Dome 'wider than St Paul's Cathedral' lifted into place at Hinkley Point C
The 245-tonne steel dome for the first reactor building has officially been lifted into place
Last updated 15th Dec 2023
Today marks an exciting stage in the Hinkley Point C project - with the 245-tonne steel dome for the first reactor building having officially been lifted into place.
It's a major milestone for the scheme, which will mean the first nuclear reactor can be installed in 2024.
They've now lifted the 14-metre tall dome precisely into place on top of the 44-metre reactor building, ending the year for the engineering teams on a high.
It's an important structure, because it forms the top part of the reactor building’s inner containment - a steel cylinder encased in concrete.
The dome is 47m in diameter - which is wider than the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral.
It is made up of 38 prefabricated panels which were shipped to Hinkley Point C and welded together in an onsite factory.
Earlier this month, the 750 tonne “Polar Crane” was lifted into place in a single piece above the reactor building’s third – and final – steel liner ring.
This internal crane will rotate 360 degrees above the reactor and be used for refuelling and installing equipment.
Simon Parsons, Nuclear Island Area Director, said: “Building the first nuclear power station in a generation is a challenging job and the success of this complex operation is due to the determination and commitment of our fantastic teams.
“Lifting the dome allows us to get on with the fitting of equipment, pipes and cables, including the first reactor which is on site and ready to be installed next year.”
Nuclear Minister Andrew Bowie said: “This is a major milestone in building Britain’s first nuclear reactor in a generation, and a key part of the UK Government’s plans to revitalise nuclear.
“Generating enough zero-carbon power for six million homes, Hinkley Point C will reduce our reliance on imported energy and support our shift to net zero.”
Ten thousand workers and 3 and a half thousand British companies are all working together to build a power station, which is said to be an essential piece of the puzzle in helping Britian achieve Net Zero carbon.
Hinkley Point C will power 6-million homes with reliable zero carbon electricity made in the UK.
All of this comes on the backdrop, however, that major investment may have paused for a time being - adding extra pressure on bosses behind the project, who have already seen it overrun by many years.
It's reported EDF's Chinese partner - CGN - has halted payments for the flagship nuclear power project over the costs of the project ballooning.
The state-owned China General Nuclear Power Corp is reported to have overrun its payment schedule in recent weeks, according to the American outlet, Bloomberg.
This could be a significant development - because more than a third of the project has been financed by CGN.
Despite this, the UK Government says it's not going to be intervening to help EDF - based in France - fund Hinkley Point C.
The Government tell us: "Hinkley Point C is a commercial contract where the UK Government plays no part in financing or operation.
"The upfront financing of the project is a matter for the shareholders."