hent-based engine manufacturer Anglo Belgian Corporation (ABC), in consortium with French companies Eiffage and SPIE Nucléaire, is currently working on a major contract – with a value exceeding €900 million - to supply diesel back-up generators for six new nuclear plants in France.
The three companies finalised a contract with EDF, France’s state electricity company in 2024. The deal involves supplying and installing standby diesel generators for six nuclear reactor projects, announced for construction in 2022.
The agreement is for the supply of 24 backup generators: four per nuclear reactor, three of which are primary power.
The six reactors, of the new EPR2 type, will be built in pairs across three sites: Penly, Gravelines, and Bugey.
“The study phase begins this year,”
ABC said, noting that the project, which is set to last 17 years, will require close to 350 personnel at peak times on each of the three sites.
The Ghent-based company will manufacture the engines and supply the generator groups, complete with a chassis and alternator. Its subsidiary, OMTD, will oversee installation and testing. ABC has previously provided EDF’s nuclear reactors with standby diesel generators. Established in 1912, the Ghent-based company produces marine and terrestrial engines for power generation.
Nuclear reactors require backup diesel power generators onsite to ensure the continued functioning of critical safety systems during a loss of off-site power (LOOP). These generators provide the necessary power to maintain safety functions such as cooling systems, control rods, and containment structures. The ability to start automatically and supply power to these systems within a short period is crucial for preventing accidents and minimizing the risk of radioactive releases into the environment. The design and technical specifications of these generators have evolved to meet the increasing demands of nuclear safety, with strict regulatory requirements governing their design, testing, and maintenance.
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