Firms gear up for work as government confirms commitment to more nuclear plants
Costain is in talks over joining a nuclear super consortium made up of EDF, Areva and Amec to bid for work on a fresh generation of power stations.
Many construction firms are gearing up to bid for nuclear work, but the Areva consortium is the first alliance to form. It is hoping to work on four power stations.
The government was expected to confirm its commitment to a construction programme in a Commons session on Thursday, after 黑洞社区 went to press.
Paul Campbell, Costain鈥檚 nuclear sector director, said: 鈥淲e are in discussions with EDF and the vendors of the nuclear plants.鈥� He added that it was looking at securing work on the construction side.
Costain is undertaking decommissioning work on nuclear power stations in the UK. It is also involved in demolition, refurbishment and new-build nuclear projects abroad.
Turner & Townsend has also confirmed that it has had preliminary talks with the utility companies. Bob Hewitt, a director of T&T, said: 鈥淲e are engaging with the industry and making it aware of our knowledge and strengths.鈥� The firm is interested in joining a consortium to cover programme management, project control and cost consultancy services.
Halcrow is also speaking to energy firms. Colin Robertson, nuclear executive director at Halcrow, said: 鈥淭here is no firm decision but we will be involved in one way or another. We are watching the market very closely鈥�.
Vincent de Rivaz, EDF鈥檚 chief executive, has made clear his ambition to build four nuclear plants in the UK. The company鈥檚 nuclear construction project in Flamanville, northwest France, will be used as a model for UK plans. It will have a 60-year life and minimise radioactive waste.
Construction on nuclear sites is unlikely to start for five years, according to Alistair Smith, director of nuclear services at Parsons Brinckerhoff.
