With Government commitment now clear, following the recent investment of £700m from the autumn statement, Sizewell C accelerates towards commencing work. As part of EDF’s commitments on this project, it has partnered with Suffolk Chamber of Commerce to deliver the local and regional supply chain engagement programme.

Sizewell C, through the Sizewell C Consortium, has outlined potential supply chain spend to be in the region of £4.4bn across the East.

This opportunity for investment in businesses, alongside the commitments to skills, apprenticeships, diversity and legacy, gives the East a real platform to grow and prosper. Now though, it is critical that businesses step forward and play their part in this critical national infrastructure project.

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce operates and manages the supply chain portal for all local and regional businesses who wish to be part of Sizewell C – you can check it out at www.sizewellcsupplychain.co.uk

This is the central portal for all information related to the supply chain and is completely free to sign up. It is exclusively for businesses that are based in the six counties of the region: Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, and is the place for updates and information on the project, including events and the support programmes that will be offered by the Chamber.

Once the project starts and procurement begins in earnest, all available opportunities will be live on the “Compete For” website (www.competefor.com), with a dedicated page for the Sizewell C project on this nationally-recognised platform.

The Chamber of Commerce assist in the managing of this portal as well, and will ensure that all local and regional businesses are made aware of the opportunities that are relevant and available as they become so.

Eastern Daily Press: Suffolk Chamber of Commerce is working with EDF to deliver the local and regional supply chain engagement programme, which includes events and an online portal Pictures: Nicky West Photography / BurchMediaSuffolk Chamber of Commerce is working with EDF to deliver the local and regional supply chain engagement programme, which includes events and an online portal Pictures: Nicky West Photography / BurchMedia (Image: Nicky West Photography/Burch Media)

The critical activity all businesses can take is to sign up. You will receive monthly newsletters outlining any work underway, opportunities ahead and support avenues available to you.

“When we say all businesses, we mean all,” says Ashley Shorey-Mills, head of Sizewell C supply chain engagement. “Sizewell C is not just about nuclear, in fact around 80% of the project is ‘non-nuclear’, with a heavy focus on construction and service industries.

“From building roads and rail infrastructure, to feeding a peak on-site work force of 8,000 people every day, every type of business will be required, both to support the project directly, but also to indirectly benefit from what Sizewell C will bring to our region through opportunities supporting those working on the project. This really is a once in a generation opportunity for this region.

“Our focus in the Sizewell C supply chain team, is to help businesses from across the wider region to upskill, adapt and improve to meet the needs of Sizewell C and the opportunities that the energy sector will bring to our part of the country.”

Sizewell C supply chain can be found on stand 63 at SNS23 and would welcome the chance to discuss how it can support you.