Sizewell C forms civils alliance with three construction giants
Sizewell C is forming an alliance with three leading construction companies who will deliver the main civil works at the new power station in Suffolk.
A Programme Alliance Agreement has been signed between Sizewell C, Balfour Beatty, Laing O’Rourke and Bouygues Travaux Publics who together form the Civil Works Alliance.
The CWA brings the companies together with Sizewell C into a single delivery organisation which will be responsible for extensive areas of the project, including:
- Enabling works and earthworks
- Marine and Tunnelling Works
- Main Civils Works (Nuclear Island, Conventional Island, Heat Sink and Balance of Plant)
- Ancillary Works and Permanent Roads and Networks
The three companies joining Sizewell C are already delivering multi-billion-pound infrastructure projects in the UK and internationally.
They are all currently working at Hinkley Point C and have played a key role in relaunching nuclear construction in the UK.
As a near replica project, Sizewell C will gain from their vast experience, skills and strong delivery culture.
Nigel Cann, Joint Managing Director, Sizewell C, said: “This agreement ensures that our civils programme will be delivered by three companies with deep experience of building to the highest nuclear standards.
“Hinkley Point C has done the heroic work to restart our industry and is seeing big improvements between the construction of reactor Unit 1 and Unit 2. With our CWA partners, we will use replication and innovation to build on that progress and deliver Sizewell C more efficiently and with improved productivity.
“We are also clear that the project should help bring lasting change for the better to Suffolk. All the Alliance members will actively look to provide as many opportunities as possible for local people and businesses.”
The CWA is organised so that Sizewell C is fully embedded in the Alliance as ‘Client Participant’. It will operate a Target Outturn Cost (TOC) contract model to keep control of schedule and costs. It will also help to foster transparency, collaboration and efficiency.
Leo Quinn, Group Chief Executive, Balfour Beatty, said: “Sizewell C represents a critical investment in Britain’s energy security and net zero future. As a trusted delivery partner with a strong track record in complex nuclear infrastructure, we are proud to be bringing background knowledge and experience from Hinkley Point C to this critical national infrastructure project alongside our Alliance partners.
“The signing of the Programme Alliance Agreement further demonstrates the important role we continue to play in powering the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy.”
Jean-Philippe Trin, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Bouygues Construction, said: “Sizewell C illustrates Bouygues Construction’s commitment to supporting the development of low-carbon energy solutions, building on the extensive experience the company has gained through its involvement in major nuclear projects.”
Cathal O’Rourke, Group Chief Executive, Laing O’Rourke, said: “The experience we have gained at Hinkley will power our delivery of Sizewell C. Working with our partners, we will deliver the project securely with a laser focus on safety, quality and productivity.
“I’m proud that Laing O’Rourke is part of a partnership delivering cleaner and cheaper energy for Britain.”
Preliminary construction work at Sizewell C began in January 2024 and since then the project has achieved its early milestones on time and on budget. Sizewell C is expected to employ 7,900 people on site during peak construction and will support tens of thousands of jobs in the UK supply chain.
Earlier this month, the Government said Sizewell C would be part of a ‘golden age’ of new nuclear and confirmed £14.2bn of investment in the project over the next five years. A Final Investment Decision which will announce the private investors helping to fund the project is expected later in the summer.
