Stephen Billingham CBE to join Sizewell C as project prepares for fundraising and construction
Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson CBE, Managing Director of Nuclear Development to retire from EDF
EDF is announcing changes to the executive team for Sizewell C as the project takes its next steps towards a Final Investment Decision and becoming an independent company.
Stephen Billingham CBE is being appointed in an advisory capacity from today (March 1) and will become Chairperson of Sizewell C later this year.
Sizewell C is proposed as the next large scale nuclear project in the UK and is expected to be financed by private investors and, potentially, the UK Government.
Legislation to enable private financing for nuclear projects (the Nuclear Energy (Financing) Bill) is currently making good progress in Parliament. The Government also recently announced a £100m Combined Option agreement to support the project as it reaches a crucial stage of development.
Stephen has extensive senior experience in the nuclear industry and was CFO of British Energy from 2004 to 2009 including the period when HM Government held a significant interest in the Company. He played a key role in preparing it for investment and ultimately, its acquisition by EDF. More recently, he is the Senior Independent Director on the Board of Balfour Beatty plc and is Chairman of Urenco Ltd.
Simone Rossi, CEO EDF Energy said; “We are putting in place all the building blocks to ensure Sizewell C's success as an independent business attractive to investment. We have been working with HM Government on this appointment and I am delighted that in Stephen we have been able to secure a top calibre and highly respected future Chairperson for SZC with a strong track record of success”
Kwasi Kwarteng, Secretary of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy commented; New nuclear is vital for reaching net zero and ensuring the independence of the Britain’s energy supply. The current high global gas prices demonstrate the importance of having domestic, low carbon power generation in the UK.
By generating seven percent of UK electricity, Sizewell C could help keep bills down while also reducing our carbon emissions. I look forward to working with Stephen Billingham as we continue our negotiations on this nationally important project.”
Stephen Billingham said: “I am very pleased to join the Sizewell C team at a key moment for the project. Sizewell C will be a British project, helping deliver this country’s energy security and climate targets whilst creating thousands of high value jobs in Suffolk and nationwide.”
Other changes to the Sizewell C executive team are being made as the project prepares to fundraise and to make the transition to being an independent company.
Having successfully directed the project towards this critical milestone, Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson CBE, Managing Director of Nuclear Development, has decided the time is right to retire from EDF. Humphrey has worked tirelessly to bring Sizewell C to life as he did with Hinkley Point C beforehand.
Humphrey will continue in role as MD until 30 June 2022, and Stephen Billingham will lead the process to identify the future CEO of Sizewell C.
Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson said; “I am very conscious of the huge task in front for SZC to raise finance and then construct and operate the plant. Having led the project to this stage we need now to look forward for the long-term and ensure we have the right team in place for the next phase. I am very grateful for all the support my teams and EDF have given me over the years and proud of what we have achieved together.”
Simone Rossi added: “I wish to congratulate and thank Humphrey for his leadership and huge contribution to the success of EDF in the UK over many years. It is with a heavy heart that we prepare to say goodbye to him from our organisation and I wish him all the very best for the future.”
On January 10, the Nuclear Energy Financing Bill completed its passage through the House of Commons, with MPs voting nine to one in support. It is currently in Committee Stage in the Lords.
On January 27 the Government pledged £100 million of funding to support the continued development of the project, which will aim to attract further financing from private investors. Ministers have made a commitment to reaching a Final Investment Decision on at least one large-scale nuclear power station this parliament subject to value for money and relevant approvals and have budgeted a further £1.7bn for large scale new nuclear.
Sizewell C will power the equivalent of around 6 million homes, as well as supporting up to 10,000 jobs in Suffolk and across the UK.
For more information
EDF Media Team
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About EDF
EDF is helping Britain achieve Net Zero by leading the transition to a cleaner, low emission, electric future and tackling climate change. It is the UK’s largest producer of low-carbon electricity(1) and supplies millions of customers with electricity and gas.
It generates low carbon electricity from five nuclear power stations and more than thirty onshore wind farms and two offshore wind farms*.
EDF is leading the UK's nuclear renaissance with the construction of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C, and there are advanced plans for a replica at Sizewell C in Suffolk. Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C will provide low carbon electricity to meet 14% of UK demand and power around 12 million homes.
EDF is one of the UK’s largest investors in renewables, with more than 1GW of renewable generation in operation and over 4GW in construction, planning and development across a range of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery storage. We are constructing our largest offshore wind farm in Britain – the 450 MW Neart na Gaoithe project in Scotland.
EDF is helping its customers, both in business and at home, take their first steps to sustainably powering their lives. Whether it is buying an electric car, generating and storing electricity, selling energy back to the grid or installing a heat pump. EDF is one of the largest suppliers to British business and a leading supplier of innovative energy solutions that are helping businesses become more energy independent. In addition, the company’s energy services business, Imtech, is one of the largest technical service providers in the UK and Ireland.
EDF is part of EDF Group, the world’s biggest electricity generator. In the UK, the company employs around 11,000 people at locations across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
*EDF is continuing to operate its last coal power station until 31 March 2023 at the request of Government to support security of supply over winter.