A supply chain programme supporting the construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station has helped South West firms to secure £180m worth of contracts and create more than 1,000 jobs.
A new report on the six-year programme, funded by the Heart of the SW LEP, West of England Combined Authority and the Welsh Government found more than 1,300 companies in the South West and South Wales have received support to date.
The Hinkley Supply Chain Service, run by the Somerset Chamber, was originally commissioned by the Bridgwater plant’s developer EDF to help local businesses win opportunities with the project, and allowed for fully funded business support and training for eligible firms.
In addition, around 40 companies have come into Wales and the South West with the support of the supply chain project, creating more than 2,000 jobs in the process.
Sam Orchard, lead partner in the scheme’s delivery team, which also included Bristol-based chamber Business West, said: “Whilst these results don’t come as a surprise, given the steady stream of new businesses entering the South West and the boom of new job opportunities available, we want to take this opportunity to celebrate the constructive support the programme has offered. It has laid the foundations for literally millions of pounds of future contracts to land successfully.”
Andrew Cockcroft, senior stakeholder relations manager, Hinkley Point C, said: “From the outset we have worked hard to maximise opportunities for people and businesses across the South West.
“Working together with the Supply Chain Programme has enabled us to unlock the huge social and economic opportunities that the first new nuclear power station in a generation provides – building local business capability and allowing people to get better jobs and skills, in turn driving growth and prosperity across the region.”
Since March 2017 the Hinkley Supply Chain Programme has supported SME companies across the South West to access opportunities linked to the Hinkley Point C project, matching and promoting key opportunities more than 7,500 times.
Phil Smith, managing director of Business West said: “Many local companies simply wouldn’t have been able to develop the skills and knowledge needed to win contracts at Hinkley Point C and beyond, without the support of the Hinkley Supply Chain team.
“Their ability to build business cases, facilitate partnerships with local companies and create the right conditions for overseas companies to invest in South West England needs to be celebrated and applauded.”
Earlier this year, EDF announced £24m plans to offer 30,000 training courses for people to help contribute to the construction of the Hinkley Point C for the remainder of one of Europe’s largest construction projects. The start of commercial electricity generation at the site is slated for June 2027.
The French energy giant told investors in February that the plant could now cost more than £30bn to complete due to inflation, amid rising prices for building materials and labour.
Full construction of Hinkley Point C began in 2016. It was originally estimated the project would cost £18bn to build.
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