Press release
EDF Energy announces around £200m of supply chain contracts for UK new nuclear - with billions more to follow
EDF Energy announces around £200m of supply chain contracts for UK new nuclear - with billions more to follow
Agreements supporting over 500 jobs announced with KIER BAM and AREVA
EDF Energy to develop £15 million national training centre in Somerset
Treasury Minister Lord Sassoon and Energy Minister Charles Hendry MP urge firms to get involved at EDF Energy's third National Supplier Day for 350 companies
EDF Energy will today outline the billions of pounds of opportunities on its UK nuclear new build programme as more than 350 companies gather for its third National Supply Chain event.
At the event EDF Energy will announce a package of new contracts including the selection of KIER BAM as preferred bidder for a £100million-plus contract for site preparation works at Hinkley Point C.
The contract will create an estimated 350 UK jobs from next year with many workers under this contract living locally to Hinkley Point. The work, which is subject to clearance of planning conditions, includes excavation, earthworks, terracing, installation of construction site infrastructure and formation of roads and networks to allow main construction to begin.
The preparatory works will be followed by the main construction works which will see over 20,000 people work on site over the course of the project.
A second announcement today as part of EDF Energy's plans, with Centrica, to build a new twin-reactor nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C in Somerset is an agreement with AREVA in relation to the early design work for the main reactor systems. This will allow AREVA to begin the work in January.
This agreement is a critical step to develop detailed equipment specifications that will be used to ask companies to bid for equipment supply contracts.
The agreement comes as AREVA is starting to produce the heavy forgings required for critical reactor components, following a contract signed between the companies in July.
Thirdly, EDF Energy will today announce a £15 million investment to establish a world class national training centre in partnership with Bridgwater College in Somerset.
Building on existing work with the college, this facility will address potential skills shortages in the energy sector by delivering professional training and providing a legacy of growth in the local community.
As well as developing the skills of EDF Energy employees, this is a key initiative to help fill gaps in the energy sector skills base, including for new technologies.
More information in the press release
EDF Energy’s safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK’s largest generator of low carbon electricity. EDF Energy is also leading the UK's nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear plants, as well as the associated developments needed to support them in the local area, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants could generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40% of Britain’s homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK’s future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers.
In its nuclear activities EDF Energy has partnered with Centrica, which has a 20% stake in the company’s eight existing plants and in the project carrying out pre-development work for new build. Centrica also has the option to take up to 20% stakes in each of the four planned plants.
Through Our Sustainability Commitments, EDF Energy has launched one of the biggest environmental and social programmes of any British energy company. EDF is the official energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The company is also helping its customers and others use energy more sustainably through products and initiatives such as Team Green Britain, smart meters and electric vehicle research. EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. The company employs around 15,000 people at locations across the UK.
Jonathan Levy: 020 7752 2265
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