Collaborative working the key to success for progress of Hinkley Point C project in Somerset

Our team is making significant progress with works to complete the first new nuclear power station in the UK in over 20 years.

Hinkley Point C in Somerset is a 3200 MWE nuclear power station with two third generation pressurised water EPR reactors. When completed, the site will be responsible for providing low-carbon electricity for around 6 million homes and will offset 600 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over its 60 year lifespan.

Not only will the project have environmental benefits but it will also bring many positive socio-economic impacts to Somerset and the wider South West region. Construction of Hinkley Point C will lead to the planting of 20,000 trees, create a total of 25,000 employment opportunities and filter £200m per year into the region’s economy.

In partnership with EDF, the project is being delivered as a result of close collaboration between numerous tier 1, 2 and 3 contractors – with McCann subcontracted by the Kier BAM Nuttall Joint Venture. This synergistic method of working gives our team the opportunity to work in direct partnership with many other industry-leading contractors such as NNB and COMA.

As lighting specialists, the scope of our work is to deliver 200 lighting columns and over 60,000 metres of electrical cable. As one of the key components in remote dynamic street lighting control, the firm is also responsible for installing a central management system (CMS) and sensors as well as relocating any existing external lighting.

Project Manager, Michael Nicholson is delighted to be a part of the project and is looking forward to seeing it progress further; “The project has given us ample opportunities to collaborate and forge strong working relationships with some fantastic industry partners,”

He continues, “Though our team has vast experience across numerous contracting services, Hinkley Point C has enabled us to acquire further valuable skills needed within a nuclear new-build environment. This development has widened our collective expertise which we can take forward and apply to further future projects,”

“Though challenging at times, all parties continue to work together closely to move the project forward. From revised site sketches to working with our internal electrical team and designers, we’ve managed to build bespoke, feasible proposals to suit the project’s needs in order to overcome potential hurdles for this landmark scheme,” adds Michael.

Anthony Kew, Project Supervisor at McCann, believes that collaborative working has played a huge part in the success of the project to-date – boding well for the remainder of the scheme.

“Working in collaboration with companies such as Kier and BAM Nuttall means that we can draw on the most effective solutions for each stage of specific projects – as seen at Hinkley Point C. Utilising people’s specialisms means that we continue to achieve the highest standards possible – resulting in positive outcomes and contributing the long-term success of the site,”

He continues, “Our team’s broad industry experience and systematic approach has meant that the team has overcome challenges in a matter of days – preventing potential delays, delivering key stages on time and ensuring that work is as cost-effective as possible.”