Hinkley Point C hits J-Zero milestone

Published 27 June 2019

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Hinkley Point C hits J-Zero milestone
The view south across the Hinkley Point C Construction Site showing the main excavations and pipework for the cooling water systems of unit 1.

The Hinkley Point C nuclear platform has hit its biggest milestone to date, EDF Energy has revealed.

The company said it had hit “J-Zero” – the completion of the base for the first reactor – meaning construction of the nuclear buildings above ground can now begin.

After safely being delivered to Hinkley Point C by sea, three tunnel boring machines stand ready to commence the major tunnelling work required for the reactor’s cooling water systems.

The second reactor is expected to hit its own J-Zero landmark in exactly a year’s time.

Final contracts have now been signed to install the pipes and cables at the power station. The MEG joint venture – Mechanical, Electrical and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) – brings together contractors Balfour Beatty, Cavendish Nuclear, Altrad and Dooson Babcock.

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Minister for nuclear at the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Andrew Stephenson said: “This is a huge achievement for Hinkley Point C and a major milestone for the UK’s nuclear new-build industry, which – as a low-carbon electricity source -is key to meeting our ambitious target of net zero emissions by 2050.”

“The project will not only power nearly six million homes, it will add an enormous boost to the local and national economy, delivering over 25,000 new jobs and securing long-term, well-paid employment – a key step in delivering clean growth as part of our modern Industrial Strategy.”

Reinforced with 5,000 tonnes of Welsh steel, the concrete base took 240 hours to complete.

Hinkley Point C managing director, Stuart Crooks said: “I am proud of the talent and achievement of our diverse UK workforce, our unions, our international supply chain and the design team in France. We are benefitting from direct experience from other EPR projects and a partner in CGN which understands the technology and the project.”

Once completed, the plant is expected to meet 7 per cent of the UK’s electricity needs. EDF Energy expects to have the first unit reactor finished by the end of 2025.