Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 24, Sizewell C has successfully reused demolition concrete from the adjacent Sizewell A nuclear power station, marking a practical example of circular material management on a major UK infrastructure project.

Concrete removed from turbine alternator plinths in Sizewell A’s former turbine hall was crushed and tested on site starting in September 2025. Laboratory analysis confirmed compliance with the WRAP Quality Protocol, allowing the material to be classified as certified aggregate rather than waste.

The processed concrete was then transferred a short distance to Sizewell C’s main construction area, where it is being incorporated as sub-base layers for several foundation platforms. This approach eliminated the need for off-site disposal and significantly reduced demand for newly quarried primary aggregates.

Project teams report that nearly 800 vehicle movements were confined to the adjacent sites, avoiding regional road networks. The initiative has also prevented 28 tonnes of CO₂ emissions that would have resulted from landfill disposal and long-distance transport.

Wendy Heath, NRS Senior Project Manager at Sizewell A, stated: “This innovative approach has prevented 28 tonnes of CO₂ emissions by diverting waste from landfill, completing the circular economy for this material.”

Damian Leydon, Site Delivery Director at Sizewell C, added: “By reusing this material, we’re reducing the number of trucks transporting aggregate through East Suffolk, while further reaffirming our commitment of minimising our environmental impact during construction. This is great news all round.”

The collaboration originated from discussions involving the Environment Agency and local authorities, who identified the reuse opportunity during planning consultations with the Sizewell C team.

Sizewell A, decommissioned since 2006, is midway through its long-term clean-up programme. Regulators and industry bodies increasingly encourage on-site or local reuse of decommissioning materials to lower the environmental impact of nuclear site restoration.

Meanwhile, Sizewell C – currently in early construction phases – requires substantial volumes of aggregate for ground preparation and platform development, creating ideal conditions for short-distance material recovery.

The project recently achieved financial close with a £5 billion debt package. The UK Government remains the largest investor, committing over £14 billion including £500 million from the National Wealth Fund, alongside private participation from Centrica, EDF (as project developer), and La Caisse.

This localised reuse demonstrates a straightforward yet effective method for reducing transport emissions, conserving natural resources, and managing costs on large-scale infrastructure schemes, aligning with broader industry efforts to improve sustainability in construction and decommissioning activities.