Three Construction Giants Unite for Sizewell C’s Civil Works Phase

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Sizewell C has marked a significant milestone by forming a Civil Works Alliance (CWA) with three of the industry’s leading construction firms: Balfour Beatty, Laing O’Rourke, and Bouygues Travaux Publics. The agreement, described by project leaders as essential to maintaining momentum, will steer the critical civil works phase at the new nuclear power station in Suffolk.

The Programme Alliance Agreement officially embeds these companies alongside Sizewell C in a single delivery organisation. This collaborative structure will oversee large-scale elements, including enabling works, earthworks, marine and tunnelling operations, and the main civil works covering the Nuclear Island, Conventional Island, Heat Sink, and Balance of Plant.

Such integration reflects the UK’s renewed commitment to major nuclear projects and its ambition to expand low-carbon energy capacity. The Sizewell C site, designed as a near replica of Hinkley Point C, will directly benefit from the experience and skills gained on that pioneering build.

A proven approach

Each partner in the Civil Works Alliance has played a critical role in delivering the UK’s first new nuclear plant in decades at Hinkley Point C. The knowledge gained there is already paying dividends, with construction of the second reactor unit outpacing the first by a significant margin, thanks to replication and lessons learned on-site.

Nigel Cann, Joint Managing Director at Sizewell C, noted that this approach would allow Sizewell C to drive improvements in cost control and delivery speed. The project will also operate under a Target Outturn Cost contract model, encouraging transparency and close collaboration between the alliance members to keep the schedule and budget on track.

Boosting regional jobs and supply chains during peak construction

Sizewell C’s impact will extend far beyond the Suffolk coastline. At peak construction, the project expects to employ nearly 7,900 workers on-site and support tens of thousands more roles across the UK supply chain. All alliance members have stated their intention to maximise opportunities for local businesses and workers in Suffolk.

Preliminary works began in January 2024, with early milestones delivered on time and within budget. This consistent progress underlines the project’s pivotal role in what the government recently called a ‘golden age’ of new nuclear construction. The investment of £14.2 billion announced for the next five years underscores the importance of this project for the country’s energy resilience and carbon reduction goals.

A critical phase for Britain’s net-zero ambitions

For the firms involved, this alliance demonstrates a shared commitment to secure, low-carbon energy. Leo Quinn, Group Chief Executive at Balfour Beatty, described Sizewell C as a cornerstone for Britain’s energy security and net-zero ambitions. Leaders at Bouygues Travaux Publics and Laing O’Rourke echoed these views, highlighting the value of carrying forward Hinkley’s best practices into the next generation of British nuclear infrastructure.

A final investment decision to confirm the private backers supporting Sizewell C is expected later this summer, paving the way for this critical phase to accelerate. As Britain pushes to decarbonise and strengthen its energy independence, Sizewell C’s progress shows how collaboration, replication, and innovation are shaping the country’s energy future.

Sources:

• Sizewell C Official News