Sizewell C says the project will bring hundreds of jobs to the area and help with the switch to clean energy
Sizewell C is expected to bring 400 jobs to the area.(Image: Sizewell C)
Plans have been approved for a huge new factory in Avonmouth to build tunnels for a nuclear power station.
Work has already begun on the factory, which will be manufacturing tunnels for the nuclear plant Sizewell C in Suffolk. A spokesperson for Sizewell C say that 86 supply chain workers are currently on site, with the project promising to bring 400 jobs to the area.
The major infrastructure project will build on the legacy of its sister nuclear power station, Hinkley Point C, by producing 38,500 pre-cast concrete segments and tunnel heads for Sizewell C’s marine tunnels in Suffolk.
To minimise road congestion, the completed components will be transported over 200-miles from Avonmouth to Suffolk via rail and sea, supporting the project’s commitment to significantly reduce the need for HGVs to travel on local roads.
Sizewell C CEO Nigel Cann said: “Opening this facility and supporting hundreds of jobs at Bristol Port shows once again that Sizewell C is delivering growth and opportunities right across the UK.
“Manufacturing our pre-cast concrete components off-site and delivering them by rail and sea means the benefits will be felt in our host community too – with less construction traffic on local roads.
“It’s also another great example of how we’re using the learnings from Hinkley Point C, which has seen significant advancements through off-site prefabrication, and taking them to the next level.
“By reusing existing infrastructure and experienced teams, we can reap the benefits across safety, quality, cost, and schedule.”
Nuclear power divides opinion. For some, it is a far more eco-friendly alternative to oil. For others, nuclear power comes with safety concerns and questions around nuclear waste, which can have a half-life of hundreds, thousands, or millions of years.
However, supporters claim the project will help the environment by being part of the shift towards renewable energy.
MP for Bristol North West Darren Jones commented: “Last June, the government announced £14.2 billion investment to build the Sizewell C nuclear plant, with nuclear power to play an important role in strengthening the UK’s energy security as we transition to clean energy.
The Labour politician continued: “The investment will create thousands of jobs across the country, and I’m delighted to hear that a sizeable number of these Sizewell C skilled jobs are coming to Avonmouth in my constituency.”
Daniel Altier, CWA Marine and Tunnelling Delivery Director, added: “The CWA is committed to not only establishing a state-of-the-art factory that will manufacture the 38,500 segments required for the three tunnels, but also to train a skilled workforce, with the majority coming from the local area.
“The investment in Avonmouth further strengthens the UK’s advanced manufacturing capability while supporting the delivery of one of the country’s most important clean energy projects and providing employment opportunities across the UK.”