Areva takes 51% in German wind plant firm -source

PARIS, Sept 16 (Reuters) - French nuclear energy group Areva CEPFi.PA is about to take a 51 percent stake in German wind energy plant maker Multibrid in a deal valuing the firm at 150 million euros ($208.2 million), a source close to the deal said on Sunday.

Areva last year failed to obtain control of wind energy group REpower RPWGn.DE as it lost a bidding war with India's Suzlon (SUZL.BO).

The Multibrid buy would be the French group's first step into windpower.

An Areva spokesman had no comment.

Multibrid is the manufacturer of wind energy converters for offshore projects. Its M5000 is the first wind energy converter that has been exclusively designed for large offshore wind farms.

Areva will create a joint venture with Prokon Nord, the owner of Multibrid, and boost the firm's international sales through its global network, the source said.