Incredible moment UK’s biggest crane lifts giant ring at £46bn nuclear plant

This is the moment the final liner ring was installed at the Hinkley Point C power station’s second reactor building.

The 423-tonne steel component which measures 11.6 metres in height and has a diameter of 47 metres, is the third ring fitted onto on the building at the delayed infrastructure project in Somerset and was lowered into place by a giant crane known as Big Carl.

“Big Carl” is the strongest land-based crane in the world, capable of pulling up 5,000 tonnes in a single lift, according its manufacturer Sarens.

The ring, which was prefabricated on site, is part of the reactor building’s inner containment wall. It will now be encased in two layers of concrete, according to an press released by Hinkley Point C media team.

The ring features supporting brackets for the Polar Crane Beam. The polar crane is internal crane which will be used throughout the lifespan of the station, rotating 360 degrees above the reactor and refuelling when neccessary.

The job on on the reactor building left is the dome, with the lift scheduled to take place next year.

The “lid” of the first reactor building was added last December and its reactor is set to be installed later this year, according to the construction team.

It comes amid reports that the owner of British Gas is exploring a potential investment in the project EDF seeks out more funds to complete the project after a series of delays since construction began in 2016.

EDF, a French state energy giant has previously blamed inflation, Covid and Brexit for the project being delayed a further four years until 2031 and additional £2.3bn costs.

Earlier this month, The Telegraph reported that Centrica has held discussions about a possible deal in recent months, but its thought that the talks are at an early stage.

The outlet cited City sources suggesting at least £1bn into the scheme by the firm, in exchange for a stake of 5pc or more.

According to the newspaper, any agreement would would like see Centrica securing a share of the electricity output at the plant, as energy suppliers reconsider the use of nuclear for “clean” power as fossil fuels are wound down.

Centrica and EDF declined to comment when approached by the Telegraph.