NG Bailey and Balfour Beatty in £460m Hinkley Point nuclear project win

Balfour Beatty Bailey - a joint venture between NG Bailey and Balfour Beatty - will work across both proposed Hinkley Point C units to deliver critical infrastructure that will power the station and its operations.

The work will create 1,000 jobs, including many specialist engineers and 60 local apprenticeships.

Works will include the design and installation of around 76,000 cables totalling over 3,000km in length; over 180km of cable containment support systems; fire and environmental sealing; design and installation of earthing systems, and specialist packages associated with data acquisition and plant control.

As many as 16 companies and partnerships, mainly from the UK, have been appointed to the Hinkley Point C development. Leeds-based Turner and Townsend has been awarded project controls and project management contract work.

Balfour Beatty Bailey said it will deliver a lasting local legacy with a significant proportion of the new workforce recruited locally, 60 local apprenticeships and training commitments and partnerships with local colleges.

David Hurcomb, Balfour Beatty Bailey executive sponsor said: “Balfour Beatty and NG Bailey have been working together for the last five years to develop a compelling proposition for the UK’s nuclear new build programme.

“We are delighted with today’s news. Our involvement in this project will allow Balfour Beatty Bailey to become a leading team in the nuclear new build arena – a sector in which both companies have extensive experience, having both worked on the first nuclear power station to be built in the UK at Calder Hall and, the last, at Sizewell B.”

Balfour Beatty Bailey’s six year project is expected to commence in 2016 with design work and the construction phase in 2017 and full contract award anticipated for 2016, subject to the Hinkley Point C final investment decision.

Hinkley Point C, which will be located on the North Somerset coast, will be the first nuclear power station to be built in the UK for 20 years. The two new nuclear reactors that form the proposed Hinkley Point C will provide reliable, low carbon electricity to meet 7 per cent of UK demand.

It will cost around £14bn to build at present costs, rising to £24bn by the time it is finished, and interest payments have been added.

The first electricity is expected to be generated in 2023.

EDF chief executive Jean Bernard said good progress is being made in discussion with the British Government and the firm’s Chinese partners.

Things are moving “very quickly” towards a final investment decision.

EDF Energy chief executive Vincent de Rivaz said: “Hinkley Point C will be at the forefront of the revitalisation of the UK’s industrial and skills base, and we have worked hard to build a robust supply chain to support new nuclear in the UK.

“The project will boost industrial stamina in the UK and kick-start the new nuclear programme. Experience gained at Hinkley Point will help firms be successful in nuclear projects around the world.”

Energy minister Andrea Leadsom said: “This is great news - Hinkley Point C offers a tremendous opportunity for the UK supply chain and we’ve worked closely with EDF to ensure British firms benefit.

“As part of our long-term plan to support the industries of the future, create jobs and provide secure, affordable energy supplies for hardworking families and businesses, we are backing our nuclear sector by fostering innovation and opportunity as we cut carbon emissions.”