Landmark follows news of cost increase for twin-EPR nuclear station
The reactor pressure vessel (RPV) for the first of two nuclear power plants under construction at Hinkley Point C in England has arrived onsite from France.
The 13-metre RPV, which weighs 500-tonnes, is the first of two RPVs which will be installed at Hinkley Point C.
Each France-supplied EPR at the new power station will help provide enough low-carbon electricity for 3-million homes and will be vital in helping Britain achieve net zero and stronger energy security.
The RPV, which contains the nuclear reactor coolant, core shroud, and the reactor core, was made by Framatome in France. It comes from the same factory which made the last nuclear reactor for a British power station at Sizewell B in Suffolk, which began commercial operation in 1995.
The RPV arrived in Britain at Avonmouth Docks in Bristol before being transported by barge to Combwich Wharf on the River Parrett in Somerset. The final journey was a five-hour trip for more than 6km by a transporter to its permanent home on the construction site.
The arrival of the RPV marks a significant milestone for Hinkley Point C, where more than 8,000 workers are now on site, a spokesperson for the station said. It will be installed in the reactor building after the dome is lifted into place.
France’s state-owned power company EDF said earlier this month the cost of building Hinkley Point C is set to increase to £32bn (€36bn, $38.5bn) – up by almost 30% on previous estimates of £26bn.
Higher levels of inflation have pushed up the estimated spend on the two EPR units, the company said in a presentation published alongside its annual results.
Estimates for the cost of developing the power station had already risen from £18bn to £26bn, while its completion date has stretched from 2025 to 2027.
EDF said the revised costings are the result of inflation that has pushed up the price of labour and raw materials.
The RPV was transported by barge into Combwich Wharf in Somerset, before being transported to the site by a transporter. Courtesy HPC.
