Progress Update January 2025
Welcome to Sizewell C’s first progress update.
In this update we outline the progress made since the project received its Development Consent Order (DCO) one year ago.
Highlights include:
• Sizewell C is on time and on budget
• Development is demonstrating the game-changing benefits of replicating Hinkley Point C’s reactor design, with £1bn of cost savings identified so far through innovation and replication
• Contracts worth £2.5bn have already been agreed with 290 suppliers across the UK
• 1,000 people are now employed on site, with a 60% female executive team
• Apprenticeship recruitment has been 50% female since the programme began in 2021; and the workforce is currently over 40% female
• Sizewell C will eventually support over 70,000 jobs across the UK, and over 70% of the construction spend will go to UK companies.
• The project will create over £100bn of value for the UK over the lifetime of the project. Scan the QR code to watch our 2024 end of year progress film
We ended 2024
ON TIME ✓ ON BUDGET ✓
About Us
SIZEWELL C WILL BE UK-EPR UNITS 3 AND 4
BUILDING ON LESSONS FROM HINKLEY POINT C UNITS 1+2
Sizewell C will be a UK-first: a replica of an existing new nuclear power station, which is already in construction.
Buildings shown green on the picture will copy the UK approved design of HPC showcasing the benefits of replication.
Sizewell C has started
Sizewell provides continuity in nuclear skills and capability to bridge to further GW, SMR and AMR technologies
started
approval
design
August 2007 (UK EPR)
5.3 years ending Dec 2012
Based on UK EPR at HPC
Some vendors progressing
vendors completed
final designs
SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN COMPANY MATURITY
NEW BOARD APPOINTMENTS MADE
✓ Transitioned from EDF unit to standalone business
✓ Key operations outlined in Enterprise Strategy
✓ Centralised ‘Transformation’ framework launched
✓ Corporate Readiness workstream in progress
✓ Five working groups driving changes
✓ SZC Executive now 60% female SZC EXECUTIVE 60% FEMALE
“Sizewell C is likely the best prepared nuclear project in modern nuclear history. The Sizewell C project has high chances of avoiding pitfalls that led to a significant schedule and cost overruns on many nuclear projects, including those with EPR reactor models.”
due diligence report prepared for HSBC
GROWTH
WHY SIZEWELL C?
Why Sizewell C
READY
✓ Reliable, secure electricity to support the UK’s decarbonisation digital future, underpinning growth
✓ >70,000 jobs and 1500 apprentices, with up to 40,000 in this Parliament
✓ £11bn in tax receipts with £3-4bn in this Parliament
✓ Lowers bills vs the alternative
✓ £31bn GVA - £9bn for the East of England - £2.5bn invested in North of England
OPPORTUNITY
✓ Approved replica design – the first time a nuclear replica has been built in UK history
✓ Manufacturing and site work well underway with supply chain in place
✓ Consenting complete - representing a decade of work
✓ Very mature cost estimate
✓ An investable, major UK-owned infrastructure project
✓ Once in a generation opportunity to transform lives in the East of England
✓ Supports the future development of further UK new nuclear projects including SMRs
✓ A template for other UK large infrastructure projects, taking a progressive approach to delivery
✓ Sovereign and secure energy for the UK, not reliant on undersea cabling
✓ Delivered by experienced British team with nuclear construction and operation experience
Project Timeline
SIZEWELL C IS ON TRACK FOR A FINAL INVESTMENT DECISION IN 2025
10 years of project development including 75,000 page environmental impact assessment
Multiple rounds of consultation
Development of the detailed HPC design
ONR agreements
Community engagement
Development Consent Order (DCO) Submitted.
Final Investment Decision (FID). 2020
July 2022
DCO Approved.
September 2022
Start of Early Works.
January 2024
Post FID: 10-12 years Construction Phase November
DCO triggered unlocking community funding and commencing initial works
Operational Phase
60 years, with the opportunity to extend.
15-20 years
Government Investment Decision (GID).
Highlights
OUR 2024 HIGHLIGHTS
THE PROJECT HAS ACHIEVED MAJOR MILESTONES THIS YEAR
OUR 2025 PRIORITIES
WE HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF 2025 PRIORITIES
A FINAL INVESTMENT DECISION BY THE SUMMER IS ESSENTIAL FOR 2025
Delivering Growth
SUPPORTING THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIORITIES
SIZEWELL C IS ALREADY HELPING TO DELIVERING THE GOVERNMENT’S MISSIONS
✓ £31bn GVA - £9bn for the East of England
£2.5bn invested in North of England
CREATING A NEW BRITISH NUCLEAR COMPANY
£100bn GVA over the project lifetime
£2.5bn
CONTRACT VALUE SO FAR WITH UK SUPPLIERS
290
ACTIVE UK SUPPLIERS TO SIZEWELL C
SIZEWELL C HAS CREATED A NEW UK- HEADQUARTERED AND UKOWNED NUCLEAR COMPANY
New National HQ in London (March) Northern Hub in Manchester (May)
BUILDING A POWER STATION AND A SUPPLY CHAIN CONSORTIUM WITH UK COMPANIES
70% of content to be awarded to UK suppliers
CREATING A NEW UK NUCLEAR POWER STATION OPERATOR TO RUN SIZEWELL C
Beyond construction, creating a new operator for nuclear power stations –the first time this has been done since the CEGB
TRADE UNION AGREEMENTS IN PLACE
Trade union agreements in place
AGREEMENTS WITH GMB, PROSPECT AND UNITE SIGNED IN APRIL 2024
• Agreements to provide ‘best in class’ employment conditions for the thousands of construction workers
• Signed between Sizewell C, Tier 1 contractors, and GMB and Unite trades unions.
• Set out how Sizewell C will promote a strong safety culture while providing workers with the highest possible standards of health, safety and welfare services, including mental health services.
• The agreements are based on the successful Solidarity agreements which already underpin industrial relations at Sizewell’s sister project Hinkley Point C
WORKFORCE FORECAST
SZC Onsite Workforce Forecast
Sizewell C, now primarily owned by the UK Government, is reshoring operations and rebuilding the UK's nuclear skills. This effort benefits the entire nuclear programme.
Progress
MAIN SITE DEVELOPMENT IS WELL UNDERWAY
✓ DCO triggered in January 2024 enabling the commencement of construction activity on site and investment into the local community.
✓ Nuclear Site Licence granted recognising SZC as a nuclear licensee with GenCo responsible for discharging responsibilities
✓ Complex underground engineering work commenced to establish the foundations for the two EPR reactors.
✓ Logistics hub under construction in Ipswich
✓ 1000 people on site
OFF SITE ACTIVITY
ORWELL LOGISTICS PARK
SOUTHERN PARK AND RIDE
LARGE STEEL FORGED PARTS
WORK ON LONG LEAD TIME ITEMS IS WELL UNDERWAY WITH MAJOR EFFICIENCY GAINS
✓ 100% OF UNIT 1 FORGINGS ALREADY POURED
SZC HAS ACHIEVED IN 3 YEARS WHAT
TOOK 8 AT HPC
✓ 50% reduction in quality non-conformances for SZC.
✓ SZC benefits from continuation of work from HPC
✓ £35-40m saving on SZC’s overhead.
✓ £150m risk of quality issues without continuity.
✓ £185-190m total saving due to HPC continuation.
✓ 16% N4S saving compared to HPC.
✓ £500m saving from reduced engineering activities
✓ £1bn of cost savings identified so far through innovation and replication
INNOVATING IN DELIVERY
WE ARE BUILDING ON LEARNINGS FROM HPC AND TRYING NEW APPROACHES
60% OF SZC REBAR WILL BE PREFAB VS. 20% AT HPC
LAVA LABS TO SUPPORT RAPID PROBLEM SOLVING
HUB AND SPOKE ACCOMMODATION CAMPUS
GROUND FREEZING TRIALS
Using pre-fabricated steel rebar which can welded in factories saves time and reduces cost
Interactive labs with live link to SZC sites and offices, to problem-solve in real time
Innovative accommodation campus approach which reflects the local area and limits impact on local community
We are trialling creating a frozen barrier around areas of construction, to avoid the use of concrete boreholes and save approximately six months in schedule
HYDROGEN BUSES FOR CONSTRUCTION
UK-FIRST EXPLORING DIRECT AIR CAPTURE
Working with Wrightbus in Northern Ireland we will be using one of Britain’s biggest hydrogen bus fleets to transport workers to sites
We’re working with ABP in Lowestoft to explore Direct Air Capture, a first in the UK
Procurement
Procurement
CURRENT UNIT 1 PROCUREMENT STATUS
WORK ON LONG LEAD TIME ITEMS IS WELL UNDERWAY WITH MAJOR EFFICIENCY GAINS
Community
STRONG SUPPORT IN SUFFOLK FOR SIZEWELL C
Polling shows that most people in East Suffolk want Sizewell C to go ahead
When respondents were asked to what extent they supported or opposed plans to build a new nuclear power station at Sizewell C, 61% said they were in support.
Jobs and opportunities and energy independence were also key benefits
When asked what benefits, if any, Sizewell C would bring to the local community and to Britain, most respondents said jobs and training.
Nuclear is critical to achieving Net Zero emissions
The vast majority of respondents agreed that “achieving Net Zero emissions will require an energy mix primarily made up of nuclear and renewables such as wind power,"
Polling by ICM shows that the majority of people in East Suffolk want Sizewell C to go ahead whilst a large local majority say nuclear is needed as part of the energy mix (70%) and that it could help Britain become more self-sufficient (70%).
Most calls to SZC Community Relations team are enquiries about job opportunities, not complaints
1759 enquiries YTD – 41% of enquires are of a positive sentiment (with 41% neutral and 18% negative).
• 136 enquiries this month – 37% of enquires are of a positive sentiment (with 51% neutral and 12% negative).
• Complaints have focused on vegetation clearance at Lover’s Lane and Yoxford.
Positive enquiries focused on jobs, accommodation and general project information.
• All enquiries answered within an average of 2 working days.
RAISING ASPIRATIONS IN EAST SUFFOLK
POOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT LIMITED CHILDCARE BELOW AVG. WAGES
NEW COLLEGE ON THE COAST TO BE BUILT
YOUNG SIZEWELL C PROGRAMME ACTIVE
SIZEWELL C SCHOOL COUNCIL ESTABLISHED
EVIDENCE FROM HINKLEY POINT C
25% 10% GROWTH IN YOUNGER PEOPLE LIVING IN BRIDGWATER
• The Awards Panel met to determine the first grant applications in September
• 15 applications were assessed / scored and discussed by the panel
• £309,843 was awarded in Round 1
• Round 2 closed on 6th October with applicants contacted in January with decisions
• Round 3 will close 19th January with applicants contacted in April with decisions
• The team will be working with small organisations in the Leiston area over the next few months to ensure these are supported to apply for a grant.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
WE HAVE REGULARLY ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT 2024
In 2024
✓14 community forums, reaching over 500 people
✓63 bespoke Town and Parish Council engagements (vs 34 in 2023)
✓10 community road improvements working groups
✓7 Sizewell Village residents' events
We started Sizewell Creative to grow our community’s unique and thriving arts, literature and music scenes, while inspiring the next generation.
Thank You
Progress Update
January 2025