Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
September 2023
Aim of inspection
The aim of this inspection was to gain assurances that the licensee’s arrangements for the installation of electrical components and systems are adequate and that those arrangements are being implemented on site in a suitable and sufficient way. This included sampling the arrangements of the licensee, its arrangements for controlling contractors on site and then sampling the implementation of those arrangements on site. The installation of electrical components and systems is an important part of the construction of Hinkley Point C (HPC), as it should ensure that the installation activities are controlled and implemented properly, and that these items will meet, and continue to meet, any relevant specifications.
Licence condition (LC) compliance inspections are an essential element of ONR's inspection strategy on any nuclear site and consist of a series of inspections, each of which is intended to establish whether a licensee has adequate arrangements in place for compliance with a specific LC.
The aim of this inspection was to gain assurance that electrical systems being installed at Hinkley Point C (HPC) will deliver the intended claimed safety function, and to assess compliance with LC19. 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."
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC19 - Construction or installation of new plant - Rating: Amber
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
Inspectors from the installation assurance and electrical engineering workstreams undertook an inspection into the installation of electrical components and systems at the HPC site. This was designed to ascertain the adequacy of the arrangements for installation of electrical equipment on site and the adequacy of the implementation of these arrangements.
The dutyholder presented an overview of the arrangements in place for installation of electric plant on site including how these arrangements are being cascaded down to, and incorporated within, contractor arrangements. These arrangements and systems in place appeared broadly adequate. These were centred around the use of Asset Suite 9 (AS9) as a tool for controlling work and documentation.
Application of these arrangements was tested through a a walkdown of plant under installation and review of records. During the plant walkdown, concerns were raised regarding the quality of the installation of a transformer; these concerns had been identified by the licensee and the main contractor and were being addressed proactively. Concerns were also raised regarding the installation of 10kV switchgear, as the adequate control of quarantined items could not be demonstrated the dutyholder. I have raised regulatory issue RI-11717 to address this shortfall.
Conclusion
Sufficient evidence was presented relating to the arrangements in place to assure the adequacy of installation of electrical equipment. This is both in terms of the licensee's arrangements and how these are cascaded down to the contractors sampled. However, the licensee was unable to demonstrate that these arrangements were being sufficiently applied on-site, notably in the area of the application and control of quarantine arrangements, including red-tags.
The practical application of installation processes and the use of quarantine procedures are a shortfall against my regulatory expectation and, hence, I have raised regulatory issue RI-11717 to monitor the licensee's progress in this area. For this reason I have rated this intervention as AMBER.