Still wind conditions allowed engineers to carry out a massive lift at
Hinkley Point C, overnight earlier this month (12 December). Big Carl, the world’s largest crane, lifted a 304-tonne steel liner ring onto the first reactor building in the early hours.
It is the third and final ring to be installed on the building, which will eventually contain one of Hinkley Point C’s two nuclear reactors. The unit has now grown in height by 11.6m and stands at 44m.
The liner ring, which was prefabricated in a factory on site, also features supporting brackets for the Polar Crane Beam. This internal crane will rotate 36deg above the reactor and be used for refuelling.
The reactor building now only has the ‘lid’ to be placed on top, with the iconic dome lift scheduled for next year.
Big Carl’s latest lift highlights the progress being made at Hinkley Point C, where teams are working 24/7 to get the plant operational as soon as possible. The power station will supply 6 million homes with clean, homegrown energy and is considered crucial in helping the UK avoid another energy crisis.