BrazilEviden and Schneider Electric win nuclear power project with EDF
French energy giant EDF has signed a major technology contract with Eviden and Schneider Electric.
The contract will see Eviden and Schneider Electric supply the Level 1 standard control systems for EDF’s six planned nuclear power plants, as part of France’s plan to revive and expand its nuclear power industry.
France currently gets around 70% of its energy from nuclear power. With 56 active nuclear reactors distributed over 18 nuclear power plants, EDF is the largest nuclear energy producer in France (and one of the largest in the world).
The first two new plants of EDF, at Penly in Normandy, recently received approval to commence the construction phase, scheduled for mid-2024. Plans for the four other new plants are still under consideration.
Eviden and Schneider Electric have been tapped as partners for the control systems of the Penly nuclear units – critical systems that ensure the efficient and safe operations of the nuclear reactors.
Schneider Electric will be responsible for supplying the hardware infrastructure built around the PLCs (programmable logic controller) meeting the appropriate qualification level in terms of nuclear safety. Production will take place at Schneider Electric’s French plants.
Eviden meanwhile will be responsible for integrating and programming the PLCs, as well as producing the software needed to automate the translation of control function diagrams into PLC programs.
“We are proud to contribute to the renaissance of the nuclear industry in France,” said Emmanuel Besse from Eviden (part of Atos). “This major contract underlines our 45 years of experience in the field of nuclear command and control. By working with EDF and other partners, we are helping to support Europe’s nuclear energy sovereignty, which is essential to support over the years as we transition to decarbonised energy mix.”
Laurent Bataille, Executive Vice President at Schneider Electric, added: “Schneider Electric is delighted to continue its long-standing partnership with the French nuclear industry, while helping to make France’s energy mix more resilient and low carbon.”
