Hinkley Point C has hit its biggest milestone yet, as it completes the concrete pour of the base for its first reactor, known as “J-zero”
The final 9,000m³ of concrete was the largest concrete pour in the UK, beating a record set by the Shard in London. Reinforced with 5,000 tonnes of Welsh steel, the base of Hinkley Point C has been under construction by the UK-French joint venture of Bouygues-Laing O’Rourke for six months.
Good progress and efficiency improvements mean that the second Hinkley Point C reactor will hit its own J-zero moment in June 2020. The project has hit its biggest milestone yet on schedule. The completion of the base for the first reactor, known as “J-zero”, means that the construction of the nuclear buildings above ground can now begin in earnest.
The construction of the second of Hinkley Point C’s two units is well underway and is already showing the improved efficiency possible when an identical design is repeated. The 12-month separation offers maximum efficiency for the transfer of teams between units.
Minister for nuclear at the department for business energy and industrial strategy, Andrew Stephenson, commented: “This is a huge achievement for Hinkley Point C and a major milestone for the UK’s nuclear new-build industry, which – as a low-carbon electricity source -is key to meeting our ambitious target of net zero emissions by 2050.”
“The project will not only power nearly six million homes, it will add an enormous boost to the local and national economy, delivering over 25,000 new jobs and securing long-term, well-paid employment – a key step in delivering clean growth as part of our modern Industrial Strategy.”
Hinkley Point C managing director, Stuart Crooks, added: “I am proud of the talent and achievement of our diverse UK workforce, our unions, our international supply chain and the design team in France. We are benefitting from direct experience from other EPR projects and a partner in CGN which understands the technology and the project.”
