HINKLEY POINT C nuclear plant: a step closer to completing major low-carbon electricity unit in the UK!

At the beginning of March, at the Hinkley Point C EPR project in the United Kingdom, the Liner Ring 2 was installed on the first reactor building. The building is now over 32 metres high! Big Carl, the world's largest crane, lifted this new steel ring, weighing over 347 tons one year after its first lifting!

A new step forward for Building 1

The Unit 1 building is now taking shape with the installation of this second steel ring, with a diameter of 47 m and a height of 17 m. It was assembled in the existing factory on the site and then placed on top of the first ring that was installed last year. To complete the structure, only one more ring and the dome on top must be added.

Our experts in the (S)ICOS(H) consortium are proud to have contributed to this important step forward in the project, through the detailed civil engineering design of the main buildings of the Hinkley Point EPR.

"This new milestone in the construction of Unit 1 is the result of our teams’ rigorous and responsive work. Our engineers based in France and in England are constantly adapting to our customer's needs to meet their requirements. Since the ring was installed, and until the next liner lift, our experts have overseen the realisation of another very important safety-related component of the nuclear power plant: the internal prestressed and reinforced concrete containment. These stages are crucial and show our ability to provide, on time, the quality execution documents for this outstanding work.” Andrea Carletto, Head of Nuclear UK

Reaching net-zero

As part of its net-zero strategy, the UK has chosen to increase its low-carbon electricity production, with a mix of renewable and nuclear energy. This mix will supply clean, secure and affordable electricity to the country.

The construction of the Hinkley Point C EPR by EDF Edvance & EDF Energy is part of the strategy. Our teams have been supporting this project, alongside EGIS under the ICOSH Group since 2016. The construction of the Hinkley Point C EPR started in September 2016 and consists of 2 EPR reactors of 1,630 MW each.