Consortium announced for UK nuclear project

A Laing O’Rourke and Bouygues consortium (BYLOR) has signed the main construction works contract for the £18 billion (€24.5 billion) Hinkley Point C project in Somerset, UK.

BYLOR has spent the last four years completing the civil works for the nuclear power station, which is run by French-based EDF Energy, and its Chinese partner China General Nuclear Corporation (CGN).

Martin Westbury, BYLOR project director, said, “We have cemented a truly collaborative working relationship between BYLOR and EDF, so that we can look forward to the increase in project activity with confidence.”

A Balfour Beatty and NG Bailey joint venture has been appointed for the power station electrical package in a £460 million (€630 million) contract, while a Kier BAM joint venture has been chosen to provide the enabling works for the project, worth some £203 million (€278 million).

Bam Nuttall and Kier are also waiting to start on the £100 million (€137 million) earthworks contract which was wound down earlier this year pending financial approval for the project, according to EDF.

The appointments have been made following EDF and CGN sealing a funding deal which sees EDF take a 66.5% stake in Hinckley, with CGN taking a 33.5% share.

EDF confirmed the final investment decision, which it claims will allow construction to start within weeks.