Electricite de France (EDF) has asked engineering firm Assystem to help build two EPR units at the UK’s Hinkley Point C NPP under a contract Assystem said is worth “revenue of €120m” ($126m). The new GBP18bn ($22bn) Hinkley plant, which was given the go-ahead by the UK government in September 2016, will generate 3.2GWe of power, with the first of the reactors expected to come online in 2023. Assystem said it has been working since 2015 on the design stage of Hinkley Point C by providing project management services and technical studies.

Assystem has helped with the development of all EPRs worldwide – in France (Flamanville), China (Taishan) and Finland (Olkiluoto). All the projects have been delayed – significantly in France and Finland. However, Stéphane Aubarbier, Assystem’s executive vice-president, said the Hinkley Point project is already better prepared than Flamanville. “First, lessons have been learned from previous EPR projects. Second, the chosen project management methods are now global and ensure compliance with both costs and deadlines,” he said.

Meanwhile, EDF Energy has launched the second stage of public consultation for its proposed Sizewell C NPP in the UK. The public consultation period runs from 23 November until 3 February. Sizewell C would comprise two UK EPR reactors which would meet 7% of the UK's future electricity needs. The plant would provide 5,600 jobs on-site during the core construction period and employment for 900 people when operational, EDF Energy said.