Gleeds’ expanded Hinkley Point C role: cost and programme lessons for project teams
Reviewed by Joe Ashwell
First reported on The Construction Index
30 Second Briefing
EDF Energy has appointed Gleeds under a new professional services framework to deliver commercial and programme management services for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset through to project completion. The role extends Gleeds’ existing ten‑year remit from commercial and contract management on major site civil works and marine works into wider project management, programme controls, and business support across the complex, highly regulated nuclear build. For contractors and consultants, this signals continued emphasis on rigorous cost control, contract administration and schedule integration on one of Europe’s largest nuclear construction programmes.
Technical Brief
- Framework appointment runs through to physical completion of the Hinkley Point C build in Somerset.
- Gleeds’ remit moves beyond post-contract commercial oversight into integrated programme controls and delivery governance.
- Previous scope centred on major site civil works contracts, including main civils and marine packages.
- Expansion into business support suggests closer alignment of cost, schedule and corporate decision-making for EDF Energy.
- Similar nuclear megaprojects are likely to formalise long-duration professional services frameworks to stabilise programme knowledge.
Our Take
EDF Energy’s confirmation in February 2026 that Hinkley Point C costs have risen to £35bn and first power is delayed to 2030 suggests Gleeds’ expanded role will be heavily scrutinised for cost control and programme assurance on a now high‑profile, over‑budget scheme.
Gleeds also appears in recent UK nuclear work at Wylfa with Great British Energy – Nuclear and Rolls‑Royce SMR, signalling that its Hinkley Point C remit could position the firm as a go‑to cost and project adviser across both large EPR builds and emerging SMR programmes.
With the Office for Nuclear Regulation recently issuing an improvement notice to EDF Energy at Hunterston B over electrical cabling practices, any expanded consultancy scope at Hinkley Point C in Somerset is likely to carry heightened expectations around constructability reviews and compliance with nuclear safety standards.
Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.
