Balfour Beatty, in collaboration with Laing O’Rourke and Bouygues Travaux Publics, has entered into a Programme Alliance Agreement with Sizewell C to deliver the main civil works for the new nuclear power station in Suffolk.
This alliance, known as the Civil Works Alliance (CWA), will undertake comprehensive responsibilities, including enabling works, marine and tunnelling operations, main civil construction, and ancillary infrastructure.
The formation of the CWA leverages the collective experience of the three firms, all of which are currently engaged in the Hinkley Point C project, to enhance delivery efficiency and maintain high nuclear construction standards.
Sizewell C - Project Details
Sizewell C is a proposed nuclear power station located on the Suffolk coast in the United Kingdom, adjacent to the existing Sizewell B facility. Once operational, it will generate around 3.2 gigawatts (GW) of electricity — enough to supply six million homes — and will contribute significantly to the UK’s low-carbon energy goals.
The project is being developed by Sizewell C Ltd, a joint venture led by EDF Energy (the UK subsidiary of Électricité de France) alongside the UK Government, which now holds a 16.2% ownership stake. Efforts to bring in private and international investors are ongoing.
Designed as a near replica of Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C will use the same EPR (European Pressurised Reactor) technology. This replication strategy is expected to improve delivery efficiency and reduce design and construction risks.
Development consent has been granted, and enabling works are already underway (see video below for further details). These include land preparation, transport upgrades, and environmental mitigation. The main civil construction will be delivered by the newly formed Civil Works Alliance, consisting of Balfour Beatty, Laing O’Rourke, and Bouygues Travaux Publics.
Earlier this month, the UK Government confirmed £14.2 billion in investment over the next five years and described Sizewell C as part of a forthcoming “golden age” for nuclear development. A Final Investment Decision — which will name the private investors contributing to the project’s funding — is expected later in the summer. Once built, the station will provide reliable, low-emissions baseload generation, reinforcing the UK’s energy security and supporting long-term net-zero targets.
Civil Works Alliance (CWA) - Contract Details
The Civil Works Alliance (CWA) is a delivery partnership between Balfour Beatty, Laing O’Rourke, and Bouygues Travaux Publics, formed to deliver the main civil works for Sizewell C. Operating under a Programme Alliance Agreement (PAA), this collaborative model promotes joint accountability, early engagement, and aligned project objectives between the client, Sizewell C Ltd, and its delivery partners.
The alliance will deliver key civil infrastructure, including:
Enabling works and earthworks
Tunnelling and marine structures
Construction of the nuclear island and associated buildings
Permanent access roads, drainage, and site infrastructure
Whilst details have not been disclosed, typically alliance contracts are based on a Target Outturn Cost (TOC) model, which sets a shared cost target and includes incentive mechanisms to drive efficiency, manage risk, and improve schedule certainty. This model allows for greater integration and flexibility compared to traditional design-and-construct or EPC approaches.
All three CWA partners bring direct experience from the Hinkley Point C project. Their involvement is expected to ensure replication of proven methods, improved productivity, and reduced delivery risk for Sizewell C.
Project Impacts and Leadership Comments
The Sizewell C project is anticipated to have a significant impact on the UK’s construction and energy sectors. At peak construction, the site is expected to employ approximately 7,900 workers, with tens of thousands of additional jobs supported across the UK supply chain. This substantial workforce engagement reflects the project’s scale and its importance to national infrastructure development.
Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive, stated:
“Sizewell C represents a critical investment in Britain’s energy security and net zero future. As a trusted delivery partner with a strong track record in complex nuclear infrastructure, we are proud to be bringing background knowledge and experience from Hinkley Point C to this critical national infrastructure project alongside our alliance partners.”
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