Third UK new-build consortium meets the locals

31 January 2011


NuGeneration Ltd (NuGen), the nuclear new-build consortium of GDF Suez, Iberdrola and Scottish and Southern Energy held an event for the northwest England host location planned for a power station up to 3.6GW. The company has opened offices in Westlakes Science Park.

In February 2009, GDF SUEZ (37.5%), IBERDROLA (37.5%) and Scottish and Southern Energy (25%) entered a partnership to jointly participate in the development of new nuclear power stations in the UK. On the 28 October 2009, the consortium announced that it had been successful in securing an option to purchase land for the development of a new nuclear power station near Sellafield on the West Cumbrian coast from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority for a total cash consideration of £70m.

On 18 October 2010, the UK government confirmed through its draft National Policy Statement, that NuGen’s site was suitable for a new nuclear power station. The consortium now intends to prepare detailed plans for developing the site, which will be submitted for consideration by the relevant planning authorities with the aim of a final investment decision being taken around 2015.  These plans will be prepared in full consultation with the safety authorities and local stakeholders.  On this basis, the expectation is that any new power station would be commissioned around 2023.

NuGen consortium partners own and operate almost 10,000 MW of nuclear capacity across Spain, Belgium, Germany and France, and have more than 250,000 employees worldwide, with almost 40,000 employees in the UK. A new management team for NuGen has been drawn from all three of the consortium partners. This team will be headed by Alfio Vidal and Olivier Carret as the Executive Directors of NuGeneration Ltd.

Olivier Carret has been appointed as Chief Operating Director and will have responsibility for all corporate and support services. Olivier Carret has over 30 years experience in the Electricity and Gas Industry. He joined the consortium from GDF SUEZ, where he held various positions including Director of Operations and Director of Asset Management. Before joining GDF SUEZ in 2000, he had spent 6 years in the US where he was involved in the development of a number of international projects.

Alfio Vidal has been appointed as Chief Nuclear Director and has responsibility for all the technical and financial aspects of the project. Alfio Vidal was previously Head of Safety for IBERDROLA’s Spanish nuclear fleet.  He has broad experience in the nuclear energy field having held various positions, including Plant Manager of Cofrentes NPP, a 1,092 MW nuclear plant near Valencia in Spain.

Speaking after the event Olivier Carret said: “Today was our first opportunity to talk directly to representatives of the West Cumbrian community about our plans to build a new nuclear power station and we were absolutely delighted that so many people were able to join us. 

“We have made a strong and lasting commitment that we will involve and engage people in our plans and the opening of our new office today, here in the heart of the business community of West Cumbria, means that we will be able to actively contribute to Cumbria’s “Energy Coast” vision and develop strong and long term relationships with local communities in the area.

”There is a huge amount of expertise and knowledge that comes from the long tradition of nuclear power in this area and we are very much looking forward to working with the people of West Cumbria as our plans progress.”




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