- Site: Hinkley Point C
- IR number: 21-032
- Date: October 2021
- LC numbers: 13
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This intervention was conducted remotely to observe the discussions of NNB Generation Company (HPC) Limited’s (NNB GenCo) Hinkley Point C (HPC) Nuclear Safety Committee (NSC) on the proposals to release Hold Point 2.2.20, which controls the start of bulk installation of Mechanical, Electrical and Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (MEH) in HPC Unit 1 nuclear island. It was undertaken as part of the ONR intervention plan, HPC Project Intervention Plan beyond J0.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
I conducted a Licence Condition (LC) 13 (Nuclear Safety Committee) compliance inspection. The focus of this inspection was to ensure that the information supplied to the NSC in relation to the release of Hold Point 2.2.20 was adequate and that the Committee undertook an appropriately rigorous examination of that information and provided appropriate advice to the licensee. This intervention was identified by ONR’s EPR sub-Division Board as being appropriate as part of ONR’s intervention planning to support a decision on whether to give Agreement under LC19(1) for NNB GenCo to release Hold Point 2.2.20 and begin bulk MEH installation in unit 1 nuclear island. The intervention was numbered MEH8 in ONR’s intervention plan and titled “NSC effectiveness in considering MEH readiness”.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
Based on my observation of the Nuclear Safety Committee, and from the relevant papers provided to the Committee in advance of the meeting, I judge that the Committee undertook an acceptable examination of the evidence provided to it, and that its resulting advice was appropriate to the discussion. I particularly note that the Committee was supportive of NNB GenCo’s proposals to introduce periodic ‘control Gates’ subsequent to the release of the hold point to ensure that necessary actions can be taken to bolster the oversight and control of the MEH programme as the activity increases in pace, extent and complexity, with MEH Alliance operatives on site increasing significantly in numbers.
I judged that, on the basis of the observation and review of the papers submitted to the NSC, NNB GenCo has adequately implemented LC13 arrangements for a Nuclear Safety Committee, consistent with relevant good practice as defined in ONR regulatory guidance.
Conclusion of Intervention
Overall, based upon the judgements described above, I have concluded that an inspection rating of ‘GREEN’ is appropriate for this LC13 intervention.