The first nuclear power station to be constructed in the U.K. in 25 years will use specialized nuclear cables supplied by Nexans. The company will deliver 3,000 km of cables designed to maximize the safety and service life of Hinkley Point C.

Nuclear-rated cables are being manufactured for medium voltage and low voltage power and include control and instrumentation cables for pumps, valves, safety systems, power supplies and control room monitoring. The equipment is to be installed inside and outside of the nuclear containment area and is engineered to perform safely and reliably under the demanding environmental conditions corresponding to normal, accidental and/or post-accidental plant operating conditions.

The Hinkley Point C power plant is expected to produce 3,200 MWe from two European pressurized water reactors and offset 9 million tons/year of carbon dioxide emissions over its 60-year lifespan. The reactors are designed to use less uranium and produce almost a third less long-lived radioactive wastes compared with water reactors in operation today. The plant’s first unit is expected to be operational in 2023, and with completion of the second unit in 2025 the electricity generated will supply the needs of nearly six million homes.

The first part of the steel containment liner is lifted during construction of the second reactor at Hinkley Point C. Source: EDF