The 5,000 tonne structure being lowered is the second of four “intake” heads being connected to 5 miles of tunnels, which will supply Hinkley Point C’s two nuclear reactors with cooling water.

New images show Hinkley Point C’s biggest lift at sea

Posted August 08, 2022

Hinkley Point C has released images of its latest spectacular engineering achievement – the precision placement of a 5,000-tonne intake head on the seabed of the Bristol Channel.  

The structure is the second of four “intake” heads being connected to 5 miles of tunnels, which will supply Hinkley Point C’s two nuclear reactors with cooling water. The two “outfall” heads have already been lowered into position.  

The work to install the system is regarded as one of the world’s most complex marine engineering projects – as the Bristol Channel has the second highest tidal range on the planet.  

Each intake head, at 44 metres long and 8 metres high, is being lifted into position by two floating cranes named “Gulliver” and “Rambiz”, working in tandem. Their platforms are the size of football pitches and have a combined lifting capacity of 7,300-tonnes.  

The heads have been built by Balfour Beatty in Avonmouth, in Bristol, and are being transported to Hinkley Point C on barges. The lifting at sea, carried out by the marine construction specialists, NewWaves Solutions, takes several days, due to each step taking place within 6-hour tidal windows. 

Hinkley Point C is the first power station in the Southwest to have fish protection measures in place, including the low velocity heads, a fish return system, and screens. The heads are accurately placed sideways to the tidal flow with a very high degree of precision. This helps prevent fish entering the cooling system and the size of the intakes heads slows the flow of water on either side, allowing nearby fish to swim away.    

The work to install all six heads will continue into the early autumn.  

Another incredible engineering achievement completed!  Watch as Balfour Beatty’s 5,000-tonne intake head is lowered onto the seabed of the Bristol Channel - which has the 2nd highest tidal range in the world! It’ll soon be connected to the power station's cooling water system. 

One of Hinkley Point C’s intake heads as it is towed into the Bristol Channel to join “Gulliver” and “Rambiz”. These floating cranes are the size of football pitches and have a combined lifting capacity of 7,300-tonnes.  

One of Hinkley Point C’s intake heads as it is towed into the Bristol Channel to join “Gulliver” and “Rambiz”. These floating cranes are the size of football pitches and have a combined lifting capacity of 7,300-tonnes.
The second 5,000-tonne intake head as it begins to be lowered into the Bristol Channel. The moment represents the latest spectacular engineering achievement at Hinkley Point C.

The second 5,000-tonne intake head as it begins to be lowered into the Bristol Channel. The moment represents the latest spectacular engineering achievement at Hinkley Point C.

In a major milestone for Hinkley Point C, the work to install the intake head regarded as one of the world’s most complex marine engineering projects.

In a major milestone for Hinkley Point C, the work to install the intake head regarded as one of the world’s most complex marine engineering projects.

Related articles

Jack Davies - Quality Assurance Apprentice
August 27, 2026

How is Hinkley Point C benefiting the local community?
Alongside Hinkley Point C’s vital role in providing the country with secure low-carbon electricity, I’m very proud of the significant benefits we provide to our local communities. Maximising the benefits of Hinkley Point C has been a long term collaborative effort, but one which I’m confident will also lead to much longer term opportunity for people and businesses across Somerset and the Sout West.
Parking at Brean Beach
August 14, 2026

Supporting Local Tourism - Free Beach Parking at Brean and Berrow this Summer
Hinkley Point C is helping to make a trip to the seaside a little more affordable this summer by providing free parking at both Brean and Berrow beach car parks. Available throughout the school holidays and into October, the initiative is part of Hinkley Point C’s support for tourism businesses in Brean. The initiative has already proved extremely successful with visitors to the beach more than double the number seen in July last year.
Rebar Loading Avonmouth
August 05, 2026

What can this ship teach us about the future of nuclear construction?

This summer, a ship sailed quietly out of Bristol Port bound for Hinkley Point C in Somerset for the last time. After more than 100 sailings, the voyage marked the end of a first-of-a-kind innovation that is transforming nuclear construction in Britain.