EDF Energy

EDF Energy
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Energy
Founded	January 2002; 24 years ago
Headquarters	London, United Kingdom
Area served	United Kingdom
Key people	John Kinsey (Managing Director, initial), Gary Tubb (Marketing Director, initial)
Products	Electricity production, natural gas and electricity supply
Owner	Électricité de France (EDF)
Number of employees	11,717
Parent	EDF (Électricité de France)
Website	www.edfenergy.com

EDF Energy is a UK-based integrated energy provider, fully owned by the French government entity EDF. The company operates across electricity production as well as the supply of natural gas and electricity to residential and commercial customers in the United Kingdom. It has a workforce of 11,717 employees and serves approximately 5.22 million customer accounts.

History

The formation of EDF Energy, operating under the EDF brand, occurred in January 2002 through the acquisition and consolidation of several entities including Seeboard plc, London Electricity plc, SWEB Energy plc, Virgin Energy, along with two coal-fired power plants and one combined cycle gas turbine facility. The initial leadership team featured Managing Director John Kinsey and Marketing Director Gary Tubb from Virgin Energy.

In 2009, EDF took control of the UK nuclear power producer British Energy by purchasing government-held shares, positioning itself as one of the UK's largest electricity generators.

April 2004 saw the establishment of EDF’s development division to unify infrastructure assets from LE Group, Seeboard, and SWEB. This branch concentrated on significant public sector infrastructure projects delivered through public-private partnerships (PPP) and private finance initiatives (PFI).

In November 2010, EDF divested its electricity distribution networks (previously known as EDF Energy Networks) to Hong Kong’s Cheung Kong Group (CKG), which later rebranded as UK Power Networks. Subsequently, in December 2014, EDF sold three wind farms in the UK with a combined capacity of 73 MW to China General Nuclear Power Group for approximately £100 million.

By November 2017, EDF had disposed of its majority ownership in five wind farms located in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire for £98 million.

Facing intense competition, EDF experienced a loss of 200,000 customers by 2018; its UK business revenue declined by 16.5%, totaling £691 million for the fiscal year ending 31 December.

On 4 November 2019, EDF expanded its portfolio by acquiring British startup Pivot Power, which specializes in battery storage solutions and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. This was followed in February 2020 by EDF securing a controlling interest in Pod Point, one of the UK's leading EV charging providers.

On 31 August 2021, EDF completed the sale of its 1,332 MW combined cycle gas turbine plant along with a 49 MW battery facility at West Burton B to investment firm EIG.

In November 2021, UK nuclear plants operated by EDF reached a landmark achievement by producing 2,000 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity—sufficient to supply every home across the UK for more than eighteen years.

No Dash For Gas campaign

In February 2013, EDF pursued damages estimated at around £5 million against environmental activists involved in the No Dash for Gas campaign. These protesters had occupied EDF’s West Burton CCGT power station in October 2012 and subsequently admitted to aggravated trespass.

This legal move was notable within the UK context since it is uncommon for companies to claim damages from demonstrators. The court action included an injunction prohibiting the activists from accessing the site and provisions to recover financial losses including damages, interest, and legal fees. Greenpeace’s executive director criticized EDF’s approach as initiating a new challenge against peaceful protest activities. Environmental commentator George Monbiot condemned the lawsuit as a calculated effort to suppress democratic expression and cautioned that it might provoke a Streisand effect similar to that seen during the McLibel trial.

The campaigners attracted widespread public backing, collecting over 6,000 signatures on Change.org within just one day and exceeding 64,000 signatures by the time EDF withdrew its lawsuit on 13 March 2013. EDF described this outcome as "a fair and reasonable resolution" following the protesters’ agreement in principle to abide by a permanent injunction barring them from entering multiple EDF Energy locations.

Nuclear

After acquiring British Energy in 2009, EDF expanded its portfolio to include eight nuclear power stations with a combined capacity close to 9,000MW. This comprises seven AGR facilities (Dungeness B, Hinkley Point B, Hunterston B, Hartlepool, Heysham 1, Heysham 2, and Torness) alongside a single PWR at Sizewell B.

In 2007, EDF revealed intentions to construct up to four new EPR reactors: two units at Hinkley Point C (expected to begin operation in 2025), and two additional reactors planned for Sizewell C and Bradwell B. These developments are overseen by EDF’s subsidiary, the NNB Generation Company (NNB GenCo).

In August 2014, EDF temporarily halted operations at four of its fifteen reactors to carry out inspections for possible boiler spine cracks. The operational life of Dungeness B was extended by ten years to 2028 in 2015; however, generation ceased and defuelling commenced in June 2021. Subsequently, in February 2016, EDF prolonged the lifespan of four UK facilities: Heysham 1 and Hartlepool by five years until 2024, and Heysham 2 and Torness by seven years through 2030.

EDF announced in November 2020 that Hinkley Point B would begin defuelling no later than July 2022.

Wind

By 2021, EDF owned and managed 37 wind farms, including the onshore Dorenell wind farm in Scotland featuring 59 turbines. The company is advancing two offshore wind projects: Codling Wind Park in Ireland and Neart na Gaoithe off the coast of Scotland. Additional plans involve a floating offshore wind installation at Blyth and a 22-turbine onshore wind farm named Garn Fach located in Wales.

Solar energy

EDF is engaged in the development, operation, and maintenance of solar energy projects. Its first large-scale solar farm connected to the grid is Sutton Bridge, which spans roughly 139 hectares. In 2019, EDF entered into an agreement to equip several of Tesco’s largest retail outlets across England with rooftop solar panels.

Fossil fuel

EDF previously owned and ran the West Burton A Power Station near Retford, Nottinghamshire, a coal-fired facility with a capacity of 2,000 MW. Electricity generation at West Burton A concluded on 31 March 2023.

Energy percentages

Between April 2020 and March 2021, EDF’s electricity production mix consisted of: nuclear energy at 62.1%, renewables at 29%, gas at 7.5%, and coal at 1.3%, resulting in an average carbon intensity of 42 gCO2eq/kWh. In the year 2020, EDF’s nuclear stations accounted for 16.1% of the UK’s electricity generation, a slight decrease from 17.3% in 2019. Overall, the company contributed 32.4% of the UK’s low-carbon energy supply.

EDF Renewables

EDF Renewables UK operates as a partnership between the EDF Renewables Group and EDF.

In April 2017, EDF Renewable Energy together with EDF brought online the Corriemoillie (47.5 MW), Beck Burn (31 MW), and Pearie Law (19.2 MW) wind farms; Beck Burn commenced operations in July of that year. During the same month, EDF Renewables acquired eleven Scottish wind farm sites from Partnerships for Renewables with an aggregate potential capacity of approximately 600 MW.

In May 2018, EDF Energies Nouvelles acquired the Neart na Gaoithe wind farm project in Scotland from Mainstream Renewable Power; this facility is expected to generate 450 MW and aims for commissioning by 2023.

EDF Renewables inaugurated its Blyth wind farm in July 2018, linking turbines through a 66-kilometre offshore cable to deliver electricity ashore.

Sponsorship

EDF holds the role of "in Association" sponsor for the Cheltenham Science Festival and has been a supporter of the Big Bang Fair since 2015.

The company has backed numerous ITV programs, such as Soapstar Superstar and City Lights, along with coverage of the 2006 World Cup (in partnership with Budweiser) and the 2007 Rugby World Cup (in conjunction with Peugeot).

Between 2006 and 2009, EDF served as the principal sponsor of the Anglo-Welsh Cup, a rugby union tournament featuring English Premiership teams and Welsh regions. In July 2007, EDF attained Level One sponsorship status for London 2012, gaining exclusive branding privileges, sponsoring Olympic teams for the 2008, 2010, and 2012 events, and acting as the official energy supplier.

In August 2008, EDF collaborated with The British Red Cross to aid vulnerable individuals during power outages. Subsequently, in January 2011, EDF succeeded British Airways as the sponsor of the London Eye, rebranding it as the EDF Energy London Eye under a three-year agreement.

Marketing

On 4 January 2008, EDF rolled out television advertisements on ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5, featuring the tagline "It's not easy being green" to emphasize its commitment to environmental responsibility. In 2009, EDF partnered with Euro RSCG London to launch the Team Green Britain campaign, which showcased Olympic athletes promoting ecological consciousness.

A new commercial starring their mascot, Zingy, was launched on 2 April 2012. By 2020, EDF sharpened its brand mission toward combating climate change, debuting a TV campaign highlighting their goal: "Helping Britain achieve Net Zero."

Distribution network operators

EDF Energy Networks originated from a consolidation of several Distribution Network Operators but divested from this sector in November 2010 by selling to Hong Kong’s Cheung Kong Group (CKG), owned by billionaire Li Ka Shing. The distribution system operator was renamed UK Power Networks.

Currently, EDF Energy concentrates its efforts on power generation and supply.

EDF's main locations

EDF’s key offices are located in London, Exeter, Sunderland, Hove, and Hucclecote in Gloucester.

External links