Photo by: EDF Energy
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.
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
The start of electricity generation from Unit 1 is expected in June 2026, compared with the end of 2025 as initially announced in 2016.
Latest Developments
BGEN has been awarded a £84-million contract by GE Steam Power Systems to provide electrical and instrumentation solutions for the project.
GE Steam Power will provide the two conventional power islands for Hinkley, which includes the Arabelle steam turbine, generator and other critical equipment.
The Arabelle produces 2% more power output than a traditional configuration, has a 99.96% reliability rate and will be one of the biggest ever to be built. Each turbine will capable of producing 1 770 MW of electrical power.
The company will begin work on the project later this month, with an end date scheduled for December 2027.
BGEN’s remit includes the design, supply and installation of electrical and instrumentation packages for the Unit 1 and Unit 2 turbine halls of the NPP.
The company’s turnkey project solution includes the installation of the isolated phase busducts, design verification, seismic qualification, supply and installation of structural support and containment systems, the installation of electrical equipment and cables, in addition to termination and testing.
BGEN’s project scope for instrumentation engineering includes the design and seismic qualification of instrument frames and canopies, the fabrication and final assembly of instrumentation and associated equipment, the supply and installation of structural support and containment systems and instrument tubing, the installation of field instruments and associated equipment, as well as cable installation, termination and testing.
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); Tecnatom (preoperational inspection services).; BGEN (electrical and instrumentation solutions); and GE Steam Power Systems (conventional power islands).
Contact Details for Project Information
EDF Energy, tel +44 1138 207117.