Britain’s newest nuclear power station receives second reactor vessel

The UK’s largest nuclear construction project reached a major milestone as the second reactor pressure vessel arrived at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in Somerset, England.

The delivery marks a critical step for the site, which is scheduled to begin operations in the early 2030s and play a central role in Britain’s low carbon energy strategy.

EDF confirmed that the high strength steel reactor pressure vessel for Unit 2 has now reached the Hinkley Point C construction site. The component weighs about 1.1 million pounds and measures roughly 42 feet in length. It will sit at the center of the reactor and house the nuclear core where fission takes place to generate heat and steam for electricity production.

The reactor pressure vessel was manufactured by Framatome at its Saint Marcel facility in eastern France. The company completed fabrication in late November last year after years of forging, welding, and inspection. The vessel is designed to operate under extreme pressure and temperature conditions for decades while maintaining structural integrity.