Released September 20, 2010 | GALWAY, IRELAND
en
Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The United Kingdom's first new nuclear reactor in more than 20 years remains on target to go live in 2018, according to EDF Energy (London, England), which announced that it has already offered preliminary contracts worth more than 59 million euros ($77 million).
At its second nuclear summit for U.K. contractors, who are hoping to win billions of euros of work on forthcoming nuclear projects, EDF Energy, the U.K. arm of French energy giant Electricite de France SA (EPA:EDF) (EDF) (Paris, France), revealed that it has awarded more than 130 contracts to British companies and consortia involving British companies. EDF is aiming to build four new reactors, two each at Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C. EDF said that it expects to award about 150 additional major contracts worth billions of euros as the projects move forward.
Rival nuclear operator Horizon Nuclear Power (Gloucester, England), a joint venture between the U.K. subsidiaries of German energy majors RWE AG (OTC:RWEOY) (Essen, Germany) and E.ON AG (OTC:EONGY) (Dusseldorf, Germany), awarded preliminary work contracts last month for the planned nuclear plant at the Wylfa site in North Wales. For additional information, see August 4, 2010, article - Preliminary Work Begins on U.K. Nuclear Plant.
More than 400 companies were represented at the summit, which EDF used to outline its plans for the nuclear plants, which will use the European Pressurised Reactor (EPR), designed by Areva SA (EPA:CEI) (Paris) and which is currently undergoing evaluation by the U.K.'s nuclear authority. The U.K. government wants to see 10 new nuclear plants up and running by 2025. For additional information, see November 11, 2009, article - U.K. to Build 10 New Nuclear Power Plants by 2025.
Vincent de Rivas, the chief executive of EDF Energy, said: "Our project has already created more than £50 million ($79 million) of opportunities which British businesses are already benefitting from. That is just the start. Today we will unveil details of billions of pounds of opportunities which will create thousands of jobs in British industry. We believe that U.K. businesses have a significant role to play. To do so, it is important companies prepare now to ensure they have the right skills, accreditations and quality standards to work on a nuclear site. Today we will explain what is needed and how they can take part."
However, Rivaz was quick to point out that the U.K.'s new coalition government needs to speed up the delivery of its nuclear commitment and clear direction on future carbon prices. To date, the new government has said it will not help fund the building of new nuclear plants.
"Our commitment is demonstrated by developments such as local consultation at Hinkley Point and by our engagement with our supply chain," Rivaz said. "We need to see increased commitment from government. Now more than ever, it is time to progress on all the steps set out in the Coalition Agreement. The months ahead are critical and will have an impact on the future of the country for decades to come. In particular, we need to see publication of revised Energy National Policy Statement documents, together with a clear parliamentary timetable for their ratification. We also need the consultation on carbon price floor and electricity market reform, and for these to lead to legislation next year."
Charles Hendry, the U.K. Minister of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, attended the event and said: "The multi-billion-pound opportunities these projects provide for U.K. industry and jobs are huge. I am very encouraged by the drive of companies such as EDF Energy and by the enthusiasm of companies, local and national, to get involved. These projects can help revitalise entire sectors of the British economy and create a U.K. industry with the skills to export and compete around the world."
The Kier BAM joint venture celebrated snapping up the first construction contract for Hinkley Point C. "The Kier BAM joint venture will bring its local and nuclear pedigree and skills to the project to support EDF in its plans to build the first new nuclear power station in the U.K. for over 20 years," commented Tom Tagg, the joint venture director for Kier BAM. "This project not only represents the first steps towards closure of the impending U.K. energy gap, but it also provides a vital boost to the construction industry during this time of austerity. Projects such as this create opportunities and jobs just when British industry needs them."
View Plant Profile - 1078414 1078429 1078215
View Project Report - 300009866 300009994 200006089
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. IIR's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.
At its second nuclear summit for U.K. contractors, who are hoping to win billions of euros of work on forthcoming nuclear projects, EDF Energy, the U.K. arm of French energy giant Electricite de France SA (EPA:EDF) (EDF) (Paris, France), revealed that it has awarded more than 130 contracts to British companies and consortia involving British companies. EDF is aiming to build four new reactors, two each at Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C. EDF said that it expects to award about 150 additional major contracts worth billions of euros as the projects move forward.
Rival nuclear operator Horizon Nuclear Power (Gloucester, England), a joint venture between the U.K. subsidiaries of German energy majors RWE AG (OTC:RWEOY) (Essen, Germany) and E.ON AG (OTC:EONGY) (Dusseldorf, Germany), awarded preliminary work contracts last month for the planned nuclear plant at the Wylfa site in North Wales. For additional information, see August 4, 2010, article - Preliminary Work Begins on U.K. Nuclear Plant.
More than 400 companies were represented at the summit, which EDF used to outline its plans for the nuclear plants, which will use the European Pressurised Reactor (EPR), designed by Areva SA (EPA:CEI) (Paris) and which is currently undergoing evaluation by the U.K.'s nuclear authority. The U.K. government wants to see 10 new nuclear plants up and running by 2025. For additional information, see November 11, 2009, article - U.K. to Build 10 New Nuclear Power Plants by 2025.
Vincent de Rivas, the chief executive of EDF Energy, said: "Our project has already created more than £50 million ($79 million) of opportunities which British businesses are already benefitting from. That is just the start. Today we will unveil details of billions of pounds of opportunities which will create thousands of jobs in British industry. We believe that U.K. businesses have a significant role to play. To do so, it is important companies prepare now to ensure they have the right skills, accreditations and quality standards to work on a nuclear site. Today we will explain what is needed and how they can take part."
However, Rivaz was quick to point out that the U.K.'s new coalition government needs to speed up the delivery of its nuclear commitment and clear direction on future carbon prices. To date, the new government has said it will not help fund the building of new nuclear plants.
"Our commitment is demonstrated by developments such as local consultation at Hinkley Point and by our engagement with our supply chain," Rivaz said. "We need to see increased commitment from government. Now more than ever, it is time to progress on all the steps set out in the Coalition Agreement. The months ahead are critical and will have an impact on the future of the country for decades to come. In particular, we need to see publication of revised Energy National Policy Statement documents, together with a clear parliamentary timetable for their ratification. We also need the consultation on carbon price floor and electricity market reform, and for these to lead to legislation next year."
Charles Hendry, the U.K. Minister of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, attended the event and said: "The multi-billion-pound opportunities these projects provide for U.K. industry and jobs are huge. I am very encouraged by the drive of companies such as EDF Energy and by the enthusiasm of companies, local and national, to get involved. These projects can help revitalise entire sectors of the British economy and create a U.K. industry with the skills to export and compete around the world."
The Kier BAM joint venture celebrated snapping up the first construction contract for Hinkley Point C. "The Kier BAM joint venture will bring its local and nuclear pedigree and skills to the project to support EDF in its plans to build the first new nuclear power station in the U.K. for over 20 years," commented Tom Tagg, the joint venture director for Kier BAM. "This project not only represents the first steps towards closure of the impending U.K. energy gap, but it also provides a vital boost to the construction industry during this time of austerity. Projects such as this create opportunities and jobs just when British industry needs them."
View Plant Profile - 1078414 1078429 1078215
View Project Report - 300009866 300009994 200006089
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. IIR's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.
