The 13m long ‘reactor pressure vessel’ will power an estimated 3m homes and is the first nuclear reactor to be installed in the UK in 33 years
Hinkley Point C has installed the first of its two reactor pressure vessels(RPV), marking an important step toward completing the project.
The latest development is less than twelve months after the giant steel dome topped the structure.
When both of the 13m long units are installed, the Somerset power station will provide Britain with 7% of its electricity, or enough to power approximately six million homes.
By producing reliable low-carbon electricity, Hinkley Point C aims to help the UK reach net zero targets and provide greater energy security.
The reactor is the first installed in the UK since 1991
The last reactors installed at a British power station were at Sizewell B over thirty years ago.
Energy secretary Ed Miliband commented: “Installing the first reactor pressure vessel at Hinkley Point C is a significant feat of engineering and a major step forward for the UK’s most advanced nuclear project.
“Getting Hinkley up and running to produce clean power for six million homes will be a win for our long-term energy independence, protecting billpayers as we accelerate to net zero.”
Stuart Crooks, Hinkley Point C managing director, said: “This is an important moment, not just for the team at Hinkley Point C, but also for everyone who wants to see the UK deliver energy security, fight climate change and provide power for our AI and digital future.
“We are working hard to play our part and using the experience gained delivering the first reactor to drive efficiencies in building our second one. That experience will also benefit follow-on projects, such as Sizewell C, as well as boosting jobs and skills for the UK’s growth agenda.”
The Office of Nuclear Regulation has been monitoring the whole production lifecycle of the RPV
The RPV is a 500-tonne steel container that holds nuclear fuel (radioactive uranium split by nuclear fission) used to make heat to produce steam for the world’s largest turbine, from Arabelle Solutions.
Framatome in France manufactured the RPV, which arrived at the Somerset site in February 2023 and was stored until the installation.
The RPV was lifted onto rails and inserted through a 19.5m high equipment hatch. The internal polar crane then rotated it and lowered it onto a support ring with just 40mm clearance on either side. This process was completed on Tuesday, 3rd December. The installation will be connected with four flanking 25m high steam generators, which are due to be set in place next year.
Throughout the manufacturing process, the Office for Nuclear Regulation has provided ongoing regulatory oversight, ensuring that the high technical standards are met.
As part of this process, the power station has also been fitted with 360km of pipes and 10,000km of cable.
An important milestone in Hinkley Point C’s long journey to completion
In 2007, former chief executive of EDF Energy UK Vincent de Rivaz said that the power station would be in operation by Christmas 2017. However, the project only began construction in May of that year.
Obstacles such as the COVID pandemic, Brexit, and the war in Ukraine led to further delays. In May 2022, the project was revised to meet a June 2027 completion date, with an estimated overspend of between £25bn and £26bn(in 2015 prices, excluding interim interest).
In January 2024, EDF Energy announced that Unit 1 of the project was estimated to be completed between 2029 and 2031 and that the projected overall cost would be £31–35bn (2015 prices, excluding interim interest)—or £41.6–47.9 bn in 2024 prices.
