West nuclear power build reaches half way stage
THE new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point has completed its halfway stage on schedule, despite restrictions on working due to the pandemic.
The 49,000-tonne base for the station’s second reactor has been finished, meeting a target date set more than four years ago, before the final investment decision was taken, says power company EDF.
Last week the Western Morning News reported that the key stage was in the process of being completed days ahead of schedule. The process has now been finished.
Teams who have had to adapt to coronavirus working conditions completed the achievement, known as “J-zero”, less than a year after the base of the first reaction was finished last June.
EDF says this is the second major goal in 2020 and the successful completion of both follows the achievement of all the project goals in 2019 at the site on the Somerset coast.
Completion of the second reactor base also benefited from experience gained on the first identical unit – which has led to “significant increases” in productivity through steps such as increased use of prefabrication, the company says. EDF adds that the methods will benefit the proposed follow-on project at Sizewell C in Suffolk for which a planning application was submitted last week. Figures released last week also show that Hinkley Point C beat its ambition to spend £1.5bn with regional businesses five years ahead of target. Hinkley Point C managing director Stuart Crooks thanked workers and unions for their “extraordinary efforts” to make safe working possible during the pandemic. “They have adapted to major changes in everyday behaviours and working practices which would have been unimaginable a few months ago,” he said. “The commitment of our specialist suppliers across the UK and in Europe has also been instrumental in helping us safely achieve this major milestone. “