黑洞社区

French contractor Bouygues鈥� experience building EDF鈥檚 other nuclear power plants played a key role in winning the joint venture the 拢2bn civils contract for EDF Energy鈥檚 new nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset, EDF has said.

The joint venture beat out a partnership between contractors Balfour Beatty and Vinci to become preferred bidder on the job yesterday.

Bouygues have built European Pressurised Reactors (EPRs) in both Flammerville in France and Olkiluoto in Finland, both of which are over time and budget.

Speaking to 黑洞社区, Nigel Cann, EDF鈥檚 construction director at Hinkley, said: 鈥淟aing O鈥橰ourke has clearly been involved in some high quality infrastructure projects and Bouygues will bring all the experience and lessons learned from Flammerville,鈥� he said.

鈥淲e are looking to learn the lessons from all EPRs,鈥� he added.

Cann said that Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 large directly-employed workforce had also been a positive. 鈥淲e said right at the start we are keen to have directly-employed labour on the job, but I鈥檓 not sure other bidders on the project would not have done that too,鈥� said Cann.

The joint venture will now be paid a 鈥渉andful of millions鈥� to develop detailed plans including logistical plans, industrial relations frameworks and detailed engineering and design plans. With the final contract set to be signed after EDF makes a final investment decision late this year.

Cann added: 鈥淭his joint venture has got all the qualities and DNA of ourselves.鈥�