The infrastructure specialists have been awarded the 16-month project by Magnox Ltd, a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). Magnox is responsible for the safe, secure, and sustainable clean-up of 12 nuclear sites across the UK, and the operation of one hydro-electric plant. The first step of the project will be design approval before installation works can begin.

The new electrical overlay system, consisting of cables and substations, will meet modern safety standards and be more cost efficient for Magnox as it continues its long-term work at the site. Currently the station is connected to an outdated grid supply which is no longer required after the plant stopped generating electricity in 2015.
When the new system is installed, Magnox can deactivate most of the existing electrical infrastructure at the site and begin decommissioning work on the main turbine hall. The system will also be flexible, allowing Magnox to reconfigure its network as it continues to downscale the plant.

Throughout the project, UK Power Networks Services will provide the design, manufacture, supply, build, testing, delivery, installation, and commissioning of the new system, as well as its supporting civil infrastructure. Work is scheduled to start in Summer 2022 and finish in late 2023.

David Mitchell, Director of UK Power Networks Services, said:

Wylfa nuclear power station was first commissioned in 1971. It is one of 17 nuclear sites across the UK being safely and securely managed as part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s long-term decommissioning strategy. In the future, Magnox will dismantle and clear the site to release it for new use.

Stuart Law, Wylfa Site Director, added:

This project builds on UK Power Networks Services experience working at nuclear sites in the UK. The energy infrastructure experts are also working on Hinkley Point C, the first nuclear power station to be constructed in the UK in more than 20 years.