Rolls-Royce is supplying MTU generator sets for Hinkley Point CRolls Royce announced on 31 January that it had signed a contract to supply its MTU diesel generators to provide backup power to the UK’s nuclear plant at Hinkley Point C in Somerset. Rolls-Royce said it is using its broad in-house capability to deliver four generator sets, all instrumentation and controls, and full systems integration.

The contract sits alongside another, agreed in December 2017, for the provision of Hinkley Point C heat exchangers and associated systems.

The diesel generators will be supplied from Rolls-Royce's Power Systems business unit; the instrumentation and controls systems from its Grenoble-based I&C business; and systems integration engineering from the company's Warrington and Derby-based nuclear teams. The generator systems, Type MTU 396 TB33 with 3600kW power output each, will guarantee power to critical power station systems in the event of an unplanned outage of the site’s standing power supply.

Each generator set includes 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 I&C systems.

"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,” commented Jean-Pierre West, Hinkley Point C supply chain director.


Photo: Rolls-Royce is supping its MTU generator systems for HInkley Point C (Credit: Rolls-Royce)