Construction gets underway on Hinckley Point C

Construction is finally underway in Somerset on Hinkley Point C as EDF Energy says “good progress” is being made on the £18Bn project.

The French energy giants who are leading the scheme announced concrete pouring has started after receiving the green light to begin construction.

Ground preparation is well underway on the site as three million cubic metres of earth have already been moved.

There are 1,600 workers currently on site with work so far concentrating on the construction of tunnels to carry cabling and pipes, a sea wall to protect the plant and a 500m temporary jetty in the Bristol Channel allowing for 80% of the aggregate to be brought in by sea rather than by road.

Three million tonnes of concrete and 230,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement will be used in the construction of the power station.

Hinkley Point C Project Director, Philippe Bordarier said: “Pouring the concrete for the first permanent structure of HPC is a significant milestone. It is the outcome of many years of preparation and hard work from all our teams and supply chain across the UK and France. It demonstrates our ability to undertake the serious responsibility of nuclear power plant construction.

“Whilst we reflect on this great achievement we will continue to look for opportunities to improve, learn and teach others, embracing the values of the HPC project.”

Construction of the building for the first reactor is due to start in 2019 when concrete will be poured to make the reactor platform.

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