insights Hinkley Point C

Hinkley Point C (HPC) is the first nuclear power station to be built in the UK since the 1990s. Technically complex and the country’s largest infrastructure project – our talented people from AtkinsRéalis are supporting its development.

HPC excites us because it’s set to transform the UK’s future. It will provide low-carbon electricity for around 6 million homes, and 7% of our electricity. It’s also going to create work for thousands of people and bring long lasting benefits to our economy.

Leading nuclear, design and engineering

Our teams have been supporting HPC from its very early stages, helping to secure its UK Nuclear Site License – the first in over 20 years. We’re currently in a 10-year construction period and contracted to support the project’s end to end development. Our diverse range of engineering and technical services will include design & engineering for civil, mechanical, electrical, process and nuclear – as well as multidisciplinary design and environmental planning services.

Digitally enhanced delivery

As well as an industry-changing project, HPC offers career defining opportunities in a wide range of teams across AtkinsRéalis. Our people have enjoyed challenging secondment opportunities at the HPC Delivery Command Centre, HPC site and at our client’s offices in Bristol and France.

The design team for HPC’s main concrete structures is primarily based in the UK with the specialist 3D modelling and construction deliverables undertaken by our Global Design Centre in India.

Our in-house digital engineering services have been a key component of our HPC delivery philosophy, whether it be via specialist analysis software, information sharing or using automated processes to improve our efficiency.

The teams have developed complex 3D reinforced concrete models in collaboration with the contractor, all linked to their procurement and construction process. This approach has used our virtual Reality Capture modelling skills, making the construction safer, quicker and ultimately cheaper.

Award-winning innovation

We are extremely proud of our HPC team for winning Tekla’s ‘Best Industrial Project Award’. The award recognizes the most impressive structures modelled with Tekla software each year. Our teams, working together across our markets and disciplines, created a fully integrated 3D-reinforcement model of the HPC plant using Tekla Structures.

Powering opportunities

At its peak, HPC will be the biggest construction site in Europe, with 64% of its construction value with UK-based companies. We’re proud to be involved in a project that is already making such a huge difference: construction and operation will create 25,000 life changing job opportunities. Over £1 billion has already been spent within the local economy, 1,000 apprentices will launch amazing careers, and almost 4,000 workers are already on-site.

Giving nuclear a boost

HPC marks a significant milestone in the revitalization of our nuclear power industry. It will contribute hugely to the UK’s move to reduce carbon emissions. The electricity generated by its two EPR reactors will offset around 9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year, or 600 million tonnes over its 60-year lifespan.

Join us to define the future

Excited about where we’re taking the world with nuclear – and where it could take your career? Browse jobs to see where you fit in.

“I’m really proud of the way our teams have collaborated to reach this milestone, combining first-in-class nuclear structures capability with a passion for adopting the latest technologies and digital tools. As the project progresses we will strive for digital engineering perfection as we continue to seek out more opportunities to enhance our digital delivery.”
-Simon White, Project Director & Digital Director, Infrastructure UK

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