EDF Energy, Big Tick Winner 2009: Active Communities Award supported by the DCLG, Responsible Supply Chain Award, Asda Environmental Leadership Award, Health Workplace Award supported by Department of Health, Bank America Climate Award, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Education Award.
The combination of EDF Energy and British Energy forms one of the UK’s largest energy companies. The combined business is the UK’s largest producer of electricity. With a current installed capacity of around 16.5GW, we produce almost one-quarter of the nation's electricity from our nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms.
We provide power to a quarter of the UK’s population via our electricity distribution networks in London, the South East and the East of England and supply gas and electricity to over 5.5 million business and residential customers. Through Our Climate and Social Commitments we have launched the biggest environmental and social packages of any UK energy company.
The company is also a key player in national infrastructure projects including management of private electricity networks serving four London airports and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the country’s first major new railway in 100 years. EDF Energy and British Energy together employ nearly 20,000 people at locations across the UK. The combined companies are part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. EDF is the official energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Electricity supply networks are essential but can be dangerous, and when power cuts or accidents happen frustration is usually directed at the network operator rather than the individual causing the incident.
EDF Energy aims for ‘Zero Harm’ to the communities living and working around their electricity network. This is achieved by giving a greater understanding and sense of ownership of their local network and helping them understand the potential risk of substations and power lines.
Through the Public Safety team targeting community groups, the farming and leisure industries, contractors who work in proximity to the electricity network as well as a dedicated reporting helpline the programme has reduced cable strikes, halved criminal damage and reduced harm. It has also improved the appearance of substations which has a positive impact on the local environment.
Another benefit has been to minimise power cuts. This is particularly important to vulnerable customers as a power failure can be life-threatening to very frail customers, those with special needs or dependent on vital electrical medical equipment.
EDF Energy identified three concerns about the sustainability of its supply chain: the increasing talent gap in its industry, inconsistent health & safety standards, and environmental performance. In taking action on these issues strategic suppliers were prioritised, new operations systems were adopted and sustainability targets were embedded into supplier performance measures and improvement plans.
EDF Energy’s approach focused on collaboration and continuous improvement; finding innovative ways to reduce waste and increasing supplier security so that the necessary investments could be made. Suppliers were supported through the sharing of business plans to allow long term planning and collaborative learning, including supplier forums and cross-partner training.
EDF Energy’s mission is to bring sustainable energy solutions home to everyone. The activities and targets to meet this goal are outlined in our “Climate Commitments”, a public pledge to reduce the intensity of CO2 emissions from electricity production and to inspire the company’s stakeholders to also play their part.
Initiatives to reduce emissions from electricity production include the £12bn purchase of British Energy with new nuclear build planned, a new efficient Combined Cycle Gas Turbine generation plant to power 1.5m homes and investment in 1,000MW of renewable energy production.
But it’s not easy being green! We encourage all our stakeholders to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, we run Knowledge Sharing Days with our Suppliers, developed Energy Efficiency Toolkits for our major business clients and have products such as Eco 20:20 for our residential customers. And anyone can take our Carbon Challenge!
’Hard hitting messages help keep children safe around electricity’.
‘Engaging the rural community in the potential risk caused by substations...
‘Be inspired at an Energy Efficiency Day’.
‘Reduce your carbon footprint with the EDF Energy Carbon Challenge’.
‘He’s taken the EDF Energy Carbon Challenge. Have you?’
‘Bridging the talent gap encouraging more suppliers to invest in training’
‘Building a better Supply Chain through collaboration with Suppliers’.