Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction, in a move to advance in the lucrative power plant business, shaped up its plan to take over an overseas company possessing original technology in nuclear power generation.

The engineering, procuring and construction company recently made its preliminary bid on Ansaldo Energia, an energy generating subsidiary of Finmeccanica, Italy’s state-run defense company.

Ansaldo, especially its nuclear power production arm Ansaldo Nucleare, possesses refined technology on new regeneration energy, including wind power, geothermal heat and solar energy.

Though it has a monopoly over the domestic market, Doosan HI&C’s share in the global nuclear energy market is currently under the 30 percent level.

“Despite safety concerns, nuclear energy is still the most effective source of energy,” said a company official.

“In order to take the lead in the fast-growing nuclear energy market, it is crucial that we take over Ansaldo and absorb its advanced technology.”

Last summer, Siemens had offered a non-binding offer to take over the Italian firm but dropped out, facing technical and political barriers.

So far, Doosan HI&C is challenged by Samsung which recently joined the race through a consortium led by Samsung Techwin, a gas turbine manufacturing subsidiary, according to officials.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)