Reactor 1 stands 17m taller after Big Carl's latest lift

By Hinkley Point C media team | Posted March 07, 2022

Hinkley Point C’s first reactor building is 17-metres taller this morning, thanks to the world’s biggest crane, Big Carl.

Overnight, a 347-tonne liner steel ring was lifted onto the Unit 1 reactor building. The building now stands at more than 32 metres tall, changing the skyline at the site.

The steel ring forms part of the reactor building and was prefabricated in an onsite factory before being lifted into place by the giant 250m tall crane. The team worked through the night, waiting for the perfect weather conditions to lift it into place.

The lift demonstrates the remarkable momentum being made on the project, which is one of Britain's biggest projects in the fight against climate change. It’s low carbon electricity will power 6m homes. This year marks a new phase for the site, with work being carried out to install pipes and electrical cables across the power station.

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