Ad
Monday, June 30, 2025
18.1 C
London

The Voice of Scaffolding Since 2008  |  U.K. Edition

Worlds biggest crane starts work at Hinkley Point

- Advertisement -

‘Big Carl’ The world biggest crane has been shipped over from Belgium to help build the new power station.

Construction work at Hinkley Point in Somerset is now well underway, with thousands of workers building a new EDF power station at the site.

But amongst the people, vehicles and machines at the site, one structure is dominating the Somerset skyline.

The worlds biggest crane, the Sarens SGC-250 (or ‘big Carl’ as it has affectionately been called) was shipped over to the site from Ghent in Belgium to assist in the construction.

Although it it does not have the traditional look of a crane, Big Carl is a monster of a machine.

Image of Big Carl the world largest crane at Hinkley Point
Image Credit: Sarens

The epic piece of machinery had to be transported on more than 250 lorries and can operate at up to 250m high – taller than One Canada Square – the second highest building in the UK.

Big Carl will be able to move, whilst it is “fully rigged” from one place on the site, to another, with the company behind the structure saying it is an industry first.

More than six kilometres of rail has been laid for the crane, so it traverse the sprawling Somerset site.

It will also be able to move 360 degrees on its axis, meaning it can travel freely around the construction area.

As well as its sky-rocketing height, it also has a huge reach and can be extended to be given a 275m radius – more than the length of two football pitches.

Because of its size, it is easy to forget that it can lift a huge amount of material, with it being able to carry up to 3,000 tonnes in one go.

Sarens, the team behind the crane say that whilst it is at Hinkley Point, it will be used to install prefab concrete elements, steel structures and even reactor equipment for the power station.

Big Carl will be part of a fleet of 53 cranes at the site, and be mostly used at night – in order to minimise disruption during the day.

EDF are constructing a nuclear power plant at the site near Bridgwater in Somerset and began building in December 2018, with the aim of it being completed by 2025.

The project will cost an estimated £20.3 billion and is the first new nuclear plant to be built in the UK in 30 years.

- Advertisement -

Popular this week >

Scaffolder wins record-breaking £11.5m jackpot from £1.50 bet

A scaffolder from Norfolk has become one of the...

ITP launches ‘Zero to Landfill’ scheme to recycle scaffold sheeting

A Yorkshire-based manufacturer has launched a new initiative to...

Scaffolding Team Raises Over £36K for Cancer Charity with West Highland Way Trek

A team from Scottish scaffolding business JR Scaffold has...

Construction Skills Drive Targets 100,000 New Recruits

A new Construction Skills Mission Board meets for the...

Altrad Teams Up with Leach’s to Boost Helmet Safety for Scaffolders

Altrad, one of the world’s leading industrial services providers,...
- Advertisements -

Related Articles >

London tower crane collapse kills woman

A woman was pronounced dead and four people were injured after a tower crane suddenly collapsed onto a row of houses in east London yesterday. The 20-meter tower crane was working on a construction...

Latest Topics

Altrad Teams Up with Leach’s to Boost Helmet Safety for Scaffolders

Altrad, one of the world’s leading industrial services providers,...

Construction Skills Drive Targets 100,000 New Recruits

A new Construction Skills Mission Board meets for the...

Scaffolding Team Raises Over £36K for Cancer Charity with West Highland Way Trek

A team from Scottish scaffolding business JR Scaffold has...

ITP launches ‘Zero to Landfill’ scheme to recycle scaffold sheeting

A Yorkshire-based manufacturer has launched a new initiative to...
- Advertisement -

Popular Categories