Delivery Partners for the Hinkley Supply Chain Team
October 2019
Dear

Welcome to the October issue of the Hinkley Supply Chain Newsletter. In this issue we are focussing on the excitement at Hinkley Point C (HPC); following the journey of ‘Mary’ the tunnel boring machine and we have case studies from local companies Clarke Willmott and Jays Logistics (South West) on their very different journeys to gain work at HPC.

We will give an overview of the Altrad Business Breakfast held at the Somerset Energy Innovation Centre (SEIC), Bridgwater, and also draw your attention to the last remaining Hinkley Supply Chain Programme workshops of 2019, of which there are still a few spaces available.

The Hinkley Supply Chain Team is still looking for a Level 3 Business Administration apprentice to follow in the footsteps of our last apprentice, who has secured a place at University and is continuing her studies. If you know of anyone that would be interested in working as a part of the Hinkley Supply Chain Team then please click here to contact the team.

Sam Evans
Hinkley Supply Chain Project Lead
Somerset Chamber of Commerce
Project News
The project continues to break new records as the work continues. The huge Sarens SGC-250 crane (pictured) is now fully commissioned. Standing nearly 250 metres high it can be seen from miles away. The world’s largest land based crane is another innovation that will help optimise the construction of power station.

The aggregate jetty (pictured below), located on the North West corner of the site, has now been fully commissioned and receives regular deliveries of stone and sand, reducing the number of HGVs travelling to the site. In fact, each ship delivers the equivalent of around 300 HGVs worth of aggregate.

The first tunnel boring machine (TBM) ‘Mary’ has now been launched and is making its way out under the Bristol Channel. Balfour Beatty is using three TBMs to construct the three main cooling water tunnels at HPC.

The cooling water system is made up of one outfall tunnel, two intake tunnels and a number of auxiliary inter-connecting tunnels. A regular supply of ring segments from the segment factory at Avonmouth will be required to allow the construction of these hidden yet vitally important tunnels. When built, the intake tunnels will be 6m in diameter,3.5km long and draw 120,000 litres of water in from the Bristol Channel every second.
The fourth concrete batching plant has now been commissioned and, like the three other batching plants, can produce 70 cubic metres of concrete per hour. So far, the concrete batching plants have supplied more than 450,000m3 of high-quality concrete. The fourth plant provides the flexibility and redundancy necessary during maintenance and outage periods.
You may have seen the recent media coverage about mental health support at HPC. Below the sensationalist headlines the coverage highlighted how HPC is leading the way in the construction industry in terms of focus and support for mental health. The project is creating an environment that’s supportive of mental health, where it’s okay not to be okay. Currently there are 230 trained Mental Health First Aiders or ‘Buddies’ on-hand who are able to provide support and help To those that need it.

On 25 th September EDF announced that the overall project cost would increase to between £21.5bn and £22.5bn. The focus has been on maintaining the programme and this is still the case with a target to produce electricity from Unit 1 by 2025.  Challenging ground conditions during the earthworks phase resulted in increased costs in order to maintain the programme and the extra work necessary to meet UK regulatory standards has resulted in changes to plant and building design which results in more plant and equipment.
Now that the detailed design implementation is more advanced and the project has placed more contracts it has a better appreciation of future costs. That certainty reduces risk at HPC and the benefit of a fully-adapted UK design will be passed directly to Sizewell C as a near identical plant. The benefits of replication are clear to anyone on-site who can see the fantastic progress on the second reactor.
HPC Work Package Opportunities

The Hinkley Supply Chain Team is encouraging anyone who hasn’t updated their registration for some time to log-in and do just that as these are the capabilities that have been of interest to HPC contractors in the last couple of months:

  • Plant & Equipment Hire
  • PPE
  • Training
  • Bulk Materials
  • Design and Engineering
  • Fabrication
  • Workshop facilities / Land / Storage
  • Accommodation
  • Cable Glands
  • Cable Cleats
  • General Electrical Consumables
  • Mechanical and Pipe Consumables
  • Pipe Gaskets
  • Labels for equipment
  • Bolted supports
  • Welded supports
  • Laboratory services (Seismic qualifications)

Although there no specifics are yet available on the quality, quantity or timescales, if you have a capability in one of these fields and you are registered on the portal, please ensure your contact details, at the very least, are up to date.

To read about the tender process and how to maximise your engagement, please click here .
Supplier Case Studies
"Playing a key role to minimise HGV movements"

Highbridge-based Jays Logistics (South West) is playing a key role to ensure lorry movements to and from the Hinkley Point C (HPC) construction site are kept to a minimum.

Jays Logistics has been working with both Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers and their sub-contractors for the last few years to increase efficiency and help reduce the total amount of HGV movements.

Supporting the HPC Project’s existing freight management facilities at M5 motorways junctions, the company has created its own Freight Consolidation Centre – which is officially supported by EDF Energy.

To read more click here .
"Supporting ambitious businesses on road to success"

Clarke Willmott has been engaged with the construction of Hinkley Point C (HPC) since July 2010 when EDF Energy organised an initial local supply chain conference in Bridgwater attracting 140 attendees from businesses across Somerset.

It was evident at the very earliest stages of consultation the prospects were substantial and potentially game- changing. 

A significant amount of energy and commitment was required as it was clear that due to the scale and complexity of the project, it would be a few years before contracts of significance would be awarded. However, just over 12 months after the initial local supply chain conference, contracts to the value of £9 million had been awarded to local companies, giving impetus and encouragement. 

To read more click here .
Hinkley Supply Chain Events
Breakfast with Altrad
Thursday 12 th September 2019 | 08:30 – 09:30 | Somerset Energy Innovation Centre
The senior managers from Altrad’s UK and International Operations Team gave a first-class presentation to a packed room detailing their involvement at Hinkley Point C (HPC). As well as explaining Altrad’s role as a strategic member of the MEH (Mechanical/Electrical & HVAC) Alliance at HPC, potential suppliers to the project were keen to hear more about forthcoming opportunities for regional companies.
Sponsor an SEIC Breakfast and promote your company to an audience of potential customers. Contact Maria Ison on 0117 403 4661 or email maria.ison@swmas.co.uk .
Somerset Energy Innovation Centre, Bridgwater
Office Space | Dedicated Desks | Hot Desks | Meeting Space | Catering | On-site Café
 
The Somerset Energy Innovation Centre (SEIC) is continuing to develop as a hub for companies already in, or moving towards, the low carbon and renewable energy market. 

The shared break-out space and frequent networking events on offer at the centre help co-located businesses develop collaborative relationships, share their complimentary technologies, and find new innovative low carbon energy solutions.

If you are interested in joining our growing community, please get in touch or call our Reception Team on 01278 767000.
Pre-Qualification: Best Practice
09:30 - 12:30
Thursday 7th November - The University of South Wales, Pontypridd,

Don't miss out on this popular workshop when it runs for the last time this year.

Understand the 'Do's and Don'ts' of competing PQQs and learn how to promote your company at this vital first stage of the procurement process.

Click here to book your place.
First Thursday Club comes to Somerset

Somerset Chamber of Commerce is delighted to be bringing the renowned and popular construction networking event, the First Thursday Club, to Somerset.
 
It will be the first club in the county, following on from successful First Thursday Clubs which already operate across the country, including in both Bristol and Plymouth.
 
The meetings are solely for companies, businesses and professionals working in the construction industry in Somerset and associated construction services, such as contractors, civil engineers, structural engineers, architects, project management companies, cost consultants, M&E and HVAC.
 
Attendees must meet the same eligibility criteria in order to attend a First Thursday Club in Somerset as they would for Plymouth/Bristol. The first meeting will be held on 7 November at the 37 Sports and Social Club, just off the M5 near Bridgwater, from 12noon to 2pm.
 
Stephen Henagulph, Chief Executive of Somerset Chamber, said: “I originally moved to the South West in the late 1990’s and worked for Balfour Beatty for five years and have fond memories of the original Plymouth First Thursday Club held at Plymouth RFC Ground the Brickfields.
 
“This month I was able to attend the Plymouth First Thursday Club, I’ve not attended for some considerable time and was delighted to meet old work friends and people who I haven’t seen for years and as always make new acquaintances.
 
“The First Thursday Club is a great opportunity for anyone in the construction sector to catch up with colleagues and to gain valuable industry insights.
 
“There is always a short presentation from a guest speaker, lunch and the chance to find out what’s going from colleagues. It usually lasts around 90 minutes and definitely never more than two hours.”
 
More information about the First Thursday Club is available on the Chamber website by clicking here .
Calling South West businesses who have won Hinkley Point C contracts
Has your company won an HPC contract and would you like to tell us your good news?

Email us and we may be able to share your success in a future newsletter.
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