Sizewell C signs fuel contracts in boost for energy security

• Project announces six-year supply contract with Urenco and long-term fuel fabrication contract with Framatome
• Enrichment contract with Urenco will support nuclear jobs in the North-West
• Fuel will be fabricated initially in Framatome’s European reference facilities, and then in the UK once its planned UK factory is available, strengthening UK energy security and creating new jobs
• Over its lifetime, Sizewell C is expected to deliver 90% of its value to UK businesses

Sizewell C has signed multi-year fuel contracts with Urenco and Framatome for the provision of enriched uranium services and nuclear fuel fabrication, marking a major step forward in strengthening the UK’s energy security.

The supply contract with Urenco for enriched uranium services will support the first six years of the 3.2 GW power station’s operation, establishing a secure front-end fuel supply.

The contract will help to support around 1,000 existing highly skilled jobs at Urenco’s enrichment site at Capenhurst, near Chester in the North-West.

Urenco, whose shareholders include the UK government, has committed to delivering net zero carbon enrichment services, and will deliver a low-carbon foundation for Sizewell C’s early operational phase.

Sizewell C has also signed a long-term fuel fabrication agreement with Framatome for the first cores and a number of subsequent reloads. The fuel will first be fabricated using the enriched uranium at Framatome’s factory in Romans, France, until its new UK facility is available. The UK factory will create new jobs and reduce reliance on fuel imports, strengthening the security of fuel supply in this country.

Julia Pyke and Nigel Cann, Joint Managing Directors of Sizewell C, said: “These two contracts represent a major moment for Sizewell C and for energy security in the UK – this is about delivering the fuel supply for a project that will power 7% of the UK’s energy needs.

“This is also another big moment for nuclear jobs in the UK. The fuel that will go in our reactors will be low carbon and predominantly sourced from the UK, produced by skilled British workers. We’ve already pledged to deliver 70% of the project’s construction value to UK businesses, and investing in fuel fabrication here in the UK will help us increase that to around 90% across the lifetime of the project. This is what we mean by doing infrastructure differently – and it puts the UK’s energy security and our nuclear supply chain in a much stronger place.”

Once operational, Sizewell C will supply electricity to the equivalent of six million homes for at least 60 years and will deliver electricity system savings of £2 billion a year on average. At its peak, the project will directly support 10,000 jobs with tens of thousands more in the supply chain, and it will create 1,500 apprenticeships.

Boris Schucht, CEO of Urenco, said: “The importance of Sizewell C in the UK’s energy future cannot be underestimated, and Urenco is proud to have been selected as a supplier of choice.

“This will support the millions in economic contributions we make to the UK every year through the enrichment site we have in Cheshire, one of four such sites we have globally, as well as helping to grow skills in the nuclear industry, create jobs and strengthen supply chains.”

Framatome has previously announced multi-billion pound contracts with Sizewell C, including the delivery of the two nuclear heat production systems for the project.

Lionel Gaiffe, Senior Executive Vice President, Fuel Business Unit at Framatome, said: “Framatome is proud to extend its partnership with Sizewell C through this fuel supply contract. We remain deeply committed to helping the country meet its net zero targets and contribute to strengthen security of fuel supply through a diverse and resilient supply chain.”

Earlier this month, Sizewell C announced that it had awarded Arabelle Solution a landmark contract to supply two of the world’s most powerful steam turbines. The project secured a Final Investment Decision in July, marking a major step forward in the delivery of a new ‘golden age’ of nuclear under the government’s Plan for Change.

Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear Lord Vallance said: “By backing Sizewell C, we are supporting businesses and driving growth right across the UK as part of our new golden age of nuclear.

“These contracts will reduce our reliance on fuel imports, while supporting 1,000 highly skilled jobs and channelling investment into Cheshire.

“Our clean energy superpower mission is not only about strengthening our energy security, but also building resilient, homegrown British supply chains to boost jobs and growth.”