Kelly told us “Watchet glass and glazing is a family run business, and has been trading for 22 years, My husband and I took over 7 years ago when the opportunity to buy Watchet Glass and Glazing came up.  Last year we opened a new and exclusive Timber Windows and doors Showroom near Bath, and we are enjoying the additional business opportunities this offers.”

“Watchet Glass and Glazing specialize in providing a seamless service for home owners seeking to upgrade their home, through the installation of new windows and doors.  Our products and procedures provide the quality, reliability and service that our customers demand.  We are very proud of the high levels of customer satisfaction we receive,  we provide bespoke products installed by our own employees.”

“Our success is down to our 8 strong skilled LOCAL team – installers, glaziers, clerical staff, builders, administrators and management.  Their local knowledge really compliments the delivery of our services.”

“I registered to be part of the Hinkley Supply Chain following the links on the Somerset Chamber of Commerce website during October 2010.  It was easy –  a simple form filled out online, it took 10 minutes to submit.”

“I thought that Watchet Glass and Glazing could really benefit from this, and wanted to make the most of this opportunity to be part of such a huge project, right on our doorstep.”

“Then, at the beginning of July 2011 we received an invitation to tender from EDF Energy for residential window replacement.  And after a lot of hard work preparing our tender, we were pleased to hear at the end of August 2011 that we had been successful!”

“We have been awarded a contract to supply and fit replacement windows and doors to residential properties in a specified area around the main site where EDF Energy are planning to build the new power station.”

“Winning this Contract means that we are in a very strong position for growth, it means job creation, it means that we can focus on the core of our business by concentrating on our customers, and of course it brings the obvious benefits of increased sales. I would encourage any local business owner to register, it could open up huge opportunities for your business – look where it got us!”

Fairway was established in Bridgwater in 1988. One of the first tenants in the Cellophane Small Business Centre which was established to help new business start-ups. Some good and some difficult years followed but from humble beginnings a well founded and successful firm stands as evidence that local initiatives can really work. Fairway now has a turnover in excess of £1.5m with specialist divisions for Contract Office Furniture, Back care and Task Seating as well as Commercial Office products and Supplies. In 2010 we moved to new larger warehouse and showrooms in Wylds Road Bridgwater and cover the whole of the South West region.

Chris Fairbrass from Fairway Office Supplies said ” We found signing up to the Hinkley Supply Chain was easy and opportunity soon emerged for the company to provide design and supply services for specialist commercial office furniture. We found a good fit straight away with the facilities team who liked the furniture recycle program and experience with local authority frameworks we can offer. Early contracts followed with installations to the King Square Offices as well as planning for various projects at the Hinkley C site making the EDF Energy Hinkley project a significant part of our future growth plans.”

“I wouldn’t hesitate to encourage local traders and business to register and get connected with the Hinkley C project. The EDF Energy team have a genuine desire to support the area and the business community and the opportunity for those who become involved at this early stage could be substantial for many years to come.”

Here is a summary of work package progress for the proposed nuclear new build at Hinkley Point C

• The Preliminary Works contract was let to Kier Bam JV and is being delivered with over 80% of contracts by value being let to Somerset-based businesses.
• The spoil heap remediation works is being delivered by Hydrock and is anticipated to complete in early 2012.
• West Somerset District Council resolved to grant approval for EDF Energy’s planning application for Site Preparation Works in June 2011. The legal aspects of the associated S106 arrangements are currently being finalised. Kier Bam JV is the preferred bidder for the site enabling and earthworks contract, which forms part of the Site Preparation Works. Detailed design work has now commenced and some minor works are expected to start in spring 2012, with the main earthworks due to commence in the second half of the year.
• The temporary jetty (500 metres long) civil works preferred bidder is likely to be announced in Q1 2012 and detailed design and construction would commence should permission be granted by the Marine Management Organisation. The jetty material handling equipment contracts have been awarded to Fairport Engineering and a detailed design phase is underway.
• The Main Civils contract has moved into a second stage of ITT assessment with three joint venture bidders. A preferred bidder is anticipated to be named in 2012 and an early contractor involvement agreement will be signed under which the detailed execution plans will be developed prior to final contract award.
• The Marine Works (11 km of cooling water tunnels) contract has moved into second stage of Invitation to Tender with three joint venture bidders. A preferred bidder is anticipated to be named later this year, which will be followed by a design stage prior to final contract award.
• The Nuclear Steam Supply System will be provided by Areva. A contract to start detailed design work was placed in December 2011. Earlier in 2011, contracts to manufacture the main primary circuit forgings were also placed with both the Japan Steel Works Company and Areva’s Creusot Forge.
• The Turbine Hall Invitation to Tender was issued in 2011 and this package is now under detailed analysis.
• The Mechanical Works contracts are at the pre-qualification stage with a number of consortia showing interest.  The works involve the supply, fabrication and installation of pipework and the installation of mechanical equipment.
• The Electrical Works scope of contracts is anticipated to be announced in early 2012, followed by a PQQ process later in the year.
• Control and Instrumentation work will be carried out in phases, with the first being a comprehensive design contract which will develop requirements arising from the Generic Design Assessment process.
• The Ancillary Building works cover the construction of 16 different buildings of various types. Some are low-tech, some are temporary and other are high-tech and nuclear–safety-significant facilities. These include the Hinkley Point C public information centre, the simulator and training centre and site access facilities. The approach under consideration is for the design and construction to be carried out in two phases, with the first phase tenders being invited in 2012.
• Associated developments – the PQQ process for these contracts covering the park and ride sites, campus accommodation, the Cannington bypass, the freight management facilities and various road improvements have been carried out and tenders for the works are being drawn up and should be released in 2012.
• The strategy for facilities management is being developed, which will cover the management of logistics, transport and freight, together with the operation of the campus accommodation. It is expected that this strategy, and hence the likely scope of the contracts, will be available later this year.
• There are also many equipment supply packages at various stages in the procurement process.  These include specialist items including pumps, valves, tanks, compressors, electrical equipment, filters, cranes, heat exchangers, hatches and airlocks to name but a few.  Due to the size, complexity and nature of the items, many will be internationally sourced but local supply opportunities will be explored.

JUAL have been working with the representatives of EDF Energy for a number of months to evaluate the workwear requirements for the staff at the proposed new development at Hinkley Point.

Based in North Newton, JUAL have been providing work wear and uniform, locally and nationally, for nearly 20 years.  We are a family run company committed to offering the very best service and to provide clothing solutions for any business of any size. We provide a full logo branding service on site which includes embroidery, printing and labelling.

Alison Brown, Managing Director at JUAL said “we look forward to working with the EDF Energy teams and associated contractors and companies in the initial stages and for the foreseeable future. There will be marvellous opportunities for local businesses in Somerset going forward, benefiting the Somerset economy as a whole. I would recommend registering with the Hinkley Supply Chain Database, which is quick and easy to do. We’ve received updates on construction phases and tender news, and opportunities to meet with the key people involved.”    Read More

Opening address to the Third EDF Energy Supply Chain Event on 13th December 2011

Welcome, Good morning.

I want to start by welcoming you all here today.

For the 350 companies in this room, our new nuclear build programme represents enormous economic potential.

As EDF Energy has progressed its plans, we have been encouraged as you in the supply chain have prepared for this project.

You have ramped up training so that your people have the right skills.

You have formed strategic partnerships with other companies.

And you have bid for contracts – and won them.

The progress you have made is demonstrated by the evolution of these Supplier Day events.

So today I’d like to talk about the challenging times we face as we come together here today…

What we have achieved so far…

What remains to be done…

And how we will manage this project in a timely and affordable manner.

I will also make some key announcements that are a tangible demonstration that the project is moving forward.

But before that, I must pay tribute to some of our distinguished guests, who in their respective roles have had such a positive impact on the prospects for nuclear.

First, Lord Hutton

It was his stewardship of energy policy in the last Labour Government that brought nuclear back onto the agenda.

I am honoured and proud to have him here today, continuing to give his guidance and wisdom as Chair of the Nuclear Industry Association.

The broad consensus of politicians is key to our project.

We are fortunate today to also have two eminent Ministers from the Coalition Government, whose continued support for nuclear power is hugely welcome.

Lord Sassoon from the Treasury will talk shortly about the challenge to renew and reinvigorate UK infrastructure.

And later we will hear from the Minister for Energy, Charles Hendry, whose mastery of the brief and willingness to engage I have come to value greatly.

So thank you all for being here today.

At the end of 2011 we are marking a year of significant progress.

It has been achieved working side by side with our constructive and committed partner Centrica.

So I wanted to thank them for all their support, input and experience since we started together on this journey.

Economic Crisis and Fukushima

Now I’d like to turn to the challenging context of 2011.

We are in the middle of huge economic turbulence.

Here we face the prospect of years of austerity.

The Government is looking to the private sector for economic growth.

Our new build plan is a major part of these plans, something confirmed by the the publication of the National Infrastructure Plan in recent days.

Separately, Fukushima earlier this year rightly raised challenging questions for the nuclear industry. And crucially has made absolutely clear the central role of the operator.

Immediately after Fukushima, Dr Mike Weightman, who will speak shortly, was asked by the Energy Secretary, Chris Huhne, to prepare a report into the safety of nuclear power stations in the UK.

He concluded that the UK’s existing nuclear power stations are safe.

As part of our response to ONR recommendations we are going to invest even more to make them even safer.

Equally, he concluded that we could move ahead with our new build plans.

He praised what we have been doing already to be open and transparent

And called for greater focus on this in the future.

We have already built further on our work in this area by:

- Launching an operational status website for our stations, updated daily.

- Initiating a forum of key stakeholders to understand their concerns and issues

- Running focus groups to hear the views of the general public.

- Developing a programme to open new visitor centres at our plants in 2012

- Launching a new website to inform and educate on energy issues

- Engaging with media and politicians at every level .

In my view, there is no doubt that Dr Weightman’s rigorous and evidence-based report helped underpin and strengthen the political consensus and support for nuclear, existing and new build.

Regarding new build, there is a clear message from Government that this project is needed to help kick-start the economy.

Year of progress

So I will say a little about the political and legislative progress made this year.

The Government’s message has been backed up by significant progress on the investment framework for new nuclear:

- DECC published its Electricity Market Reforms, encouraging low carbon generation whilst being fair to consumers.

- The National Policy Statement, setting out the national need for new nuclear, was published and approved by Parliament.

- The Finance Act brought the Carbon Price Floor into law, which will underpin the cost of emitting carbon.

And whilst all of this has been happening nationally, our project has continued to progress on the ground.

In July West Somerset Council approved the planning application for Site Preparation Works which we expect to begin in the Spring.

And today I can announce that our preferred bidder for this is KIER/BAM.

This contract is worth in excess of £100m.

The work, which is subject to clearance of planning conditions, involves moving several million cubic metres of material.

In so doing we will respect our environmental obligations and the conditions of the planning consent.

On October 31st we submitted our Development Consent Order to the IPC, which has accepted it for examination on 24th November.

This was the culmination of 3 years hard work and consultation.

I am proud that we have listened to the local community, and brought them with us on our journey.

I am proud that we are placing sustainability at the heart of our project.

Shortly we will hear more on this from Alan McGoff from the Environment Agency.

The spirit of collaboration is important across the whole project.

So I am also proud that EDF Energy has been the lynchpin that has brought together so many successful companies in the spirit of collaboration.

This is further illustrated by the many French and British companies that are forming alliances as part of the revival of nuclear, embodied by our project.

Lloyds Register and APAVE have been appointed our third party inspection agency, with the ability to give us worldwide supply chain assurance.

Atkins and Assystem have come together to provide consultancy and engineering services for the development of nuclear power capability.

I know AREVA and Rolls-Royce have made significant progress in this area after having signed an MOU in March.

And beyond this is the collaboration between Areva and EDF Energy, which has been ongoing for many years.

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome AREVA’s UK CEO Alain-Pierre Raynaud, who will speak later.

And I would like to make my second announcement of today. This is a new agreement with AREVA, also worth about 100 million euros.

This relates to the early design work for the main reactor systems for Hinkley Point C, which will allow AREVA to begin the work in January.

The agreement comes as AREVA has, in the last two weeks, started production of the heavy forgings required for critical reactor components following a contract signed between the companies in July.

On the subject of collaboration, I should mention the work between Government and industry to complete the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing and Research Centre in Sheffield.

It is a tremendous contribution by the government, as well as others such as Rolls Royce and AREVA, in establishing an institution to support UK manufacturers and suppliers in the nuclear industry.

So at the end of 2011, the project is stronger.

There are tangible benefits.

Momentum is gathering pace.

What still needs to be done?

But there is still a lot to be done.

The next steps are clear.

1. I expect that we will receive from ONR the Interim Design Approval Certificate for the EPR tomorrow. I believe this is a major milestone in our journey.

I expect that simultaneously tomorrow we will have the Interim Statement of Design Acceptability from the Environment Agency.

2. We hope the ONR will issue our Nuclear Site Licence in the second half of 2012.

3. The IPC is beginning examination of our application so a recommendation can be made in one year, to be followed by a decision from the Secretary of State.

Alongside these next steps are those that relate to you; our supply chain partners.

What must we do together?

It is important that you hear what next steps means from the ONR’s perspective.

It is just as important that you hear next steps from us.

So that there are no surprises.

So that we all have clear expectations.

So that together we have a co-ordinated plan.

Our engagement with you at an early stage, including at these supplier days, is to help you be partners in our success.

We are only as strong as our weakest link.

The more you know about the project and our expectations, the more accurately you can model the work.

The outcome will be less risk for you with no surprises for us

Now let me say a little about the affordability of the project.

Hinkley Point C will be a success only if it is affordable to investors and affordable to customers.

Let me say a word about why that is important.

It is because at the end of it all, we must always keep customers in mind.

Bills are a big issue for business and the public alike.

We have the cheapest standard residential bills among the big suppliers.

We have been able to do this because of investment in nuclear power.

We must help customers by keeping bills affordable.

New nuclear will help to do that if it is delivered affordably.

IR framework

To illustrate my point, one key element of that affordability is productivity.

Productivity is a measurement of the effectiveness of management.

It is about management working better.

The fact is we have a productivity challenge.

And the link between productivity and quality is clear.

Too often in the construction industry there have been entrenched positions.

Management on one side and unions on the other.

Therefore we want to create a new social covenant between us, our contractors and unions.

We want to have better training for our people and improved long term career opportunities for our workforce.

We must treat our people as skilled, valued workers, and create an environment in which they can be high performers meeting high standards.

That includes the 20,000 people who will work on the site.

These principles will help us to retain workers and give them pride in their work.

If we get it right, we will create the legacy of a highly skilled workforce.

To achieve that we will invest in training.

Skills and the Supply Chain

In January 2011, Chris Huhne and I launched the Energy Skills Centre at Bridgwater College.

It is part of a £6m commitment EDF Energy has made to local colleges

And my third announcement of today is a further £15m investment to extend EDF Energy’s partnership with Bridgwater College to establish a new World Class Training Centre.

Building on existing work with the college, this facility will address potential skills shortages in the energy sector.

Investing in skills is vital not only to new build but in providing a legacy for the country for generations to come.

Conclusion

So, in conclusion, all of us together are creating more than a nuclear power plant.

It is a project with a sustainable legacy – for skills, communities and the country.

And it also addresses one of the biggest issues of our age – climate change.

And let me make this clear:

I have never wavered in this

EDF Energy has a strong and proud history of supporting climate change targets.

That’s why I am hopeful that the tireless progress made in the global climate change negotiations in Durban – and the efforts of Secretary of State Chris Huhne – can be built upon.

One thing we can be sure of:

Our project will be a major contribution to help the UK reach its carbon emission reduction targets.

Finally I’d like to finish by saying that you in the supply chain must continue to mobilise.

On skills, on bidding for contracts and on forming partnerships

I have set out here what still needs to be achieved to deliver new nuclear in a timely manner, and the help we need from you to do that.

And new nuclear will be on time.

We will deliver the energy that Britain needs, when the country needs it, in line with the National Policy Statement.

In doing so we will boost the economy.

We will be part of the Government’s ambition to rebalance the economy and build up manufacturing and construction.

We have clear signals that we must now act.

2012 will be another year of action.

Let’s make it a productive and successful year together.

Thank you.