The installation of a reactor at Hinkley Point C marks a significant milestone in the construction of the UK’s first new nuclear power station in 30 years. As per the Leaders Asia sources, hundreds of engineers worked for several days to lift the 500-tonne steel unit into place at the plant in Somerset. The reactor, one of two planned for the facility, will be the heart of the station, generating enough power for six million homes when it opens in 2030.
The installation, which took 12 hours, involved hoisting the 13-meter-long steel cylinder up the side of the reactor building, rotating it, and carefully lowering it into place on a prepared base. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband described the installation as a “major step forward” for Britain’s energy independence.
According to the Leaders Asia sources, despite delays due to political debates, the COVID-19 pandemic, and supply chain disruptions, the project is now five years behind schedule, with the estimated cost rising from £18bn to £46bn. The reactor, which will operate for 60 years, works by generating heat through nuclear fission, producing steam that drives turbines to generate electricity.
The reactor was manufactured in France by Framatome, a company owned by EDF, the firm building Hinkley Point C. While the UK has not built a nuclear reactor since 1991, efforts are being made to rebuild the domestic skill base, with new training programs for welders and fitters.
Despite the delays and challenges, the reactor installation signals a significant step toward providing clean energy for the UK, with power generation expected by the end of the decade.
