New video tour published - showing progress at Hinkley Point C
The building of the new nuclear facility in Somerset is set to be complete by 2028
Last updated 6th Jul 2024
A new video has been published by EDF Energy and those behind the construction of the Hinkley Point C project, revealing the latest update into the progress of the new nuclear facility.
The site was one of eight announced more than a decade ago by the British government - back in 2010 - and by November 2012, the site was granted a licence to be built.
It was then approved by the board at EDF Energy back in 2016, and in 2017, construction finally got underway.
The project has been met with a number of delays, including issues with their workflow and increasing costs, during that time - partly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The last virtual tour, published back in April, shared the news that work was underway to install the reactor pressure vessel, the Nuclear Island, Turbine Hall and the Reactor Cavity Pool, which will all be used to make up the complex system which will eventually be the nuclear reactor.
In the new video, it's revealed how 10,000 workers a day are approaching the next major engineering feat, when Big Carl will lift the 245-tonne steel dome to close the first reactor building.
The tour then goes out several miles under the seabed to see the final stages in the completion of the cooling water intakes, whilst also showing work on the 50m tall turbine hall, which will house the world’s largest Arabelle turbine.
Work to fit the miles of cables, pipes and equipment is also well underway.
EDF Energy have revealed more than £5bn has been spent with companies across the South West alone during the project - and 3,700 British companies have contracts in some way linked with the construction of the new nuclear site in Somerset.
The power station will provide 6 million homes with reliable, low-carbon energy, and will be vital in helping Britain achieve net zero and stronger energy security.