The prefabricated ring forms a reinforced cylinder (pictured) around the nuclear reactor, which is the first nuclear power station to be built in the UK in more than 20 years
Mini reactors, known as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), generate around 450 megawatts of power - around a seventh of what a conventional power station such as Hinkley Point produces. The Treasury, which was previously seen as the obstacle to new nuclear projects because of their rising cost, has reportedly also concluded that more nuclear power is needed.Ī source close to Chancellor Rishi Sunak said his general view was that Britain should have had a weightier focus on nuclear 'ten years ago, when it was cheaper' but added that the country 'can't rely' on wind and solar power. Ministers are understood to have adopted a 'change of focus' towards nuclear power amid the current crisis caused by rocketing global wholesale gas prices. Seven out of the eight existing power stations – all except Sizewell B – are due to be closed between now and 2030. EDF's Hinkley Point project is the only new reactor due to come on stream in 2026 with the second in 2027.īut Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is poised to approve funding for British engineering giant Rolls-Royce to create a fleet of mini-reactors, it was reported in September. In total, the UK currently has 15 operational nuclear reactors at seven locations across the UK, including at Dungeness in Kent and Sizewell in Suffolk.īut the UK's current nuclear fleet, which provides about 17 per cent of our electricity needs, is being retired. Hinkley Point is already home to Hinkley Point A, a nuclear power plant which was decommissioned in 2000, and Hinkley Point B, which is expected to be decommissioned next year. In November 2012, a nuclear site licence was granted to go ahead with the project and EDF later approved the scheme. The power station was one of eight nuclear sites announced by the government in 2010. It will produce enough energy to power six million homes. The plant, owned by EDF energy, will feature two European Pressurised Reactors (EPRs). 'We have continued to learn from Unit 1 to safely deliver a quality product. It is predicted to cost more than £23billion.Īlong with the steel ring, the SGC-250 crane, which weighs around 10,000 tonnes and has a reach of 900ft, will lift more than 500 prefabricated steel and concrete elements weighing up to 1,600 tonnes as part of the build. The project to build the 3,200 megawatt electrical (MWe) nuclear power station began in October 2020 and is expected to be completed by 2025. The prefabricated steel ring is the first of three, which each have a diameter of 154ft, to be installed and they will form the reinforced cylinder around the second nuclear reactor at the new £23billion power station. The crane stands at 820ft tall and is higher than several famous structures, including London's Gherkin tower, the London Eye and Big Ben. Nicknamed 'Big Carl', the super-crane placed the first 55ft steel ring section on the second reactor building at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station site near Bridgwater, Somerset, on Monday.
These impressive photographs capture the moment the world's largest crane lifted a massive steal ring to help build a new nuclear power plant.
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