The world’s largest crane is ready to start work at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station site in Somerset. Able to stand up to 250m tall, ‘Big Carl’ can reach higher than the tallest tower at London’s Canary Wharf and can carry 5,000 tonnes in a single lift.

The Sarens SGC-250 crane (www.sarens.com) will be used to lift large pre-fabricated sections of the power station into place.

It was developed to support the growing trend towards modularisation in big construction projects. Running along 6km of rail track, Big Carl will lift 700 pieces, with a maximum weight of 1,600 tonnes.

It was brought to Hinkley Point C in 280 loads from its base in Antwerp.

Hinkley Point C construction director Rob Jordan said: “The crane is an impressive piece of kit.

“It allows us to innovate in the way we build the power station, lifting complete pieces out of our factory bunkers and into place across the site.

“Pre-fabrication helps us boost quality, gives better conditions for skilled workers and saves time.”

The crane is named after Belgium-based Sarens’ director of technical solutions, Carl Sarens, who said: “The SGC-250 is a game changer.

“The company is proud to have designed and built it. We believe that this creation will serve Hinkley Point C and other sites around the world like no other crane can.”