Balfour Beatty awarded Hinkley cabling works contract by National Grid

Balfour Beatty is set to deliver another major package of works at Hinkley Point C following its appointment by National Grid to design, supply and construct a new 8.5km long cable route.

The international infrastructure group has announced its success in attaining the 400kV cable works contract as part of the National Grid Underground Cable Framework. The 8.5km double circuit cable route will run from Loxton in the Mendip Hills to a new substation at Sandford and includes the construction of a new cable sealing end compound at Loxton to be completed ahead of commissioning of the first reactor unit in 2025.

Balfour Beatty say the scheme “represents a major infrastructure project for the UK” and the firm was able to “demonstrate an ability to meet all of the planning requirements laid out in the Development Consent Order” which formed a major part of the National Grid’s assessment criteria required for a project of this stature.

Enabling works have already commenced with the project employing around 90 people at project peak including a graduate and two apprentices.

Commenting on the deal, Mark Bullock, Balfour Beatty’s chief executive officer for rail and utilities said: “This award builds on Balfour Beatty’s deepening relationship with National Grid and demonstrates our ability to deliver a combined specialist cabling and civils package to ensure that the Hinkley Point C connection works are delivered on time to secure the future energy requirements of the UK.”

The latest package of work comes nearly a year since the organisation was revealed as the preferred bidder for Hinkley’s nuclear power station tunnelling and marine works and replaced Costain. The four-year package included the construction of three marine tunnels to form part of the vital cooling system for the nuclear power station.

A government report published in July by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) outlined a boom in jobs at the site with just over 3000 jobs expected to be created during the construction phase and a peak workforce of 3,200 for mechanical and electric work. Furthermore, the report said Hinkley would contribute £1.5bn to the local economy during the construction phase and £40m a year during operation.