In Pictures: World’s Largest Crane Lifts Hinkley Point C’s Second Nuclear Reactor Into Place

Why It Matters

Accelerated construction reduces overall project cost and brings UK nuclear capacity online sooner, bolstering energy security and decarbonisation goals.

Key Takeaways

• Big Carl lifts 500‑ton reactor in two‑day operation
• Side‑lift method cuts installation time versus Unit 1’s overhead system
• Unit 2 construction 20‑30 % faster, leveraging lessons learned
• Hinkley Point C will supply 3.3 GW, powering 6 M homes

Pulse Analysis

The successful lift of Hinkley Point C’s second reactor marks a milestone for large‑scale nuclear construction. Using Sarens’ SGC‑250, nicknamed “Big Carl”, engineers hoisted a 500‑ton, 13‑meter pressure vessel from the dockside and maneuvered it through a side opening into the reactor building. The crane, standing 250 m tall and capable of a 5,000‑ton lift, performed a sideways lift onto a rail‑based transport system before an internal polar crane rotated the module into its final vertical position. The two‑day operation concluded on 29 May, demonstrating the precision and coordination required for modern nuclear projects.

The method differs sharply from the temporary overhead rig used for Unit 1, saving valuable site space and reducing installation time. Hinkley Point C reports that Unit 2 is progressing 20‑30 % faster, a gain attributed to repeatable design, Smag welding techniques, and the side‑lift approach. Faster assembly translates into lower labor costs and earlier revenue generation, crucial after Unit 1’s schedule slipped by a year and the overall budget swelled. By front‑loading equipment such as heat exchangers, the project also minimizes later disruptions.

Accelerated delivery of the 3.3 GW Hinkley Point C complex strengthens the United Kingdom’s clean‑energy roadmap, adding enough capacity to power roughly six million homes. The experience gained is already feeding into the upcoming Sizewell C programme, where similar heavy‑lift solutions are being evaluated. Moreover, the successful deployment of the world’s largest land‑based crane underscores a growing market for specialized lifting assets in the renewable and nuclear sectors, as developers seek to compress timelines while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.