EDF Energy
Encyclopedia
EDF Energy is an integrated energy company in the United Kingdom, with operations spanning electricity generation and the sale of gas
and electricity
to homes and businesses throughout the United Kingdom
. It employs over 20,000 people and handles 5.7 million customer accounts.
EDF Energy Customers (trading as EDF Energy) is wholly owned by the French state-owned EDF SA
and was formed in 2002 following the acquisition and mergers of SEEBOARD
Plc (formerly the South Eastern Electricity Board), London Electricity Plc (formerly the London Electricity Board
or LEB), SWEB Energy
Plc (formerly the South Western Electricity Board) and two coal-fired power station
s and a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT)
power station.
In 2009, EDF Energy took control of the UK nuclear
generator, British Energy
, buying share capital from the government. This made EDF Energy the UK's largest generator, as well as the largest distribution network operator.
(PPP) and Private Finance Initiative
(PFI) type schemes. The Development Branch of EDF Energy was later dissolved in October 2006.
The electricity distribution networks formally known as EDF Energy Networks were sold to Cheung Kong Group (CKG) in Nov 2010 and are now operated as UK Power Networks
.
EDF owns two 2,000 MW coal-fired power stations, Cottam
and West Burton
, both located near Retford
in Nottinghamshire
, giving EDF the highest coal-fired generational capacity of any energy company in the UK. It also owns the 790 MW Sutton Bridge
CCGT power station, and is constructing a new 1,311 MW CCGT station at West Burton, expected to open in 2011.
s, at Kirkheaton
in Northumberland
and the High Hedley Hope wind farm near Tow Law
in County Durham
, and is developing the Teesside Offshore Wind near Redcar
, Teesside
.
in 2009, the EDF Energy portfolio includes eight nuclear power stations. They are seven AGR
power stations (Dungeness B; Hinkley Point B; Hunterston B; Hartlepool; Heysham 1; Heysham 2 & Torness) and one PWR
power station (Sizewell B) and total nearly 9000MW of installed capacity.
Subject to the regulatory and political environment being suitable
, EDF has announced its intention to construct up to 4 new EPR
reactors; two at Hinkley Point C
and two at Sizewell C. EDF plans to build and operate the new plants through its subsidiary NNB Generation Company
(NNB GenCo).
magazine reported that in 2004 EDF Energy spent virtually nothing on the construction of new renewable energy generation. On their website EDF reports that it is currently investing GBP 2 million in Marine Current Turbines, which use tidal power to generate electricity; however, these turbines are still at the research and prototype phase and EDF expect them to be operational "within the next five years" dependent upon "a successful pilot." EDF also has several ongoing renewable developments in windfarms.
In 2007 EDF had an installed renewable energy generating capacity of 1.8MW, representing 0.08% of their total capacity of approximately 4,865MW.
In June 2008 EDF announced the formation of EDF Energy Renewables, a 50:50 joint venture with EDF Energies Nouvelles
, with the stated intention of becoming a 'major force in the UK renewable energies market'.
In July 2009, Ecotricity
started legal proceedings against EDF Energy for the alleged misuse of the Green Union Flag logo, used to promote the Team Green Britain campaign.
shows, including Soapstar Superstar
and City Lights starring Robson Green
. It also sponsored coverage of the 2006 World Cup
in Germany (shared with Budweiser
).
Since 2005, EDF Energy has been the main sponsor of the EDF Energy Cup
– the Rugby Union
domestic cup for the 12 English Premiership clubs and the 4 Welsh regions – also known as the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
In July 2007 EDF Energy was confirmed as another Level One sponsor for London 2012 with exclusive branding rights and Olympic team sponsorship for the 2008, 2010 and 2012 games as well as being the official energy provider.
In 2007 EDF sponsored Adam Smith
In August 2008 EDF Energy formed a partnership with The British Red Cross
to help vulnerable people to get support during power failures.
, Channel 4
, Five and various Satellite channels. EDF Energy are using 'It's not easy being green' as their slogan to target a new greener eco-friendly image. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKlC7iGzi-M In 2009, with Euro RSCG London
, EDF Energy created the Team Green Britain campaign, in which Olympic athletes encouraged Brits to be more environmentally aware.
Gas
Gas is one of the three classical states of matter . Near absolute zero, a substance exists as a solid. As heat is added to this substance it melts into a liquid at its melting point , boils into a gas at its boiling point, and if heated high enough would enter a plasma state in which the electrons...
and electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
to homes and businesses throughout the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It employs over 20,000 people and handles 5.7 million customer accounts.
EDF Energy Customers (trading as EDF Energy) is wholly owned by the French state-owned EDF SA
Électricité de France
Électricité de France S.A. is the second largest French utility company. Headquartered in Paris, France, with €65.2 billion in revenues in 2010, EDF operates a diverse portfolio of 120,000+ megawatts of generation capacity in Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.EDF is one of...
and was formed in 2002 following the acquisition and mergers of SEEBOARD
SEEBOARD
SEEBOARD, formerly South Eastern Electricity Board , was a British electricity company. The electrical power industry in the United Kingdom was nationalised by the Electricity Act 1947, when over 600 electric power companies were merged into twelve Area Boards, one of which was the South Eastern...
Plc (formerly the South Eastern Electricity Board), London Electricity Plc (formerly the London Electricity Board
London Electricity Board
The London Electricity Board was the public sector utility company responsible for electricity generation and electrical infrastructure maintenance in London prior to 1990. It was shortened to LEB in its green and blue logo, consisting of the three letters...
or LEB), SWEB Energy
SWEB Energy
SWEB Energy, formerly South Western Electricity Board was a British state-owned Regional Electricity Company operating in South West England which was privatised by the Thatcher government...
Plc (formerly the South Western Electricity Board) and two coal-fired power station
Power station
A power station is an industrial facility for the generation of electric energy....
s and a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT)
Combined cycle
In electric power generation a combined cycle is an assembly of heat engines that work in tandem off the same source of heat, converting it into mechanical energy, which in turn usually drives electrical generators...
power station.
In 2009, EDF Energy took control of the UK nuclear
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
generator, British Energy
British Energy
British Energy was the UK's largest electricity generation company by volume, before being taken over by Électricité de France in 2009. British Energy operated eight former UK state-owned nuclear power stations and one coal fired power station....
, buying share capital from the government. This made EDF Energy the UK's largest generator, as well as the largest distribution network operator.
History
The Development Branch of EDF Energy was formed in April 2004, bringing together the separate infrastructure interests of what were LE Group, SEEBOARD and SWEB. The focus for the Branch is development activity through the participation in major new infrastructure projects, largely in the public sector through Public-private partnershipPublic-private partnership
Public–private partnership describes a government service or private business venture which is funded and operated through a partnership of government and one or more private sector companies...
(PPP) and Private Finance Initiative
Private Finance Initiative
The private finance initiative is a way of creating "public–private partnerships" by funding public infrastructure projects with private capital...
(PFI) type schemes. The Development Branch of EDF Energy was later dissolved in October 2006.
The electricity distribution networks formally known as EDF Energy Networks were sold to Cheung Kong Group (CKG) in Nov 2010 and are now operated as UK Power Networks
UK Power Networks
UK Power Networks is a distribution network operator for electricity covering South East England, the East of England and London.The area previously comprised three networks known as the London Electricity Board, Eastern Electricity, and South Eastern Electricity board, before being brought...
.
Fossil fuel
Cottam Power Station
The Cottam power stations are a pair of power stations, located on the River Trent at Cottam near Retford in Nottinghamshire. The largest of the two is a coal-fired power station, which was commissioned in 1969 by the Central Electricity Generating Board, and has a generating capacity of 1,970...
and West Burton
West Burton Power Station
The West Burton power stations are a pair of power stations on the River Trent near Gainsborough, in Nottinghamshire, England, located between Bole to the north and Sturton le Steeple to the south. One is a coal-fired power station, which was commissioned in 1968, and the second is a combined cycle...
, both located near Retford
Retford
Retford is a market town in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands of England, located 31 miles from the city of Nottingham, and 23 miles west of Lincoln, in the district of Bassetlaw. The town is situated in a valley with the River Idle and the Chesterfield Canal running through the centre of the...
in Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
, giving EDF the highest coal-fired generational capacity of any energy company in the UK. It also owns the 790 MW Sutton Bridge
Sutton Bridge Power Station
Sutton Bridge Power Station is a 790 MW gas-fired power station in Sutton Bridge in the south-east of Lincolnshire in South Holland, England. It is on Centenary Way to the River Nene.-History:...
CCGT power station, and is constructing a new 1,311 MW CCGT station at West Burton, expected to open in 2011.
Wind
EDF also owns and operates 2 wind farmWind farm
A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used to produce electric power. A large wind farm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines, and cover an extended area of hundreds of square miles, but the land between the turbines may be used for agricultural or other...
s, at Kirkheaton
Kirkheaton
Kirkheaton is a village north east of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England and has a population of 4,209 together with Upper Heaton.- Education :Kirkheaton has a primary school, Kirkheaton Primary School, which is situated on New Road....
in Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
and the High Hedley Hope wind farm near Tow Law
Tow Law
Tow Law is a town and civil parish in County Durham, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 1,952. It is situated a few miles to the south of Consett. Tow Law Town football team are based in the town. The town constituted an urban district from 1894 until 1974...
in County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, and is developing the Teesside Offshore Wind near Redcar
Redcar
Redcar is a seaside resort in the north east of England, and a major town in the unitary authority of Redcar and Cleveland in the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire. It lies east-northeast of Middlesbrough by the North Sea coast...
, Teesside
Teesside
Teesside is the name given to the conurbation in the north east of England made up of the towns of Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar, Billingham and surrounding settlements near the River Tees. It was also the name of a local government district between 1968 and 1974—the County Borough of...
.
Nuclear
Following the acquisition of British EnergyBritish Energy
British Energy was the UK's largest electricity generation company by volume, before being taken over by Électricité de France in 2009. British Energy operated eight former UK state-owned nuclear power stations and one coal fired power station....
in 2009, the EDF Energy portfolio includes eight nuclear power stations. They are seven AGR
Advanced gas-cooled reactor
An advanced gas-cooled reactor is a type of nuclear reactor. These are the second generation of British gas-cooled reactors, using graphite as the neutron moderator and carbon dioxide as coolant...
power stations (Dungeness B; Hinkley Point B; Hunterston B; Hartlepool; Heysham 1; Heysham 2 & Torness) and one PWR
Pressurized water reactor
Pressurized water reactors constitute a large majority of all western nuclear power plants and are one of three types of light water reactor , the other types being boiling water reactors and supercritical water reactors...
power station (Sizewell B) and total nearly 9000MW of installed capacity.
Subject to the regulatory and political environment being suitable
Nuclear power in the United Kingdom
Nuclear power currently generates around a sixth of the United Kingdom's electricity. As of 2011, the United Kingdom operates 19 nuclear reactors at nine locations...
, EDF has announced its intention to construct up to 4 new EPR
European Pressurized Reactor
The EPR is a third generation pressurized water reactor design. It has been designed and developed mainly by Framatome , Electricité de France in France, and Siemens AG in Germany...
reactors; two at Hinkley Point C
Hinkley Point C nuclear power station
Hinkley Point C nuclear power station is a proposed development for a new nuclear power station in Somerset, England.In September 2008 it was announced, by Electricité de France the new owners of Hinkley Point B, that a third, twin-unit European Pressurised Reactor reactor is planned for Hinkley...
and two at Sizewell C. EDF plans to build and operate the new plants through its subsidiary NNB Generation Company
NNB Generation Company
NNB Generation Company is a subsidiary created by EDF Energy to build and then operate two new nuclear power stations in the United Kingdom. The new plants are to be Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C and will eventually produce up to 6.4GW in total....
(NNB GenCo).
Renewable energy
The EcologistThe Ecologist
The Ecologist is a British environmental publication founded in 1970 by Edward Goldsmith. It addresses a wide range of environmental subjects and promotes an ecological systems thinking approach through its news stories, investigations and opinion articles. The Ecologist encourages its readers to...
magazine reported that in 2004 EDF Energy spent virtually nothing on the construction of new renewable energy generation. On their website EDF reports that it is currently investing GBP 2 million in Marine Current Turbines, which use tidal power to generate electricity; however, these turbines are still at the research and prototype phase and EDF expect them to be operational "within the next five years" dependent upon "a successful pilot." EDF also has several ongoing renewable developments in windfarms.
In 2007 EDF had an installed renewable energy generating capacity of 1.8MW, representing 0.08% of their total capacity of approximately 4,865MW.
In June 2008 EDF announced the formation of EDF Energy Renewables, a 50:50 joint venture with EDF Energies Nouvelles
EDF Energies Nouvelles
EDF Energies Nouvelles is a French renewable energy corporation, half owned by French electric utility Électricité de France. It was formed in 2004 from its predecessor SIIF Energies and was floated on the Paris stock exchange in 2006....
, with the stated intention of becoming a 'major force in the UK renewable energies market'.
In July 2009, Ecotricity
Ecotricity
Ecotricity is a green energy company based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England specialising in selling and generating wind power. It is built on the principle of heavily reinvesting its profit in building more of its own windfarms.-History:...
started legal proceedings against EDF Energy for the alleged misuse of the Green Union Flag logo, used to promote the Team Green Britain campaign.
Carbon intensity
| Year | Production (TWh TWH TWH or twh could refer to:*Tennessee Walking Horse, a breed of horse* Toronto Western Hospital, a hospital in Toronto, Canada* TWH Bus & Coach, a bus company in Romford, England* Terrawatt-hour, measure of electrical energy, 1012 watt-hours... ) |
Emission (Gt CO2) | kg CO2/MWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 20 | 15.8 | 772 |
| 2003 | 23 | 17.5 | 776 |
| 2004 | 25 | 20.5 | 812 |
| 2005 | 23 | 18.5 | 807 |
| 2006 | 25 | 20.8 | 818 |
| 2007 | 26 | 21.1 | 826 |
| 2008 | 27 | 21.9 | 805 |
| 2009 | 72 | 23.8 | 330 |
Sponsorship
EDF Energy has sponsored several ITVITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
shows, including Soapstar Superstar
Soapstar Superstar
Soapstar Superstar was a reality singing competition produced by Granada Television which first aired on British television station ITV in 2006. In the competition, ten soap opera actors perform in front of a celebrity panel, which included Cilla Black, Billy Sammeth and Chris Cowey...
and City Lights starring Robson Green
Robson Green
Robson Green is an English actor, singer–songwriter and presenter.-Biography:Robson Golightly Green was born in Hexham, Northumberland, and baptised in Bethel Chapel, , and named in Northeast tradition as first son after family surnames: Robson is his grandmother's maiden surname, while Golightly...
. It also sponsored coverage of the 2006 World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
in Germany (shared with Budweiser
Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)
Budweiser is a 5.0% abv American-style lager introduced in 1876 by Adolphus Busch and one of the highest selling beers in the United States. It is made with up to 30% rice in addition to hops and barley malt. Budweiser is produced in various breweries located around the world...
).
Since 2005, EDF Energy has been the main sponsor of the EDF Energy Cup
EDF Energy Cup
The Anglo-Welsh Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the LV Cup , is an English and Welsh rugby union knock-out cup competition featuring the twelve Aviva Premiership clubs and four Welsh Regions...
– the Rugby Union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
domestic cup for the 12 English Premiership clubs and the 4 Welsh regions – also known as the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
In July 2007 EDF Energy was confirmed as another Level One sponsor for London 2012 with exclusive branding rights and Olympic team sponsorship for the 2008, 2010 and 2012 games as well as being the official energy provider.
In 2007 EDF sponsored Adam Smith
In August 2008 EDF Energy formed a partnership with The British Red Cross
British Red Cross
The British Red Cross Society is the United Kingdom branch of the worldwide impartial humanitarian organisation the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The society was formed in 1870, and is a registered charity with over 31,000 volunteers and 2,600 staff. At the heart of their work...
to help vulnerable people to get support during power failures.
Marketing
On 4 January 2008 EDF Energy began advertising on the television through ITVITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
, Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
, Five and various Satellite channels. EDF Energy are using 'It's not easy being green' as their slogan to target a new greener eco-friendly image. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKlC7iGzi-M In 2009, with Euro RSCG London
Euro RSCG London
Euro RSCG London is a London-based integrated advertising agency. It is part of the Euro RSCG Worldwide network which has 233 offices located in 75 countries throughout Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.-Key Clients:...
, EDF Energy created the Team Green Britain campaign, in which Olympic athletes encouraged Brits to be more environmentally aware.
See also
- Energy policy of the United KingdomEnergy policy of the United KingdomThe current energy policy of the United Kingdom is set out in the Energy White Paper of May 2007 and Low Carbon Transition Plan of July 2009, building on previous work including the 2003 Energy White Paper and the Energy Review Report in 2006...
- Energy use and conservation in the United KingdomEnergy use and conservation in the United KingdomEnergy use in the United Kingdom stood at 3,894.6 kilogrammes of oil equivalent per capita in 2005 compared to a world average of 1,778.0. In 2008, total energy consumed was 9.85 exajoules - around 2% of the estimated 474 EJ worldwide total...
- Green electricity in the United KingdomGreen electricity in the United KingdomThere are a number of suppliers offering 'green' electricity in the United Kingdom, either supplying electricity from existing environmentally friendly energy sources, promising to invest a proportion of profits into new renewable energy generating capacity, carrying out carbon offsetting, or some...
External links
- EDF Energy
- EDF Energy's Fuel Mix for 2006
- EDF Energy's Fuel Mix for 2007
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKlC7iGzi-M Link to EDF Energy Commercial