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.  The video also shows the assembly of the world’s largest steam turbine, the Arabelle and work to dig a fish return tunnel - one of the three fish protection systems at the power station. The film can be viewed and downloaded here.

The fit-out phase involves 370km of pipework, 10,400km of cables, 35,700 valves and 35,000 lights, along with large amounts of pumps, valves and control equipment.  Thanks to innovation and the experience gained from Unit 1, teams are building the second unit 20-30% faster - experience that will benefit Sizewell C from the start.

Simon said: 

Our civil construction teams have nearly completed all of Unit 1’s buildings and have now turned their attention to Unit 2. We’re using all the experience from building the first unit to do the job even better second time round. In Unit 1 new teams have moved in to fit the huge amount of equipment, supports, pipes, valves and cables that we need. Transitioning into this new phase has been tough going, but now we’re really getting moving and gaining momentum by adopting an industrial mindset, taking the processes that worked best and scaling them up.

Download the video with and without subtitles here.