Hinkley Point C has published its 2022 Socio-Economic Impact Report.
The report shows that:
- The opportunities provided by Hinkley Point C are playing an important role in improving social mobility in the South West – making a difference to people who need support.
- The project has trained 922 apprentices and is on track to hit its target of hiring 1,000 apprentices during construction later this year.
- £4.1 billion has been spent directly with companies in the South West so far.
- The local area is directly benefitting from Hinkley Point C’s investment and the town of
- Bridgwater is now outperforming major regional cities in terms of productivity.
- The District of Sedgemoor is seeing the largest growth in household income of any area in Devon and Somerset – above the regional average and above cities like Exeter and Plymouth.
- 1,400 companies in the South West are now involved in building Hinkley Point C, with 14,000 jobs expected to be supported throughout the project.
Alongside the publication of the report, Hinkley Point C has opened a new welding Centre of Excellence, one of three new training centres to support the Hinkley Point C project in Somerset.
Together with existing facilities and investment into education and skills, the centres will be ready to help local people join the 4,000 workers needed for the next phase of the power station’s construction. The project has invested £8 million into the three new facilities, in partnership with the college. The Welding Centre will train and qualify 500 welders a year, benefiting local people and meeting skills shortages in the South-West and across Britain.
Many trainees live in the surrounding area and will take advantage of the 4,000 jobs being created for Hinkley Point C’s next phase, which will see miles of pipes and electrical cables being fitted across the power station.
The welding facility is the latest Centre of Excellence to be opened in support of the Hinkley Point C project, which has now invested a total of £24 million into education, skills, and employment support. It joins the Electrical Centre of Excellence in Bridgwater and the Construction Skills and Innovation Centre, in Cannington. A Mechanical Centre of Excellence is also due to open in Cannington this summer, and will train students in techniques including pipefitting, steel erection and plating. Together they will support the next phase of the project, as electrical systems and major components begin to be installed.
The centres will provide new routes to people who are looking to start a career in construction, regardless of their background or skill set. New training courses have been launched, including the government’s Bootcamp scheme, T-level work experience placements and supported traineeships.
Hinkley Point C’s Managing Director, Stuart Crooks said: “The energy crisis has shown the need for Hinkley Point C’s reliable, low-carbon electricity is more urgent than ever. This report shows the project is also delivering big social and economic benefits in the communities that host us and beyond. It’s good news to see that productivity and prosperity is rising locally and we’ve worked hard to ensure that people in the region can benefit from the many job opportunities on offer in the next phase of construction.
David Ralph, Chief Executive of the Heart of the South West LEP, said: “Hinkley Point C will provide a lasting sustainable economic legacy for Somerset and beyond. The new report reveals just how positive an impact the area’s nuclear assets have not just on our transition to net zero, but also the local economy, jobs, skills, inward investment and standard of living. The new training centres will support even more people into skilled jobs, and we look forward to working with EDF Energy as the site continues to grow.”
Andy Berry, Principle and Chief Executive of Bridgwater & Taunton College, said: “The partnership between Bridgwater & Taunton College and Hinkley Point C continues to open up new training and employment opportunities for everyone – no matter their age, background or previous skill set. The new training Centres of Excellence are not only making a difference to local career prospects today but will ensure Somerset has the skills needed for the next generation of net-zero projects.”
Doug Bamsey, Deputy Chief Executive at Sedgemoor District Council, said: “We are proud to be hosting one of the Britain’s most important low carbon energy projects. Along with the new training facilities, Hinkley Point C is also bringing new jobs, economic growth and substantial inward investment that is clearly making a difference to the local area. As we move into the next phase, we are looking forward to ensuring the substantial longer term economic and social legacy for the community can be realised.”
Paula Hewitt, Deputy Chief Executive at Somerset Council, said: “It’s really heartening to see the positive socio-economic benefits of Hinkley Point C continuing to be delivered right here in Somerset – driving levelling up of our communities and making a difference to the lives and future prospects for thousands of people. The results we see today are testament to many years of collaboration between EDF and local partners and I look forward to ensuring that these new facilities and our highly skilled local supply chain can continue to reap the rewards in the longer term.”
Read the full report here.
