11 October 2011
EDF Energy, and its partner Centrica, today responded to Dr Mike Weightman’s report into the events at Fukushima in March caused by the Japanese tsunami.
Chief Executive Vincent de Rivaz said: “Dr Weightman has undertaken a comprehensive, transparent and evidence-based review of the implications for nuclear power in the UK.
“The report demonstrates the importance of strong, expert regulation and will provide valuable input to the process of continuous improvement.
“We will review his findings in detail and build them into our plans. We have already committed to implementing his recommendations for us in full.
“We welcome Dr Weightman’s reaffirmation that ‘UK nuclear facilities have no fundamental safety weaknesses’. He also said that the industry had responded ‘constructively and responsibly’ and specifically that EDF Energy had shown ‘appropriate commitment’ to address his recommendations.
“Immediately following the incident at Fukushima, we reviewed our processes and training programmes. Since Dr Weightman’s Interim Report we have carried out additional work to strengthen our safety performance further. We have delivered additional refresher training in Severe Accident Management for key technical staff and we are putting in place enhancements to our backup equipment such as electrical supplies for cooling systems, equipment related to fuel pond cooling and emergency command and control facilities.
“We invest more than £300 million a year in our nuclear fleet. As a result of Fukushima we will invest even more.
“Our safety performance is strong and subject to continuous improvement, including through the robust Periodic Safety Review process.
“We will also play our part in three recommendations highlighted by Secretary of State for Energy Chris Huhne MP, which are to review the UK’s ability to provide real time information in an emergency and the robustness of its emergency control structures, as well as to continue promotion of the nuclear safety culture.
Today’s publication is also important for EDF Energy and Centrica’s nuclear new build plans.
Dr Weightman re-confirmed his view that, subject to implementation of his recommendations, there are no safety issues that would prevent the companies’ plans for new nuclear in the UK.
Incorporating learnings from Fukushima and from EDF’s construction projects in France and China is one of many ongoing pieces of work.
Mr de Rivaz said: “This is important because Britain needs new nuclear to tackle the three challenges of keeping the lights on, keeping prices affordable and reducing emissions.
“We will build more than just a nuclear power station. It is part of the growth agenda for Britain. The project’s legacy will contribute to a strong economic future by restarting a nuclear construction industry after a gap of nearly twenty years and creating jobs and business opportunities for decades to come, as well as affordable, secure and clean electricity for homes and businesses.
“Creating such a legacy is a major task which depends on a wide range of people and organisations pulling together.
“I have said the most important thing is to have a viable project. Government, industry, regulators, local authorities, the supply chain and skills and education bodies must all play their part to deliver this massive project. We are in it together.”
The ONR has today published on its website all submissions, including those of EDF Energy and Centrica, to Dr Weightman’s interim report as well as the submissions to the final report.
EDF Energy fully supports this publication which is consistent with the company’s commitment to openness and transparency. EDF Energy has further enhanced this approach under a four-pillared programme to inspire our company’s leaders to engage on nuclear; involve the people at our power stations who best embody our safety culture in building public trust; impact by listening to stakeholders’ and customers’ concerns; and integrate others who can contribute to a better understanding of the achievements and challenges of our industry.
Under the programme EDF Energy has welcomed hundreds of visitors to its plants over the past six months, launched a new internet section providing daily operational information on each its plants and held a Nuclear Forum with a range of external stakeholders to challenge it and help find further ways to build trust.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Sue Fletcher
Tel: 01355 846282
Jonathan Levy
Tel: 020 7752 2265
Notes to Editors
EDF Energy
EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies and the largest producer of low-carbon electricity, producing around one-fifth of the nation’s electricity from its nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. The company supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customers and is the biggest supplier of electricity by volume in the UK.
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.
The Chief Nuclear Inspector’s report and announcement is available on the website of the Office for Nuclear Regulation via the following link