EDF contractors will be under 'significant surveillance'

Contractors chosen to deliver EDF's newbuild nuclear schemes will be subject to "significant surveillance" on site, according to Chris Bakken, EDF's Nuclear New Build (NNB) division's safety director.

Bakken said suppliers will be subject to stringent controls on site, needing to comply with tough safety and quality standards "from day one, with absolute compliance".

Bakken told EDF suppliers' day forum: "You will need to raise your game, do not underestimate our requirements. We need and expect a productive, modern site committed to safety with work done on time and to cost."

He said suppliers must not hesitate to report any problems.

"If things go off piste, I want to know," he said.

Henri Herklemann, NNB division's construction director, told delegates that EDF is willing to help UK suppliers develop the necessary skills to compete for work on its nuclear sites. "We are here to help and we will work with any contractor to meet these standards required on site."

Herkelmann said many lessons had been learned on EDF's Flamanville new build nuclear site, which is due to be completed by 2012. "The key challenge is to transfer the huge experience we have in France and for that we have created a UK based team. We believe our huge strengths developed in France will make a big impact on the UK construction programme."

List of contracts due to be tendered >>

All interested potential suppliers must register with EDF on its Procurement Portal.