Hinkley Point C: first reactor delivered

Hinkley Point C is experiencing delays, however the first reactor at the site is nearing completion and delivery.

An expected delivery

Hinkley Point C will receive the first nuclear reactor built for a British power station in nearly 30 years. This reactor is being delivered to its destination in Somerset, UK. The French nuclear engineering company Framatome was in charge of its construction.

The construction of the reactor pressure vessel required more than 80,000 engineering hours. This tank contains the nuclear fuel and the chain reaction necessary to produce heat. The center of the reactor will have an average temperature of about 300 degrees Celsius.

It will also be able to withstand very high pressures. Framatome was responsible for the construction of the previous British nuclear reactor, Sizewell B, in 1991. Since its commissioning, it has supplied 247TWH.

Strengthening energy security

This is equivalent to the consumption of each British household for two and a half years. Construction of the 44-meter high building will house the first reactor at Hinkley Point C. In addition, the world’s largest crane is installing the final ring of prefabricated steel.

The completion of this first reactor marks an important milestone in the construction of Hinkley Point C. The plant’s two nuclear reactors will help Britain meet its carbon emissions commitments. In this way, they will offset 600 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions over their 60 years of operation.

In addition, the construction of Hinkley Point C contributes to strengthening the country’s energy security. Each of the two reactors in the new facility will be able to power approximately 3 million British homes. Finally, both units have a life span of sixty years.