Kier has been awarded a contract to construct the main site entrance for the Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk, marking a key milestone ahead of major construction activity on the project.
The contractor will deliver the North Plaza, a 15-hectare infrastructure hub that will serve as the primary gateway to the Temporary Construction Area (TCA).
The development will include bus interchanges, a deliveries hub, personnel security facilities, and new internal road layouts designed to manage traffic flows for both workers and freight entering the site.
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Located east of Abbey Road in Leiston, the North Plaza will act as a controlled access point for construction logistics, with vehicles and personnel moving through to the wider site where the £38bn nuclear power station is being built.
Works are scheduled to begin in June and are expected to create around 70 jobs during the construction phase.
Sizewell C says entrance hub is critical to site operations
Damian Leydon, Site Delivery Director at Sizewell C, said: “The North Plaza is a key piece of infrastructure. It will serve as the secure entry point for trucks bringing materials to site and the entrance through which our workforce will pass after travelling in via our two park and ride facilities off the A12.
“Kier has a proven track record in supporting the UK’s nuclear sector. Together, with the support of the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and local suppliers, we’ll ensure this vital element of the project is delivered as safely and efficiently as possible, while creating meaningful opportunities for local businesses and people.”
Kier, an infrastructure, construction and property group, has delivered a number of major energy and nuclear projects in recent years, including works at Hinkley Point C through the Kier BAM joint venture (KBJV).
These have included roads, ancillary buildings, a fish return system, and civil security fencing.
The North Plaza contract forms part of Sizewell C’s Major Civils Framework, which will deliver a range of enabling and infrastructure works over the coming years.
Craig Small, Managing Director of Nuclear & Energy for Kier Infrastructure, said: “We understand the importance of delivering nuclear energy in the UK, and with our longstanding experience in this sector we are ideally placed to support the development of this vital project at Sizewell.
“Drawing on our work at Hinkley Point C, we will apply our extensive knowledge to deliver these works, with safety and efficiency at the forefront, and creating long-term social and economic impact.”
Sizewell C supply chain targets and long-term output
Sizewell C has also set out wider supply chain and social value commitments, including a target for 70% of construction value to be delivered through UK companies.
At peak construction, the project is expected to support around 8,000 workers. Once operational, Sizewell C is expected to generate 3.2GW of low-carbon electricity, enough to power around six million homes, and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated nine million tonnes annually.
The development forms part of the UK Government’s £725bn 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy.
