EDF Energy announced two more preferred bidders yesterday for contracts worth over £100 million for its Hinkley Point C nuclear project in southwest England as it prepares to make a final investment decision.

Engineering group Rolls-Royce has been selected to supply heat exchangers to be used in the planned new power station in a contract worth over £25 million, EDF Energy said in a statement.

Contracts for the project now total more than £1.5 million

In addition, a partnership between Rolls-Royce and engineering company Nuvia has been chosen as the preferred bidder for a contract valued at over £75 million to design, install and commission waste processing and treatment systems. “(This) represents a significant step forward in the UK’s nuclear new build programme and demonstrates the progress that EDF continues to make so that a final investment decision can be taken as soon as possible,” a Rolls-Royce spokesman said.

In July, EDF’s chief executive said the firm expected to take a final investment decision on the plant after the summer. Contracts for the Hinkley Point C project now total more than £1.5 billion.

This week, the British government said it would provide £2 billion in initial support for the £16 billion Hinkley Point project, which is owned by the British subsidiary of French energy company with China General Nuclear Corp. (CGN) and China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC) expected to be investors.