Hinkley Point C's first reactor
Photo by: EDF
Name of the Project
Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant (NPP) project.
Location
On a site to the west of the existing Hinkley Point A and B power stations in West Somerset, in the UK. Hinkley A was decommissioned in 2000 and Hinkley B is due to be decommissioned in 2023.
Project Owner/s
Nuclear New Build, a subsidiary created by EDF Energy.
Project Description
The project will involve the construction, operation and maintenance of a new nuclear power station, known as Hinkley Point C.
The development will include:
• two UK European pressurised reactors with a combined output of 3 200 MW, associated buildings and a plant;
• staff facilities, offices, workshops and storage buildings;
• cooling water tunnels and associated infrastructure, including a fish recovery and return system;
• fuel and management facilities, including for spent fuel and intermediate waste;
• a sea wall, incorporating a public footpath;
• a national-grid 400 kV substation and overhead power lines on site;
• a public information centre;
• a temporary jetty;
• an emergency access road;
• access and parking facilities for workers, visitors and deliveries; and
• a temporary accommodation campus, including 510 bed spaces.
The new power plant will be capable of generating up to 3 260 MW.
The power station is expected to operate for about 60 years.
Potential Job Creation
Construction and operation of Hinkley Point C will create about 25 000 employment opportunities and up to 1 000 apprenticeships. An estimated 64% of the project’s construction value is predicted to go to UK companies.
Capital Expenditure
Delays arising from the Covid-19 pandemic will increase the cost of the project to £23-billion.
Planned Start/End Date
EDF has revised the schedule for the commissioning of the project. The start of electricity generation from Unit 1 is now expected in June 2026, compared with the end of 2025 as initially announced in 2016.
Latest Developments
The first new nuclear reactor for the Hinkley Point C NPP arrived in Somerset in February 2023.
At just 13 m long and weighing 500 t, the reactor pressure vessel will create the heat needed to make steam for the world’s biggest turbines.
The reactor first arrived in Britain at Avonmouth Docks, in Bristol, before being transported by barge to Combwich Wharf on the Parrett river, in Somerset. The final journey was a five-hour trip for 6 km by a transporter to its permanent home on the construction site.
The reactor will be installed in the reactor building after the dome is lifted into place.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Kier BAM Joint Venture (site preparation works); Framatome SA (pressure vessel and steam generators); Bouygues and O’Rourke JV (construction contract); Sarens NV (assembling the world’s biggest crane at the site to aid construction at a later stage); MHI (pump sets); Trilium (subcontractor to MHI) and Tecnatom (preoperational inspection services).
Contact Details for Project Information
EDF Energy, tel +44 1138 207117.