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Proposed electrification schemes:
On Tuesday 8 January 2013, Network Rail set out its plans to build a bigger, better railway for Britain over the 2014-19 funding period. These plans included the following electrification schemes:
• Great Western Main Line (Maidenhead to Oxford, Newbury, Bristol and Cardiff) and Thames Valley branches
• Cardiff to Swansea and Welsh Valley lines
• Midland Main Line (Bedford to Corby, Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield)
• North-West Electrification Scheme (Liverpool to Manchester, Manchester to Preston and Blackpool)
• Transpennine Electrification Scheme (Manchester to Leeds and York)
• Electric spine (Southampton to Nuneaton and Bedford via Oxford)

Benefits of an electrified railway:
• Electric trains are not only better for the environment, but are quieter and smoother for passengers while causing less wear and tear to the track.
• They are more reliable and often faster.
• Further electrification will also help open up more diversionary routes, helping keep people on trains and off buses as planned rail improvement work is carried out.
• Compared to diesel traction, electric services have lower rolling stock operating costs, higher levels of train reliability and availability and lower leasing costs.
• The superior acceleration of electric trains can also help reduce journey times.
• Electric trains also provide more seats than diesel trains increasing capacity, while electric freight locomotives can haul longer trains.
• Electrification can also play a role in reducing carbon emissions as well as improving air quality and reducing noise.
• Electric vehicles, on average, emit 20% to 30% fewer CO2 emissions than diesel.

Network Rail has signed up to an EDF Energy Blue product, which comes with a guarantee that the electricity supplied to a customer is matched by electricity from low-carbon nuclear generation. The product is currently available to both residential and business customers.

About EDF Energy
EDF Energy is one of the UK's largest energy companies and the largest producer of low-carbon electricity, producing around one-sixth of the nation's electricity from its nuclear power stations, wind farms, coal and gas power stations and combined heat and power plants. The company supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customer accounts and is the biggest supplier of electricity by volume in Great Britain.

EDF Energy's safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK's largest generator of low carbon electricity. EDF Energy is also leading the UK's nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear plants, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants could generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40% of Britain's homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK's future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers.

Through Our Sustainability Commitments, EDF Energy has launched one of the biggest environmental and social programmes of any British energy company. In the 2012 Business in the Community Awards for Excellence EDF Energy won the awards for Environmental Leadership and Building Stronger Communities. In addition the company received eight BITC "Big Tick" awards in recognition of responsible business practice and was shortlisted for Responsible Business of the Year.

EDF was an official partner and the electricity supplier of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company is also helping its customers and others use energy more sustainably through products and initiatives such as Team Green Britain, real time energy monitoring and electric vehicle research.

EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe's largest power companies. The company employs around 15,000 people at locations across the UK.

For more news from EDF Energy please see www.edfenergy.com/media-centre/ . To find out more about the UK's energy challenges look at www.edfenergy.com/energyfuture/

EDF Energy media contact: Nick Foley, senior media relations manager - 020 7752 2196