EDF Energy hands Olympic comms figure Gareth Wynn nuclear role

By John Owens, prweek.com, Friday, 21 December 2012 09:39AM

A key comms player in EDF Energy's Olympic and Paralympic work has been handed a new role as the company readies itself for the first new nuclear plant in a generation.

Sizewell: One site where EDF Energy is looking to develop a new plant (Credit: British Energy)

Gareth Wynn has been given the new role of head of comms for EDF Energy's Nuclear New Build project.

His appointment comes as the energy company awaits the final backing from the Government on plans to build the first power stations in decades.

This includes a nuclear plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset and, in the longer term, at Sizewell C, where EDF already has a plant.

PRWeek revealed earlier this year that EDF had appointed Pagefield to help argue for the Sizewell build following a six-way pitch.

Wynn explained that his appointment came as part of wider comms drive around the new plans.

‘We’re approaching the point where we will be in a position to make a final investment decision, and in anticipation of that we need to make sure we are fully ready. Comms is a very important dimension of making sure we succeed in our plans and we will need to have everyone working onsite lined up with the right messaging so everyone understands what we’re trying to do and why.

‘That will be a big job to do, as we will have thousands of contractors who would be going onsite, and also there will be a big job to do externally. Because of the importance of this move nationally, there will be close working with the Government and regulators, as well as keeping the public and other stakeholders informed.’

Wynn will report to Humphrey Cadoux- Hudson, MD of the Nuclear New Build project, and oversee a team working closely with the wider national and international EDF group.

The drive for new nuclear power was given governmental approval after proving divisive, with the coalition deal allowing Lib Dem MPs to abstain on the issue.

However, in October, EDF Energy CEO Vincent de Rivaz warned that the company was still waiting for further reassurances from the Government on what assistance it would receive.

EDF Energy owns and operates eight of the UK's ten existing nuclear power stations.

This article was first published on prweek.com