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Somerset: Nuclear reactor arrives at Hinkley C power station

Nuclear reactor arrives at Hinkley C power station

The first nuclear reactor has arrived at Hinkley Point C power station in Somerset.

The reactor pressure vessel is the first to be built for a British power station for more than 30 years.

At just 13 metres tall and weighing 500 tonnes, it will create the heat needed to make steam for the world's largest turbines.

It is the first of two nuclear reactors to be installed to provide low carbon electricity for three million homes.

EDF The reactor first arrived in Britain at Avonmouth DocksEDF
The reactor vessel weighs 500 tonnes and stands 13 metres tall
EDF it will create the heat needed to make steam for the world's largest turbines.EDF
More than 8,000 workers are on site at Hinkley Point C every day

The reactor first arrived in Britain at Avonmouth Docks, in Bristol, before being transported by barge to Combwich Wharf on the River Parrett in Somerset.

EDF The reactor first arrived in Britain at Avonmouth Docks, in BristolEDF

The final journey was a slow four mile, five-hour trip by transporter to its permanent home on the construction site.

The reactor, made by Framatome in France, comes from the same factory which made the last nuclear reactor for a British power station, Sizewell B in Suffolk which became operational in 1995.

EDF It is 13 metres tall and weighs 500-tonnes,EDF
The vessel will provide low carbon electricity for three million homes
EDF The final journey was a five-hour trip for four miles by a transporter to its permanent home on the construction site.EDF
The final journey was a five-hour trip by transporter

More than 8,000 workers are now on site at Hinkley Point C every day and the new reactor will be installed in the reactor building after the dome is lifted into place.

Power generation at Hinkley Point C is expected to start in June 2027- two years later than originally planned.

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