EDF Energy manages the UK’s eight nuclear power plant sites, five that are operating (Sizewell B, Torness, Heysham 2, Heysham 1 and Hartlepool) and two that have entered decommissioning (Hinkley Point B and Dungeness B). It took over the sites when it acquired British Energy in 2009. The company is also constructing the new Hinkley Point C plant in Somerset, and there are advanced plans for a replica of Hinkley Point C at Sizewell C in Suffolk.
Assystem has been selected as a strategic engineering partner and will have a leading role across the various contracts, covering engineering, digital expertise, project management, and construction management on Sizewell C and Hinkley Point C, two gigawatt-scale nuclear power plants in the UK, as well as work on EDF’s existing nuclear generation and nuclear services.
“The four new framework agreements will strengthen the support Assystem provides to the UK’s nuclear programme,” Assystem said. “Under these contracts, the company will also support the design authority of the main licensees and contribute to delivering 6.6 gigawatts of new EPR-generated clean electricity to the UK grid.”
Assystem, which has been contracted by EDF worldwide for more than 60 years, said this new partnership “highlights both Sizewell C’s and EDF’s long-term collaboration with Assystem, as the French multinational energy company continues to seed its investment into the UK’s low-carbon energy infrastructure”.
Last year, Assystem announced plans to double its UK workforce by creating 1,000 new engineering, digital, and project management jobs by 2030 to support the delivery of these crucial nuclear projects, boosting skills and regional economic investment across the UK – strengthening domestic nuclear capabilities and international industry collaboration between France and the UK.
“Assystem is proud to stand alongside EDF and Sizewell C as a strategic partner at this pivotal moment for the UK’s new nuclear programme,” said Andrew Bedford, Senior Business Unit Director, Nuclear New Build, at Assystem. “Our position on the Professional Services Framework not only strengthens our long-standing collaboration with EDF but also accelerates the delivery of world-class nuclear capabilities in the UK. With our commitment to double Assystem’s UK workforce by 2030, we’re bringing vital skills, innovation, and engineering momentum to help meet domestic energy transition needs.”
AtkinsRéalis’s role expands
The appointment of AtkinsRéalis to the Professional Services Framework extends the multidisciplinary work AtkinsRéalis delivers across EDF’s existing fleet of nuclear power plants and its new-build Hinkley Point C programme for an initial five-year term, with the option to extend by a further five years. It also encompasses engineering services delivered at the Sizewell C nuclear new-build programme.
Under the new Professional Services Framework, AtkinsRéalis will support EDF Nuclear Services, EDF Nuclear Operations, Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C across more than 60 different technical and project delivery disciplines, from design and engineering to programme management and consultancy.
“The framework ensures AtkinsRéalis will continue to support EDF as a trusted delivery partner during a vital transition period as some of its existing plants enter vital life extension programmes, others shift towards the end of operational life, and as Hinkley Point C prepares for operations as the UK’s first large-scale reactor for a generation,” the company said. “The inclusion of Sizewell C will also help to realise the full benefits of replication as the AtkinsRéalis team applies the knowledge and experience from Hinkley Point C to the new build programme as it enters construction phase.”
AtkinsRéalis President and CEO Ian Edwards said: “EDF has been a major client to our Nuclear business for over two decades, and this framework is a continuation of the vital work we have been delivering across operational and new build programmes for EDF Energy and Sizewell C in the UK. Our proven ability to provide a breadth of capabilities strengthens our role as a strategic partner with EDF and reinforces our leading position as a truly end-to-end engineering services provider in the global nuclear industry.”
“There are over 3000 experienced AtkinsRéalis employees working across civil nuclear programmes in the EMEA region, from structural and mechanical engineers to specialists in digital design, project delivery and decommissioning,” added Joe St Julian, President, Nuclear, AtkinsRéalis. “This new framework enables EDF and Sizewell C to seamlessly access our specialists for any of their UK programmes, reinforcing our ability to act as a trusted delivery partner during this crucial period of their nuclear operations.”
