Video: Osprey delivers Unit 2 nuclear reactor to Hinkley Point C

The unit 2 reactor on Scheuerle SPMT making the last leg of the journey to Hinkley Point C. Click image for video. Photo: EDF HPC

The second nuclear reator for the UK power station Hinkley Point C has been delivered to site by Osprey Group on specialized transport.

It is the pressure vessel for Unit 2, consisting of a steel cylinder weighing 500 tonnes and 13 metres long, identical to the first one delivered by Osprey in February 2023.

The reactor for the new EDF Energy power station was shipped from French manufacturer Framatome’s Saint Marcel Factory to Avonmouth Docks in Bristol, south west UK. From there it was taken further inland by Osprey on its barge Isobel Rose to Combwich Wharf on the River Parrett in Somerset. Finally, Osprey transloaded it onto self propelled modular transporter (SPMT) and power pack drives for a 6.5 km road trip over a period of six hours to site.

Click image for video. Photo: EDF HPC

Earlier work

As for the first unit, on this one Osprey also used Scheuerle Generation 3 and Generation 4 self propelled modular transporter (SPMT). It was set up in 4 file, 16 axle configuration, with two side by side columns of 16 axle lines for a total of 128 wheels. Two Z350 PPU (power pack units) were used, mounted at the rear, for traction.

Back in November 2025 Osprey was recognised at the Hinkley Point C Excellence Awards for delivering the polar crane. The company won Silver for the Best Collaborative Team and Bronze for Best Innovation, Learning or Efficiency. Osprey worked with NNB, APCO, Altrad, MMES and Sarens to deliver the Nuclear Island 750 tonne polar crane prior to its lift into position by Sarens using its 5,000 tonne capacity SGC-250 crane named Big Carl, just before the steel dome was lifted in on top. Osprey also recieved a Silver award for Outstanding Supplier Partnership, in recognition of its wider contribution to the project.

Since the first reactor, for Unit 1, was lifted into place the building has gone up around it and had the dome installed on top. Now it is undergoing fit-out work installing equipment, pipes and cables. Experience gained from building Unit 1 has so far reduced construction time on Unit 2 by as much as 30 per cent, according to Hinkley Point C.

Each of EDF’s Hinkley Point C two reactors harnesses nuclear fission to make heat and steam for the world’s largest turbines. Each one will power around 3m homes.

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