Polar crane installed in first reactor building

By Hinkley Point C media team | Posted December 05, 2023
The polar crane was lifted into place by the world's largest land-based crane, Big Carl.

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

The polar crane was lifted into place by the world's largest land-based crane, Big Carl.
The polar crane was lifted into place by the world's largest land-based crane, Big Carl.
View | Download (10.67 MB)
Weighing in at 750-tonnes, it is one of the heaviest lifts ever carried out on site.
The team spent months assembling the 750-tonne crane on site.
View | Download (12.91 MB)
The polar crane will rotate above the first nuclear reactor
The polar crane will rotate above the first nuclear reactor.
View | Download (5.77 MB)
The dome will be installed next, closing the roof of the first reactor building.
Teams will now focus on installing the dome, which will close the roof of the first reactor building.
View | Download (15.21 MB)

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