The final 9,000m\u00b3 of concrete was the largest concrete pour in the UK, beating a record set by the Shard in London.\u00a0Reinforced 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\u2019Rourke for six months.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cJ-zero\u201d, means that the construction of the nuclear buildings<\/a> above ground can now begin in earnest.<\/p>\n The construction of the second of Hinkley Point C\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Minister for nuclear at the department for business energy and industrial strategy, Andrew Stephenson, commented: \u201cThis is a huge achievement for Hinkley Point C and a major milestone for the UK\u2019s nuclear new-build industry, which – as a low-carbon electricity source -is key to meeting our ambitious target of net zero emissions by 2050.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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 \u2013 a key step in delivering clean growth as part of our modern Industrial Strategy.\u201d<\/p>\n