Sizewell C awards landmark turbine contract to Arabelle Solutions

• Arabelle Solutions will supply two of the world’s most powerful steam turbines
• Turbines and generators will enable Sizewell C to deliver enough energy to power up to six million homes
• Arabelle Solutions will build on experience and expertise from Hinkley Point C

Sizewell C has awarded Arabelle Solutions a landmark contract to supply two of the world’s most powerful steam turbines, capable of jointly generating enough electricity to power up to six million homes.

The significant agreement includes the supply and installation of two complete turbine islands.

With over six decades of expertise in nuclear technology and services, Arabelle Solutions, part of EDF Group, is currently installing the first of two turbine islands at Hinkley Point C in Somerset – Sizewell C’s sister project.

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.

Catherine Cornand, CEO of Arabelle Solutions, said: “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.”

Each turbine hall at Sizewell C, the new nuclear power station under construction on the Suffolk coast, will include an Arabelle steam turbine with a 75-inch last stage blade – the longest such blades ever made – a generator that will supply electricity for 3 million homes, along with supporting equipment such as heat exchangers, pumps, and auxiliary components.

Both shaft lines, which house a turbine and generator, will span approximately 70 metres, roughly the size of a Boeing 747 passenger jet.

A contract signing ceremony was held at Sizewell C’s London offices on Tuesday, attended by senior representatives from both organisations.

Nigel Cann, Joint Managing Director of 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. 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.”

In addition to designing and installing key equipment, Arabelle Solutions’ teams also repair, monitor, and extend the lifecycle of turbine islands across Europe, Asia, and Africa – enhancing power output, reducing environmental impact, and lowering operational costs.

Cedric Couffignal, Executive Vice President, New Build at Arabelle Solutions, added: “As at Hinkley Point C the large Arabelle turbine is well suited to the output requirements and site conditions at Sizewell C. 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.”

The last stage blades are the final, longest blades in the low-pressure section of a turbine designed to extract the remaining energy from the expanding steam and maximise the overall power output.

Preliminary construction work at Sizewell C began in January 2024, and since then the project has achieved its early milestones. Sizewell C is expected to employ 7,900 people on site during peak construction and will support tens of thousands of jobs in the UK supply chain.

Once operational, Sizewell C is expected to provide reliable, low-carbon electricity to the equivalent of six million homes for at least 60 years – marking a major step forward in the UK’s clean energy future.