The number of workers across Britain helping build Somerset’s Hinkley Point C power station has risen to 26,000 as the site hits peak construction.

The latest figures in the Hinkley Point C 2025 Socio-Economic Report also show the huge economic impact the project is having on the area.

The number of people working directly for the project is currently 18,000. Around 12,000 are working on the site itself, with 3,000 more expected in the next 12 months.

More than 14,000 people have already been trained in the project’s new Centres of Excellence with 1,500 apprentices trained so far, with 70% from the South-west.

With the fit-out phase accelerating, an additional 8,000 people are supporting the project as part of the supply chain, including factories in Bristol, Somerset, Wales and right across the country.

EDF says there is now a British supply chain of more than 4,000 businesses ready to support the next new nuclear project at Sizewell C and future small modular reactor (SMR) projects.

The project is having a huge economic impact, especially in the South-west where £5.3bn has been spent with local suppliers.

New figures show Hinkley Point C is driving growth across Britain and boosting the South-west’s economy.

EDF says the advantage of hosting Britain's first new nuclear project has helped the South-west region position itself as a leading centre of nuclear and engineering skills, with around 3,500 nuclear jobs in Bristol alone and a new nuclear centre opening at Aztec West later this year.

Locally, the town of Bridgwater is seeing productivity levels 10% higher than surrounding towns whilst the district around Hinkley Point C has seeing an increase in the number of medium-sized companies that is ten-times higher than the South-west region.

Stuart Crooks, Hinkley Point C’s managing director, said: “Our huge scale gives us the opportunity to be a force for good and a catalyst for change. We’re driving growth across Britain and in our region by giving thousands of people new skills and helping businesses to expand.

“The work to establish a supply chain and develop new skills means Britain is ready for our next nuclear projects like Sizewell C and future small modular reactors, as well as other critical infrastructure.”

Energy secretary Ed Miliband added: "This report demonstrates how our mission to become a clean energy superpower will grow the economy and create thousands of jobs. Clean, homegrown nuclear power plays an important role in revitalising our regional communities, with Hinkley Point C providing opportunities for local young people and backing businesses in the South-west.

"That’s why we are pushing ahead with new nuclear across the country so more communities can reap the benefits – including Sizewell C in Suffolk and Great British Nuclear’s small modular reactor competition."

Click here to read the report in full.