Second Reactor Pressure Vessel Installed at Hinkley Point C

A major milestone has been achieved at Hinkley Point C with the successful installation of the second reactor pressure vessel, using the world's largest land-based crane.

Sarens' giant SGC-250 crane, known as "Big Carl", was deployed to lift the 13-metre-long vessel into the reactor building. The approach differed from the method used on the first reactor, where a temporary overhead lifting system carried out the operation.

Once inside the building, the reactor vessel was transferred to the station's internal polar crane. Engineers then carefully rotated the component into a vertical position before lowering it onto its support ring, with a clearance of just 40mm on either side. The installation follows less than a year after the placement of the steel dome that completed the enclosure of the second reactor building.

According to EDF, construction of Unit 2 is progressing between 20% and 30% faster than Unit 1. The improvement is attributed to lessons learned, engineering innovations and the experience gained from delivering an identical reactor design using the same workforce and supply chain.

The company reports that Unit 2 has advanced further than Unit 1 had reached at the equivalent stage of construction. More equipment has been installed, additional structural steelwork has been completed, and the outer containment structure is already in place. Three large heat exchangers have also been fitted in Unit 2, whereas none had been installed at the same point in the development of Unit 1.

EDF believes the expertise and efficiencies gained at Hinkley Point C will provide significant advantages for the development of Sizewell C, the next large-scale nuclear power station planned for the UK.

When operational, the two reactors at Hinkley Point C are expected to generate enough low-carbon electricity to supply around six million homes, helping to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Simon Parsons, Delivery Director at Hinkley Point C, described the installation as a significant accomplishment for the project team.

He said: "This is a major achievement that reflects months of planning and collaboration between the ten principal contractors involved in the operation. We've also introduced innovative approaches that go beyond simply repeating the process used for the first reactor, allowing us to reduce time, costs and disruption across the site.

"Most importantly, we're applying the knowledge gained from Unit 1 to accelerate progress on Unit 2, which is now considerably further ahead than the first reactor was at the same stage of construction."