Contract awarded for Sizewell C turbines

A contract signing ceremony was held at Sizewell C's London offices on 30 September. The value of the contract was not disclosed.

Each of the two turbine halls at Sizewell C in Suffolk will include an Arabelle steam turbine with a 75-inch last stage blade, a 1.7 GW GIGATOP generator, heat exchangers, pumps, and auxiliary equipment. Each shaftline will measure approximately 70 metres in length and consist of a high-pressure and intermediate-pressure module, three low-pressure modules as well as the generator.

Arabelle Solutions is currently installing the first of two turbine islands at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, with each plant comprising two EPR reactors.

_{An Arabelle generator stator being installed at Hinkley Point C (Image: Sizewell C)}

"As at Hinkley Point C, the large Arabelle turbine is well suited to the output requirements and site conditions at Sizewell C," said Cedric Couffignal, Executive Vice President, New Build at Arabelle Solutions. "Our teams will build on their experience and learning from Hinkley Point C and, to reach the best achievable performance, the turbine will once again incorporate a 75-inch last stage blade, the longest such blades ever made."

By replicating Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C will reduce the number of engineering hours required to design its turbine halls, allowing the components to be manufactured early and placed into storage, helping the project reduce risk and stay on schedule, Sizewell C said.

"Having worked at Hinkley Point C for many years I'm delighted that such an experienced and dedicated company like Arabelle Solutions has secured this contract," said Nigel Cann, Joint Managing Director of Sizewell C. "Their attention to detail and desire to continually innovate is second to none. Awarding this contract is a really significant moment for our project as these two turbines will ultimately deliver enough low carbon energy to power up to six million homes."

Arabelle Solutions CEO Catherine Cornand added: "We are proud of the contribution that Arabelle Solutions' world-class turbine island technology for Sizewell C will play in delivering low-carbon electricity to millions of UK consumers. Our commitment to a long-term partnership also includes supporting workforce training and skills that will deliver the UK's nuclear ambitions for the generations to come."

EDF completed its acquisition of a portion of GE Vernova's nuclear conventional islands technology and services - including its Arabelle steam turbines - in May last year. The transaction included the manufacturing of conventional island equipment for new nuclear power plants as well as related maintenance and upgrade activities for existing nuclear plants outside of the Americas. EDF's acquisition of the business - at that time, known as GE Steam Power - was first announced in early 2022 and the final agreement was signed in the November of that year.

Preliminary construction work at Sizewell C began in January 2024, with the final investment decision for the plant taken in July this year.