BNFL, British Nuclear Fuels plc

BNFL’s activities span the entire nuclear energy cycle, from reactor design and fuel manufacture to power station decommissioning and clean-up. The Group comprises the following businesses: British Nuclear Group (including Spent Fuel Services), Nexia Solutions and Westinghouse. In the UK British Nuclear Group’s activities cover specialist nuclear site management, remediation, electricity generation, reprocessing and clean-up. It role is to work with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to achieve its clean-up programme safely, quickly and cost-effectively. Spent Fuel Services provides the interface between utility customers and reprocessing activity in British Nuclear Group, as well as rail and sea transport services. Westinghouse is a worldwide organisation providing services, technology and equipment to the international nuclear industry. Nearly 50% of the world’s operating reactors use Westinghouse technology. Nexia Solutions provides technology services and solutions across the nuclear fuel cycle. It delivers nuclear research, development and scientific services to customers.

BNFL employs around 23,000 people.

In 2002 Nuclear power producer and reprocessor BNFL has revealed annual losses of £1.09 bn after one-off costs during the year hit more than £800m. The performance for the period to 31 March is an improvement on the record losses of £2.32 bn of a year earlier. But losses at an operating level widened to £190m from the £68m recorded in 2002. Exceptional items totalling £827m included a £415m increase in the expected cost of decommissioning stations at Hinkley Point, Somerset and Bradwell Magnox, Essex. There was also a £230m accounting charge after a contract with British Energy was renegotiated, leading to a review of the value of BNFL's nuclear fuel manufacturing plant at Springfields, near Preston.Another £175m of provisions were taken against two nuclear clean-up contracts in the United States taken on several years ago at fixed prices. Despite the losses, the company added it had improved its cash management with a positive cash flow of £109m.

In 2006 British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) a sold nuclear power station builder Westinghouse to Toshiba. The Japanese conglomerate, which has been selected as the preferred bidder, is expected to be pay about $5bn (£2.8bn) for Westinghouse. It confirmed it is paying $5.4bn (£3.1bn) to buy Westinghouse, the US power plant arm of British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL).

In 2006 State owned British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) saw pre tax, post exceptional annual profits for the year ending 30 March fall to £153m ($282m) from £206m.
But it said the outlook for nuclear services and generation was much improved, as its three main operating businesses come under new ownership. BNFL operates 18 sites including the Sellafield nuclear waste reprocessing plant in Cumbria. Nuclear energy is being increasingly promoted as an alternative to oil. Prime minister Tony Blair is thought to support nuclear power after he said the issue was "back on the agenda with a vengeance". The government launched an energy review in November 2005, which will include looking at the option of new nuclear power stations.

In 2006 the government gave BNFL the go-ahead in March to sell British Nuclear Group (BNG), which is expected to be completed by late 2007. BNFL said the sale of BNG, which is being conducted with Britain's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), its largest customer, was expected to start around April 2007. The BNFL earnings statement came as BNG, which runs 14 UK sites under contract to the NDA, posted profits of £72m in its first year.

In 2006 Industry secretary Alistair Darling told MPs nuclear power had to be part of the mix of energy supply in the UK over the next 40 years. The Conservatives say nuclear power should only be a "last resort". The Liberal Dems accused ministers of "surrendering" to the nuclear lobby. Blair saidnew nuclear power stations will reduce future reliance on imports and help tackle climate change. In a Commons statement on the Energy Review, Mr Darling said: "The government has concluded that new nuclear power stations could make a significant contribution to meeting our energy policy goals."It would be for the private sector to initiate, fund, construct and operate new nuclear plants and cover the costs of decommissioning and their full share of long term waste management costs."

Considerations of "safety and security" would be "paramount" with nuclear plants. "Nuclear does mean we can generate electricity without carbon emissions. It does provide a consistency of energy which wind power cannot," he said. Mr Darling stressed that "a mix of energy supply is essential and we should not be over dependent on one source". That electricity companies provide 20% of energy from renewables - up from the current 15% Storing carbon dioxide in old oil fields - the UK is working with Norway to develop this. New incentives to make homes more energy efficient and to cut energy waste by businesses. Measures to cut the 7% of electricity currently used by domestic appliances left on standby. Encouraging smaller scale electricity generators, and combined heat and power plants, to be sited close to where the power is used

Since 2004, BNFL, the government-owned nuclear reactor operator, has used lobbyists Weber Shandwick to help it push the case for new nuclear plants. Weber Shandwick is a full service public relations agency delivering on client’s brand reputation, visibility and preference goals. Our policy of recruiting the best media and PR professionals means we now possess the strongest teams of experienced senior ex journalists and industry specific communications specialists.Weber Shandwick has six specialist practice teams in technology PR, healthcare PR, financial communications, corporate communications, consumer marketing and public affairs, and an office network giving clients access to UK wide, pan European and global audiences. Weber Shandwick also offers a cross practice CSR consultancy.

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