MEH given early access to pumphouse
The MEH Alliance, which is installing pipes and cables across the power station, will soon be able to start its first permanent installations in the pumphouse building. The pumphouse provides the main source of cooling water for the power station via the intake tunnels under the Bristol Channel. The MEH team was given access ahead of schedule and marks the end of the civils work in the initial eight rooms. The next phase will include the installation of pumps for the essential service water system and auxiliary circulating water system. More than 250 rooms in the 50-metres tall building will eventually be handed over to the MEH team in phases.
Final roof truss lifted onto turbine hall
The fourth and final 150-tonne truss had been lifted onto the Unit 1 turbine hall. Together, they will form part of the roof structure for the building. Work can now progress on cladding the roof and most of the walls so that GE Power can be mobilised to prepare the building to receive the world’s largest Arabelle turbine.
Vital equipment arrives on site
Vital pieces of equipment have been successfully delivered to site. One was the leak-tight cover for the equipment hatch, which is a large circular opening on the side of the Unit 1 reactor building. The hatch will open and close in a secure way, allowing equipment to be moved into the reactor during construction and operation.
The other was the crane trolley, which will carry the 300-tonne overhead crane as it manoeuvres on rails up and down the Unit 1 turbine hall. The crane will be used by General Electric (GE) for the assembly of the Steam Turbine and for maintenance throughout the operational life of the power station.
The second of two 52m-long girders, which span the length of a football pitch, has also been transported to Hinkley Point C from Avonmouth. These will be used to support the overhead crane once installed. The girders are thought to be the longest deliveries to Site during the life of the project.
Final bracket fitted on liner ring
After five years of manufacturing at Tissot’s off-site facility in France, the final polar crane
bracket has been fitted into place on Unit 2’s third liner ring. These components will eventually support the large gantry polar crane, as it rotates inside the reactor building manoeuvring heavy equipment into place during construction, maintenance, and refuelling. This is the last component to be delivered by Tissot to Hinkley Point C. Each reactor building contains 45 of these brackets.
Taken from The Point October 2023
