Nov 24, 2025
A concrete recycling strategy for Sizewell A to C.
Over 15,000 tonnes of crushed concrete from the demolition of the turbine hall at the decommissioned Sizewell A nuclear power plant in Suffolk, England, will be repurposed for the construction of the new Sizewell C plant.
The demolition, completed in June by Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), involved advanced techniques that expedited the process compared to traditional methods. Approximately 700 kg of explosives were used to weaken the reinforced concrete bases for two heavy turbogenerators.
In total, more than 17,000 tonnes of concrete and debris were removed from various structures, which has since been crushed and processed for reuse. Additionally, around 35 miles of cable were taken out, and a contract for scrap metal generated income from the 11,000 tonnes recovered during demolition, aiding in offsetting decommissioning expenses.
Through an innovative agreement between NRS and Sizewell C, over 15,000 tonnes of crushed concrete will be reused at Sizewell C. Since September, Sizewell A has been crushing, testing, and certifying the concrete to comply with the WRAP Quality Protocol. Once certified, the material has been moved to Sizewell C as recycled aggregate for use in foundation sub-bases.
NRS emphasized that this collaboration helps lower shared expenses, carbon emissions, and the need for newly mined materials. Damian Leydon, Site Delivery Director at Sizewell C, noted the project's benefits for the local community and its commitment to minimizing environmental impact by reducing truck traffic for aggregate transport.
Wendy Heath, Senior Project Manager at NRS, highlighted the approach's success in preventing 28 tonnes of CO₂ emissions by diverting waste from landfills, demonstrating sustainable decommissioning practices while supporting the future of clean energy.
Sizewell A's reactors operated from 1966 until 2006, with defuelling beginning in 2009. The final fuel shipment to Sellafield occurred in August 2014, and by February 2015, Sizewell A was declared free of nuclear fuel, removing 99% of its radioactive hazard. Planning approval for the turbine hall's demolition was granted in August of the previous year, and the site is expected to be fully cleared by 2077.
The new Sizewell C plant will have two EPR reactors generating 3.2 GW of electricity, sufficient for approximately six million homes for at least 60 years, with a design similar to the Hinkley Point C project. A final investment decision for Sizewell C was made in July.
The demolition, completed in June by Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), involved advanced techniques that expedited the process compared to traditional methods. Approximately 700 kg of explosives were used to weaken the reinforced concrete bases for two heavy turbogenerators.
In total, more than 17,000 tonnes of concrete and debris were removed from various structures, which has since been crushed and processed for reuse. Additionally, around 35 miles of cable were taken out, and a contract for scrap metal generated income from the 11,000 tonnes recovered during demolition, aiding in offsetting decommissioning expenses.
Through an innovative agreement between NRS and Sizewell C, over 15,000 tonnes of crushed concrete will be reused at Sizewell C. Since September, Sizewell A has been crushing, testing, and certifying the concrete to comply with the WRAP Quality Protocol. Once certified, the material has been moved to Sizewell C as recycled aggregate for use in foundation sub-bases.
NRS emphasized that this collaboration helps lower shared expenses, carbon emissions, and the need for newly mined materials. Damian Leydon, Site Delivery Director at Sizewell C, noted the project's benefits for the local community and its commitment to minimizing environmental impact by reducing truck traffic for aggregate transport.
Wendy Heath, Senior Project Manager at NRS, highlighted the approach's success in preventing 28 tonnes of CO₂ emissions by diverting waste from landfills, demonstrating sustainable decommissioning practices while supporting the future of clean energy.
Sizewell A's reactors operated from 1966 until 2006, with defuelling beginning in 2009. The final fuel shipment to Sellafield occurred in August 2014, and by February 2015, Sizewell A was declared free of nuclear fuel, removing 99% of its radioactive hazard. Planning approval for the turbine hall's demolition was granted in August of the previous year, and the site is expected to be fully cleared by 2077.
The new Sizewell C plant will have two EPR reactors generating 3.2 GW of electricity, sufficient for approximately six million homes for at least 60 years, with a design similar to the Hinkley Point C project. A final investment decision for Sizewell C was made in July.