Two firms have been named the Independent Technical Verifiers of the Decommissioning Fund for Hinkley Point C
Turner & Townsend and NUVIA have been appointed as the nuclear technical verifiers for Hinkley Point C.
This means the two firms will be responsible for assessing the technical aspects of the nuclear plants’ eventual decommissioning.
Every reactor needs a plan
Under the Energy Act 2008, all nuclear power stations are required to have a fully funded Decommissioning and Waste Management Plan (DWMP) in place before they are allowed to generate power.
The Independent Technical Verifier is crucial to a DWMP, as they make sure that the funds and technical plans all maintain safety standards, regulatory requirements, and long-term financial safeguards for when the reactor needs to be shut down permanently.
Both Turner & Townsend and NUVIA will be responsible for this in the Hinkley Point C DWMP, with T&T giving a cost and risk review, and NUVIA assessing technical deliverability and waste management assumptions. Together they will help ensure that the DWMP is ready for submission before Hinkley Point C goes live.
Alan Sinclair, director and head of energy and natural resources at Turner & Townsend UK, said: “We are delighted to be appointed to this important role. Independent verification is essential to ensuring that provisions for the UK’s next generation nuclear assets are robust, transparent and deliverable.
“Carrying out this work at an early stage at Hinkley Point C helps ensure that long-term plans are credible and appropriately funded. We look forward to working with NUVIA and to deliver the assurance needed for one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects.”
Nicola Edson, director of technical services & consulting at NUVIA UK, said: “We are delighted to support this programme with the technical insight our teams bring from across the nuclear sector. Our role is to work collaboratively to provide the clear analysis that helps ensure long term plans are grounded in sound technical understanding. We value the opportunity to contribute our expertise to work of such lasting importance.”
Nuclear energy will be vital for emerging technologies
Announced in February, the government has established the Advanced Nuclear Framework, intended to boost investments into nuclear power technologies as part of a drive to establish a “golden age” of nuclear power.
In Hartlepool, a deal has been made to create 12 advanced modular reactors, and in Cottam, Nottinghamshire, an old coal-fired power station is set to become a small modular reactor-powered nuclear station.
Minister for nuclear, Patrick Vallance, said: “Advanced nuclear technology could revolutionise how we power industry and propel the AI data centre boom – delivering more clean energy and jobs.
“We are seizing the opportunity to become a frontrunner in this space as part of our golden age of nuclear, creating the conditions for the industry to flourish.”
The post Hinkley Point C nuclear technical verifiers appointed for Decommissioning Fund appeared first on Planning, Building & Construction Today.
