The project manager of the Shard, Bernard Ainsworth, is to advise EDF on the construction of its nuclear power stations, Building reported.
EDF confirmed that Ainsworth, who has already cut back his hours working on the £425m tower, will take a non-executive directorship on the board of its nuclear new build project.
In a separate story Building reported that senior Mace director Ian Eggers, who led the company’s early work on the Shard, is to leave the firm after 18 years. It is understood that he intends to set up his own project management company.
Since joining Mace in 1994 Eggers has taken a central role on many of the company’s most high-profile schemes, including More London, City Hall and the Shard.
Despite his new role with EDF, Ainsworth will remain project managing director of London Bridge Quarter, the development vehicle building the Shard.
A source close to Ainsworth said: “His role on the Shard has been designed to accommodate this sort of additional workload.”
His move comes as the French energy company says it may let some contracts early for the £4.5bn first reactor in Hinkley, Somerset.
EDF is negotiating with contractor consortiums over the £1bn main civils job on the site. Alan Cumming, its director of procurement for new nuclear, said the firm was examining whether parts of the job could be let early next year.
EDF is unlikely to be able to let the main contract until planning permission is given towards the end of 2012, but Cumming said contracts to train the future workforce, build batching plants and some detailed engineering design work might be let early.
“There’s strong likelihood we’ll put an advance contract in place, to start this [supply chain] engagement. We don’t want to spend big money until we’re certain the planning’s in place. [But] there’s a huge amount to be getting on with,” he said.
The progress of the UK nuclear programme is despite continued uncertainty over this form of power, following the Fukushima disaster in Japan. This week Italy became the latest country to abandon nuclear power, following Germany’s decision in May.
