EDF on 1 December announced the signature of several industrial cooperation agreements involving Czech, Polish, Indian, Saudi and French partners, on the sidelines of the fourth World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE) in Paris.
EDF said that, in line with the theme of this 2021 edition of the WNE: “The nuclear industry, a key partner for a low carbon society in a responsible future”, the company “strongly advocates the needs of nuclear energy as one of the key solutions to tackle climate change and secure carbon neutrality in the coming decades”.
The Group reiterated its ambition “to support nuclear energy development in France and abroad through long-term cross-country partnerships for mutual benefits and socio-economic value creation”.
Several industrial cooperation agreements were signed in the presence of EDF Chairman and CEO Jean-Bernard Lévy, “with the aim of securing the involvement of local supply chains and industries for the successful delivery of future EPR-technology-based projects in Europe and worldwide”.
In the context of EDF’s commitment to strengthen its industrial ties with Czech companies active in the nuclear field “for the delivery of its potential contemplated project at Dukovany”, cooperation agreements were signed with BAEST, I&C Energo, Hutní montáže, MICo, MSA, REKO Praha, SIGMA, Škoda JS, ÚJV Řež, and ZAT, notably in presence of the Czech Power Industry Alliance (CPIA). “This marks an important step on the path towards the successful delivery of a European project supported by a qualified Czech and European supply chain,” EDF said.
With respect to Poland, EDF noted: “As part of EDF’s strategy to deliver 4 to 6 units for the Polish Nuclear Power Programme according to EDF’s non-binding preliminary offer submitted in October 2021, EDF has entered into cooperation agreements with leading Polish companies: Dominion Polska, Egis Poland, Energomontaż-Północ Gdynia, Rafako, and Zarmen. Leveraging the competences and already existing experience of Polish suppliers in the energy industry, EDF is committed to maximising the contribution of the Polish supply chain for the success of EPR-based nuclear projects in Poland and in Europe.”
As to India, in particular with respect to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant project in Maharashtra, EDF said it is supporting the government’s Make in India initiative through numerous partnerships with local suppliers, and “has been developing a sound localisation strategy through the set-up of several partnerships with local suppliers”. As part of this initiative, EDF and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), one of the leading Indian conglomerates, decided to further extend their cooperation agreement in place since 2017. This agreement “aims to maximise the local content of the project through qualification of L&T’s industrial manufacturing capabilities and assessment of the Indian nuclear supply chain”.
Apave, ESI Group and Onet Technologies also formaised their collaboration, through the MINS (Make in India Nuclear supply chain Support) alliance, to build a common value proposition in order to respond to the project creation of six EPR reactors at the Jaitapur site.
In addition, EDF enhanced cooperation with Bouygues Travaux Publics. EDF and Bouygues Travaux Publics entered into a Framework Agreement for their global cooperation on future EPR-technology-based projects such as in the Czech Republic, Poland, or Saudi Arabia. “This signature was successfully completed by the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding between Bouygues Travaux Publics and the Saudi construction company NESMA & Partners Contracting Co Ltd, to jointly participate in the execution of Civil works of a potential project in Saudi Arabia,” EDF noted. “These agreements demonstrate both groups’ shared ambition to enhance their long-standing cooperation on the export market, with Bouygues Travaux Publics confirming its commitment as a historic partner of EDF’s new nuclear EPR projects.
Jean-Bernard Lévy, EDF Chairman and CEO said: “The signatures of these industrial cooperation agreements clearly demonstrate the growing interest of many countries in nuclear energy and our ambition to secure robust partnerships with local supply chains for EPR projects worldwide. As a matter of example, the significant involvement of the British supply chain for the Hinkley Point C EPR project is a tangible result of our long-term strategy with the local industry. We envision the same approach in any country where we promote our technologies and I look forward to seeing these cooperations materialising for the successful delivery of future EPR projects in Europe and worldwide.”
