Supplier Challenges Day Hinkley Point C Project

On 24 January 2019, Comeca organised a meeting with its suppliers to discuss the challenges of the Hinkley Point C project, the project to extend the existing plant by adding two new EPR-type reactors in the United Kingdom.

The Hinkley Point C nuclear project

In September 2016, EDF signed contracts in London with the British Government and its partner CGN for the construction of two EPR reactors at Hinkley Point in southwest England. This signature marked the renewal of the nuclear market in Great Britain.

This project benefits all the French and British nuclear sectors and will create 5,000 onsite jobs during construction and offer many opportunities for local and national companies.

For this project, Comeca was selected to design, manufacture and deliver electrical distribution systems (low-voltage switchboards) that will supply the entire Hinkley Point C site. Comeca's equipment must meet specific standards and specifications. All of the company's expertise is applied to meet the rigorous criteria of the nuclear sector, such as resistance to earthquakes up to 6g and short-circuits up to 100,000A.

In November 2017, COMECA signed a contract with NNB, a subsidiary of EDF Energy specially created for the Hinkley Point C project, for the supply of HV/LV and LV/LV transformers, 400V and 690V low voltage switchboards, and more recently, sub-distribution switchboards.

A day about the challenges of the project

This day dedicated to the Hinkley Point C project was organized to raise suppliers' awareness of the technical stakes, quality, counterfeiting and falsification and deadlines for all stakeholders. It was also an opportunity to strengthen the links between suppliers and Comeca by meeting them.

After a presentation of the HPC project, the guests were able to visit the EBT factory in Chalon sur Saône and discuss during question and answer sessions with Comeca experts to prepare for the implementation of the project.

This event allowed suppliers to realize the scope of the project and their respective involvement that goes beyond the production of a part in their workshop. They are part of a whole that must be organized to meet the needs of the nuclear project.

The whole day was enjoyed by the Comeca teams and guests, which promises to be a great day in the collaboration of the Hinkley Point C project.