Full steam ahead at Hinkley Point C as first giant “steam generator” is lowered into place

Weighing in at a mighty 520 tonnes, the first of eight steam generators at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station has been carefully lowered into place on Unit 1. It comes just days after the dome was lifted into place on the power station’s Unit 2.

Each steam generator works like a nuclear-powered kettle, with enough power to make the equivalent of 43m cuppas an hour. It uses 295°C heat from the reactor to turn water into steam to spin the world’s largest turbine – the Arabelle. Electricity made by the power station’s two turbines will provide electricity for more than 6m homes around the clock. 

The carefully planned installation saw the steam generator brought into the reactor building on rails, then lifted and rotated precisely into place, where it will stay for at least 60 years of generation.

During the summer, three more steam generators will be installed surrounding the reactor pressure vessel.  Work to connect the reactor is already underway as the fit out of the power station gathers pace with the installation of miles of pipe, cabling and equipment.