Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station (Nuclear Island Buildings)
Hinkley Point, Somerset, England, UK · Construction began March 2017; Unit 1 planned operational 2029–2031 · £31–35 billion (2015 prices); £41.6–47.9 billion (2024 prices)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe project has experienced significant delays and budget overruns, highlighting the immense complexity and challenges inherent in large-scale nuclear new builds. - Experience gained from the construction of Unit 1 has been applied to Unit 2, leading to efficiencies and increased productivity, including greater use of prefabrication. - Emphasis on prefabrication and precasting of concrete to achieve high quality and efficiency, akin to factory conditions. - Innovation in concrete mixes was necessary to accommodate the exceptionally high density of rebar in certain structures. - The project is deemed crucial for Britain's future energy security and its commitment to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions.
Key engineering challenges
Designing and constructing complex EPR reactors and associated nuclear island buildings to stringent safety standards. - Performing record-breaking lifts of massive prefabricated steel rings (575t, 47m diameter) using the world's largest crane ("Big Carl"). - Executing mammoth concrete pours for reactor bases (e.g., 8,991m³ for Unit 2) with nuclear-grade concrete and high rebar density (up to 900kg/m³). - Tunnelling under the Bristol Channel for cooling water intake and outfall (3.5km and 1.8km tunnels respectively), managing challenging ground conditions and water inundation. - Ensuring precise construction and installation of nuclear safety-significant systems and components to meet rigorous regulatory requirements. - Working within a highly regulated environment with continuous oversight from the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
Project facts
- Client / owner
- NNB Generation Company (a subsidiary of EDF), EDF Energy and China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN)
- Lead contractor
- Various contractors, including Balfour Beatty (tunnelling)
- Lead designers
- Framatome (EPR reactor supplier), EDF (overall project)
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- Two-unit, 3,200 MWe EPR nuclear power station; 2 x 1,630 MWe nameplate capacity; 575t steel rings (17m tall, 47m diameter); 49,000t base for Unit 2 reactor; 8,991m³ concrete pour for Unit 2 base; 3.5km intake tunnels, 1.8km outfall tunnel; 4 intake heads (44m long, 8m high, 4,650t), 2 outfall heads (3,500t).
- Disciplines
- Nuclear engineering; civil; structural; mechanical; electrical; systems; tunnelling; marine engineering
- Standards & frameworks
- Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process; nuclear site licence; UK Building Regulations; Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) safety standards
Sources: Wikipedia: Hinkley Point C nuclear power station (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinkley_Point_C_nuclear_power_station) - EDF Energy: Hinkley Point C (https://www.edfenergy.com/energy/nuclear-new-build-projects/hinkley-point-c) - New Civil Engineer: Hinkley Point C: Biggest engineering challenges overcome during five years of construction (https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/hinkley-point-c-biggest-engineering-challenges-overcome-during-five-years-of-construction-29-09-2021/) - Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR): Hinkley Point C (https://www.onr.org.uk/our-work/what-we-regulate/new-reactors/construction/hinkley-point-c)