UK nuclear construction enters a new era with ambitious build programme
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The United Kingdom is poised to enter one of its most significant periods of civil engineering expansion in decades as the government pushes forward with plans to revitalise the country’s nuclear power infrastructure. Speaking at the Nuclear Industry Association’s 2025 conference, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband declared that the UK’s ambitions for nuclear are only just beginning, outlining a vision that places nuclear construction at the centre of a long-term energy and industrial strategy.
From Somerset to Suffolk, and soon across multiple new sites, the scale and ambition of the programme signals not just an energy policy shift but a major revival in the nuclear civil engineering sector. The work includes gigawatt-scale projects like Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, as well as the rollout of small modular reactors (SMRs) and future advanced modular reactors (AMRs), which together promise to add more capacity to the grid than all UK nuclear builds over the past 50 years combined.
Building at scale across the country
Central to this new wave of construction is the government’s commitment to nuclear as a reliable source of clean, low-carbon energy that can provide a secure baseload for the national grid. While the renewable sector continues to expand, nuclear is viewed as a necessary complement, particularly as older facilities are gradually retired.
The civil engineering challenge is immense. Hinkley Point C, currently under construction, is the largest infrastructure project in Europe and will eventually supply electricity to around six million homes. Sizewell C, modelled on the same design, is set to follow closely behind. Both sites are expected to benefit from economies of scale and repetition, with lessons learned on Unit 1 of Hinkley already improving productivity by up to 30 percent on Unit 2.
Alongside these large builds, the government is backing a new SMR programme led by Rolls-Royce. The approach is different to traditional nuclear construction: SMRs rely on modular design, allowing parts of the plant to be manufactured off-site and assembled more rapidly. This method mirrors best practice in modern manufacturing and aerospace, which Rolls-Royce aims to replicate in the civil engineering and energy space.
SMRs could be deployed at sites previously considered unsuitable for large-scale reactors, with the government now reviewing planning rules to widen the pool of potential locations. A newly established body, Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N), has been tasked with identifying these sites and assessing privately funded proposals. It is expected to report back in 2026.
Civil engineering opportunities and supply chain growth
The economic impact of this new nuclear push extends far beyond individual construction sites. Nuclear projects of this scale demand thousands of components, materials and skilled labour from across the country. Hinkley Point C alone has drawn on the expertise of more than 4,600 UK-based firms. From steel production in South Wales to welding in Hull and uranium enrichment in Cheshire, the sector reaches deep into Britain’s industrial base.
Ed Miliband told delegates the government is backing ambitious domestic content targets for major projects. Hinkley has already exceeded its initial targets, and future builds will be expected to do the same. Skills investment, particularly in engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships, is also being prioritised through the Nuclear Skills Plan.
Simon Bowen, Chair of GBE-N, highlighted the importance of developing a mature, scalable supply chain if the country is to sustain a programme of continuous nuclear build. The shift toward modular and repeatable construction methods will help firms specialise, scale up, and export expertise internationally as demand for SMRs and modern nuclear technology grows globally.
Addressing the complexities
Yet the ambitions are not without risks. Nuclear construction has long been associated with cost overruns, delays, and high financial barriers to entry. The government hopes that modular technology will reduce site complexity, shorten construction timelines, and bring greater certainty to capital delivery. The introduction of a framework for privately funded nuclear projects aims to attract investment by offering early endorsements for credible proposals.
Recent recommendations from the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce, led by John Fingleton, are also being implemented. These include reforms to streamline regulation while maintaining safety and environmental protection. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will publish its full implementation plan in early 2026.
Financing remains another key issue. Hinkley Point C, backed by EDF and largely funded by the French state, was only viable due to public guarantees. Sizewell C, as a near replica, has been able to attract more private investment due to lower construction risk and the proven track record from Hinkley. Replication is becoming central to the government’s strategy, allowing predictable outcomes and increased investor confidence.
Towards a steady pipeline of projects
The long-term goal, as described by senior industry figures, is to move beyond episodic, one-off projects and establish a steady pipeline of nuclear construction across the country. This would enable strategic planning, continuous employment, and more efficient use of public and private capital.
It also offers the UK a chance to lead internationally. If the British supply chain, regulatory framework and modular approach prove successful, there is potential to export nuclear technology, skills and expertise to other countries embarking on their own net-zero transitions.
EDF UK’s Chair, Alex Chisholm, called it a whole-of-nation endeavour. He urged stakeholders to think beyond single sites and consider the national impact — from factories producing specialised equipment to colleges training the next generation of nuclear engineers. Julia Pyke, Managing Director of Sizewell C, agreed, stating that replication and fleet-building are essential to lowering costs and reducing risk.
The message from government and industry is clear: the future of British nuclear energy is not only about decarbonisation but about jobs, skills, exports and long-term industrial capacity. And for the civil engineering sector, it represents an unprecedented opportunity to shape the country’s energy landscape well into the next century.
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