A second colossal nuclear reactor has successfully reached the Hinkley Point C construction site in Somerset, marking a pivotal step forward for the UK's flagship energy project. The arrival of the 500-tonne component is described by developer EDF as a "major moment" in the build of Britain's first new nuclear power station in decades.
The Epic Journey from France to Somerset
The reactor pressure vessel began its voyage at the Framatome Saint Marcel factory in France. It was first shipped to Avonmouth Docks in Bristol before being transferred onto a barge for the waterborne leg to Combwich Wharf on the River Parrett in Somerset.
The final stage was a meticulous six-hour road transport covering the last four miles to the Bridgwater site. This complex logistical operation mirrors the delivery of the first reactor, which arrived in 2023 and is now installed and welded into place on the first unit.
A Powerhouse for Millions of Homes
This high-strength steel cylinder, measuring 13 metres in length, is the core component of the nuclear reactor. It is designed to harness nuclear fission, creating the heat and steam needed to drive what will be the world's largest turbines.
EDF states that each reactor will generate enough reliable, around-the-clock electricity to power approximately three million UK homes. When fully operational, the twin-reactor site is set to provide zero-carbon power for a total of six million homes.
Project Timeline and Financial Context
Hinkley Point C is currently scheduled to begin operations by 2031. The project has faced significant challenges, including substantial cost revisions and delays since its initial government approval in 2016.
The original estimated completion date was 2025 with a budget of around £18 billion. Current projections now suggest the final cost could escalate to nearly £46 billion.
Construction activity is set to intensify, with the workforce expected to peak this year. Between 2026 and 2028, an estimated 15,000 people will be working on the site. The project recently secured its future with a £4.5 billion loan from US investment group Apollo Global Management, provided as unsecured debt to EDF at an interest rate just under seven percent.
In a sign of progressing to the next phase, Hinkley Point C appointed its first station director in October 2025 to lead the project through commissioning and into eventual operation.
