EDF to up UK nuclear spend in wake of Fukushima

EDF Energy will increase its current 300 million pounds a year investment on UK nuclear plants to adopt extra safety rules imposed by Britain's nuclear regulator after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, its chief executive told Reuters on Tuesday.

"We will now make over and above current investments to take into account the recommendations on backup systems, openness and transparency and so on. It's something we can afford to do," said Vincent de Rivaz, chief executive of the British arm of France's EDF (Paris: FR0010242511 - news) .

The utility, Britain's largest nuclear operator, will up its nuclear plant spend from the current 300 million pounds yearly, but De Rivaz said a final sum had not been agreed.

Britain's Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) in September published a series of safety recommendations to the nuclear industry following lessons learned from Japan (EUREX: FMJP.EX - news) 's nuclear accident which plant operators have to follow or face station shutdowns.

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