EDF energy plant, Hinkley Point C (HPC), is now preparing for its first network installation phase, after design, building and planning partner, Telent, hits a major design milestone, completing over half of the building designs for the site.
Over 70 high-level building designs for the construction of the communications and IT system have been completed for the HPC site, with the full project set to be completed by 2031.
The new-generation nuclear plant, based in West Somerset, is the first to be built in the UK in 30 years to restart Britain’s nuclear industry.
The dual data centre infrastructure at HPC will include wireless and wired communication networks connecting approximately 150 buildings across the dual rector site. This communication network will be supported by a unified communications and messaging platform fully designed by digital infrastructure and communication leader, Telent.
“We are delighted to have demonstrated that our communications and IT system designs spanning multiple technologies have complied with around 3,000 complex requirements, including rigorous standards set by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR),” said John Bulger, Programme Director of HPC at Telent. “The communications network is the epitome of mission-critical for everyone within the nuclear power plant, our vast experience ensures network downtime is not an option.”
Telent was awarded the multi-million-pound contract by EDF Nuclear New Build (NNB) to design, build, support and manage a multi-faceted communications and IT system in 2019. Since then, Telent has designed and proven that the communications network and critical nuclear equipment and materials can withstand the most challenging scenarios, including earthquakes and aeroplane crashes.
A spokesperson at Hinkley Point C expressed his delight about hitting this major milestone in the project, stating, “Over the past five years, the Telent team has made a significant impact and been a great asset to the project. The success we have witnessed has been in part due to the fantastic team we have working on the programme. Telent’s expertise with a wide range of mission-critical technology solutions has been invaluable and this experience has also been shared to aid the progress of other suppliers on the site.”
HPC is set to provide 7% of the UK’s electricity for the next 60 years and deliver a low-carbon energy source to six million UK homes, with the construction site currently the largest in Europe with over 12,000 workers.
