Europe's next new nuclear power plant will start construction at Flamanville, France, late next year following the Sept. 1 award of three major contracts, with a combined value around $1.9 billion. Owner Electricit de France aims to have the estimated $4.2 billion, 1,600 MW plant in operation by 2012.

(Photo: EDF)

Flamanvilles plant will use the new European Pressurised Reactor developed by Paris-based nuclear power conglomerate AREVA. A similar reacor is now being built at Olkiluoto, Finland. AREVA secured a roughly $900 million contract for the nuclear portion of the Flamanville plant and another one, valued at $130 million for controls.

At the same time, EDF awarded a contract worth around $420 million for Flamanvilles civil and building work to a team led by Bouygues Construction S.A., Paris. Almost 1,000 people will work on that contract. A third large contract, for the turbine hall, worth some $450 million (350M) went to Alstom S.A., Paris. Another 50 contracts of various sized are to be awarded, says an EDF spokesman.