Proposed plans for building the UK’s first nuclear power station in Somerset will be debated by planners and local authorities, the BBC reported today.

More than 5, 000 new jobs in the building construction industry could be created in the first phase of the project, if the planned nuclear power station near the Bristol Channel, in South West England, is given the green light by the government next year.

One of Britain’s largest energy suppliers, EDF Energy, announced last week the selection of the preferred bidder for carrying out civil works to build the proposed new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C in Somerset.

The joint venture between Bouygues TP and Laing O’Rourke includes the construction of the main civil works for the nuclear island and building the supporting structures of the project.

This contract is the first relating to the main construction work which will see up to 25,000 jobs created on site over the course of the project, including an estimated 400 apprenticeships, Laing O’Rourke announced.

EDF’s Chief Executive, Vincent de Rivaz, said: “The civils contract will assist the UK’s economic recovery and boost economic prospects and prosperity locally. Our project will inject billions of pounds into the economy, revitalise entire sectors of industry and support tens of thousands of further jobs.”

Chairman and a Chief Executive of Laing O’Rourke, Ray O’Rourke, commented: “We are delighted, along with our partner Bouygues Construction, to be appointed by EDF Energy as preferred bidder to lead the development of the first new nuclear power station, which is vital to meet the UK’s future energy demands and support the wider economic recovery.”

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