Wedoany.com Report-Dec.3, Framatome has finished manufacturing the reactor pressure vessel for Hinkley Point C Unit 2 at its Saint-Marcel plant in Chalon-sur-Saône, eastern France. The 13-metre-long, 500-tonne component will contain the reactor core and associated internals for the 1,630 MWe EPR unit under construction in Somerset, United Kingdom.

A ceremony held on 28 November 2025 at the Saint-Marcel facility marked the completion. Representatives from the Hinkley Point C project observed final preparations before the vessel is shipped to the UK site. EDF noted in a LinkedIn update: "The Hinkley Point C delegation watched as the reactor was prepared for shipping to Somerset."

The same event celebrated the formal handover of the first two steam generators for Unit 2. These large heat exchangers, which transfer thermal energy from the primary coolant circuit to produce steam for the turbine, are scheduled for delivery to site in 2026.

For comparison, Unit 1’s reactor pressure vessel was manufactured at Framatome’s Le Creusot facility, completed in December 2022, delivered in February 2023, and installed inside the reactor building in December 2024. The first of Unit 1’s eight 25-metre-high, 520-tonne steam generators arrived at site in May 2024 and was placed in position in July 2025.

Hinkley Point C comprises two EPR reactors. Construction of Unit 1 began in December 2018, followed by Unit 2 one year later. The reactor building dome for Unit 1 was lifted in December 2023, while Unit 2’s dome was installed last week.

Current planning targets first electricity from Unit 1 in 2030. When both units are operational, the plant will supply low-carbon power to approximately six million homes and is designed for an operational life of up to 80 years.

The completion of these major components represents continued steady progress on Europe’s largest nuclear construction project and maintains momentum toward delivering long-term, reliable clean electricity generation for the United Kingdom.