16th Sep 2009 09:07
16 September 2009
ROLLS-ROYCE AND EDF ENERGY TO COLLABORATE ON UK NEW NUCLEAR BUILD
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, --> [Author:u] together with the potential for the provision of --> [Author:u] 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
Mark Alflatt
Director of Financial Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7227 [email protected] Louth-Davies
Director of Corporate Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7227 9232
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