On 17 July 2025, the massive 245-tonne containment dome was hoisted onto Hinkley Point C’s second reactor building, completing the main civil-engineering phase for both units on site.
This lift is much more than a visual milestone, it demonstrates how repeating proven designs and using innovative construction methods can accelerate Britain’s nuclear renaissance.
Congratulations to EDF, the entire supply chain and the thousands of skilled workers whose expertise made this possible.
Why the dome matters
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Engineering precision – Big Carl, the world’s largest land-based crane, manoeuvred the dome (almost 47 metres in diameter and 14 metres high) onto a 44 metre-tall reactor building. The structure was assembled from 38 prefabricated panels and will now be welded air-tight before receiving 7,000 tonnes of concrete.
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Productivity gains – Unit 2’s team used 30% fewer people to deliver 40% more work than Unit 1, thanks to a rising share of prefabricated components, now approaching 60%. That experience is already cutting build time by up to a third and will flow straight into Sizewell C.
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Energy security – When both EPR reactors start generating, Hinkley Point C will supply around 7% of the UK’s electricity with reliable low-carbon power for at least 60 years, underpinning net-zero goals while supporting thousands of long-term jobs.
Astute’s role in powering the nuclear revival
Astute has been part of Hinkley Point C’s journey from day one, sourcing niche talent across civil engineering, project controls, safety case, commissioning and operations.
Our recruiters understand the security-cleared environment, the demanding quality codes and the scale of collaboration required on a project of this magnitude.
The learnings from Hinkley – modular construction, digital twin adoption, smarter logistics – are now filtering into Sizewell C and the wider SMR pipeline.
That evolution changes the skills mix our clients need, blending traditional nuclear expertise with next-generation disciplines such as advanced manufacturing, data science and AI-driven maintenance.
Whether you are:
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A hiring manager seeking permanent or contract specialists to keep critical path activities on schedule, or
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A professional ready to bring your experience to a flagship low-carbon project,
Astute is ready to help you connect with the right opportunity.
Looking ahead
The Unit 2 dome lift is a tangible sign that Britain’s largest construction project is gathering pace.
Over the coming months the focus shifts to reactor installation, turbine hall fit-out and the complex commissioning phase.
Each step will open fresh demand for high-calibre people across the nuclear supply chain.
If you want to stay updated on new vacancies or discuss workforce planning for upcoming work packages, talk to our Nuclear team today.
Together, we can ensure the specialist skills honed at Hinkley Point C continue to power the UK’s clean-energy future.
