Polar crane installed in first reactor building
Hinkley Point C has released new photos of Big Carl lifting the giant polar crane into the first reactor building.
This crane will rotate 360° at the top of the building and will be used to install heavy equipment during construction, such as the reactor and steam generators. It’ll also be used when the power station is operational for refuelling and maintenance.
Weighing in at 750-tonnes, it’s one of the heaviest lifts ever carried out on site.
The polar crane is one of the final pieces of equipment to be installed in the reactor building before the dome is lifted into place to close the roof.
Downloads
Related articles
May 06, 2026
Under the lid - new video tour takes viewers inside Hinkley Point C’s first reactor
Viewers of Hinkley Point C’s latest video update will get to see inside the first reactor at the nuclear power station in Somerset. The behind the scenes tour from Delivery Director Simon Parsons shows the fit out of Unit 1 accelerating and teams getting ready to install the identical second reactor in Unit 2.
March 24, 2026
EDF announces leadership changes in its UK nuclear businesses
EDF has named Mark Hartley as the next Chief Executive Officer of the Hinkley Point C nuclear project from 1 July. His appointment comes as current CEO Stuart Crooks steps down from the role after 40 years of service in the nuclear industry.
March 13, 2026
Engineers at Hinkley Point C are ready to start tunnelling the fish return system
Engineers at Hinkley Point C are ready to start tunnelling the second of three fish protection measures at the nuclear power station. The fish return system will be 620m long and 1.8m in diameter.