A new behind‑the‑scenes video released by Hinkley Point C is giving viewers their closest look yet inside the first reactor at the nuclear power station being built on the Somerset coast.
The update, presented by Delivery Director Simon Parsons, shows the rapid progress being made on the fit‑out of Unit 1 as teams prepare to begin installing the identical second reactor in Unit 2.
The video also highlights the assembly of the world’s largest steam turbine – the Arabelle – and ongoing work to dig a fish return tunnel, one of three major fish protection systems being constructed for the project.
The fit‑out phase is one of the most complex stages of the build, involving 370km of pipework, more than 10,000km of cables, 35,700 valves and 35,000 lights, along with thousands of pumps and control components.
Thanks to lessons learned from Unit 1, EDF says construction teams are now delivering Unit 2 around 20–30% faster, experience that will also benefit the planned Sizewell C project.
Simon Parsons said civil construction on Unit 1 is now nearing completion, allowing teams to shift their focus to Unit 2. He added that the transition into the intensive fit‑out stage has been challenging but is now gathering momentum.
“In Unit 1 new teams have moved in to fit the huge amount of equipment, supports, pipes, valves and cables that we need,” he said.
“Transitioning into this new phase has been tough going, but now we’re really getting moving and gaining momentum by adopting an industrial mindset, taking the processes that worked best and scaling them up.”
