“Big Carl,” the world’s largest land-based crane, has completed the precise placement of a 245-tonne steel dome onto the top of Hinkley Point C’s second reactor, a critical step in the build-out of the UK’s newest nuclear power station.
This latest heavy-lift marks a significant milestone for the project, reflecting the growing efficiencies gained through the “Build and Repeat” strategy being implemented across the site. The 14-metre-high dome seals the top of the 44-metre reactor building, clearing the way for the internal systems fit-out to accelerate.
The operation, captured in striking images and video footage, underscores the logistical and engineering complexity behind constructing the UK’s first new nuclear power station in over three decades. The dome was installed with millimetre precision, using Big Carl, a Sarens SGC-250 crane capable of lifting up to 5,000 tonnes.
Repetition Drives Efficiencies
Although the second dome was installed 18 months after the first, Unit 2 is now ahead of schedule compared to the same point in Unit 1’s construction. This progress is directly attributed to lessons learned, preassembly tactics, and factory-based prefabrication of major components.
On Unit 2, 30% fewer workers have completed 40% more work in civil construction than on Unit 1. The reason? Prefabricated modules—ranging from fully fitted rooms to massive steel structures—are being manufactured off-site and lifted into place, converting what was once a linear process into a modular build sequence.
Stuart Crooks, CEO of Hinkley Point C, commented: “Restarting the industry has been hard, but the second of our two identical units shows the big benefits of repeating an identical design. Build and Repeat is the best way to build new nuclear with time savings already at 20-30%.”
In one striking example of time-saving, the concrete containment cylinder surrounding the Unit 2 reactor was constructed 40% faster than the equivalent structure on Unit 1. Inside the building, installation of internal steel has jumped dramatically—over 300 tonnes have already been fitted, compared to just 10 tonnes at the same stage of Unit 1.
Modular Nuclear: More Than a Concept
Hinkley Point C’s approach echoes the Large Modular Reactor (LMR) philosophy, where major plant elements are prefabricated and installed like building blocks. This method doesn’t just accelerate construction—it enhances quality control and site safety.
With off-site manufacturing centres working in parallel with on-site assembly, the pace of construction has surged. Internal rooms, pipe racks, cable trays, and entire building sections now arrive at the Somerset site ready for direct integration. This evolution in construction logistics is a direct result of Hinkley Point C’s replication strategy—and it’s a sign of what’s to come for future nuclear builds.
Strategic Importance and Supply Chain Ripple Effects
Hinkley Point C is more than a power station—it’s the restarting of a dormant national industry. The twin EPR reactors are expected to generate low-carbon electricity for over six million homes, playing a central role in Britain’s transition to energy security and net-zero.
The knock-on effect is already being felt across supply chains. Fabrication yards, port operators, module hauliers, and heavy-lift specialists involved in Unit 2 have ramped up capacity and refined processes in response to the needs of this large-scale, repeatable nuclear programme.
Michael Shanks, UK Energy Minister, noted: “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.”
With funding now in place for Sizewell C and future Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), the UK’s nuclear sector is poised for continued expansion. And the efficiencies demonstrated by Unit 2 are already setting the template.
The Unit 2 dome lift is more than a technical achievement—it’s a visible symbol of how repeatability, industrialised logistics, and modular construction are reshaping nuclear delivery in the UK.
