Lifting the largest UK nuclear power station

Green Pin^® does not shy away from large projects. Hinkley Point C in Somerset is not only the first but also the biggest nuclear power station built in the United Kingdom in almost 20 years. Its two EPR reactors will create enough electricity to offset 9 million tons of CO2 emissions each year, or 600 million tons throughout its 60-year lifespan. Marking a significant milestone in the revitalization of the nuclear power industry, Hinkley Point C will make a major contribution to the United Kingdom’s move to reduce carbon emissions.  

Why Green Pin^®? 

For a project, this big, and especially within this high-risk industry, safety and security are a must. Therefore, Green Pin^® was commissioned to provide the shackles that were used on the cranes on the construction site. By using Green Pin^® products, safety and security were assured because the products meet IAEA safety standards Green Pin^® products meet the strictest standards in the field and during prestigious projects such as this one, only the best materials are used.  
A masterpiece of safety. The centrepiece of rigging.  

Which shackles were used and why?

The shackles that were used are Green Pin^® safety bow shackles WLL 3.25 t up to 25 t. Furthermore, Green Pin^® Turnbuckles were used frequently in combination with safety bow shackles on site. They are used by “Big Carl”, which is the largest crane in the world by Sarens, the crane provider to the Hinkley Point C project. 

Another Green Pin^® product that has been used during this project is the Green Pin Tycan^® Lifting Chain, a link chain made of the strongest man-made fibre Dyneema^®. Due to its flexibility, lightweight and non-corrosiveness, it was the safest and most ideal lifting chain to use for transporting the largest and heaviest components of the nuclear power station.  

Osprey, a market leader in heavy transport, is always looking for innovative solutions to tackle its daily challenges. They used Green Pin Tycan^® lashing chain to tie down expensive parts during transportation. The soft chain does not damage the precious cargo, and the light weight of the chain makes working with it a lot easier for the people involved.  

Hinkley Point C is a special project set up to provide low-carbon electricity over the next decades. A project to make our world more sustainable. And greener. Green Pin^® products made all the difference when it came to quick, efficient, and safe transportation of even the biggest parts on site. Thus, a large impact, with small products.  

Green Pin^®. The centrepiece of rigging.