Potains on nuclear build at minus 40

A dozen Potain cranes are working in sub-zero temperatures as they help construct a nuclear power plant in Zarechniy, Beloyarsk region, Russia.

The cranes include five MDT 178s, three MD 208 As, two MDT 218s and an MD 238 A. There is also a 4 tonne capacity Igo 50 self erecting crane. The tower cranes offer capacity up to 10 tonnes and are all configured with maximum length booms.

The 12 cranes are lifting pre-cast concrete sections, formwork and other construction materials. Some of the more unusual loads for the cranes include armour-plated doors which can weigh up to 18 tonnes.

Challenges for the cranes include temperatures that can reach close to minus 40 degrees centigrade and snow covered ground. The cranes, which are working up to 24 hours a day in these freezing conditions, have been fitted with special cold weather kits, which include insulated cabs and additional heating.

The cranes were selected to build the fourth reactor at the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Station because of their known reliability in extreme conditions and Potain’s experience on other nuclear power station projects, the company said.

Jean-Claude Doucene, Manitowoc’s commercial director for Russia and CIS countries, said the cranes had undertaken a long journey to reach the job site.

“These cranes have been working effectively on site since 2007, although we had to transport them close to 6,000 km from the factories in France and Portugal to the project,” he said. “Their main task is helping with structural work, lifting concrete, rebar and formwork. The cranes will stay on the 800 MW fourth reactor project until it finishes in 2013. At that time, if financing has been secured for the next reactor in the project, the cranes will transfer to that site.”

It is said that the construction of the power plant, which cost €25 billion, will take six years to complete.

The Beloyarsk power plant consists of five separate reactors, three of which are complete (although two were shut down some years ago). One is being built using the Potain cranes and work is scheduled to begin next year on the fifth unit.