Client

Positioned as the first in a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK, Hinkley Point C is expected to provide low-carbon electricity for around six million homes.

Challenge

There are currently over 4,000 people working on the construction of Hinkley Point C. Cooperation and coordination of works is essential to ensure all parties can complete their element on time. Electrical power is also essential for enabling the works. We undertake the construction of early electrical works for EDF Energy.

Our scope of works includes the installation of supplies from National Grid to three primary switchboards. We are also responsible for the installation of an 11kV system which consists of fifty 11kV substations, 40 feeder pillars, LV supplies to various buildings, approximately 30 km of HV and four LV cables.

The networks constructed, supply 37MW of power for the site construction supplies which include, the site campus hotel and leisure facility for staff working at Hinkley Point, tunnel boring machines, temporary offices, catering facilities, as well as other accommodation and welfare units.

Due to the changing nature of the site, the supplies have to be designed and constructed to provide flexibility for various phases of the works. The greatest challenge was acquiring access to the work area in a timely manner to ensure continuity of work.

Approach and innovation

We use our experience from other environments including Network Rail, London Underground and Heathrow Airport to design and install a system with the flexibility to help minimise costs when cables were inevitably diverted. All works were managed through Primavera P6 resource loaded programmes.

The project demands a strong commitment to flexible working and collaborating with the client and other contractors. We apply techniques from our ISO 44001 Business Collaboration accreditation to forge a close relationship with all parties involved. We hold daily meetings and share key milestones with other contractors on site to ensure there was an overall joined up programme with dependencies clearly articulated.

Outcomes

Nuclear safety is our overriding priority and we continually work to ensure that all staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to maintain nuclear safety standards. New starters are trained and tested before and after training sessions to ensure they have a thorough understanding of nuclear safety. This is in addition to our proprietary in-house Stay Safe programme which aims to embed a culture of safety across the organisation. We pride ourselves on our achievements to date with an excellent safety record for both our employees and subcontractors.

Whilst at Hinkley, we have won three health and safety awards in our four years on site. The most prestigious being the ‘Best Safety Performance - Tier 1 and Tier 2’ at the Hinkley Point C Excellence Awards.

The quality of our work has remained at a high level as is expected on a nuclear site. We have received praise for the quality of our delivery and work ethic.