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The company also said sales had fallen to €389 million, a fall of 18% on the same period in 2011. It said it had received only "small hydro and wind projects, mainly in Africa and in Brazil".

Overall, Alstom booked €6 billion orders, up 20% compared to the first quarter 2011. As forecast, sales grew by 6%, at €4.8 billion.

Simultaneously, there are reports in the German press that Alstom is planning is looking at possible acquisitions or joint-venture partners to expand its activities in wind energy, as well as telecommunications and information technology. The story, in Financial Times Deutschland, quotes Alstom CEO Alf Henryk Wulf.

Earlier this year, the same paper wrote that Alstom was in discussions with Suzlon-owned Repower about a possible takeover.