Atkins and Assystem expand their alliance

ATKINS AND ASSYSTEM EXPAND THEIR ALLIANCE TO SUPPORT THE DEPLOYMENT OF NEW NUCLEAR IN THE UK BY EDF

Paris - 17 February 2012 - Atkins and Assystem are to expand their nuclear engineering alliance to support EDF in the deployment of the UK European Pressurized water Reactor (EPR) programme. The alliance will support EDF in those parts of its programme where it seeks a Franco-British team. This agreement broadens the scope of the partners' alliance, The Nuclear Atkins Assystem Alliance (n.triple.a) formed in early 2011 to meet the needs of governments and utilities in countries interested in developing nuclear energy.

EDF Energy is planning to build four EPR units in the United Kingdom that will ultimately deliver 6.4 GW, helping to meet the country's energy needs while adding a safe, affordable, low-carbon energy source to the country's energy mix.

EDF and Assystem have a long-standing relationship in nuclear energy. Assystem has been by EDF's side throughout the construction of France's installed base and has continued to provide its expertise through operation and maintenance contracts.Atkins is a major British engineering and design consultancy with a deep involvement in the construction and operation of Britain's nuclear power plants. It is also very active in the UK's nuclear new build programme.

Together, Assystem and Atkins will combine their experience from the first EPR projects and knowledge of EDF's operating methods with Atkins' local presence and in-depth understanding of Britain's nuclear energy programme.

Uwe Krueger, chief executive officer, Atkins explained: "The combination of Atkins' and Assystem's expertise in nuclear engineering offers unrivalled skills to clients in the nuclear new build sector. Over the past year, the two companies have forged strong working links and it made perfect sense to expand our alliance one year after its creation. Nuclear engineering is an integral part of Atkins' growth strategy. The extension of our n.triple.a alliance gives us an even stronger platform from which to deliver nuclear services for new build programmes.

Dominique Louis, Chairman of the Assystem Management Board, added: "Our collaboration with Atkins continues to deliver new benefits and allows us to move to a higher level of excellence for our clients. Our combined capabilities, unparalleled in today's industry, are the best guarantee for deploying a safe, fully controlled nuclear power programme."

The Nuclear Atkins Assystem Alliance has secured contracts in the Middle East and is active in the nuclear market internationally.

Assystem and Atkins teams are also working together on the ITER international nuclear fusion research project, after being selected in April 2010 as part of the Engage consortium to act as Building Architect Engineer. In addition, the partners are participating together in France's offshore wind tender.

Notes to editors:

Atkins(www.atkinsglobal.com) is one of the world's leading engineering and design consultancies*, employing some 17,700 people across the UK, North America, Middle East, Asia Pacific and Europe. It has the breadth and depth of expertise to plan, design and enable some of the world's most technically challenging and time critical infrastructure projects. *It is the largest engineering consultancy in the UK (New Civil Engineer Consultants File 2011) and the 13th largest global design firm (Engineering News-Record 2011).

Atkins is the official engineering design services provider for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Assystem is an international Engineering and Innovation Consultancy that is Europe's leading independent provider of nuclear engineering services. As a key provider in the industry for more than 45 years, Assystem supports its customers in developing their products and optimising their industrial investments throughout their life cycle. Assystem employs 10,200 people worldwide and reported nearly €850 million in 2011 pro forma revenue.

Recent projects in the nuclear engineering sector include the commissioning of the first units at Areva's GB II enrichment facility, an EPCM contract from France's Atomic Energy Commission for radioactive waste reprocessing and encapsulation facilities and onsite studies for the Finnish and Chinese EPR plants. Assystem trains close to 400 professionals every year in its in-house facility, the Assystem Nuclear Institute.

The Nuclear Atkins Assystem Alliance (n.triple.a)

Franco-British engineering excellence for a responsible, efficient and safe energy mix

Atkins and Assystem are recognised by key participants in the worldwide nuclear power industry for their engineering expertise and track record. The two companies each enjoy more than 40 years' experience in the nuclear sector, supporting the development of nuclear power programmes in two pioneering countries, France and the United Kingdom. Atkins has a reputation for delivering engineering excellence worldwide including in many countries which are considering adding nuclear power to their energy mix. Assystem has build its engineering reputation in some of the world's safest, most advanced nuclear technologies by working with such market leaders as AREVA and EDF, supporting them on all of their projects in France and abroad.

Headquartered in Paris, France, the alliance combines Atkins' and Assystem's strengths to position both companies to take advantage of opportunities in the international nuclear market.

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