Engineering news
The leaders of the UK and France have overseen three commercial deals and a series of agreements that will kick start the UK's nuclear new build process.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “As two great civil nuclear nations, we will combine our expertise to strengthen industrial partnership, improve nuclear safety and create jobs at home. The deals signed today will create more than 1,500 jobs in the UK but they are just the beginning”
Edward Davey, secretary of state for energy and climate change, said that the move could create up to 30,000 jobs and be worth around £60 billion. He said: “There are plans for new nuclear in Somerset, Suffolk, Cumbria, North Wales and Gloucestershire. Supply chains will spring up too, and extend the reach of economic benefit across the country.”
Cameron added: “My goal is clear. I want the vast majority of the content of our new nuclear plants to be constructed, manufactured and engineered by British companies. And we will choose the partners and technologies to maximise the economic benefits to the UK.”
Amongst the deals, EDF and Kier/BAM have signed a new engineering contract for the UK's first proposed new nuclear project at Hinkely point in Somerset. This will bring 350 jobs and £100 milion for companies operating in the South West.
Rolls-Royce has further strengthened its strategic collaboration with French firm Areva on nuclear new build projects. The two companies have signed an enhanced cooperation agreement that covers the manufacture of components for new nuclear power plants and other nuclear projects in the UK and beyond. It builds on an initial agreement made in March 2011.
Rolls-Royce will manufacture complex components and provide engineering and technical services for the first reactor that will be built at Hinkley Point in Somerset in a deal worth £100 million. Areva will provide the Nuclear Stream system.
With four reactors currently planned by EDF Energy in the UK, the work could be worth £400 million in total to Rolls-Royce. The deal will underpin a new Rolls-Royce factory in Rotherham and support 1,200 new jobs across the nuclear supply chain in Britain.
Lawries Haynes, president of nuclear at Rolls-Royce, said: “This is an important agreement and I look forward to continuing the strong partnership we have built with Areva. Together with Areva, we will work to successfully deliver new civil nuclear projects in the UK and around the world.”
He added that the company has broad experience in nuclear, a strong track record and an extensive nuclear certified supply chain. The group already provides safety-critical instrumentation and control systems to the 58 operating nuclear power stations in France, and to more than 50 in other countries worldwide.
The CEO of Areva, Luc Oursel, added that the two companies will work together on a range of opportunities, including the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle.
However, Dr Tim Fox, head of energy at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers said in response to the deal: “Although it is welcome news that the UK is pressing ahead with the development of new nuclear reactors, to secure affordable low-carbon electricity generation, this is not necessarily the best deal for securing UK jobs and skills.”
Cameron and Sarkozy also agreed to a £15 million investment in a new world class training campus in Bridgewater, Somerset for EDF employees, new starters and the local community.
Further work between the two countries will see additional studies into the interconnection of electricity between the UK and France and the sharing of best practice on security at nuclear sites.
