First Steam Generator Installed at Hinkley Point C Unit 1
The first of eight steam generators has been installed at Unit 1 of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in the United Kingdom. The installation took place just a few days after the dome was placed on Reactor Unit 2.
The 520-ton steam generator was transported to the reactor compartment by rail, then carefully lifted and rotated into its design position. Installation of three more such steam generators around the reactor vessel is planned over the summer.
The T25-metre steam generator was manufactured by Framatome in France and delivered to the site in southwest England in May 2024 by sea and road.
As a reminder, construction of the first of two 1630 MWe EPR reactors at Hinkley Point C began in December 2018, with construction of unit two in 2019. The dome of unit 1 was put in place in December 2023 and the one at unit 2 was lifted into place in July 2025.
According to EDF’s updated plans, Unit 1 is now expected to enter operation in 2030 with the cost revised from GBP26 billion to between GBP31-34 billion, in 2015 prices.