One of the largest building projects in Europe to support a net zero carbon future

Hinkley Point C - Safety Report

As the first nuclear power station constructed in the UK for over two decades, Hinkley Point C is one of the largest building projects in Europe. EDF Energy appointed our specialist nuclear management team as the quality and safety report lead for the preparation of the third version of their site-specific pre-construction safety report for this nuclear power station in Somerset.

The report is an integral part of justifying the safety of Hinkley Point C’s design throughout the plant’s lifecycle—from construction to end-of-life decommissioning. This includes the consideration of on-site spent fuel and radioactive waste management. This third version, an update of the safety case to reflect the latest reference design for Hinkley Point C, was one of the documents EDF needed to submit in support of the application to obtain consent for the start of safety-related construction of the nuclear island at the heart of the plant.

Our report included detailed information on safety requirements and objectives, the site’s characteristics, codes and standards used in the design, the design and safety credentials of the structures, and systems and components involved in the installation. We also conducted various safety analyses including for both normal operation and accident conditions.

We helped define the safety case’s requirements and objectives and advised EDF on how to implement them. With responsibility for coordinating the production of a suite of safety documentation, we managed the progress of the report through the safety clearance route, including its independent technical assessment and review by the Nuclear Safety Committee. Our team has gone on to support development of subsequent iterations of the safety report, prepared alongside the ongoing construction phase of the power station. 

When fully operational around the turn of the decade, Hinkley Point C will make a significant contribution to meeting the UK’s energy security strategy, targeting homegrown energy independence of up to 24 gigawatts by 2050. The electricity generated by the plant’s two reactors will offset 9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year, or 600 million tonnes over its 60-year lifespan.