Hydrock beat off stiff opposition earlier this year to win a major EDF Energy contract to carry out remediation at the site of the proposed new nuclear reactor, Hinkley C, near Bridgwater in Somerset.

EDF Energy appointed Hydrock to remediate a spoil heap created during the construction of the now decommissioned Hinkley A reactor. The spoil heap, located on the site of the proposed Hinkley C reactor, is being screened to extract asbestos, the primary contaminant, plus any other building materials which are then being removed from site in accordance with a comprehensive site Waste Management Plan.

The remaining inert material is being moved back to the Hinkley A site where, under the management of decommissioning operator Magnox, it is being used to fill in a 9 metre deep basement. The total excavated material volume is expected to exceed 90,000 cubic metres.

Throughout the rigorous tendering process, Hydrock’s Health and Safety and management systems were put under intense scrutiny by EDF’s procurement team.

Hydrock’s commitment to Health and Safety excellence was established last year on this site when the multidisciplinary consultancy and specialist contractor won a separate contract to carry out full scale trial earthworks and blasting in advance of the main earthworks package.

The new contract started on site in May and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Dr Brian McConnell, Hydrock’s Managing Director, was delighted at the contract win and believes Hydrock’s track record and responsiveness were significant factors, “Health and safety is obviously of paramount importance in this industry and was a critical element of EDF’s scrutiny of our tender. Winning this is a significant achievement and testament to our robust systems.” Hydrock contract at Hinkley