New figures show Hinkley Point C is driving growth across Britain and boosting the South West’s economy
The Hinkley Point C 2025 Socio-Economic Report shows:
- 26,000 workers across Britain are now helping to build the new power station as it hits peak construction, with numbers expected to rise
- Over 14,000 people have already been trained in the project’s new Centres of Excellence, giving them new skills and better jobs
- 35% of the workforce are from Britain’s most deprived areas
- 1,500 apprentices trained so far with 70% from the South West
- British supply chain of over 4,000 businesses is ready to support the next new nuclear project at Sizewell C and future SMR projects
- £5.3bn spent with South West suppliers, driving growth in the region
- £17m of grants have been awarded to local community projects
As the construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station hits a new peak, the project’s latest Socio-Economic Report reveals how its immense scale is helping drive growth and productivity across Britain, whilst giving the South West economy long term benefits. The full report and case studies can be read here.
The number of people working directly for the project in Britain is currently 18,000. Around 12,000 are working on the site itself, with 3,000 more expected in the next 12 months. With the fit-out phase accelerating, an additional 8,000 people are supporting the project as part of the supply chain, including factories in Bristol, Somerset, Wales and right across the country.
This British supply chain of over 4,000 businesses now has the experience, skills and people to work on the next new nuclear projects at Sizewell C and future SMRs, as well as the other infrastructure and energy projects needed to drive growth in Britain. Case studies in the report show that businesses are growing their capability and workforce, helping them win new work beyond Hinkley Point C.
The advantage of hosting Britain's first new nuclear project has helped the South West region position itself as a leading centre of nuclear and engineering skills, with around 3,500 nuclear jobs in Bristol alone and a new nuclear centre opening at Aztec West later this year.
Locally, the town of Bridgwater is seeing productivity levels 10% higher than surrounding towns whilst the district around Hinkley Point C has seeing an increase in the number of medium-sized companies that is ten-times higher than the South West region.
Stuart Crooks, Hinkley Point C’s Managing Director said:
Our huge scale gives us the opportunity to be a force for good and a catalyst for change. We’re driving growth across Britain and in our region by giving thousands of people new skills and helping businesses to expand. The work to establish a supply chain and develop new skills means Britain is ready for our next nuclear projects like Sizewell C and future small modular reactors, as well as other critical infrastructure.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:
This report demonstrates how our mission to become a clean energy superpower will grow the economy and create thousands of jobs. Clean, homegrown nuclear power plays an important role in revitalising our regional communities, with Hinkley Point C providing opportunities for local young people and backing businesses in the South West.
That’s why we are pushing ahead with new nuclear across the country so more communities can reap the benefits – including Sizewell C in Suffolk and Great British Nuclear’s small modular reactor competition.
Matt Tudor, Vice Principle of Strategy and Partnerships at Bridgwater & Taunton College said:
The collaboration with Hinkley Point C has made Bridgwater & Taunton College a leader in nuclear education and training and provided the local community with an economic boost through job creation and skill development. Most importantly, it has positioned the South West as a leading centre for nuclear and engineering excellence, ensuring long-tern skills development in the region.
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Berry & Escott - Bridgwater, Somerset
Berry & Escott Engineering is a precision engineering firm which secured a major contract at Hinkley Point C to design training equipment to support the operational power station. This includes a “flow loop simulator”- a replica of key systems found across the site, including tanks, pipework and pumps. As a result, the company has more than doubled in size, going from 28 to 57 staff and is now looking for larger premises in Bridgwater.
Lee Berry, Director at Berry and Escott said:
We’re tremendously proud to have achieved Tier One status for professional services on Europe’s largest construction site. These contracts and the engineering spotlight on Somerset have given us the confidence to invest in our team, equipment and technology. We are hopeful our ever-growing team of apprentices will embrace the opportunity of a career pathway and legacy we offer. It’s incredible that the next generation of British nuclear engineers are honing their skills on equipment we’ve designed and commissioned, here in Bridgwater
Somerset Larder – Bridgwater, Somerset
Somerset Larder was founded in 2014, when local food producers decided to work together to cater for Hinkley Point C’s workforce, and since then 78% of the company’s £63.5m spend has stayed in the South West. It uses local ingredients with produce such as meat and milk coming from over 60 regional farms and suppliers. In 2024, the company served up half a million bacon butties and 42 tonnes of locally sourced sausages - which is enough to stretch from the construction site to Swindon.
M & J Pyne’s Butchers, in North Petherton, provides locally sourced meat to the project and its contract has been worth more than £6m so far. In 2024, the company supplied Hinkley Point C with 45,000 handmade burgers – which is almost one for every person in Bridgwater.
Malcolm Pyne, owner of M & J Pyne butchers said:
The impact and benefits to the business, and all those who work alongside us have been monumental. It's truly 100% positive. I've been on this journey since the very start and have been lucky enough to adapt and apply my trade in ways I never thought possible. I always say, “the road you start on, is never the same one you finish on”, but it's been one truly incredible road so far, and it's not over yet
Turnbull – Nailsea, North Somerset
Turnbull is a lifecycle construction and operations business set up because of the Hinkley Point C project. It provides civil engineering design, build and maintenance across the site with a specialism in water management and utility services. The contract has since experienced significant growth, with an initial team of just 8 expanding to more than 230 employees based at the construction site and the regional office. The business is also training 11 apprentices on site at Hinkley Point C.
James Dryden, Managing Director at Turnbull said:
I am incredibly proud of the success Turnbull has achieved at Hinkley Point C. Our integration of local supply chains has delivered real benefits for the project and the community. Through these partnerships, Turnbull has supported initiatives such as sponsoring a Bridgwater-based football club, donating to foodbanks, and organising beach clean-ups.
As Turnbull grows alongside the nuclear industry, we set our sights firmly on Sizewell C, where we aim to replicate our existing success in the South West, by continuing to collaborate with local suppliers, creating jobs, and investing in communities. We are proud to support Britain’s Net Zero ambitions.
Letty Smith - Project Controls Degree Apprentice
19-year-old Letty from Wedmore chose to bypass the traditional route of sixth form and university, driven by a desire to start earning as soon as possible after school. Letty discovered an apprenticeship opportunity at Hinkley Point C through the government website.
Being local, I’d known about Hinkley since the beginning, and I could see it developing from the bottom of my road. By the time I finish my apprenticeship, I’ll have my degree and six years of experience behind me, and I won’t have any student debt. Crucially I’m pretty much guaranteed a job at the end of my apprenticeship with endless possibilities.
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