VodafoneThree has been appointed as a tier one contractor for Sizewell C, the groundbreaking 3.2GW nuclear power station emerging on Suffolk's coast. The project promises to supply 7% of the UK’s electricity needs, ensuring low-carbon energy for six million homes and significantly reducing carbon emissions.
In collaboration with Fern Communications, now part of OEG, VodafoneThree is set to enhance the site's communication capabilities. Two 5G masts will rise, ensuring robust mobile coverage throughout the construction zone and nearby communities, while seamless radio connectivity eradicates possible blackouts.
With advanced 5G and fibre infrastructure, Sizewell C will benefit from improved coordination and data sharing among workers, thereby boosting operational effectiveness. Initiated in November 2024, the connectivity project aims to bolster the site's safety, security, and efficiency.
The extended reach of mobile services is also slated to empower local businesses and residents with enhanced access to digital resources, ultimately reviving the area’s economic pulse.
"High-quality, reliable connection helps us to operate at the highest standards of safety and efficiency. So, it’s an important step to be working with VodafoneThree and Fern Communications to provide what we need on site," Damian Leydon, Sizewell C Site Delivery Director said. He also added "It has the added benefit of providing 5G for the local area too: another great example of how benefits to the project can go hand-in-hand with benefits for the local community."
Sizewell C, largely government-funded, bears significant weight in the UK’s clean energy goals. With projections to support 1,500 apprenticeships and direct significant construction value to British suppliers, the initiative heralds economic growth and energy independence.
With over £4bn already dispensed to 300 UK suppliers, the latest agreement brings additional prospects for Suffolk regions, with local enterprises like Fern Communications playing a vital role in radio connectivity.
The notable contributions of VodafoneThree extend beyond Sizewell C. Their connectivity expertise aids SP Energy Networks’ infrastructural initiatives, aligning with national net zero targets. As the designated connectivity partner for Hinkley Point C in Somerset, VodafoneThree continues to influence the energy sector across the UK.
