Hinkley Point C’s second reactor building has reached a significant milestone with the installation of the 245t dome using the world’s largest crane, nicknamed Big Carl.
The 14m-high dome was lifted onto the 44m-high structure by contractor Bylor JV (Bouygues and Laing O’Rourke), effectively closing the reactor building and allowing internal fit-out work to progress more rapidly.
Construction of Unit 2, which was paused during the Covid-19 pandemic, is now regaining momentum. Project leaders say that lessons learned and techniques developed while building the first reactor unit have enabled the second unit to be constructed 20-30% faster.
Despite the dome lift occurring 18 months after Unit 1’s equivalent milestone, engineers report that Unit 2 is actually ahead in its overall progress. This acceleration is attributed to greater use of prefabricated elements, including entire rooms and large steel components, both on and off-site. Prefabrication now makes up around 60% of civil construction for Unit 2, compared to lower levels for Unit 1.
Data from the site reveal that 30% fewer workers have achieved 40% more output on Unit 2 than was recorded at a comparable stage on Unit 1. The concrete cylinder surrounding the reactor core – a critical safety feature – was also completed 40% faster for the second unit.
The dome is 14m high, weighs 245t and was lifted onto the 44m tall structure of the reactor building
Hinkley Point C is the first nuclear power facility to be constructed in the UK in three decades, marking a revival of the domestic nuclear industry and its associated supply chains.
Experience gained from the project will inform the development of future plants, including Sizewell C in Suffolk, which is planned to follow a similar design. Balfour Beatty, Laing O’Rourke and Bouygues Travaux Publics – all contractors on Hinkley Point C – recently put pen to paper to form the Civil Works Alliance (CWA), which will deliver the main civils at Sizewell C.
This progress at Hinkley Point C highlights the advantages that come with replicating standardised nuclear plant designs, combining innovation with the benefits of learning from repeated construction.
Construction of Hinkley Point C’s second unit is progressing much more efficiently than the first
Hinkley Point C CEO Stuart Crooks said: “Restarting the industry has been hard, but the second of our two identical units shows the big benefits of repeating an identical design.
“Build and Repeat is the best way to build new nuclear with time savings already at 20-30%. All our experience and innovation will benefit Sizewell C from the start.”
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “Hinkley Point C will deliver the next generation of clean, homegrown nuclear power, creating high quality jobs and growth in Somerset and across its supply chains.
“The government is ending years of delays to usher in a golden age of new nuclear, with funding for Sizewell C and SMRs, protecting family finances and boosting our energy security.”
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