EDF Energy selects Bouygues JV for $3.1 billion nuclear plant in UK
20 June 2012EDF Energy has selected Bouygues TP/Laing O’Rourke joint venture (JV) as preferred bidder for a contract worth about £2 billion ($3.1 billion) for civil works to build a proposed new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, UK.
The work involves construction of the main civil works for the nuclear island, the conventional island and supporting structures. The contract is subject to planning consent and EDF Energy taking its final investment decision at the end of 2012. The contract will create approximately 4,000 jobs, of which 3,000 jobs will be in Somerset.
Before signing the contract, the joint venture has entered into a preliminary agreement for Early Contractor Involvement which will see the two companies working on the development of the detailed design, construction methodology and program up to EDF Energy's final investment decision.
EDF Energy believes that the early engagement will achieve improved project cost effectiveness and construction deliverability by drawing on the JV companies' experience of similar projects.
It will also ensure early identification of any issues, that the best processes and people are in place as early as possible, and early engagement can begin with the local community and supply chain, the company.
According to EDF Energy, the contract is the first relating to the main construction works which will see up to 25,000 jobs created on site over the course of the project, including an estimated 400 apprenticeships for the civil works.
