The workforce at the Hinkley Point C construction site in Somerset is set to rise to 4000 after the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) granted permission for the start of bulk mechanical, electrical and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (MEH) component installation work at unit 1.
So far, most of the activity at Hinkley Point C has been in the field of civil construction but the new phase will mean work will grow to encompass installation of mechanical and electrical components and welding.
Starting the new phase of work is a ‘hold point’ for construction, but the ONR has now given permission to NNB Generation Company (HPC) Limited (NNB GenCo) for the phase to begin.
In an assessment, the regulator said MEH fit-out was a “major change to the project, and is a mammoth undertaking that will involve simultaneous working on a number of different platforms, employing a large number of skilled and semi-skilled workers, including welders, pipe fitters and electricians.” It noted there had been problems with this phase of construction at Flamanville in France (but not at Taishan in China).
It said the adequate supply, training, supervision, and oversight of the workforce throughout the installation period would be a “major challenge” with many of the workforce new to the industry, and noted that “arrangements and plans for its [NNBGenCo’s] organisational development including project enablers are yet to be stress tested”. The regulator had, however, “closed off” concerns over the company’s oversight of off-site component manufacturing.
NNB GenCo has established a joint venture with four existing suppliers (Balfour Beatty Bailey, Doosan, Cavendish and Altrad) to deliver the phase of work over three years.