Hinkley Point C’s second nuclear reactor has arrived at the power station site in Somerset, marking a significant step forward for the project.
The first reactor arrived in 2023 and is already installed and welded in place on Unit 1 of the power station.
The delivery of the second ‘reactor pressure vessel’ is a major milestone for the identical Unit 2.
The pressure vessel uses nuclear fission to make heat and steam for the turbines, which are reportedly the largest in the world.
Work on Unit 1 has now moved onto the fitting out of pipes, cables and equipment, while the Unit 2 team is now focused on completing its buildings following the dome lift in July last year.
Thanks to the experience gained from constructing Unit 1, the delivery of Unit 2 is reportedly 20-30% faster, with prefabrication now approaching 60%.
The reactor was shipped from the Framatome Saint Marcel factory in France to Avonmouth Docks in Bristol, before being transported by barge to Combwich Wharf on the River Parrett in Somerset.
The final leg of the journey was a six-hour road trip by a transporter to the construction site.
When complete, Hinkley Point C is expected to generate enough low-carbon electricity to power 6 million homes for 60 years.
