A £42.3 million contract to supply valves for the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset has been awarded to Canadian company Velan (www.velan.com).

The Montreal-based company will provide nuclear valves for the primary and safety auxiliary systems of the two EPR reactors at the plant.

The contract was awarded by NNB Generation Co (HPC) Ltd, a subsidiary of Hinkley Point constructor EDF Energy. Velan will manufacture the valves at its French production facilities in Lyon and Mennecy. Its technology has previously been used in around 350 nuclear reactors in more than 22 countries world-wide.

Ken Owen, commercial director for NNB, said: “Velan demonstrated through a robust procurement process its ability to be able to deliver critical valves for the HPC project. As one of our equipment-supply industrial partners Velan will help support the successful delivery of the HPC project.”

Raphaël Couturier, sales director for Velan, said: “This project confirms the continuation of our co-operation with EDF, in the field of specific valve solutions that are important for safety.

“It also demonstrates our ability to equip reactors of all types of technology, and our intention to be a global player in this market, both for new facilities and for operating and modernising the world’s global fleet of nuclear reactors.”