The latest major lift at Hinkley Point C has put the role of specialist construction equipment firmly in the spotlight, as work continues on one of the UK’s most complex infrastructure projects.
Sarens’ SGC-250, known as Big Carl, has been used to lift the second reactor pressure vessel into place at EDF’s Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset. The giant crane, described as the world’s largest land crane at 250,000 tonne-metres, lifted the 500-tonne component before its precision installation inside the reactor building.
The use of Big Carl marked a change in approach for Unit 2. The first reactor was lifted using a large temporary overhead lifting system, while the new method has helped save space, time and money on site.
Once inside the reactor building, the 13-metre-long reactor pressure vessel was lifted and rotated into a vertical position by the internal polar crane, before being lowered onto a support ring with just 40mm clearance on either side.
For CEA members, this is where the equipment story really matters. Hinkley Point C relies on highly specialised machinery, engineering expertise, digital planning, logistics and close coordination between contractors. The latest lift also shows how a change in method, backed by months of planning, can save space, time and money on one of the UK’s most demanding construction sites.
Simon Parsons, Hinkley Point C’s delivery director, said the lift had taken months of planning and close coordination between the 10 main contractors involved. He also said the project team had used lessons from the first reactor installation to save time and money and reduce on-site disruption.
Unit 2 is now being built 20 to 30% more quickly than Unit 1, supported by innovation and the experience gained from building an identical design with the same teams. EDF has also said the Unit 2 reactor building is further ahead than Unit 1 was at the equivalent stage, with more equipment installed, more structural steelwork in place and the outer containment layer already complete.
Viki Bell, CEO of the CEA (Construction Equipment Association), said: “This is a powerful reminder of the role construction equipment plays in delivering the UK’s major infrastructure and energy projects. The scale of the lift is impressive, but what really matters is the planning, engineering and specialist capability behind it.
“For CEA members, Hinkley Point C shows how modern equipment, skilled people and better ways of working can improve delivery from one phase of a project to the next. Those lessons will be vital as the UK looks ahead to Sizewell C and other major infrastructure schemes where safety, productivity and precision will be critical.”
The experience gained at Hinkley Point C is expected to support the delivery of Sizewell C, the UK’s next planned gigawatt-scale nuclear power station.
Together, Hinkley Point C’s two reactors are expected to power six million homes with reliable, low-carbon electricity, helping to reduce the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.