UK and France to sign nuclear deal
Prime Minister David Cameron and President Nicolas Sarkozy will sign an agreement today outlining the future role of civil nuclear energy in the two countries. The agreement will pave the way for the construction of a new generation of power plants in the UK.
Deals worth more than £500million between British and French companies will allow work to start on new facilities, creating more than 1,500 jobs across the country.
Rolls-Royce is to open a factory in Rotherham to produce components for the first new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point, in Somerset, as part of a £400million deal with French energy giant Areva, supporting 600 jobs in the company and 600 in its supply chain.
Meanwhile, France's EDF will conclude a £100million agreement with Keir/BAM Nuttall for the first construction works at Hinkley Point and will set up a £15million training campus for future nuclear engineers in nearby Bridgwater.
The pair will sign a joint declaration of commitment to civil nuclear power, establishing a framework for co-operation on security, research and development, education and training.
