Reducing emissions through hybrid energy solutions
During the design of the Hinkley Point C cooling water tunnels, the original reinforcement specification relied on large‑diameter steel bars – driving up embodied up carbon, increasing material costs and creating manual handling risks in a confined tunnel environment.
Rather than accepting this approach, the project team challenged the design. By reducing bar sizes and removing steel reinforcement in the tunnel shaft connections where it was structurally unnecessary, they delivered the same performance with significantly less material.
The revised approach, approved by the client, removed 50 tonnes of steel across four tunnels and reduced embodied carbon by 42 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. It also improved buildability and reduced manual handling risk.
This approach highlights how challenging design assumptions early can deliver clear carbon and safety benefits without compromising structural integrity.
Hinkley Point C
50
tonnes of steel removed
42
tonne reduction in embodied carbon
