HinkleyPointC NuclearEnergy HeavyLifting LowCarbonEnergy

Hinkley Point C installs second reactor vessel using world’s largest crane

Jun, 01, 2026
General Construction Foundation Design / Construction General Civil News On Projects / Industry
United Kingdom
Authored by: TheCivilEngineer.org

*Big Carl lifts the 500-tonne reactor pressure vessel into position at Hinkley Point C. Source: WNN (image by EDF Energy)*

The second reactor pressure vessel has been lifted into place at Hinkley Point C, marking another major construction milestone for Britain’s largest nuclear power station project. The 500-tonne steel cylinder was moved using Big Carl, described by EDF as the world’s largest crane, before being positioned for precision installation inside the Unit 2 reactor building.

The reactor pressure vessel is one of the most important components of the plant. It will house the reactor core and associated internal systems, where nuclear fission will generate heat to produce steam for the site’s turbines. Once both reactors are complete, Hinkley Point C is expected to provide low-carbon electricity for around six million homes.

The lifting operation required months of planning and close coordination across multiple construction teams. After Big Carl lifted the vessel into the reactor building, the 13-metre-long component was rotated into a vertical position using the internal polar crane. It was then carefully lowered onto its support ring with only 40 mm of clearance on each side.

The 500-tonne reactor pressure vessel is lifted inside Hinkley Point C’s Unit 2 reactor building during precision installation works. Source: WNN (image by EDF Energy)

This level of tolerance highlights the precision required in nuclear construction. Heavy lifting on this scale depends not only on crane capacity, but also on sequencing, temporary works, quality control, access planning and risk management inside a complex construction environment.

The method used for Unit 2 also shows how the project is applying lessons from the first reactor. The first vessel was installed using a large temporary overhead lifting system. For the second unit, the use of Big Carl reduced space requirements and helped save time and cost during installation, according to EDF.

Unit 2 is progressing around 20% to 30% faster than Unit 1 at the equivalent stage. This improvement is attributed to repetition, experience and innovation. The same teams are working on an identical design, allowing construction methods to be refined as work progresses.

At this stage, Unit 2 already has more equipment installed than Unit 1 had at the same point, including several large heat exchangers, additional structural steelwork and further progress on the outer containment layer. EDF has said these efficiencies are expected to support future nuclear projects in the UK, including Sizewell C, where repeated design and supply chain learning could help reduce delivery risk.

Hinkley Point C continues to progress as repeated design and construction learning accelerate Unit 2 delivery. Source: WNN (image by EDF Energy)

Hinkley Point C remains a technically demanding and costly infrastructure project, but the second reactor installation demonstrates visible progress on the site. It also shows the importance of repeat construction methods in major nuclear projects. In nuclear construction, where tolerances are tight and sequencing is critical, repeated operations can help improve safety, productivity and programme performance.

Sources: bbc.com, edfenergy.com, world-nuclear-news.org