EDF Energy
EDF Energy is an integrated energy company with operations spanning electricity generation and the sale of natural gas and electricity to homes and businesses throughout the United Kingdom. It employs 13,331 people, and handles 5.7 million customer accounts.
History
EDF Energy Customers is wholly owned by the French state owned EDF and was formed in January 2002, following the acquisition and mergers of SEEBOARD Plc, London Electricity plc, SWEB Energy Plc and two coal fired power stations and a combined cycle gas turbine power station.In 2009, EDF Energy took control of the nuclear generator in the United Kingdom, British Energy, buying share capital from the government. This made EDF Energy one of the largest generators in the United Kingdom, as well as the largest distribution network operator.
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 partnership and Private Finance Initiative type schemes. The Development Branch of EDF Energy was later dissolved in October 2006.
The electricity distribution networks formerly known as EDF Energy Networks were sold in November, 2010 to Hong Kong based Cheung Kong Group, owned by billionaire Li Ka Shing. Later, EDF Energy Networks was renamed to UK Power Networks. In December 2014, EDF sold three small United Kingdom based wind farms with a combine capacity of 73 megawatts to the China General Nuclear Power Group for an estimated £100 million.
In November 2017, EDF Energy sold its majority stake in five wind farms across Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire for £98 million.
A release from EDF Energy confirmed that in 2018 the firm lost 200,000 as consumers shop around a highly competitive marketplace. EDF also found that earnings for its UK business had tumbled by 16.5% to £691 million in the year to December 31.
''No Dash For Gas'' action
In February 2013, EDF Energy sought an estimated £5 million in damages from environmental activists from the No Dash for Gas campaign, who occupied the EDF owned West Burton CCGT power station in October 2012, and pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated trespass.It is unusual in the United Kingdom for companies to seek damages from protesters. Environmentalist George Monbiot, writing in the Guardian, said EDF was conducting a strategic lawsuit against public participation, "part of a global strategy by corporations to stifle democracy", and predicted the "disastrous unintended consequences of an attempt at censorship" could result in the Streisand effect and be comparable to the McLibel case.
The activists received support in the days since the case became public, with over six thousand signatures on a supportive petition at Change.org within the first day, and over 64,000 by the time EDF dropped their lawsuit on 13 March 2013, saying that this was "a fair and reasonable solution" after the protesters had "agreed in principle to accept a permanent injunction which prevents them from entering multiple sites operated by EDF Energy".
Electricity generation
Fossil fuel
EDF owns and operates one 2,000 MW coal fired power station, West Burton Power Station, located near Retford in Nottinghamshire,.It also owns a 1,311 MW CCGT station at West Burton, which opened in 2011.
Wind
EDF owns and operates three wind farms, at Kirkheaton in Northumberland and the High Hedley Hope wind farm near Tow Law in County Durham, and the Teesside Offshore Wind near Redcar, Teesside.Nuclear
Following the acquisition of British Energy in 2009, the EDF Energy portfolio includes eight nuclear power stations. They are seven AGR power stations and one PWR power station, totalling nearly 9,000 MW of installed capacity.In 2007, EDF announced its intention to construct up to four 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.
In August 2014, the company announced it had shut down four of its 15 reactors for a period of eight weeks to investigate potential cracking in the boiler spine. In February 2016, EDF announced that it would keep four of its nuclear plants open in the United Kingdom. Heysham 1 and Hartlepool will have their life extended by five years until 2024, while Heysham 2 and Torness will see their closure dates pushed back by seven years to 2030.
Renewable energy
The Ecologist 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 United Kingdom 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. In April 2013, the 62 MW offshore Teesside Wind Farm started operation.
Sponsorship
EDF Energy has sponsored several shows on ITV, including Soapstar Superstar and City Lights. It also sponsored coverage of the 2006 World Cup in Germany and coverage of the 2007 Rugby World CupSince 2005, EDF Energy has been the main sponsor of the EDF Energy Cup – the Rugby Union domestic cup for the twelve clubs in the English Premiership and the four 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 August 2008, EDF Energy formed a partnership with The British Red Cross to help vulnerable people to get support during power failures. In January 2011, EDF Energy took over sponsorship from British Airways of the London Eye, on a three year deal renaming the London Eye as the EDF Energy London Eye.
Marketing
On 4 January 2008, EDF Energy began advertising on the television through ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 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. In 2009, with Euro RSCG London, EDF Energy created the Team Green Britain campaign, in which Olympic athletes encouraged Britons to be more environmentally aware.On 2 April 2012, EDF Energy launched an advert, including their new mascot, Zingy.