EDF
Sizewell C Ltd has signed a multi-billion-euro contract with French firm Framatome to provide a replica of the technology that will be used in the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant.
While construction works on Sizewell C are still not expected to take place until later this year, Framatome will ultimately be tasked with delivering the two nuclear heat production systems, the plant’s safety instrumentation and a long-term fuel supply agreement under which it will fabricate the fuel needed to power the two reactors.
The firm has said it will try to replicate as close as possible the technology it has already developed for Hinkley Point C – the UK’s first nuclear power plant in a generation that could start generating as soon as 2029.
“Framatome is proud to continue supporting the UK’s net zero target by 2050 by delivering a replica of the Hinkley Point C project at Sizewell C. The project will benefit from the valuable experience garnered from Hinkley Point C and our teams are determined to make it a success,” said Bernard Fontana, CEO of Framatome.
The new plant is expected to provide low-carbon electricity to approximately six million homes for a minimum of 60 years and is considered to be a major part of providing baseload electricity as part of efforts to decarbonise the grid.
It has faced challenges from campaigners who have tried to block its construction on the basis that environmental impact assessments had not been properly carried out – although the Court of Appeal ultimately rejected these claims.
Sizewell C is currently jointly owned on a 50% split by both the UK government and French energy giant EDF, which itself owns an 80% share in Framatome.
Under the fuel supply agreement, Framatome will fabricate the fuel needed to power the two reactors, as well as commit to a contract for long-term services and maintenance to support the operation of the plant.
Sizewell C originally had the backing of China General Nuclear (CGN), which is owned by the Chinese state. But security concerns led the UK government to buy CGN’s share in 2022, and it is now looking for new third-party investment to finance construction and operation.
Earlier this week, National Grid announced it had completed the installation of 116 T-pylons in Somerset as it builds out the infrastructure needed to connect Hinkley Point C to the grid.
