French energy company EDF’s Hinkley Point C EPR nuclear power plant has reached a historic milestone with the installation of an impressive steel dome on its first reactor. This operation, performed by the world’s largest land crane, “Big Carl”, required extreme precision. The dome, weighing 245 tonnes and measuring over 47 metres in circumference, now covers the 44-metre-high concrete tower that will house the reactor.
A Strategic Project for the United Kingdom
This milestone marks a significant step forward in the construction of the UK’s first nuclear reactor for a generation. The Hinkley Point C project is central to the UK government’s plans to revitalize the country’s nuclear sector. Intended to supply electricity to around six million British homes, the plant is a flagship project for EDF, which also manages the Sizewell C project.
Challenges and prospects
Despite delays and rising costs, the Hinkley Point C project is progressing towards its target of commissioning the first reactor in 2027, and the second in 2028. The UK, which currently has 9 operational nuclear reactors, faces the challenge of replacing several reactors at the end of their life. EDF’s decision to extend the lifespan of two UK power plants, Heysham 1 and Hartlepool, and London’s plans to build up to eight new reactors by 2050, testify to the country’s commitment to nuclear power.
The installation of the dome on the Hinkley Point C reactor symbolizes not only a technical feat, but also the UK’s renewed commitment to nuclear power. Against a backdrop of energy transition and the search for sustainable solutions, this project illustrates our ongoing efforts to balance energy needs, safety and environmental considerations.
