World’s biggest crane lifts 347t steel ring into Hinkley reactor

The world’s biggest crane has lifted a 347t liner steel ring onto the Unit 1 reactor building at Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.

The 250m-high crane, known as ‘Big Carl’, lifted the 17m-tall steel section into place overnight on 6 March.

The steel ring forms part of the reactor building and was prefabricated in an onsite factory.

Being constructed by the Bylor joint venture (Bouygues/Laing O’Rourke), the £22bn Hinkley Point C is expected to power six million homes when complete, expected in 2026.