference was impossible to overcome with
political advocacy. However, the cost difference was such that the
advisor was unwilling to weigh in. He added that the AREVA bid was
closely behind the GE-Hitachi bid, i.e. very expensive, further
suggesting KEPCO has a significant advantage in the tender.
(Comment: Since we have not seen the bids, which are the subject of
a non-disclosure agreement with the UAE, we cannot evaluate whether
the cost figures cited refer to the entire project, or some
sub-component of the bid, a possibility that GE has flagged for us.
We have told GE that we are simply passing on what we have received
from UAEG. End Comment.)


4. (C/NF) The Ambassador shared MbZ's concerns with Japanese
Ambassador to the UAE Tatsuo Watanabe on November 10. Watanabi
commented that because of the change in Government in Tokyo
decision-making has been slowed, but promised to convey the points.
Separately, the Ambassador has repeatedly briefed GE Regional Nabil
Habayeb, GE's President and CEO for the Middle East and Africa, who
said Hitachi and KEPCO officials will meet with MbZ in the coming
week. He also said GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt is encouraging
the Japanese PQQ/Xt1Qdj:N,QO. Han said that MbZ
told the Korean that French President Sarkozy had called him that day
to advocate for AREVA's bid. MbZ reportedly said that the French are
tying the nuclear bid to other bilateral issues, including military
and security cooperation, inferring he must take such considerations
into account. Han said the Koreans were very concerned that
political factors were at play, as Korea has relatively limited
political clout in the UAE.


6. (C/NF) Comment: As reported in Ref C, AREVA's only advantage has
long seemed to be political. Recent concerns about AREVA's
technology from UK, French and Finnish regulators, combined with
AREVA's scheduling problems in Finland and China, had seemed a death
toll for the French bid here. However, MbZ's comments about French

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linkage raise fresh doubts as to whether KEPCO has the bid locked up.
As for timing, it now appears the UAE may hope to complete key legal
steps (the US-UAE 123 Agreement, the UAE nuclear liability law, and
the establishment of ENEC) before awarding the tender. It is looking
increasingly unlikely an announcement will be made in November. End
Comment.
OLSON