Rolls-Royce signs main contract for Hinkley backup power

Rolls Royce has signed a contract to provide its MTU diesel generators to provide back-up power to the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C in Somerset.

Rolls-Royce is using its broad in-house capability to deliver four generator sets; all instrumentation and controls; and full systems integration. This contract sits alongside another for the provision of Hinkley Point C heat exchangers and associated systems, which was agreed in December 2017.

The diesel generators are supplied from Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems; instrumentation and controls (I&C) systems from its Grenoble-based I&C business; and systems integration engineering from its Warrington and Derby-based nuclear teams.

The generator systems, Type MTU 956 TB33 with 3600 kW power output each, will guarantee power to critical power station systems in the event of any unplanned outage of the site’s standing power supply.

Rob Fletcher, President of Rolls-Royce Civil Nuclear, said: “The unique capability of Rolls-Royce to supply, control and integrate these systems brings great value to our customers and shows the breadth of expertise we have at our disposal.

“Coupled with the provision of heat exchanger systems to Hinkley Point C, we’re proud to be an integral part of this incredible project and the potential it offers for UK low carbon energy.”

Hinkley Point C supply chain director, Jean-Pierre West, said: “These generators are an essential part of the multiple safety systems incorporated into the Hinkley Point C design and they will play a critical role in helping the power station provide safe and reliable low carbon electricity for decades to come.”

Each generator set includes all the auxiliary systems, tanks, coolers, exhaust and air intake systems, pumps, pipework, valves, starting systems, lubricating and fuel oil systems as well as the electrical power generator and all the instrumentation and control systems.

The MTU brand is owned by Rolls-Royce Power Systems, which provides world-leading diesel generators to a large number of nuclear reactors around the world.

I&C is based in Grenoble and supplies critical safety systems to more than 150 nuclear power stations in the world.

The Rolls-Royce systems integration expertise in the UK constitutes around 140 engineering and systems specialists.

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

  1. Rolls-Royce pioneers cutting-edge technologies that deliver the cleanest, safest and most competitive solutions to meet our planet’s vital power needs.
  2. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 4,000 marine customers including 70 navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers.
  3. Annual underlying revenue was £15 billion in 2017, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services. The firm and announced a gross order book stood at £78.5 billion at the end of December 2017.
  4. In 2017, Rolls-Royce invested £1.4 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 31 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.
  5. Rolls-Royce employs 55,000 people in 50 countries. More than 18,200 of these are engineers.
  6. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills. In 2017 we recruited 313 graduates and 339 apprentices through our worldwide training programmes.

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