At Hinkley Point C, Britain’s first new nuclear power station in three decades, workers have effectively installed a 500-tonne steel reactor. Situated close to Bridgwater, Somerset, the installation is heralded as a historic turning point for the United Kingdom’s energy independence.
“It was a massive operation for every team engaged in it,” the installation team leader remarked. “This is the plant’s core.”
Hundreds of engineers and construction workers were needed for the installation, which required several days of nonstop effort. The 13-meter (42.6-foot) steel unit was carefully winched up the wall of the reactor building in a 12-hour operation. Once raised, it moved along rails, turned ninety degrees, and dropped onto its ready base.
One of the two reactors going to run the station is this huge one. Once running in 2030, the facility will provide enough electricity to run six million homes, greatly supporting the UK’s renewable energy targets.
What Difficulties the Project encountered?
Political discussions, the COVID-19 epidemic, and worldwide supply chain interruptions have been a few of the challenges the Hinkley Point C project has experienced. Originally intended to open in 2025, the facility is set to start generating electricity by the end of the decade.
The delays have also blown expenses. Originally projected at £18 billion in 2017, the project’s budget now stands shockingly at £46 billion. Despite these obstacles, the reactor’s installation marks a notable advancement.
Declaring that “getting Hinkley up and running to produce clean power for six million homes will be a win for our long-term energy independence,” Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the accomplishment “a major step forward.”
Reactor Operation: How Does It Work?
Called “the heart of Hinkley,” the reactor will run on radioactive uranium, which produces heat by nuclear fission. This process will occur under severe conditions, with temperatures averaging 300°C and pressure reaching 155 bar—five times the pressure felt on a submarine at typical operating depth.
The 500-ton reactor is enclosed in a 25 cm-thick steel tank. Around the reactor, a closed loop of pressurized water moves, collecting heat. A secondary water loop then receives this heat to turn it into steam. Turbines linked to the most extended blades will run on the steam and produce power.
“We have two of these reactors, each should run roughly three million houses,” the team leader remarked. “This is the beginning of that road for us; it’s a big deal.”
Involved in the construction of the reactor?
Framatome, a French business owned by EDF developing Hinkley Point C, manufactured the reactor in France. Framatome staff members were delighted with their six-year production process. “It’s an enormous pride for our team to participate in a project of this scope,” said Somerset’s Framatome operations chief.
But choosing to export a component this important begs issues about Britain’s manufacturing capability.
The head of Framatome UK admitted, “1991 saw the completion of the last nuclear reactor constructed in Britain. The skill foundation vanished over that period.
How is the United Kingdom restoring its nuclear expertise?
Efforts are underway to bring nuclear technical expertise back to the UK. Framatome teaches welders and fitters to satisfy the nuclear sector’s stringent standards at a new Avonmouth, near Bristol facility.
Tanks and other constructions for Hinkley Point C are currently being produced at the plant. Still, plans will address more sophisticated components in the following nuclear programs. “It’s taken quite a few years to build those skills up to where they are today; we want to keep going, keep investing,” said Framatome UK’s head.
When will the plant be in complete running order?
When it started building, Hinkley Point C was expected to be operational by 2025. However, unexpected events, such as the COVID-19 epidemic, the war in Ukraine, and extensive supply chain interruptions, caused the schedule to change.
Notwithstanding these challenges, the latest reactor installation represents a notable success. As Hinkley Point C becomes ready for completion, the UK moves vitally toward long-term, sustainable energy.
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