The Hinkley Point C (EPR HPC) nuclear power project in the United Kingdom has just received the instrumentation & control cabinets for the backup system of Reactor 2, supplied by Framatome and TechnicAtome, marking the completion of a key milestone in its “Non Computerised Safety System” (NCSS) program. This system, already delivered for Reactor 1 in 2025, was developed by TechnicAtome on behalf of Framatome.
In accordance with the requirements of the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process carried out by the UK nuclear safety authority, the EPR HPC plant must be equipped with an independent, non computerised backup instrumentation & control system. This backup system provides an additional level of operation and protection that can be mobilised in exceptional situations, complementing the main systems of HPC 1 and HPC 2 reactors.
The project covers the design, qualification and supply of the core backup instrumentation and control cabinets as well as the associated ventilation systems. These equipments are based on Framatome's proprietary analogue technology, specifically developed for this program with TechnicAtome and in collaboration with Arcys, their joint subsidiary specialised in safety critical electronic solutions. They guarantee to Hinkley Point C's operator robustness, reliability and the necessary redundancy of safety systems.
Laurent Thieffry, Senior Executive Vice President of Framatome's Instrumentation & Control Business Unit, welcomes a “key milestone achieved by Framatome for the HPC project, illustrating the strength of the cooperation with TechnicAtome and Arcys. By combining our expertise, we have developed and delivered robust, complementary safety technologies tailored to our client's specific needs and serving the long term resilience of its facilities”.
“TechnicAtome is proud to have put its analog control command expertise at the service of Framatome and future operator EDF. The dispatch of the final cabinets on schedule is a success for a full scale development program. We share this achievement with Framatome and future operator EDF,” said Thierry Grenier, Director of Infrastructure and Civil Reactors at TechnicAtome.