France's EDF seals deal for UK nuclear plants
French energy giant EDF has sealed a multi-billion euro deal with the British government to construct two new nuclear reactors in the UK, according to a joint statement from EDF and the UK government.
French energy giant EDF said Monday it had won a deal worth £16 billion pounds (€18.9 billion) to build two nuclear reactors in Britain.
"This deal means £16 billion of investment coming into the country and the creation of 25,000 jobs," said British Prime Minister David Cameron in a joint EDF-British government press release.
Two Chinese nuclear firms, CGNPC and CNNC, are expected to take a 30-40 percent stake between them, the statement added.
French energy firm Areva will provide the two EPRs or European Pressurized Reactors, taking a 10-percent stake in the project.
If the deal is confirmed next year, the power station, in south-west England, will be up and running by 2023, the statement said.
"Today we have a deal for the first nuclear power station in a generation to be built in Britain," added Cameron.
"This also marks the next generation of nuclear power in Britain, which has an important part to play in contributing to our future energy needs and our longer term security of supply."
The accord also agrees a guaranteed price for the energy produced by the two reactors, which had been a major sticking point in the negotiations between the firm and the government in London.
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French energy giant EDF said Monday it had won a deal worth £16 billion pounds (€18.9 billion) to build two nuclear reactors in Britain.
"This deal means £16 billion of investment coming into the country and the creation of 25,000 jobs," said British Prime Minister David Cameron in a joint EDF-British government press release.
Two Chinese nuclear firms, CGNPC and CNNC, are expected to take a 30-40 percent stake between them, the statement added.
French energy firm Areva will provide the two EPRs or European Pressurized Reactors, taking a 10-percent stake in the project.
If the deal is confirmed next year, the power station, in south-west England, will be up and running by 2023, the statement said.
"Today we have a deal for the first nuclear power station in a generation to be built in Britain," added Cameron.
"This also marks the next generation of nuclear power in Britain, which has an important part to play in contributing to our future energy needs and our longer term security of supply."
The accord also agrees a guaranteed price for the energy produced by the two reactors, which had been a major sticking point in the negotiations between the firm and the government in London.
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