The tunnel boring machine was named “Sarah Guppy” by local school children after the pioneering 19th century engineer from Bristol

Hinkley Point C finishes tunnelling fish return system

By Hinkley Point C media team | Posted October 01, 2026

Hinkley Point C has just finished digging the 620 metre tunnel for the power station's fish return system, which runs under the Bristol Channel. In another incredible feat of engineering, the tunnel boring machine has dug its way through the seabed five months after setting off from dry land and has now been retrieved by a floating crane, so that it can be taken away to be cleaned and used on another site.

The fish return system is just one of three fish protection systems which will give the power station more fish protection than any other power station in the world. The other measures are an acoustic fish deterrent and four low speed water intakes, designed so that fish can swim away from as close as 2 metres in the 20km wide channel.

The tunnel boring machine was named “Sarah Guppy” by local school children after the pioneering 19th century engineer from Bristol.

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Tunnelling works ended with the completion of the 620-metre fish return system
Tunnelling works ended with the completion of the 620-metre fish return system
View | Download (4.91 MB)
The tunnel boring machine was named “Sarah Guppy” by local school children after the pioneering 19th century engineer from Bristol
The tunnel boring machine was named “Sarah Guppy” by local school children after the pioneering 19th century engineer from Bristol
View | Download (8.11 MB)
The tunnel boring machine was retrieved by a floating crane and will now be taken away, cleaned and used on another site
The tunnel boring machine was retrieved by a floating crane and will now be taken away, cleaned and used on another site
View | Download (6.47 MB)

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