Sizewell C surpasses 1,000 UK suppliers

• Over 1,000 UK suppliers have now benefitted from work on the nuclear power project
• Sizewell C has so far delivered over 70% of its construction value to UK suppliers
• Project’s spend is just under £5bn in the UK, and more than £1bn in its host county of Suffolk

Over 1,000 UK suppliers have now benefited from work at Sizewell C, as the nuclear power project continues to make progress on the Suffolk coast.

The milestone, announced today at the Utility Week Live exhibition, reflects the significant value that Sizewell C is already delivering across the UK*.

Sizewell C has so far delivered on its pledge to deliver 70% of its construction value to UK suppliers, and its spend in the UK so far is just under £5bn**.

Nigel Cann, CEO of Sizewell C, said: “This milestone demonstrates the value that Sizewell C is delivering across the UK right now. Over a thousand UK suppliers, thousands of jobs, just under £5bn spend in the UK – this is a big investment in the growth of UK businesses, in our economy, and in the future of the UK’s skilled construction workforce.”

In Sizewell C’s host region in the East of England, over 300 suppliers have now benefitted from work on the project. Sizewell C’s spend in Suffolk, where it is based, has now reached £1bn, rising to £1.4bn in the East of England.

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The Chamber network is proud to be a major part of the Sizewell C supply chain success story.

“Our Suffolk Chamber team is directly helping local firms access vital opportunities and secure contracts.

“Sizewell C is a shining example of the impact major infrastructure projects can have on supply chains and the wider economy.”

Essex-based logistics company Wilson James is one of the many companies in the East of England to benefit, picking up a contract to manage all aspects of Sizewell C’s logistics from the project’s Orwell Logistics Park in Ipswich – creating 350 local jobs.

Gary Sullivan, Chairman and Co-Founder, Wilson James said: “This impressive milestone for Sizewell C is creating real confidence for local businesses across the East of England. When organisations can see long-term opportunity ahead of them, they are able to invest in people, strengthen capability, and plan for growth with far greater certainty.

“Through our role as Lead Logistics Partner, Wilson James has been able to create supply chain roles across Suffolk and East Anglia that include warehousing, digital, and project management, opening up exciting career opportunities and bringing considerable investment into local communities.

“The impact reaches far beyond the supply chain, becoming a notable catalyst for sustainable regional growth. Generations of local people will have the opportunity to learn, earn, and enjoy a fulfilling career.”

One of Sizewell C’s many suppliers in the north, Lancashire-based company, William Hare Group, have a contract to deliver the structural steelwork for the amenity building at the project’s on-site accommodation campus in Suffolk.

Steve Duffield, Group Board Director for William Hare, said: “The Sizewell C project is a huge boost for UK business, here in the north and across the UK.

“The contract we secured with Sizewell C not only allows us to plan for the future, it means we can invest in new technology and equipment and develop the next generation of fabricators and nuclear engineers.

“It allows the whole industry to invest in the future of nuclear technology, which is going to the future of UK energy supply.”

On site, the Sizewell C project has made significant progress. It has built the first of three bridges which connects two of its construction sites; welcomed its first engineering trains to its Ancillary Construction Area (ACA); opened two park and ride sites to limit impacts on local roads; built two new roundabouts, improving local infrastructure; and progressed development of new roads and a beach landing facility.

Over a third of the project’s 2000+ onsite workforce come from the local area; over two thirds of its 120 apprentices are from Suffolk; and it has also announced a new post-16 college for the area, making good on the jobs, skills, and local opportunities promised to local people.

Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear Lord Vallance said: “By backing Sizewell C, we are supporting UK suppliers and skilled workers across the country as part of our new golden age of nuclear.

“Our clean energy mission is continuing to build resilient, homegrown British supply chains to boost jobs and growth while strengthening our energy security, at a time when it’s more important than ever to reduce our dependence on volatile fossil fuels.”

* The 1,000 figure reflects payments made to direct suppliers only, rather than the extended supply chain – so the actual number of UK companies benefitting from work on the project is likely to be much higher than this.

** Spend is defined by invoices paid to date within a defined geographic region. In the UK, this is England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. For the East of England, this relates to the counties closes to the Sizewell C project, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex, Bedfordshire, and  Hertfordshire.