Jobs created as Wood wins nuclear contract

Thirty-five jobs are to be created in Warrington after multinational energy services company Wood won a contract as sole supplier of inspection qualification services to the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.

EDF Energy, the station developer, has commissioned Wood’s Inspection Validation Centre (IVC) in Warrington to qualify ultrasonic inspections on two reactors.

The contract is effective immediately and the initial order is worth $16m.

Robin Watson, Wood chief executive, said: “Our role is to independently check the inspection methods – and assess and qualify the inspectors who will apply them – to ensure that they can detect any defects that could compromise the structural integrity of critical reactor components during the plant’s lifetime.

“Our certificated, independent accredited service forms part of the safety case for Hinkley Point C and enables our customer to satisfy the UK nuclear regulator’s requirements on inspection qualification. This contract advances our strategy to secure key positions in independent validation and equipment qualification services for UK new build programmes.”

The work will create a total of 35 new jobs at the IVC in Warrington, UK, which works with specialist suppliers across the world.