Big Carl, the world’s largest crane, has lifted a dome weighing 245 tonnes into place on the second reactor building for Hinkley Point C
The dome for the Unit 2 building is 14 metres tall, topping off the building at 44 metres tall.
Prefabrication methods have been utilised in the construction of Unit 2, both on-site and off-site, enhancing productivity, safety, and quality.
Impressive time savings
Hinkley Point C’s Unit 2 has taken between 20% and 30% less time to construct, despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the experience gained from constructing Unit 1.
Several achievements were made in the construction of Unit 2, including 30% fewer people completing 40% more work than on Unit 1, 60% of the structures being prefabricated, more equipment being fitted at this stage than in Unit 1, and the concrete cylinder around the reactor being built 40% more quickly.
Stuart Crooks, CEO of Hinkley Point C, said: “Restarting the industry has been hard, but the second of our two identical units shows the big benefits of repeating an identical design.
“Build and Repeat is the best way to build new nuclear with time savings already at 20-30%. All our experience and innovation will benefit Sizewell C from the start.”
Not the first time Big Carl has lifted at Hinkley Point C
Big Carl, a SGC-250, is named after Carl Serens, the founder of the company that made the crane. It runs on 6km of track using 96 wheels, with a maximum capacity to lift 5,000 tonnes using its 52 counterweight containers with 100 tonnes of weight each.
The crane is powered by 12 engines, with a lifting radius of 40m. By the end of the Hinkley Point C project, it will have lifted 700 heavy components.
In October last year, it was used to lift the final steel liner ring into place for Unit 2. The steel rings weigh 423 tonnes, are 11.6 metres tall, and have a diameter of 47 metres.
Next steps for Hinkley Point C
With the outer structure of Unit 2 now in place, the reactor building can be completed and reactors installed next year, with Hinkley Point C expected to power up to 6m homes.
Energy minister Michael Shanks said: “Hinkley Point C will deliver the next generation of clean, homegrown nuclear power, creating high-quality jobs and growth in Somerset and across its supply chains.
“The government is ending years of delays to usher in a golden age of new nuclear, with funding for Sizewell C and SMRs, protecting family finances and boosting our energy security.”
