15,000 tonnes of Sizewell A concrete finds new use

Photo: Nuclear Restoration Services

The material, taken from the turbine alternator plinths, has been crushed, tested, and certified to meet safety standards before being transported a few hundred metres along the Suffolk coast to serve as sub-base for foundation platforms at Sizewell C’s Main Construction Area.

According to project lead Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), the reuse of the concrete delivers multiple benefits, including lower procurement costs from using locally sourced aggregate, reduced transport requirements, and a cut in carbon emissions, while preserving natural resources by limiting the need for new primary aggregates.

It said the approach reduces the need for newly mined aggregates, limits truck movements, and has prevented around 28 tonnes of CO₂ emissions to date. 

Damian Leydon, site delivery director for Sizewell C, said the collaboration is “reducing the number of trucks transporting aggregate through East Suffolk, while minimising environmental impact during construction.”

NRS senior project manager Wendy Heath added that it “completes the circular economy for this material” and supports sustainable decommissioning practices.

The initiative, prompted by the Environment Agency and local authorities, has now been fully implemented, avoiding landfill disposal and conserving resources while maintaining local economic benefits.