- Site: Hinkley Point C
- IR number: 19-021
- Date: September 2019
- LC numbers: 19
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
In accordance with the Office for Nuclear Regulation’s (ONR’s) Hinkley Point C Construction Inspection Plan, ONR performs a series of planned compliance inspections of identified licence conditions. This is to ensure that NNB Generation Company (HPC) Ltd (NNB GenCo) is proportionately and adequately developing and implementing its licence compliance arrangements commensurate with the current stage of the project.
This intervention was a routine licence condition inspection carried out to assess NNB GenCo (HPC)’s compliance with licence condition 19; Construction or installation of new plant. The purpose of this routine LC19 intervention was to gain confidence that the design intent, expressed through the works information, is being realised on site at an acceptable level of conformance as demonstrated by effective site surveillance.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
LC19 requires that “Where the licensee proposes to construct or install any new plant which may affect safety the licensee shall make and implement adequate arrangements to control the construction or installation.”
ONR carried out the following LC 19 inspections:
- An inspection assessing the effectiveness of the licensee’s site surveillance in respect of construction activities.
The following guidance was used in this intervention:
- NS-INSP-GD-019 Revision 4 LC19 – Construction or Installation of New Plant
- NS-TAST-GD-076 Revision 2 – Construction Assurance
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
N/A as this was not a safety systems inspection.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
NNB GenCo demonstrated a programme of construction surveillance for normal and enhanced basis. I considered the content of the programme, including rates of sampling and activities designated as requiring enhanced surveillance as appropriate. Based on the evidence viewed and discussions, I was satisfied that NNB GenCo has been conducting construction surveillance in accordance with their arrangements and I have no concerns that this will not continue to be the case.
On this basis the intervention was rated Green.
Conclusion of Intervention
I judge that overall an inspection rating of GREEN (No formal action) is appropriate for licence condition 19; Construction or installation of new plant in respect of the licensees construction site surveillance effectiveness. This is because I found NNB GenCo to be undertaking a programme of surveillance with no obvious shortfalls in compliance with their legal duties.