PARIS (Reuters) – French utility EDF said in a statement it has set up a new unit bringing together its engineering teams working on nuclear projects in Britain as it seeks to speed up the construction of Hinkley Point C in Somerset, southwest England, and leave behind a reputation for delays and cost overruns.
The new division, called EDF EPR Engineering, is based in Bristol and Hinkley Point and has a staff of 600, betting that havingengineers work closer to the nuclear sites where construction work is about to start will help make the project more efficient.
Hinkley Point C is currently expected to start production in 2027, a decade later than originally planned, and cost an estimated 25 billion to 26 billion pounds, compared with an initial forecast of 18 billion pounds.
EDF’s Flamanville nuclear plant has suffered similar delays and cost overruns, raising questions over whether the company can stick to deadlines and budgets.
(Reporting by Benjamin Mallet; Editing by GV De Clercq)
