Suffolk-based Jackson Civil Engineering is the latest firm to secure an enabling works deal for the Sizewell C nuclear power station project ahead of a Government decision to go-ahead with main construction.

The firm will deliver key road schemes early in 2025 for the vast project, says Construction Enquirer.

The latest contract award was announced as Sizewell C confirmed it has already signed £2.5bn worth of contracts for the project spread around nearly 300 UK suppliers.

Pre-construction work and early enabling works got underway at the Suffolk site around 12 months ago after development consent.

Now the industry is waiting for the Treasury to approve the final business case, expected in the Spring spending revenue.

Sources close to talks between the Government and nuclear power generator EDF are reported to put the latest forecast cost estimate at £40bn, double the initial estimate provided by the power company.

The UK government and the EDF will fund about 40% of the Sizewell C project. Government officials are now gauging interest from private investors to meet the rest of the costs.

EDF has issued a statement denying forecast project costs were so high.

“Recent claims about Sizewell C’s costs are not accurate and do not reflect the significant savings we are already making because we are building on the achievements at Hinkley Point C,” said EDF.

“That project has done the hard job of restarting UK nuclear construction and is seeing efficiency improvements of around 30% between its first and second reactor units.

“It means we are starting construction with a completed design, a skilled workforce and a supply chain ready to deliver.”