When construction of the £38m Sizewell C nuclear power plant reaches its peak in the next few years it is set to have around 8,000 people working on site in Suffolk. Already it has 2,000 people working on enabling infrastructure – double the amount on site a year ago.
The final investment decision from government for Sizewell C was in July 2025, and financial close with private investors was reached in November. Now the work begins, and after all the delays at Hinkley Point C in Somerset – it was supposed to have opened last year but is still at least five years from completion – there is eagerness to demonstrate progress at Sizewell C.
Chief executive Nigel Cann said: “Sizewell C is delivering thousands of jobs and opportunities already, both here in the east of England and across the UK. This is a project that will leave a skills legacy for generations to come.
“These numbers also tell you that we’re getting on with it – we’ve built the first of three bridges which connects our construction sites; we’re building new roads, roundabouts, railways, a beach landing facility, and on-site accommodation to house those workers. And while we know that our off-site work will cause some local disruption, those projects – including our park and rides and new road and rail infrastructure – will ultimately reduce our impact in the area.
“We’ve delivered around £3bn in contracts to over 400 British suppliers, with nearly £1bn in contracts awarded to businesses here in our host region. That’s a big contribution to UK growth – and eventually over 70% of our total construction spend will go to business right here in the UK.
“We’ve got a long way to go, but we’ve shown already just what an incredible contribution nuclear can make for jobs, skills, investment, and prosperity for the east and the UK as a whole.”
As with Hinkley Point C, construction of Sizewell C is being led by the Bylor joint venture of Bouygues Travaux Publics and Laing O'Rourke with Balfour Beatty leading on construction of supporting infrastructure.