Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection
- July 2026
Aim of inspection
The aim of this inspection was for ONR to gain confidence in the processes, arrangements and governance for care and maintenance of installed equipment and equipment in temporary storage, including the impact of spatial constraints.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC17 - Management systems - Rating: Green
- LC28 - Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The aim of this inspection was for ONR to gain confidence in the processes, arrangements and governance for Care and Maintenance (C&M) of installed equipment and equipment in temporary storage, including the impact of spatial constraints. In this regard, temporary storage could be on / off-site warehouses and/or laydown areas within buildings.
An ONR team comprising Quality and Mechanical Engineering inspectors carried out the inspection in person at the Hinkley Point C (HPC) site and J24 storage warehouse on 01 and 02 July 2026. The inspection sampled the status and application of key management system arrangements supplied by NNB GenCo (HPC) in advance of and during the inspection, in addition to discussions with members of NNB GenCo (HPC) staff. Through the sample, it was determined that:
- The C&M Strategy and associated arrangements have continued to develop and now show clearer links to future phases of the project e.g. commissioning and operations.
- The digital systems being used by NNB GenCo (HPC) to support C&M continue to develop.
- C&M plans are being derived using manufacturer information, industry guidance and Operational Experience (OPEX).
- The governance and decision making associated with C&M issues has been enhanced with the introduction of the Preventative Maintenance (PM) deferral process.
- The arrangements for identifying prioritising and rectifying C&M issues are being applied in a controlled manner.
- The C&M records sampled were generally fit-for-purpose.
The inspection determined NNB GenCo (HPC) have continued to develop their processes, arrangements and governance for care and maintenance, with areas of good practice evident e.g. the use of open package inspections. However, some minor areas for improvement exist, which NNB GenCo (HPC) and/or its contractors committed to address.
Conclusion
Based on the evidence sampled, NNB GenCo (HPC) have applied the relevant processes, arrangements and governance for C&M activities on and off-site. Therefore, NNB GenCo (HPC) have generally met Relevant Good Practice (RGP) when compared with appropriate benchmarks, and a GREEN rating is assigned in accordance with ONR's General Inspection Guide (onr-insp-gd-064).
The minor areas for improvement related to common C&M routines and the associated governance. These areas are intended to enhance the processes and arrangements rather than being the result of significant shortfalls in the current approach. Hence, a Level 4 Regulatory Issue is not warranted.