Reports related to this article:
Project(s): View 1 related project in PECWeb
Plant(s): View 1 related plant in PECWeb
Released January 24, 2018 | GALWAY, IRELAND
en
Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The first new nuclear power project in the U.K. will be delivered on time by 2025, despite statements by the developer last year that it would not be commissioned until 2027.
Simone Rossi, the new chief executive officer of EDF Energy, the U.K. arm of French energy giant Électricité de France SA (EPA:EDF) (Paris, France), has said that above-ground construction will kick-off in June 2019 with startup of the first unit expected in 2025.
"We've moved more than four million cubic metres of earth--that's like digging a hole two and a half times as big as the Millennium stadium in Cardiff," Rossi said. "We are already installing the huge sea water-cooling pipes. One of the main focuses at site is what we call "J-zero" (June 2019) -- when we start building the power station's structures above ground. That can only happen once the foundations are in place for the first unit. All our 2018 goals will help us to achieve this major milestone on schedule by June 2019. Beyond J-zero, our goal is to put the first unit into service by the end of 2025. Are we confident that we can deliver by 2025? Yes, we are confident."
The Hinkley Point C plant in Somerset, southwest England, will use two European Pressurized Reactors (EPR) reactors with a generating capacity of 3,300 megawatts (MW), enough to meet 7% of the U.K.'s future electricity needs. Last year, the company stated that the commissioning of the first reactor would be up to 15 months late sometime in 2027, and that costs would rise by £1.5 billion ($1.9 billion). For additional information, see July 7, 2017, article - U.K. Nuclear Project Hits Delays, Costs Rise by $1.9 Billion.
Rossi pointed out the necessity for nuclear power in a climate where more and more renewable energy is coming online.
"It makes sense to have as many renewables as we practically can, in places where the wind is strongest like Scotland and offshore where Britain is a world leader," Rossi added. "But wind has it limits. With growing numbers of wind turbines in the system, it matters when the wind doesn't blow or even when it blows too hard and more power is generated than is needed. As an Italian, I know that Britain is not one of sunniest places on the planet--especially in January. I am told we get as much sun as one of the U.S.'s largest states. Gas is a good choice for flexible back-up power and that's why we need gas power in our future energy mix. However, gas is not a low-carbon fuel. Nuclear power in Britain provides large volumes of low-carbon electricity when it is needed--even on a dark, cold and still winter's night. There is a clear logic to the case for having reliable low-carbon nuclear in our future energy mix at a competitive price."
There are roughly 3,000 workers currently on site at Hinkley. Contracts have been awarded to a number of large contractors and hundreds of smaller companies. including AREVA S.A. (EPA:CEI) (Paris, France) (nuclear steam supply system, instrumentation and control), Alstom S.A. (OTC:ALSMY) (Paris, France) (turbines) and Alstom U.K. (services during operations), Bouygues TP/Laing O'Rourke (main civil works) and BAM Nuttal/Kier Infrastructure (earthworks).
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
Simone Rossi, the new chief executive officer of EDF Energy, the U.K. arm of French energy giant Électricité de France SA (EPA:EDF) (Paris, France), has said that above-ground construction will kick-off in June 2019 with startup of the first unit expected in 2025.
"We've moved more than four million cubic metres of earth--that's like digging a hole two and a half times as big as the Millennium stadium in Cardiff," Rossi said. "We are already installing the huge sea water-cooling pipes. One of the main focuses at site is what we call "J-zero" (June 2019) -- when we start building the power station's structures above ground. That can only happen once the foundations are in place for the first unit. All our 2018 goals will help us to achieve this major milestone on schedule by June 2019. Beyond J-zero, our goal is to put the first unit into service by the end of 2025. Are we confident that we can deliver by 2025? Yes, we are confident."
The Hinkley Point C plant in Somerset, southwest England, will use two European Pressurized Reactors (EPR) reactors with a generating capacity of 3,300 megawatts (MW), enough to meet 7% of the U.K.'s future electricity needs. Last year, the company stated that the commissioning of the first reactor would be up to 15 months late sometime in 2027, and that costs would rise by £1.5 billion ($1.9 billion). For additional information, see July 7, 2017, article - U.K. Nuclear Project Hits Delays, Costs Rise by $1.9 Billion.
Rossi pointed out the necessity for nuclear power in a climate where more and more renewable energy is coming online.
"It makes sense to have as many renewables as we practically can, in places where the wind is strongest like Scotland and offshore where Britain is a world leader," Rossi added. "But wind has it limits. With growing numbers of wind turbines in the system, it matters when the wind doesn't blow or even when it blows too hard and more power is generated than is needed. As an Italian, I know that Britain is not one of sunniest places on the planet--especially in January. I am told we get as much sun as one of the U.S.'s largest states. Gas is a good choice for flexible back-up power and that's why we need gas power in our future energy mix. However, gas is not a low-carbon fuel. Nuclear power in Britain provides large volumes of low-carbon electricity when it is needed--even on a dark, cold and still winter's night. There is a clear logic to the case for having reliable low-carbon nuclear in our future energy mix at a competitive price."
There are roughly 3,000 workers currently on site at Hinkley. Contracts have been awarded to a number of large contractors and hundreds of smaller companies. including AREVA S.A. (EPA:CEI) (Paris, France) (nuclear steam supply system, instrumentation and control), Alstom S.A. (OTC:ALSMY) (Paris, France) (turbines) and Alstom U.K. (services during operations), Bouygues TP/Laing O'Rourke (main civil works) and BAM Nuttal/Kier Infrastructure (earthworks).
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
