EDF Energy have announced a string of new contracts that will benefit the nuclear industry in the UK, worth approximately £200m. Among the contracts is a £100 million deal with construction specialists KIER BAM for site preparation works at the EDF Hinkley Point C site.

The contract is expected to create 350 jobs in preparation work and a further 20,000 will be created over the course of the project. Other announcements include an agreement with AREVA over design work for the main reactor systems due to begin work in January.

Speaking in London, Vincent de Rivaz, EDF Energy Chief Executive said: “This is part of the growth agenda. The contracts we are announcing today will secure over 500 jobs and provide an immediate economic boost. This is just the beginning. Our project will inject billions of pounds into the economy, revitalise entire sectors of industry and support tens of thousands of jobs.”

Hinkley Point C is expected to generate about 6% of the UK’s electricity,enough to meet the needs of around 5 million homes. UK nuclear was given significant backing by government this year following the Electricity Market Reform, which favours low carbon generation technologies, such as nuclear.

Treasury Minister Lord Sassoon said: “The reliable provision of energy is critical to the country’s prosperity and nuclear power has a vital role to play in that vision. We welcome EDF Energy’s appetite for investment in the UK’s nuclear programme.”