A joint venture between Bouygues and Laing O鈥橰ourke (BYLOR) is building the plant, which will feature Britain鈥檚 first nuclear reactor for more than 30 years. The last time a reactor was installed at a British power station was at Sizewell B in 1991.

The 500-tonne reactor pressure vessel (RPV) arrived at Hinkley Point C in February last year, having been manufactured by French company Framatome and has been in storage since then.

Installation of the first of two reactor pressure vessels at Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in Somerset, England. (Image: Aran Jeffries/EDF Energy)

The RPV was lifted onto rails ahead of installation this week (3 December), inserted through a 19.5-metre-high equipment hatch before being rotated by an internal polar crane, and lowered into a support ring, with 40mm clearance on either side.

The RPV will be flanked by four 25-metre-high steam generators that are due to be fitted next year.

Stuart Crooks, Hinkley Point C managing director, said, 鈥淭his is an important moment, not just for the team at Hinkley Point C, but also for everyone who wants to see the UK deliver energy security, fight climate change and provide power for our AI and digital future. We are working hard to play our part and using the experience gained delivering the first reactor to drive efficiencies in building our second one. That experience will also benefit follow-on projects, such as Sizewell C, as well as boosting jobs and skills for the UK鈥檚 growth agenda.鈥�

Installation of the first of two reactor pressure vessels at Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in Somerset, England. (Image: Aran Jeffries/EDF Energy)

Installation of the first of two reactor pressure vessels at Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in Somerset, England. (Image: Aran Jeffries/EDF Energy)