Hinkley Point C second reactor base completed in less than a year

We’ve helped EDF’s Hinkley Point C (HPC) achieve a further milestone.  

Work on the 49,000-tonne base for the second reactor was completed on schedule, concluding with concluding with a continuous reinforced structural concrete pour, last week.

Hanson UK supplied the raw materials for the concrete to main civils contractor BYLOR, which operates the on-site concrete production plant at the new nuclear power station currently under construction in Somerset.

The 8,991 cubic metre continuous pour marked the completion of the ‘Common Raft’ for HPC’s second reactor – the reinforced concrete platform on which the reactor, and other parts of the ‘Nuclear Island’ sit. Described by EDF as J-0, completion of the base meets a date set more than four years ago and marks the transition from below ground activity to the construction of permanent reactor buildings above ground.

Construction during the current Coronavirus crisis was able to continue after a wide range of measures were introduced to ensure the safety of construction workers and the wider community. 

Stewart Cameron, head of nuclear operations at Hanson UK, said: ““Despite the challenges of working throughout the COVID-19 crisis, our team of 45 employees directly involved in the HPC project adapted well to the major changes required and continued to ensure that concrete of the required quality was produced consistently right first time, every time.” 

Hanson is also supplying construction materials to other aspects of the HPC project. To date this includes 51,000 cubic metres of concrete; 3.5 million tonnes of aggregates; 300,000 tonnes of marine sand; 90,000 tonnes of cement; 145,000 tonnes of Regen GGBS and 140,000 tonnes of asphalt.