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The reactor makes its way to Hinkley Point C after a 2,000-mile journey. 

New photos show arrival of Hinkley Point C’s first reactor

By EDF | Posted February 27, 2023

The first new nuclear reactor for a British power station for more than 30 years has arrived in Somerset.

At just 13-metres long and weighing 500-tonnes, the “reactor pressure vessel” will create the heat needed to make steam for the world’s largest turbines.

It is the first of two nuclear reactors which will be installed at Hinkley Point C. Each reactor will help provide enough low carbon electricity for 3m homes and will be vital in helping Britain achieve Net Zero and stronger energy security.

The reactor made by Framatome in France comes from the same factory which made the last nuclear reactor for a British power station at Sizewell B in Suffolk. It became operational in 1995.

The reactor first arrived in Britain at Avonmouth Docks in Bristol before being transported by barge to Combwich Wharf on the River Parrett in Somerset. The final journey was a 5 hour trip for 4 miles by a transporter to its permanent home on the construction site. 

The arrival of the reactor marks a significant milestone for Hinkley Point C, where more than 8,000 workers are now on site every day. It will be installed in the reactor building after the dome is lifted into place.

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The reactor first arrived in Britain at Avonmouth Docks in Bristol before being transported by barge to Combwich Wharf on the River Parrett in Somerset.
The reactor first arrived in Britain at Avonmouth Docks in Bristol before being transported by barge to Combwich Wharf on the River Parrett in Somerset.
The reactor, pictured here arriving by barge to Combwich Wharf, will help Britain Achieve Net Zero.
The reactor, pictured here arriving by barge to Combwich Wharf, will help Britain Achieve Net Zero.
At just 13-metres long, the reactor will help provide enough low carbon electricity for 3m homes.
At just 13-metres long, the reactor will help provide enough low carbon electricity for 3m homes.
The reactor arrives by barge to Combwich Wharf on the River Parrett in Somerset.
The reactor arrives by barge to Combwich Wharf on the River Parrett in Somerset.
The first new nuclear reactor for a British power station in more than 30 years has arrived in Somerset.

For more information

Freya Lee
External Communications Manager at Hinkley Point C
(M) 07384531495
freya.lee@nnb-edfenergy.com

About EDF

EDF is helping Britain achieve Net Zero by leading the transition to a cleaner, low emission, electric future and tackling climate change. It is the UK’s largest producer of low-carbon electricity(1) and supplies millions of customers with electricity and gas.

It generates low carbon electricity from five nuclear power stations and more than thirty onshore wind farms and two offshore wind farms.

EDF is leading the UK's nuclear renaissance with the construction of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C, and there are advanced plans for a replica at Sizewell C in Suffolk. Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C will provide low carbon electricity to meet 14% of UK demand and power around 12 million homes.

EDF is one of the UK’s largest investors in renewables, with more than 1GW of renewable generation in operation and over 5GW in construction, planning and development across a range of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery storage. We are constructing our largest offshore wind farm in Britain – the 450 MW Neart na Gaoithe project in Scotland.

EDF is helping its customers, both in business and at home, take their first steps to sustainably powering their lives. Whether it is buying an electric car, generating and storing electricity, selling energy back to the grid or installing a heat pump. EDF is one of the largest suppliers to British business and a leading supplier of innovative energy solutions that are helping businesses become more energy independent. In addition, the company’s energy services business, Dalkia, is one of the largest technical service providers in the UK and Ireland.

EDF is part of EDF Group, the world’s biggest electricity generator. In the UK, the company employs around 14,000 people at locations across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

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