Sizewell C

Sizewell C is a new 3.2-gigawatt nuclear power station proposed to be built on the east coast of England, one of the first of a new generation of new nuclear plants that could play a major role in decarbonising the UK’s energy.

Once complete, Sizewell C will generate enough low-carbon electricity to supply six million homes; replacing fossil fuel power to avoid nearly nine million tonnes of carbon emissions each year and supporting the UK Government's commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2030. 

During its construction, it is expected that Sizewell C will contribute up to £4 billion to the regional economy and support 70,000 jobs in total, including 1,500 apprenticeship positions and 800 full-time, locally based staff, during the 60-year operational lifetime of the facility. 

Building on our experience as a key delivery partner for EDF Energy's existing nuclear fleet and Hinkley Point C in Somerset, we have been supporting Sizewell C since 2014.

Our role

Our involvement on site has included determining the optimal layout and sequence of construction on site. Not only was this to ensure safety and improve efficiency, but also to minimise the impact on the surrounding villages.

In 2019, our teams began the enabling works of Sizewell C, to help prepare the main development site for the main civil works and marine works construction. We looked at the schedule and how we could minimise the impact of work on surrounding villages. We also explored what cost-effective construction techniques could be undertaken as we planned the optimal layout and sequence of construction for efficiency and safety, relying on innovative design solutions.

In 2023, we were awarded a contract with Sizewell C to design elements of the main nuclear power station site as part of its ongoing multi-disciplinary service agreement (MSA) with the project. The design work spans the Conventional Island, Balance of Plant and Heat Sink of the proposed new power station, as well as concept design for permanent roads and networks that will support the construction and long-term operation of the site, including upgrades to the Sizewell Branch Line and the development of the new Green Rail Route that will be used to bring workers and materials to the site.

In addition, we have helped to identify ways to maximise replication from Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, supporting EDF in reducing construction costs and speeding up the construction process. You can read about our digital design engineering in more depth in the case study: Ensuring Efficient and High-Quality Design at Sizewell C Enabling Works.

Along with other organisations across the Sizewell C Consortium, we look forward to continuing our work with EDF to progress Sizewell C and help ensure it plays a vital role in providing clean, reliable energy in the UK’s future energy mix.

Services provided

Our services to EDF in the UK have crossed a number of disciplines, with the engineering team covering the likes of:

• Transportation – logistics, bridge design and rail design.
• Civil engineering, design and analysis – environmental, Tekla.
• Structural engineering.
• Multi-disciplinary building services – architecture, Revit, 4D modelling,.
• Mechanical, electrical, plumbing – PDMS.
• EC&I - HV/AC, BMS, SCADA

Our role has also included quality and information management, design assurance, requirements management, procurement, estimating, schedule integration, risk management and analysis, cost management, supply chain management and project controls.

Project scope

• Associated developments – road, rail, campus, freight management, adoptable highways, reinstatement.
• Advanced works – ground investigation, ecology, archaeology, desalination plant, utilities.
• Site establishment – networks, water, retaining wall, temporary buildings, fencing, site roads and rail.
• Enabling works – bridge over the SSI, ground engineering (cut off wall, dewatering, ground improvement, tunnel access shaft), maritime (sea defence, mass bulk import facility, beach landing facility).
• Earthworks – borrow pit, bulk excavation, back fill, stockpile management, landscaping, transportation, treatment.
• Marine and tunnelling – tunnels, marine works, PC heads.
• Main civils – nuclear island, conventional island, heat sink, balance of plant, galleries, development areas, roads and networks in MCA, CRF pipes
• Sitewide support – bulk materials and products, equipment supply services, logistics and freight management, accommodation and bussing, site infrastructure and facilities, security, common assets.

Key benefits

• Sizewell C will generate enough low-carbon electricity to supply six million homes and generate electricity for 60 years.
• 3.2-gigawatt nuclear power station; an essential source for the UK’s Net Zero energy system.
• By replacing fossil-fuel power, it will avoid around nine million tonnes of carbon emissions each year.* (*compared to a gas-fired power station).
• The project will support 70,000 jobs across the UK and rely on over 3,000 UK-based suppliers.
• It will create thousands of local jobs and contribute around £4 billion to the regional economy.