Opportunity knocks for businesses as Hinkley Project gets underway

Oct. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- Now inward investment body Into Somerset is urging businesses outside the county to register online in order to ensure they’re in a position to take advantage of Somerset’s biggest construction project in decades.

The main works at Hinkley Point C will be delivered via approximately 150 major contracts to ‘Tier 1’ contractors, but each of these major contractors will need to find their own suppliers. EDF Energy will also be offering hundreds of smaller contracts directly. Both EDF Energy and Tier 1 contractors are looking for suppliers now, with the help of Into Somerset and the Hinkley Supply Chain portal, which can be found at www.hinkleysupplychain.co.uk.

The Hinkley Supply Chain portal captures the capabilities of businesses interested in getting involved in the project. Once the ability of Somerset businesses to fulfil the needs of the development has been assessed, Into Somerset is tasked with bringing new businesses into the area to fill the spaces left by the county’s existing providers.

The Hinkley Project offers an exciting opportunity for Somerset to become an industry and world leader in new nuclear. Nothing of this scale has been built in the UK for thirty years and the development will be looked upon globally as a blueprint for how nuclear power plants will be built in the future.

As well as nuclear-related industries, the project will require involvement from a huge range of other sectors, from professional services to catering suppliers, and from construction companies to designers.

Having signed up online to be part of the supply chain that is being developed to support the project, the contracts are now starting to come in and Jual Branded Clothing was delighted to be the first local clothing company to get involved. They have been authorised to supply work, corporate and occupational clothing and uniforms, as well as specialist equipment and accessories to the proposed site.

Alison Brown, Managing Director at Jual, commented, “We look forward to working with the EDF Energy teams and associated contractors and companies in the initial stages and for the foreseeable future. I would recommend registering with the Hinkley Supply Chain Database, which is quick and easy to do. We've received updates on construction phases and tender news, and opportunities to meet with the key people involved."

Hinkley Point C was named in July as an approved site for a new nuclear build development. It is expected to generate £10billion of investment over the next decade, with approximately one-third of the investment planned for the nuclear reactor island and the remaining two-thirds required for associated construction and civil engineering works, as well as aligned activity such as business services.

The site preparation works, which will prepare the site for the main construction to follow, will begin imminently. Expected to last around 15 months, this stage will begin to unlock the benefit for business through early investment, creating around 500 new jobs.

Chief Executive of Into Somerset, Rupert Cox, says, “The Into Somerset team has been working closely with EDF Energy for some time to raise awareness of the vast range of opportunities on offer in Somerset for businesses and investors. Together we have developed the Hinkley Supply Chain Portal, where businesses of all shapes and sizes can quickly and easily register their interest, capabilities and accreditations.

“This really is a once-in-a-generation opportunity so we urge businesses to register on the Hinkley Supply Chain Portal, to make sure they’re part of this exciting, pioneering project.”

To register your interest or to find out more, contact Into Somerset and the Hinkley Supply Chain Team on 0845 1222 066. Further information can also be found on www.intosomerset.co.uk and www.hinkleysupplychain.co.uk.