20 January 2022
Alliance will create a new generation of UK-based commissioning specialists
Assystem, the #2 nuclear engineering company in the world, has been appointed as an alliance partner on the new Hinkley Point C Commissioning Alliance. This new multi-year contract will be key to making the UK’s largest low-carbon power plant operational.
The company will bring its extensive experience in commissioning European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) technology to provide assurance that the plant’s nuclear, safety, instrumentation and communications systems meet pre-determined operational requirements.
Assystem is committed to supporting the projects that will enable the energy transition, such as large-scale energy projects like HPC, that will anchor the UK’s future low-carbon energy mix through the provision of stable and secure decarbonised electricity.
As a strategic partner to EDF, Assystem has a strong team of commissioning experts with unique knowledge of the EPR technology under construction at HPC, gained through the commissioning of other EPR reactors in France, Finland and China.
The creation of the Commissioning Alliance marks a unique moment in the UK’s civil nuclear history being the first time that a nuclear power plant has been prepared for operation since Sizewell B in the 1980’s.
The Commissioning Alliance will present Assystem’s UK-based apprentices and engineers, many at graduate and early career level, with a once-in-a-career opportunity to gain the skills required to commission this type of technology.
To capitalise on this rebirth moment for the UK nuclear industry, Assystem is today investing in achieving greater diversity in the Commissioning Alliance through its new graduate scheme, which includes a specific commitment to attract at least 100 women to UK nuclear roles by 2025. [1]
Simon Barber, Assystem’s Managing Director said: “Assystem is delighted to be part of the Commissioning Alliance, to which we will bring our global expertise of commissioning, training schemes and proven digital tools to create a new civil nuclear commissioning capability for the UK.
“The Commissioning Alliance will drive investment in UK-based skills as it will require the recruitment of apprentices, graduates and experienced engineers who are new to nuclear, to provide an exciting career in delivering a first of a kind new nuclear project in well over a generation.”
“This major contract will be significant in creating jobs across the UK, particularly local to the HPC site, in our offices in Bristol, and also at our other offices in the UK, including Blackburn, Sunderland and Derby.”
[1] To apply directly for Assystem’s Graduate Scheme, individuals can send their CV and cover letter to graduates@assystem.com
[2] For more information on Hinkley Point C visit: https://www.edfenergy.com/energy/nuclear-new-build-projects/hinkley-point-c