Nearly one third of the work involved in the construction of nuclear reactors in Britain will be shut off to UK companies, the French group that is expected to build most of them said yesterday.
Areva will make key components for the stations in France and leave British companies to compete with suppliers from the rest of the world for the remaining lower-value work.
Areva will make key components for the stations in France and leave British companies to compete with suppliers from the rest of the world for the remaining lower-value work.
There again, did we expect anything different when awarding the contract abroad?
Areva, which is 85 per cent-owned by the French Government, said that 30 per cent of the parts for the new stations would be built at its own factories, mainly in France, and shipped to Britain for final assembly. This will include many of the largest and most complex components, including specialist reactor forgings.
Speaking at a suppliers' conference in Birmingham, Areva said that British companies would be invited to bid for the remaining 70 per cent of the programme, along with suppliers from other countries, such as Japan, Germany and the United States. This will include the supply of everything from concrete to the manufacture of pumps and safety equipment.
Speaking at a suppliers' conference in Birmingham, Areva said that British companies would be invited to bid for the remaining 70 per cent of the programme, along with suppliers from other countries, such as Japan, Germany and the United States. This will include the supply of everything from concrete to the manufacture of pumps and safety equipment.
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