Once commissioned the energy produced by Hinkley Point C will generate even less CO2 emissions than other clean energy sources, and will contribute up to 7% of the UK's total electricity needs. In total, approximately 6 million homes will be supplied with the plant´s power.
The construction and operation of Hinkley Point C will be responsible for creating 25,000 employment opportunities, up to 1,000 apprenticeships and 64% of the construction value of the project is expected to go to UK companies.
Sarens’ SGC-250 crane, also known as “Big Carl” is playing a crucial role in the construction of the reactor in the central, currently lifting loads from 10 to 1,600 tons.
The new Hinkley Point C nuclear plant, located in Somerset, will supply energy to more than 6 million homes in the region, and will avoid more than 9 million tons of CO2 emissions once it’s commissioned in 2030. This plant is the first new nuclear power station to be built in the UK in over 20 years. creating more than 25,000 jobs and bringing lasting benefits to the UK economy.
Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental solutions, is contributing to the assembly of this project with a variety of machinery including the Sarens SGC-250, known as Big Carl, the world's largest ground-mounted crane with a lifting capacity of up to 5,000 tons. This crane is playing a major role in the construction of the power plant, placing more than 700 heavy parts. The loads vary from precast concrete elements to pipe sections, steel rings and machinery equipment with weights ranging from 10 to 1,600 tons. The SGC-250 will also lift five major parts of the steel casing and the containment dome of each unit.
The project's commitment to addressing climate change is clear. During its expected 60 years of operation, Hinkley Point C will have a very positive impact on the environment. It is expected that the electricity produced will generate even less CO2 emissions than other clean energy sources, such as wind and solar power.
These emissions, generated by the construction of the plant, are minor compared to the enormous amount that will be avoided during the plants' exploitation. Compared to a gas-fired plant, by avoiding the need to burn fossil fuels, Hinkley Point C will save 9 million tons of CO2 emissions per year, and around 600 million tons of CO2 over its lifetime. The environmental impact of construction is also being reduced by using recycled steel for 98% of the steel used in the plant's reinforcement.
The creation of the plant will also mean a great improvement in the biodiversity of the surrounding areas, with fifty specialists currently working on this matter. A total of £540,000 has been donated to various environmental projects.
To date, around 65,000 trees and shrubs have been planted on and nearby the site. The land at the southern end of the complex has also been restored so that it can be enjoyed by the local residents. Having been originally agricultural land, it has become an area much richer in biodiversity. The space has been intentionally designed and landscaped to increase biodiversity, attracting a wide variety of fauna and flora.
Hinkley Point C is located on the Somerset coast. Another of the ongoing projects is aimed at protecting the nearby coastline. Red coralline provides a unique habitat for a wide variety of marine species. As the coralline can die within 30 minutes if deprived of water, the Environment team monitors and manages the coastline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The team has created artificial dikes (sandbags wrapped in plastic) that retain water even at low tide.
Sarens has extensive experience in the nuclear power sector. The company have recently worked on the replacement of four steam generators at the Watts Bar power plant in Spring City, Tennessee. In addition, Sarens have also worked on the Flamanville nuclear power plant project in France, or at Vogtle Nuclear Electric in Georgia. In 2020 Sarens signed an agreement with the North American company NuScale for the installation and transportation of modular nuclear power plants (SMR).
About Sarens
Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.
With more than 100 entities in 65 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 4,543 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors. https://www.sarens.com/