E.ON and French research centre CEA will cooperate in the field of nuclear energy research and development, under a new framework agreement.

The research projects cover second generation nuclear reactors and third generation plant construction projects that are under way.

The research would also relate to future reactors and options for fourth generation fuel cycles that are expected to reach technical maturity for commercial use by the middle of this century.

Under the agreement, E.ON will have access to CEA’s research results, while CEA will expand its European focus, E.ON said in a statement.