Framatome has signed an early framework agreement with Nuclear New Build Generation (SZC) Ltd (NNB SZC) - which is owned by EDF and the UK government - for the construction of the Sizewell C NPP in Suffolk, England. This preliminary contract is the outcome of Framatome’s work for Sizewell C since 2021 and builds on services Framatome will continue to deliver for the construction of Hinkley Point C project. Framatome and NNB SZC plan to sign the main Framatome contracts for Sizewell C when the final investment decision is taken.
“This agreement is possible because of the recently announced Government Investment Decision setting the collaboration and financial backing from EDF and the UK Government to move the Sizewell C project forward,” said Bernard Fontana, CEO of Framatome. “This signature is a significant milestone for Framatome as we reaffirm our engagement to deliver low-carbon, new nuclear generation plants in the UK.”
The early framework agreement covers specific activities, including manufacturing of the nuclear steam supply systems, managing obsolescence of instrumentation and control systems, and early engineering and procurement activities. The agreement also covers work completed since 2021 to prepare long-lead forging components and engineering.
Sizewell C will be a replica of the Hinkley Point C EPR, providing significant benefits to the new project related to risk minimization, lower costs and enhanced schedule predictability. Mirroring Hinkley Point C allows the project to gain efficiencies from design, construction and supply chain experience and provides certainty managing such a large industrial project.
The Sizewell C nuclear power station will be home to two EPR reactors that generate 3.2GWe to serve approximately six million homes in the UK.
Framatome has supported the UK nuclear market for more than 25 years, contributing to the engineering and maintenance of existing reactors and participating in new build projects, including Hinkley Point C. Through recent acquisitions of EFINOR and BHR, and the close partnership with EDVANCE UK, Framatome said it had created more than 100 new highly qualified jobs and continues to grow its industrial footprint in the UK to ensure a sustainable, low-carbon, clean energy future. Framatome is owned by the EDF Group (75.5%), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (19.5%) and Assystem (5%).
Specific activities covered by the early framework agreement include manufacturing of the nuclear steam supply systems, managing obsolescence of instrumentation and control systems, and early engineering and procurement activities. The agreement also covers work completed since 2021 to prepare long-lead forging components and engineering.
Image: Artist's imression of Sizewell C nuclear power plant, which will be adjacent to the already operating Sizewell B plant (courtesy of EDF)
