Hinkley point lifts in huge second ring and reduces build time by a third

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Hinkley Point C joint contractor venture Bylor has constructed and lifted in the huge pre-fab steel ring for the sites massive first reactor and this reactor is being built more than a third faster.

Big Carl, the world’s largest land-based crane has lifted the second of three massive containment rings that form the reactor building which were built in the construction bunker where it was fabricated.

The fabrication team managed to build the 17m-tall and 47m diameter ring 36% faster than the previous ring by using the experience gained during the construction of the first ring as reported big carl lifts first reactor ring by nationaltradesmen.co.uk.

The two huge main reactor buildings will be constructed at the West Country nuclear power station site which is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the world and has been sucking materials and man power from across the UK.

The spectacular crane Big Carl will lift more than 500 prefabricated steel and concrete elements weighing up to 1,600 tonnes in the construction of the reactors.

Hinkley Point C managing director, Stuart Crooks commented saying: “Our belief that we can do things better drives innovation at Hinkley Point C.

“As we build the first UK European Pressurised Reactor we are learning and improving all the time.

“This is leading to improved productivity as we build Hinkley Point C’s twin reactors. We will use that experience to underpin our plans for two more identical reactors at Sizewell C.”

The last section will form the characteristic domed shape of the reactor house at the nuclear power station.