Sizewell C has appointed Kier to construct the project’s main site entrance, in a significant step towards large-scale build activity.

The contract covers the North Plaza, a 15-hectare gateway featuring bus interchanges, a deliveries hub and personnel security facilities.

Located east of Abbey Road in Leiston, the plaza will improve access to the Temporary Construction Area (TCA). It will include new roads to ease the flow of vehicles and staff, some of whom will continue to the Main Construction Area where the £38bn new nuclear power station is being developed on the Suffolk coast.

Work is scheduled to start in June, creating about 70 jobs.

Damian Leydon, Sizewell C's Site Delivery Director, 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."

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Kier, a leading infrastructure services, construction and property group, brings extensive experience of complex, large-scale schemes. Over the past six years, it has delivered £1.4bn of nuclear and energy projects across the UK.

This includes work at Sizewell C’s sister project, Hinkley Point C, via the Kier BAM joint venture (KBJV), delivering roads, ancillary buildings, a fish return system and civil security fencing.

Kier's North Plaza package sits within Sizewell C's Major Civils Framework, a substantial programme of 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."

Kier has also committed to supporting Sizewell C’s social sustainability goals, including ensuring 70% of the project’s construction value is delivered to UK companies.

At peak construction, nearly 8,000 people will work on Sizewell C. Once operational, the plant is expected to generate 3.2GW of low-carbon electricity—enough to power six million homes—and cut UK carbon emissions by around nine million tonnes annually.