22 June 2010
New nuclear build nuclear programme to generate work worth billions of pounds
EDF Energy today announces that it is to host a regional supply chain event entitled “New Nuclear Opportunities” to highlight the company’s plans to invest in a new nuclear power station at Sizewell and the role that local businesses could have in helping deliver the project.
The event will take place in at Ufford Park Hotel in Woodbridge, Suffolk on 8 July.
EDF Energy intends to build four new EPR reactors in the UK by 2025. Such major investment in infrastructure will generate considerable commercial opportunities for the national and local supply chains and British workers.
The procurement for EDF Energy’s UK new build programme is already underway and is expected to lead to the tendering of about 150 contracts worth many billions of pounds.
During the construction period of Sizewell B, the most recent nuclear reactor to be built in the UK, over 3,000 UK companies were involved with 690 from East Anglia. During the peak construction phase over 5,000 people were employed with a large proportion from the local area.
The aim of the supply chain event is to ensure that businesses local to Sizewell are aware of the opportunities that EDF Energy’s investment plans will create. The event will also provide information about the EDF Energy procurement process, and give potential suppliers more details about our new business structures, and the work packages which will be available for bids.
Alan Cumming, EDF Energy’s Head of Procurement said:
“It has been 20 years since a new nuclear plant was built in this country. Our project creates an opportunity to reinvigorate the expertise and capability in the UK.
“This is a long-term project and the opportunities are likely to be equally long term for those companies who take advantage of them.
“We expect to have several thousand people working onsite during the construction phase. There’s a whole range of contracts for services and supplies which will need to be awarded. Many of these do not relate to the nuclear element of the project.
“There is however, still a big challenge for the supply chain to gear up to be ready for these opportunities.
“Working on a nuclear site requires particular levels of expertise, competency and quality control. Even for companies supplying non-nuclear equipment or skills, the fact that they are working on a nuclear site means special arrangements apply.”
“These skills and competencies already exist in the UK but the object of our Supplier’s Forums is to help local companies better understand the necessary standards involved. That way they can start planning in certain key areas like training and resourcing, Quality Assurance, and in developing relevant experience and partnerships.”
John Dugmore, Chief Executive of Suffolk Chamber, added: “Suffolk Chamber is working with EDF Energy to establish supply chains for our region to support the nuclear new build programme.
“A new station at Sizewell will provide a tremendous boost to our economy and will bring with it many opportunities.
“Over the next few years we will be working with EDF Energy to ensure local businesses make the most of these opportunities, and will be supporting organisations to demonstrate that we have the skill sets regionally to play a major part in the development at Sizewell.
“I would encourage businesses to attend this supply chain event, not only to find out more about the new build programme, but also to register their interest as a possible future supplier.”
Companies attending the forum will hear from nuclear industry experts and practitioners to find out more about the procurement process, as well as the health and safety, quality assurance, codes and standards that the work will entail. The forum should help supplier companies detail their forward investment plans.
Attendance at the event will be by invitation only, to ensure we get as large a mix of suppliers as possible, and to allow EDF Energy to engage with the supply chain in a manner which supports the procurement schedule.
Companies wishing to take part in the conference or some of our follow on events can register their interest in an invitation to the event at: www.edfenergy.com/newnuclearopportunities
EDF Energy intends to start its local public consultations for Sizewell C this winter.
Media enquiries: for further information, please contact
Marjorie Barnes 01728 653378
Jonathan Levy 020 7752 2265
Notes to Editors
About EDF Energy
EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies, 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 provides power to a quarter of the UK’s population via its electricity distribution networks and supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customers. It is the number one supplier of electricity to major business 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 reactors, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants would 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.
Through Our Climate and Social Commitments EDF Energy has launched one of the biggest environmental and social programmes of any UK 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 Read, Reduce, Reward and Team Green Britain.
EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. Following the integration with British Energy in 2009, the company employs nearly 20,000 people at locations across the UK.