EDF Energy begins ground work on nuclear project in UK

UK subsidiary of French state-utility, EDF Energy has got its plans underway to build a second new nuclear plant in Somerset, Britain.

The company is meanwhile also looking for a partner to finance this venture and will begin public consultation in November 2012 as a precursor to its planning, reports Reuters.

EDF Energy’s new build division director of planning and external affairs Richard Mayson remarked that the commencement of planning testifies its desire to lead the nation’s nuclear renaissance.

The company is yet to point a start-date for a project, however, in partnership with French nuclear reactor designer Areva, will build four of Areva’s European pressurised water reactors (EPRs) in Britain by 2025.

British utility Centrica is a 20% stake in the EPRs project.

The first of the projects at Hinkley Point C in Somerset was earlier scheduled for a 2018 operational date, but will miss the deadline owing to delays post the Fukushima accident in Japan.

The British government and EDF are currently discussing the price levels for the procurement of energy from the Hinkley Point project with a decision expected before the end of 2012.