EDF Energy intended to build a new nuclear power station located on land next to the existing Sizewell B station known as Sizewell C in Suffolk. To support the consenting process, ABPmer was commissioned to help regulators understand the effect of the cooling water discharge on the receiving waters.

We undertook thermal plume modelling to understand recirculation of discharge plumes both now and in the future. To assess the impact of different intake/outfall configurations under a range of scenarios, the modelling considered potential influencing factors such as plume momentum and nearfield mixing processes.

The work helped inform the location and design of the cooling water intakes and discharge outfalls.

^{Photo copyright © Ian Boyle}