Hinkley Point C nuclear power station has reached a "huge" milestone with the completion of the base for the first reactor.
Known as J-zero, the creation of the base involved the largest concrete pour in the UK - a total of 9,000m³ - and means construction of the nuclear buildings above ground can begin.
The pour broke the UK record previously set by the Shard in London.
The base was reinforced with 5,000 tonnes of Welsh steel and has been under construction by the UK-French joint venture of Bouygues-Laing O’Rourke for six months.
The second Hinkley Point C reactor is due to be completed in June 2020.
Simone Rossi, chief executive of EDF Energy, said: “Hinkley Point C’s progress is good news for anyone concerned about the climate change crisis.
“Its reliable low carbon power will be essential for a future with no unabated coal and gas and a large expansion of renewable power.
“The innovation at Hinkley Point C sets up the opportunity to reduce costs for consumers for a near identical power station at Sizewell C in Suffolk.”
Business minister Andrew Stephenson said: “This is a huge achievement for Hinkley Point C and a major milestone for the UK’s nuclear new-build industry, which - as a low-carbon electricity source - is key to meeting our ambitious target of net zero emissions by 2050.”
“The project will not only power nearly six million homes, it will add an enormous boost to the local and national economy, delivering over 25,000 new jobs and securing long-term, well-paid employment – a key step in delivering clean growth as part of our modern Industrial Strategy.”
Next phase of Hinkley Point C
Final contracts have now been signed for a joint venture to install the pipes and cables at the power station.
The MEH Joint Venture includes UK contractors Balfour Beatty, Cavendish Nuclear, Altrad and Doosan Babcock.
Pipework will be made by Bilfinger at a facility in Immingham in North East Lincolnshire.
Hinkley Point C is also working with the MEH Joint Venture, the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board, the Weldability Foundation, South West Institute of Technology and Bridgwater and Taunton College, to develop a welding centre of excellence in Bridgwater, Somerset .
The idea is to provide 350-500 welding NVQ qualifications per year.
Hinkley Point C managing director Stuart Crooks added: “I am proud of the talent and achievement of our diverse UK workforce, our unions, our international supply chain and the design team.”
Almost 4,000 people are now working at Hinkley Point C and £1.5billion of contracts have been awarded in the South West.
