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Huge dome lifted onto nuclear reactor

Bea Swallow
BBC News, Somerset
PA Media A large copper-coloured dome being lowered into place on top of a big concrete cylinder using a yellow crane. There are steel structures and scaffolding surrounding the cylinder. PA Media
Hundreds of people helped with the delicate operation to get the 245-tonne steel dome into position

A 245-tonne dome has been lifted onto a reactor building at the first nuclear plant to be built in Britain for 30 years.

EDF Energy said twin nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point C in Somerset would provide zero-carbon electricity for more than six million homes in Britain when the site opened.

The second dome was installed earlier using a "build and repeat" method, using off-site prefabrication and experience from installing the first dome on the first reactor.

The site is projected to open in 2031, according to EDF, which is five years later than originally planned.

Work on Hinkley Point C's second reactor building was stopped during the pandemic but EDF said teams were using time-saving methods to catch up.

EDF Energy An aerial image showing the newly installed dome on top of the large nuclear reactor at Hinkley Point C. It is a cloudy day and the construction site below is vast, with large cranes and buildings covering the landscape.EDF Energy
The power plant's second reactor is being built 20-30% more quickly than its first, EDF said

The team said the second reactor was in a more complete state than the first reactor was when its roof was fitted 18 months ago.

And the company said construction on the second unit used 30% fewer people to achieve 40% more work compared to the first unit.

PA Media A close up image showing the reactor dome being slowly lowered onto the building below using a large yellow crane. The sky behind it is dark and cloudy.PA Media
'Big Carl', the world's largest crane, lowered the dome onto Hinkley Point C's second reactor building

Stuart Crooks, CEO of Hinkley Point C, said: "Restarting the industry has been hard, but the second of our two identical units shows the big benefits of repeating an identical design.

"The build and repeat method is the best way to build new nuclear with time savings already at 20-30%."

Energy minister Michael Shanks added: "Hinkley Point C will deliver the next generation of clean, homegrown nuclear power, creating high quality jobs and growth in Somerset and across its supply chains."

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