Work on Hinkley Point C nuclear build is boosting UK economy, EDF says

The Hinkley Point C nuclear plant construction project in the United Kingdom apparently is helping lift the local economy out of the COVID-19 shutdown doldrums, according to a new report by developer EDF Energy.

The effort to build England’s latest nuclear power reactor project could hire 1,700 workers in the next year, according to the EDF report summary. Overall, the company says, some 71,000 jobs across Britain will be supported during the construction.

The new jobs on the project will include roles in construction, welding, electrical and equipment installation and wider support roles. Investment spending in the southwest region of the nation has hit 3.2 billion Euros, twice as much as first expected.

“Hinkley Point C plays a vital role in the fight against climate change and this report shows the project is also able to create jobs and opportunity for British people and businesses,” project managing director Stuart Crooks said in a statement. “As we come out of the pandemic, we hope to safely increase the numbers working on the project and create jobs just as they are needed most. Our big investment in local education and training means we are ready to help people find work and start new careers.”

The $25 billion nuclear plant work was begun in 2015 and is hoped to be completing Unit 1 by 2025. It will be the UK’s first new nuclear generation capacity in years.

Other major suppliers and contractors involved in the Hinkley Point C build-out include Areva and GE. The units will feature two 1,630-MW pressurized water reactors from Areva.

Hinkley Point C and another nuclear reactor project, Sizewell C, were planned by British Energy about 12 years ago. EDF acquired British Energy in 2009.

Other contractors on the Hinkley Point C expansion include Wood PLC, Altrad, Balfour Beatty Bailey, Cavendish Nuclear and Doosan Babcock.