A320 Captain experiences an AC BUS 1 FAULT at FL340 which cannot be corrected by QRH or ECAM procedures. The crew elects to divert to the nearest suitable airport. Nose wheel steering was among the faults annunciated and the aircraft had to be towed to the gate after landing.

Narrative

In cruise flight we received an ECAM message and felt generator #1 disconnect (drop offline). Auto pilot and auto thrust disengaged. We received a subsequent ECAM message for AC BUS 1 FAULT. I was the flying pilot and after auto pilot was re engaged and navigation was checked; I transferred control of the aircraft to the pilot not flying and completed the ECAM; followed up with the QRH. There is not a specific checklist for AC BUS 1 FAULT so I consulted the handbook and we discussed our plan with the faults that we had. Contacted Dispatch with the radio since ACARS was inoperative. We lost control of the cabin temperature and one point had -20 degree air coming into the aircraft. Made the decision to descend and divert to the nearest suitable airport. Informed Dispatch but never talked to Maintenance Control. Lost radio contact once we started our decent. I declared and emergency with ATC; then informed the Flight Attendants. [I] informed them to get the cabin ready for a precautionary landing. Noise Wheel Steering was one of the faults we had so I informed them that we would have to be towed off the runway. Instructed them to make an initial cabin announcement about our diversion and that I would brief the passengers when I had time. First Officer made a excellent normal approach and landing. We stopped on the runway. Shut down the engines and at that point; the emergency crew checked out the aircraft. They gave us the OK to be towed to the gate.