Poland: AREVA and EDF bring together local suppliers to strengthen the nuclear supply chain

French companies AREVA and EDF organized, on Friday, the third joint-edition of ‘Supplier Days’ in Poland, to support new-build projects in the country. The event follows the success of two previous editions held in Gdansk and Warsaw. Four new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the event, with Polish companies Grupa Powen-Wafapomp, ELEKTROBUDOWA, TELE-FONIKA Kable and Rafako.

More than 50 companies specialized in manufacturing, construction and engineering services attended the Supplier Day, alongside senior AREVA and EDF executives. The event underlines AREVA and EDF’s ambition to create an extended network of Polish suppliers to participate in future nuclear projects in Poland, and their commitment to support the industrial and technical development of local Polish companies.

Tarik Choho, AREVA’s Chief Commercial Executive Officer, said: “Today’s event and the signature of these MoU agreements will help to strengthen the supply chain implemented by AREVA and EDF, and will enable us to make the best possible offer for the construction and operation of nuclear reactors in Poland. Approximately 25 Polish companies are already working at the Olkiluoto 3 construction site in Finland, demonstrating first-hand their capabilities to become a significant part of the future reactor project work in Poland.”

Dominique Lagarde, Executive Vice-President of EDF’s New Nuclear Engineering Division, commented: "Associating the skills and knowledge of companies who know the local context to the expertise and know-how of experienced nuclear companies is a condition for the success of the Polish nuclear program, in particular to ensure the quality and industrial safety for future operations. The signing of these four new MoUs strengthens the link between EDF and the hundreds of Polish suppliers that EDF Polska already works with for its power generation plants, and demonstrates our willingness to share our skills and knowledge with partners over the longer term.”