French oil major Total SA (TOT) and utility GDF Suez (GSZ.FR) said Tuesday they are considering together locating a silicium wafers fabrication plant intended for the photovoltaic industry on the De Vernejoul industrial site in the Moselle region in France.

The initial investment is estimated at approximately 70M and could involve 80 to 100 jobs.

This project is subject to both companies' required respective corporate approvals and to the necessary administrative authorisations.

Total and GDF Suez are already partners in the solar industry through their common subsidiary Photovoltech, based in Tienen, Belgium, that produces photovoltaic cells based on a crystalline silicon technology and of which they hold a 47.8% interest each.

This new project could enable both companies to strengthen their potential for growth in the renewables sector and to contribute to the development of the French photovoltaic solar industry by constituting a more integrated group in the solar industry.

Company Web site: www.total.com