Internationally, Edison worked with the local communities of Valchiavenna (Northern Italy), close to a hydropower plant. A Tracciolino tourist route that served only the dam and the plant was transferred to the community. In addition, an educational programme to develop the entrepreneurial spirit was created with the objective of developing the region using new technologies. All the major work carried out by the International Division includes stakeholder engagement programmes, according to IFC standards, including a system to record and handle complaints. In 2019, EDF continued to use the Request & Complaint Management System both on the Nachtigal project⁽³⁾ (Cameroon) and SINOP project⁽⁴⁾ (Brazil). In India and Mexico, Citelum sets up regular meetings with stakeholders interested in its projects, connects with customers to follow their needs and invites subcontractors to the main events (safety week, inauguration of the training centre). In French-speaking Belgium, each wind farm project is discussed in advance with the municipal and regional authorities, in order to agree on the best location for the wind farms, as well as the type of compensatory measures, if any, meeting stakeholder expectations. Proposals by locals have been taken into account in the design and follow-up of the project (e.g.: monitoring of nesting of protected species like eagle owls and creation of marked paths around the Lierneux wind farm, which is located in a forest management zone).

Following studies on the design of HPC and work with specialist stakeholders, EDF Energy wants to modify the 2013 operating order issued by the UK government to remove the obligation to install a means of acoustic dissuasion for fish on HPC, which was deemed less effective. EDF Energy proposed a series of measures to protect fish from the plant’s cooling water system and accordingly reduce the number of fish entering water intakes.

A consultation on the modification of the order for the development of Hinkley Point C was held from 2 April to 4 June 2019 and based on these constructive opinions, HPC will propose this more favourable (for fish) modification of this orde rto the Secretary of State in 2020.

Nationally

The provisions proposed by EDF to improve the safety level of its 900MW nuclear reactors as part of their fourth periodic review were the subject of an unprecedented consultation: under the aegis of a High Committee for Transparency and Nuclear Information (HCTISN), it was a matter of associating the public with the challenges and objectives of this programme and making it possible to shed light on subsequent decisions. All the main institutional players in the safety of nuclear power plants in France are involved: the National Association ofCommittees and Local Information Commissions (ANCCLI), the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) and the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN). Eight nuclear power plants are involved: Blayais, Bugey, Chinon, Cruas-Meysse, Dampierre-en-Burly, Gravelines, Saint-Laurent-des-eaux and Tricastin. This is a first phase of exchange with the public, in the run-up to the public inquiries that will take place reactor by reactor. A digital platform was created and meetings are scheduled by the local information commissions; This consultation, overseen by two CNDP guarantors, involved the organisation of local meetings from September 2018 to 31 March 2019, i.e. 16 public events organised all over France with the support of Local Information Committees (10 public meetings, 3 themed workshops, 3 student mirror group meetings) and public drop-in centres; 1,300 meeting participants; 4,000 connections to the platform; 1,600 contributions and questions asked.

Participation in the public debate is also an opportunity for all stakeholders to have their voices heard regarding projects whose scale or sensitivity justified the setup of a debate in this form. In 2019, this was the case with the PNGMDR (French national radioactive materials and waste management plan). The French State had committed to revising this plan and EDF participated in the preparatory work and various public meetings organised by the CNDP (French National Public Debate Committee). Taking account of the recommendations made by the French Sustainable Development Council, EDF published a first participant’s guide, which presents the EDF group’s stance, with two proposals: construction of a pool to store already-recycled used fuel, and post-treatment recovery of so-called “very low activity” metal waste (see section 3.3.2.2.5 “Radioactive waste”).

Following many questions regarding the deployment of smart meters, distribution network operator Enedis engaged in consultation at the request of the local authorities and various stakeholders (social-housing lessors, etc.). The task force composed of two people, dedicated to this consultation, carried out 374 interventions in two and a half years; this does not include everything done directly by the regional departments (interventions before municipal teams, permanent office in the town hall, public meetings, etc.).

3.3.1.2.6 Creation of value in the regions

The EDF group contributes to the sustainable development of the regions where it operates, participates in economic development and employment and provides tax revenue to the territories

Contribution to economic development

Local procurement

The Group’s Procurement Department continues to interact with suppliers –including SMEs, ISEs, VSEs and start-ups – with the operational implementation of a process adapted for innovative purchasing and to make it easier for SMEs to access EDF’s markets. This entails the acceptance of simplified general terms and conditions of purchase and created special terms and conditions for “small orders” (online on the Provider portal); a simplified capacity questionnaire for new suppliers, for tenders with amounts below the thresholds of European Directive 2014/25/EU; a tailored purchasing process and standard agreements for innovative start-ups and SMEs (40 tests, €45,000 average budget, 100 potential new deals each year); a dedicated space on the edf.fr institutional site (single point of access).

In terms of purchases from SMEs located in France, the target range is between 22% and 26% of purchases by EDF and the distribution network manager, Enedis⁽⁵⁾.

(1) The Fontaine circular (circular of 9 September 2002 by Nicole FONTAINE, French Minister of Industry) concerns the development of the public electricity distribution network with voltage greater than or equal to 63,000 volts.
(2) Commission Nationale du Débat Public, i.e. French National Public Debate Committee.
(3)nachtigal-hpp.com/index.php/gestion-des-requetes-et-des-plaintes.html.
(4)sinopenergia.com.br/show.aspx?idCanal=4i0Af5gdJaBxAqHrYGyMyw.
(5) Enedis is an independently managed subsidiary.