5. The Group’s financial performance and outlook

5.1.3 Significant events of 2019(1) 

This chapter reports on significant events following the publication, on 15 March 2019, of the 2018 Reference Document (see section 5.1.3 “Significant events of 2018” and 5.2
“Subsequent events”).

5.1.3.1 Major events
5.1.3.1.1 Sustainable development and Group Renewables
EDF Renewables(2) 
  • The EDF group moved into Ireland by acquiring 50% of the Codling offshore wind project (see press release of 11 February 2020).
  • The EDF group launched the construction of Neart na Gaoithe 450MW offshore wind farm along with new Irish partner, ESB which took a 50% stake in the project (see press release of 28 November 2019 and note 3.4.5 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).
  • United Kingdom: EDF group accelerates its development of battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure by acquiring Pivot Power (see press release of 4 November 2019 and note 3.4.7 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).
  • EDF Renewables acquired a significant pipeline of 300MW wind projects under development in Germany (see press release of 12 September 2019 and note 3.4.6 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).
  • EDF Renewables acquired PowerFlex Systems to accelerate deployment of large scale electric vehicle infrastructure in the United States (see press release of 3 September 2019).
  • The Council of State approved the final administrative permits for the Fécamp and Courseulles-sur-Mer offshore wind farm projects (see press release of 24 July 2019 and note 3.4.1 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).
  • EDF-led consortium selected for the Dunkirk offshore wind power project (see press release of 14 June 2019 and note 3.4.1 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).
  • The Council of State approved the Saint-Nazaire offshore wind farm operating permit (see press release of 7 June 2019 and note 3.4.1 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).
  • Consortium of EDF, Masdar and Green of Africa named as successful bidder for Morocco’s landmark Noor Midelt I solar project (see press release of 22 May 2019 and note 3.4.4 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).
  • EDF Renewables completed the acquisition of LUXEL Group, a French utility that develops and operates solar projects (see press release of 1 April 2019 and note 3.4.2 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).
  • EDF signed agreement to build and operate two offshore wind farms in China and to optimize a heating and air-conditioning networks in the city of Wuhan (see press release of 25 March 2019 and note 3.4.3 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).
  • In 2019, EDF Renewables commissioned new facilities, signed electricity sales agreements and undertook new projects.
Hydropower
  • Inauguration of the “La Coche” hydro plant (Savoie): 20% of additional power in support of energy storage (see press release of 14 October 2019).
EDF Pulse Croissance
  • EDF acquired Energy2market (e2m) and strengthened its position in the field of decentralized energy management in Europe (see press release of 13 June 2019).
  • EDF launched DREEV, its new subsidiary to turn innovative smart charging solutions into a reality (see press release of 20 May 2019).
  • EDF launched Hynamics, a subsidiary to produce and market low-carbon hydrogen (see press release of 2 April 2019).
Other
  • The EDF group acquired Pod Point, one of the UK’s largest electric vehicle charging companies (see press release of 13 February 2020).

5.1.3.1.2 Nuclear industry
  • EDF unveiled “excell”, an excellence plan for the nuclear industry (see press release of 13 December 2019).
  • EDF and Véolia announced the creation of Graphitech (see press release of 10 December 2019).
  • Update on the outlook for nuclear output for 2019 (see press release of 14 November 2019).
  • Update on EDF’s nuclear plants (see press release of 25 October 2019):
    • discrepancies in relation to the technical framework for the production of nuclear reactor components by Framatome;
    • outlook for nuclear production in France for 2019.
  • Flamanville EPR: EDF has adopted a scenario for upgrading the main secondary system penetration welds with robots and has adjusted the construction schedule and estimated cost accordingly (3). The second hot functional test phase has started on site (see press release of 9 October 2019 and note 3.1.1 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).
  • The second EPR reactor at China’s Taishan nuclear power plant about to enter into commercial operation (see press release of 6 September 2019). Commercial commissioning on 7 September 2019 (see note 3.1.4 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).
  • Closure of Fessenheim nuclear power plant (see press release of 30 September 2019 and note 3.1.6 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).
  • Hinkley Point C:
    • update on Hinkley Point C project: a detailed review of the project’s costs, schedule and organisation was performed (see press release of 25 September 2019 and note 3.1.3 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements);
    • Hinkley Point C hit its biggest milestone yet with the completion of the base for the first reactor (see EDF Energy’s press release of 28 June 2019, available on the website www.edfenergy.com).
  • CEA, EDF, Naval Group and TechnicAtome unveiled “NUWARD”TM, their jointly developed SMR project (see press release of 17 September 2019 and note 3.1.5 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).
5.1.3.2 Assets disposal plan
  • EDF notified the exercise of its put option on its stake in CENG (see press release of 20 November 2019 and note 3.2.2 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).
  • Edison announced the signing of the agreement to sell its exploration and production of gas to Energean Oil and Gas (see press release of 4 July 2019 available on Edison website www.edison.it  and note 2.3 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).
  • EDF announced the completion of the disposal of its 25% stake in Alpiq (see press release of 28 May 2019 and note 3.2.1 to the 2019 consolidated financial statements).

(1) A full list of press releases is available from the EDF website: www.edf.fr
(2) A full list of press releases is available from the EDF Renouvelables website: www.edf-renouvelables.com
(3) In 2015 Euros and excluding interim interest.