French utility EDF is closing its international activities division in an effort to ‘accelerate synergies at group level’. Its activities will be reassigned to the three business lines of production, downstream and networks, which will be strengthened to steer synergies across geographical areas.

The division has been lead by Daniel Camus, who will leave the company to pursue other career opportunities.

Chairman and CEO Henri Proglio highlighted Camus’ critical role in key recent events. Camus joined EDF as group chief financial officer in 2002. He led numerous strategic projects such as the financial restructuring of EnBW in Germany, the consolidation of EDF’s shareholding in Edison in Italy, the divestiture of Latin American activities, the acquisition of British Energy, SPE, and the alliance with Centrica.

Today, international activities represent close to 50% of the group scope.

EDF has come under pressure from the French government to change since its joint offer with Areva for reactors in the UAE was passed over. Early this year, former EDF CEO Francois Roussely published his recommendations of changes to EDF, which include a new focus on export.