16 September 2009
Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, today announced plans to collaborate with
EDF Energy, the UK business of the French utility group, on programmes that will initially
support the construction of four new nuclear power plants in the UK. The agreement covers
engineering and technical support during both the pre and post construction phases. In
addition, joint development, validation and supervision of the supply chain, together with the
potential for the provision of nuclear related systems, will be explored.
Lawrie Haynes, President - Rolls-Royce Nuclear, said: “We are very pleased to be working with
EDF Energy and this agreement is another step towards the delivery of our civil nuclear
strategy. With the largest proven nuclear supply chain of any UK company Rolls-Royce is
uniquely placed to deliver world-class engineering and manufacturing capability to support the
delivery of nuclear power programmes both here and around the world. “
In July 2009, Rolls-Royce announced plans to build a new factory to manufacture assemble and
test systems and components for nuclear power stations. The facility will have strong links with
the UK government-funded Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in which Rolls-
Royce will be the lead industrial partner.
Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson, Managing Director of EDF Energy’s Nuclear New Build business
said: “As a country we face a significant energy challenge to keep the lights on, tackle climate
change and maintain affordable prices. We believe the challenge can be met through greater
energy efficiency and the generation of electricity from a diverse range of sources including
nuclear and renewables. With the recent combination with British Energy, we are the largest
generator of low carbon electricity in Britain.
“We plan to build four new European Pressurised Reactors (EPR) nuclear reactors in the UK at
Hinkley Point in Somerset and Sizewell in Suffolk. Subject to the right investment framework
being in place we intend to develop 4 EPRs in the UK by 2025 with the first operational by the
end of 2017.
“This agreement with Rolls-Royce is a welcome development in ensuring we achieve our new
nuclear build plans. Their name is one of the strongest engineering brands in the UK and they
have a lot of strength in the nuclear industry including a history of work for British Energy.”
The civil nuclear market is currently worth around £30 billion a year globally and is expected to
grow to £50 billion a year in 15 years time, more than 70 per cent of which will relate to the build
and support of new facilities. It is estimated that the nuclear programme in the UK will sustain 10
-15,000 jobs over 25 years of which 45% will be engineers.
Rolls-Royce has the largest nuclear skills base in the UK, with an existing nuclear certified
supply chain of 260 companies, and supports a number of key phases of a civil nuclear
programme, including providing advice to governments and operators as well as technical
engineering support. Currently, the Group provides safety-critical instrumentation and control in
Europe, the USA and many other international markets, including all 58 operating nuclear
facilities in France.
Notes to editors:
Rolls-Royce
1. Rolls-Royce is a global business providing and supplying integrated power systems for
use on land, at sea and in the air. The company has established strong positions in four
global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
2. Rolls Royce delivers wide-ranging capabilities across the nuclear cycle from concept to
through-life and life-extension. With nuclear expertise including component
manufacturing, licensing, project management, supply chain management as well as
world-class engineering, the company has been a key player in the nuclear industry for
over 50 years. Rolls-Royce is also the number one supplier for digital instrumentation
and controls for nuclear power plants.
3. Rolls-Royce is leading the development of the UK’s Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing
Centre that will bring together an industrial consortium of around 30 companies from the
UK nuclear supply chain. Universities will be selected to host the Centre and lead key
research themes.
4. Rolls-Royce currently has the largest nuclear skills base of any UK company, with
approximately 2,000 employees in the UK, US and France.
5. EDF operates 58 nuclear facilities in France
EDF Energy
1. The combination of EDF Energy and British Energy forms one of the UK’s largest energy
companies. The new EDF Energy is the UK’s largest producer of electricity and the
largest generator of low carbon electricity in Britain. Through Our Climate and Social
Commitments we have launched the biggest environmental and social packages of any
UK energy company.
2. We produce around one-fifth of the nation's electricity from our nuclear, coal and gas
power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. We provide
power to a quarter of the UK’s population via our electricity distribution networks and
supply gas and electricity to over 5.5 million business and residential customers.
3. The company is a key player in national infrastructure projects including management of
private electricity networks serving four London airports and the Channel Tunnel Rail
Link, the country’s first major new railway in 100 years and has published plans to build
up to four new nuclear power stations in the UK.
4. EDF Energy and British Energy together employ nearly 20,000 people at locations
across the UK. EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power
companies.
5. EDF is the official energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012
Olympic and Paralympic Games.
For further information please contact
Media relations: Investor relations:
Nicky Louth-Davies Mark Alflatt
Tel: +44 (0)20 7227 9232 Tel: +44 (0)20 7227 9232 9164
email: nicky.louth-davies@rolls-royce.com email: mark.alflatt@rolls-royce.com
Paul Vallance
Executive Vice-President, Communications – Nuclear
Tel: +44 (0) 1332 622820
Paul.Vallance@Rolls-Royce.com
Sue Fletcher
Senior Media Relations Manager – Nuclear
EDF Energy
Tel: 01355 846282
Sue.fletcher@british-energy.com
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